Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-06-11

The New Y ork Commercial Advertiser makes
the following remarks on the Democratic nomina-
ton for the Presidency:
In canvassing this first party movement in the cam
palgn it would be unwise overlook another fact
Each of the rejected candidates Cas Buchanan, Marcy,
Butler Houston, Lane, and Dickinson wrote formal
ply for publication to Mr. Scott, committing themselves
fully and unequivocaly the nalty othe Compromises
Yet even this did not them from ignomnious
lection Mr. Pierce wrote such letter, and the Con-
vention called him from his comparative obscurity by
unanimous vote offered him the nomination. Yet this
same Convention have resolutions expressing full
approval ofthose measures. Tns deep scheme. Whom
the South demands evidence that the Democratic cand
date sound upon that point these resolutions will be
produced When the North complains in the opposite
direction, they will be reminded that the Convention
marked with its dsapprova every who had edged
himself by the Scott correspondence to veto any legsa
ton that would disturb the Compromises So that the
platform" is swung upon central pivot. equposed by
the candidate on the side and the resolutions the
other and can be made to ncine either way the
cessity of the may require 1t of not
business to inquire whether Me- Scott his owr hook or
at at the instigaton of Others laid for the cand
dates with the understanding that their letters reply
should be made the instrument of their political death
and whether by Mr. Pierce avoided the trap
We only deal with the facts that the Convention re-
jected every candidate who had committed himself by
pledge, and took up one that had not.
The Scott correspondence was introduced by
the Enquirer with great flourish of trumpets as
constituting the true Democratic Platform. A
public pledge to veto repeal of the Fugitive
Slave Law was required of each of the candidates
in advance of the nomination, and it was univer-
sally understood that Mr.. Scott, the Enquirer and
the Virginia Democracy, insisted upon such a
pledge as sine qua non. This was the 'true
Democratic Platform upon which they stood
fortnight ago. But where do they stand now
Has the Democratic candidate to whose support
they are pledged, come up to the standard of Or
thodoxy which they themselves prescribed! Has
he stood the Scott test! Has he been made to lie on
the bed prepared by Virginia Procrustes for all
the Democratic aspilant., and upon which the un-
fortunate limbs of Messrs. Buchanan, Cass, Doug
las and company, racked and tortured even
unto death! In word, did Gen. Pierce publicly
pledge himelf before his nomination to veto
repeal ofthe Fugitive slave law ? We hear vague
rumors to the effect that he responded to Mr.
Scotts call upon him. but up this hour his letter.
ifhe wrote one, has not seen the light have the
public been favored with the slightest intimation Of
its contents. What private assurances the occu-
pants of the Scott platform may have received
that Gen. Pierce stood with them, we know not
ut certain it is that public pledge to veto the
Fugitive slave law was given either by him
self or others prior to his nomination. Wethink
it highly probable that Gen. Pierce did respond
to the interrogatories propounded to him, but if
so. it is somewhat mysterious that his answe,
should not yet have been made public. If his let
ter had not been received when the Baltimore
Convention nominated him, how could those pol
itcians unite in the nomination who had in
sisted upon preliminary pledge from the candi-
J,t r. e., Jc
other hand, his answer was received previous to
the nomination, why was it not published or read
to the Convention?
Cass, Buchanan, and the remainder of the ba-
er's dozen, had been made to show their hands
publicly, and it would seem that every considera-
ton of justice and fair dealing demanded that
Pierce should do the same. This, however, is
matter with which we have no concern, so far as
it affects the interests of these Democratic aspi-
pirants. But, as party mar9uvre, it deserves
the attention of the Wings We have not the
slightest doubt but that the remarks of the Com
mercial Advertiser truly shadow forth the double
game which the Locofoco party purposes to play in
the ensuing canvass The endorsement of the
Compromise by the Democratic Convention is to
be their Southern card, whilst the support of
Northern Freesoers is to be conciliated by point
ing to the fact that this same Convention repudi-
ated every candidate who had given public pledge
to veto the repeal ofthe fugitive slave law 1t this
consideration, no doubt, that reconciles the N Y.
Evening Post, the organ of the Van Buren, DEM
ocracy, to the nomination of Pierce. This aboi-
tion organ expresses its entire satisfaction with
the new candidate. The platform it regards as a
farce and humbug. 1t says:
The resolutions adopted by those who nominated
the candidate They not put till large number
the members had withdrawn they debated not
considered not heard; considerable number of
members present voted against them ard who said
aye, did not know to what they giving their ap-
plause The pretence of passing resolutions, of adonnp
platform of political belief, under such circumstances
is the merest farce in the worda proceeding as dest
tute of moral force the resolutions had been adopted
by dozen chance travellers on board steamboat
With regard to what is called the platform adoDted
Some part OF it is exceenthat which refers to the
olutions OF mnetyeight is worthy of all Communications
inasmuoh as readopts those principles of construction
which the legislative authority beginning to disregard
That portion which relates the fugitive slave law
founded doubtful construction of the constitution
would appear to many to be direct contradiction with
this to say nothing OF the inhuman provisions of the
law ITSELF on which, however tho resolution expre.ses
opinion But whether the resolutions are good or bad
we regard as matter of very little moment. They un
doubedy speak the sense of the committee who framed
them but in respect they be considered as speak
ing the sense of the Convention.
/ MIR. WEBSTER.
At the request of a friend we transfer to our
columns the able and eloquent speech of Mr..
Wood, of New York, in advocacy of Mr. Web
sters claims to the Presidency. Whilst the