The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-01-11
IS We arc left leaderless. We are not

personal idOlatrleS or clanniSn preuhectlons.
Never has there been time so favorable for
the complete and harmonious organization of
great national, regulating party. Never has
there been a time SO apt for right selection
ofprinciples, and for sagacious dctermina-
ton of fnture policy.
The party, sir, of which you and / must be
numbered, will naturally advocate the protec-
ton of American industry and the improve
ment of the shores ane beds of our great wa
ters. They will oppose wars of conquest
They will advocate by honest and temperate
argument the freedom of the territories of tho
United States. Such party cannot fail TO be
an economical party They will wage no cost
ly wars of conquest. BY their care to create
home market they will increase the national
wealth. BY improving our great national chan
nels of inter-communcation they will mitigate
sectional feelings, which exist in proportion as
different parts OF o country are removed from
and made independent of each other. Does
not this party exist! Do not you and and
millions of Americans believe in these doc
trines? Do we need anything more than that
we shall definitely organize in their defence,
that we shall come together from every part
of the Union by the representation of trusted,
able men, and nscribe our unanimous faith on
chart which shall be submitted to the sober
sense of the American people? Aud can we
not do this now, as well as at any future timc!
Let us call ourselves, too, by some name
that shall satisfy ourselves and the world
We owe it to ourselves 10 possess such name
as shall not repel those honest and simple men
who come to us from other countries, knowing
little of our institutions, but anxious to be re-
publicans and progressive citizens. There is
nothing in the name Whig TO attract them;
there is everything in the name Democrat to,
allure them. Now we do not want these mon
to be influenced by titles. We want thom to
examine principles, TO compare the doctrines
of the several parties who solicit their votes,
and TO decide as their reason, not their fancy
prompts. But we cannot expect this so long
as we are eclipsed by the name of Democracy
1t is an act of injustice to ourselves, and injus-
tice to them, not to neutralzo the effect ofthis
name, and not to bring our opinions into fair
competition and comparison with those OF 9TH
or parties.
Let US not suffer our veneration to override
our reason. AS wise men we must act as if
we believed il to be our first duty TO succeed.
We cannot cling to an Improbable and unpop
ular name and hope that our attachment will
be generously allowed for the mass of the peo-
Pile. Does not our admitted minority in pop
ular vote suggest TO us its cause? What is it
that he american Party, the Party advocating
the protection of American workmcn, and the
best market to American farmers; the Party
advocating honorable peace in preference to
dshonorable war; why is it that this Party
should be minority Party. 1t is not because
the nation have particular friendship for for
eign manufactures, not because our farmers
prefer selling grain to England rather than TO
their neighbors, not because Internal Improve
ments are unpopular but because the name
of our opponents enables them to control the
InIa &c T. 41,a e1o ,1,fl
honestly believe that nothing bearing tho name
of Democracy can be wrong. We cannot
expect them to think differently, as things now
stand. But we ought to blame ourselves for
not eradicating the cause of our minority We
nave fallen very far short of that surpentine
wisdom which Holy Writ commands us to ex-
ercise We neglect means and wonder that
we do not prosper. The mountain will not
come to us. 1t is simple question for us
whether we shall stand still, or whether we
shall 90 to the mountain.
A citizen eff New York gavo us tho title Of
'Whig.' The party have relgeously preserv-
ed and venerated it, up to the third of Novem-
Der. But the vision of Constantine was wan
ting to Mr.. Philip Hone No brigh. image
appeared TO him. inscribed with the Legend, In
hoe signo cinces' The word was not suggested
To him by inspiration. We have supported it
manfnIly, but It has not supported us. Tho
word in itself is meaningless. Many of the
great men with whose glory it was associated,
and in whose lifc it would have been a sore
trial to nbaudon il, have gone. They have left
us their memory; but they can no longer give
us their labors and their strength Meantime
new emergencies have arisen. Great duties
press themselves upon us: we need tho coop
Grafton ofall classes of citizens; every vote is
of value and dearly TO be priced. Why sho'd
we endure the slightest disability of which it
is in our power to rid ourselves; Why should
we fear change can be made so much for the
better?
These considerations, sir, are we'll worthy
our attention. They arc being ponderod deep
ly by thousands upon thousands of influential
men, and have not escaped the attention Of
any one of that body of our citizens who found
in so humiliating minority on the
third of November last. They cannot rest
till they have been fairly dealt with, and can
not believe, sir, that when they have been
fairly dealt with, things will bo as wo now find
them.
will oven venture, sir, to suggest to you
that it would be both timely and wise were a
of men in favor of the doctrines of
the Clay Party Of "A. called in some central
city Of the United States. there to discuss the
propriety of a new name for fresh and vigo-
ro"s anu pupuIa' party Oh Aherlchn anu ol
citizens. Such convention wo'd |
be ofsingular interest, and its transactions wo'd
at once command the deep attention Of the en-
tire nation. | am mistaken if sectional jeal- |
ousies would find announcement in such
body. think the men who would be therein |
assembled would feel the moral weight of their
actions too sensibly to indulge in political fol-
lies or meannesses. Meeting in new relations.
they would forget past differences. Old names
being cast aside, bitter and un.ovely associa-
tions would be cast aside with them. The |
high purpose of their convocation would en-
courage lofty symathics and patriotic rcsolu-
tions/ Whether known at tho Cincinnati |
Convention, or at the Louisville Convention, or
that of any other of those great central towns
Of which we arc so justly proud, il would mark |
a signal epoch in our history. and would be re-
Cured to with pleasure and exultation by each |
ono ofthoso who now look forward to il with