The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-18

should like to Mr.. Fillmore ptted against some
unobJectionabcD Democrat asconspicuous as himself
for devotion to the Union and Compromise. The
contest would be pleasant one, without &C rirnony
or personal bitterness, and the result would hardly
bring with 1t a sting to the defeated party.
From the Richmond va Republican.
Virginia Whig State Convention-The Pre-
sidentiaI Canvass.
Our readers will have perceived, by the notice
which has been for some time published in this
paper, that the Wings of the Legislature and the
State Central Committee have called Whig Stale
Convention, to be held in this city on the 18th of
April next. We hope to general representa-.
ton OF the Wings Of the State, and we trust
therefore, that friends in all sections of the
Commonwealth will assemble at their carliest
| convenience and appoint delegates to this con.
| venon.
1t is high time for thorough organization of the
Wings of Virginia in preparation for the approach.
ing Presidential campai gn-one of the most i'm
portant, if not the most So which has ever occur
red in the United States In comparison with the
momentous questions which will be involved in
that contest, the old party Issues fade into utter
insignificance. The unity and peace of the coun-
try depend upon adherence to those measures of
Compromise for which the nation is indebted to
these measures in good faith, we can only rely
upon man of national principles and character,
and of tried integrity in the great cause of the
Constitution and the Union. The safety of The
South and the preservation Of the Republic depend
upon the selection Of such man. The interests
involved are OF too great magnitude and of too
vital Importance to be confded to one whose su.
preme loyalty to the Constitution has not been
demonstrated both by word and deed or who
can justly be suspected of doubling for a mo-
mcnt whether his allegiance is due TO that
Constitution or to ''highcr law" But il is not
only the preservation of the Union which il in
volved IN the coming contest; we are in peril
not only OF civil COMMISSIONS, but OF foreign war.
Every thing valuable which has been achieved by
the founders of the American Republic, for our own
country and for mankind is at stake. doctrine
Of intervention in foreign affairs has been broached.
which IL equally at war with the recognised policy
of the United States since the days of Washing
ton, with the welfare of the nation AT larre md
with the interests of the South The party 10
which We are opposed exults in the character OF n
party OF progrsss, and it, leading organs and states
men at the North have given strong indications of
a purpose to use the new principle OF intervention
as one Of its chief elements Of agitation in the an
preaching canvass. The Wings Of the Union
should present man who will stand on the wash
ington platform, and who will seek in the cslab.
iishment Of that policy, the progress not of party
but Of country, in the strength wealth and great.
meas which flow from a rigid adherence to tho path
of peace, of contentedncss with the present wide
limits of territory and Of non intervention i'm
the broiIs and contests Of the old world. Every
motive Of pariotism aud Of interest therefore call
for the thorough organization. and prompt, cuor.
getic and united action of the Wings Of Virginia,
whose frat and essential movement is the whig
State Convention.
These are the vital reasons why the Whivs Of
this Commonw wealth should once more unfurI their
ancient aud glorious standard, and there is no ron-
son for dependency and despair. We commenced
the last Presidential canvass under circumstance
Of much greater encouragement than any which
now exist. We were then almost irreooncilably
divided in preferences Of a candidate, and ws
entered into the battle weakened by our own
schism, and opposed by united and active foe. .
Even under such advantageous circumstance,
VIC had wellnigh wrosted their old sccptro from the
Democracy Of Virginia. and We triumphan,ly
routed the Democracy Of the Union. There il now
no trace Of former fcuds The wbirs Of virginia
and Of tho entire South are united in their prefer
ences Of candidate for tho Presidency, and equal
ly united in their willingness TO support any Wing
who faithfully represents the national spirit Of the
country, and s true and conservative patriot.
II the nomination Of such man weakcns our
party in quarters where sectional influences arc
stronger than love OF country, hoan only strength
en- our political opponents by compelling them %
renounce national position, and revealing them
party willing to ally iself with the enemies Of
the Constitution for the miserable object Of party
triumph. II would be more honorable 90 fall in
battle IN which VIC fall with our country, than ~
triumph when the condition of victory ia treason
TO the Union. But the "si~ns Of tho times" indi-
cate returning sanity even in iho most Infected
section OF the North, and he is nov the strongest
man who is the truesi man and the soundost So.
triot.
Whilst the Wings Of Virginia arc united in their
readiness to support any Whig Of unqucsiion,d
loyalty 10 thc Constitution and the Ccmpronisc,
we may say with truth uf the great mass of tlcfu
what The Raleigh R,gistr says Of the Whigs 4
North Carolina, and what is undoubtedly true Of
the Wings Of every Southern State, that "no Other
preference has been expresscd entertained
among than, in conncxion with the next Prcsi
dency, than for Willard Fillmore. lie is hsp first
choicc- their last choice /"