Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-10
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The last convention held ut Syracuse, that
Mecca of the politicians of New York, was the
soft shell convention. 1t was looked to with
much interest. It's probable proceedings have
for weeks past been the theme of speculation.
Rumors of all kinds were rife. Some said that
the convention would adjourn without making
any nomination or passing any resolutions on
the great issue of the times. Others said that
the matters in dispute between the Hards and
Sefts would be accommodated, and that the
major part of the latterwould support the ticket
of the former Others confidently predicted that
Governor Seymour would be nominated, and
that there would be a new and efficient re-or-
ganization of the Soft forces.
The much-talked-of convention has at length
been held. We publish in another column
sketch of its proceedings. However averse we
may feel to interfering in the local politics of a
State, we would be inexcusable if we were to
permit this convention to pass by in silence
New York politics have been dragged on the
national arena, and it behooves us to bestow on
them the attention they merit. We shall pro-
coed to state our opinions in regard to the pro-
ceedings Of the Soft convention.
That convention was a failure. True, it
made nominations but the chief nominee on
the ticket it presented has declared, time and
again, that he would not accept the nomina-
ton. Governor Seymour has announced, in
the following note, that he would not be can
didate for reelection:
To The Editors of the atlas:
ALBANY, Sept. A, 1854: Some months since,
at my request, you stated, in your paper, that
/ could not be candidate for the Office Of gov
ernor at the next election. / learn this morn
ing, on my return to Albany, that some of the
delegates to the Democratic State Convention,
which will meet at Syracuse this week, are in
structed to present my name as candidate for
reelection to that Office. While am gratified
with these expressions Of good will and conf
dence, ! am compelled, by circumstances be-
yond my control, to repeat, what have at all
times stated in my conversation and correspond
ence during the present year, that ! cannot &C
cept nomination. You are requested to pub
lish this note in your paper this afternoon.
Very respectfully, yours, &c,
HeRATIo SEYMOUR.
But despite this note and many verbal de.
clarations to the same effect the convention
insisted on re-nominating Governor Seymour.
They pursued the same course that their ad-
versaries, the Hards, pursued towards Judge
Bronson; but whether with the same success,
remains to be seen. The probability is, that
Governor Seymour will persist in declining the
nomination, although the valiant Captain Ryn-
ders declared very pointedly that it was his
duty to stand by the Sofs, as they had all along
stood by him. We can hardly suppose it pos
sible that Governor Seymour will accept a
nomination so coldly conferred, by divided
convention, and not accompanied with distinct
straightforward and ineligible platform. As
for Judge Bronson, the National Democrats
were united to man in his support. He has
one hundred and six thousand clear Demo
cratic votes to begin with. The convention
that nominated him was harmonious, united,
and enthusiastic, and its platform Of principles
such as to commend itself 10 every man Of
sound constitutional politics.
AS for the platform of this Soft convention,
it is altogether unsatisfactory. Candor COM
pels US to say, that the most important issue
which they had to make-the passage of the
Nebraska BILLS most silly evaded. The
resolution is cunningly worded, and is evident
ly the production Of an adroit political ambi-
dexter AS the Sofs invariably do on this
subject, they endeavor by means of this reso-
run with the hare and hold with the hounds.
They attempt to conciliate both the antiNe-
braska men and the Nebraska men, to support,
and at the same time oppose, the administra-
ton in its course on the Nebraska measure.
They express themselves both for and against
that measure. To show that these structures
are not unjust, we quote the resolution that
relates to this subject, italicising portions Of
it:
Resolrcd, That we consider the clause in
the Nebraska and Kansas bill, repeating the
Missouri Compromise, as merpedient and nm
necessary but we are opposed to any agita
ton having in view the restoration of that line
or tending to promote any sectional controversy
in relation thereto; and we congratulate the
country that the results TO grow ont of thai
measure are likely TO prone beneficial to III,
leople of the Territories +; and that while VIC
maintain our position, that opinions in regart
to the power of Congress in this matter, ar
not tests, we nevertheless consider that the &C
Of remuneration by Congress of the power j
has heretofore exercised over the subject, al
the practical surrender Of a formidable .func
ton ON the part Of the Federal Government
and as the cession Of a right to The incipien
States Of the Union, the erercise Of mich can
in all probability, result only auspiciousty &
the people Of the Territories and The peace o
the Union."
Before proceeding to analyze this resolution
we would remark that the Albany atlas, fror
which we copy it, has changed the phraseolog
of the FIRST sentence in a material particular
This difference between the resolution as pull
lished by the Atlas, and as it passed the cor
vention, (see resolutions in another celumn,)
as follows: "Resolred, That we consider th
clause" &C., las in the Aaas,) and Resotre'
i - II al