Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-05
From the Richmond Wing, June 4.
~ M(lIlllI

thing National Convention which meets in Phiudel-
phia, tomorrow. Wehave done so because its pro-
ceedinss are looked forward with unusual interest
and because upon the result OF :ts deliberations de-
pends the question whether there is, in fact, natiou
al PARTY in the North. This indeed is all important
and vital queston, and one which the convention al
Philadelphia have to decide, one way or the other
And therefore il s that we feel an absorbing anxiety
on the subject, and why wish merely TO re.erate
the views we have heretofore expressed.
We think it evident, from what we have seen Of
their course and know OF their sentiments. that the
convention will be compelled to ignore the Know
Nothinzs out and out. And the first sep TO be taken
in this direction is to say to Senator Wison Of Mas
sacbusetts and those who sympathise and affiliate
with him. and who endorse the late outrageous con-
duct of the Massachusetts Legislature, that they can
not, under any circumstances DC permitted I" take
seats in the Convention. II is clear that Wilson and
men of his stripe will go there only for purposes OF
nischief-:o introduce discord and bring odium upon
the cause If you admit him and his allies, you may
Us well admit Seward and Greeley, nad Giddings and
the whole tribe of Northern incendisries in Il body
For if Wilson 10 conservative and national i'll his
feelings and Ren;imentsf he is friendly to the Con-
stuton and the Union, and in favor of protecting the
rights of the Sates-then, aSo is every other aboi-
ZIONIST in the Northern States without exception. So
there is but this altcrnative-you must either kick
him ont without ceremony, admit him. and then be
compelled finally to break up III row. For we take
il, there being no sympathy between you and HIN
upon the only question that distu the harmony
ofte BODY and there being possibility your ever
agreeing upon these Guesons-.!at one or the other
will be forced To secede Why, then, admit set ot
men whom vn,, know beforehand 10 he iuimlcal 10
the principles which lie at tho very foundation Of your
order, and from whom yuu Gun expect nothing but
forerone determination e!n5arrass your action aud
70 iriure the cause whose interests you have assem-
bled 10 advanced Why not tell them in plain and
blunt language that being Abolition incendaree Toes
OF tho Constitution, and dsurbers OF the ptacs ut the
Union a convention Of honest men and patriots is
place for them Say this TO Wilson and his iedcrals
and ,he chief if not The only obstacle in the way OF
forming Just such platform as the country expects
and .,nuuds at your hands, IL removed at the outset
You will then have no further difficulty; but every
thing will move on harmonlonsly aud happily anu re-
suit in consolidating the American party into one com
pact WHOLE freed from every element that can posi-
bly, distract it tend to mar lis success lhis inc
advice we give and give it in all caudor and sim
cerity-eatisted that unless you purge the purity of
evory faint of Aboonls, and make il, what It pro-
fesscs to be- thorough National, conservative, State
rights party its is ended, and thore Will be none
40 moor hereafter 10 do II reverence.
Having gotten rid OF these preliminary obstacles,
the next duty that will devUlve upon the convention
will he the work of constructing just and acccptu-
bic platfcrn-nud upon this subject We have nothing
to add TO what We have already said. But we may
he hardened for renewing Our suggestions on this
point-for upon It depends our cooperation, and that
of the entire South. Wo repeat then, that II Is I'M
possible for the convention to refuse to adopt any
platform. 1t is impossible for them TO ignore those
is, and has been, SO deeply agitated. To meet and
saw nothing upon thcs. subjects mould be Infinitely
worse than not 10 have met at all We care not in
what language the convention may think nj to en-
press itself 30 it il done in clear, distinct, emphatic
uud uneauivocul terms. But this we do Insist upon;
that the must assert its opinions IN refer.
ence to those question:. which peculiarly affect the
South and with il the integrity ami pcrpotuliy oil the
Union Ii is impossible 10 evado them, and not cast
suspicion upon the nationality and good faith OF the
American party. Therefore, we beg LET 1t be done,
und done openly and in the ftca of the world.
This particularly, is what we of the South desire
aud have right 10 expect. We " ant the conven-
ton to pledge itself aud its constituents TO scrupu
lou- and faithful observance fthe Constitution and lis
guuranees-to faithful execution of all laws passed
under it, the Fugitive slave law included and TO pro-
claim its recognition Of tho great doctrine Of non-in
tervcntion in the Territories In short that Congress
has no power to interfere directly indirectly, with
slavery in the States, ind 10 power to exclude the
South with her property, from cny territory. now,
or hereafter to be acquired This done, and your
pluttorn will be strictly constitutional State Rights
platform, uld will DO received with faror and appro
baton by conservative men and patriots III all sec.
tions of the country.
In conclusion, VIC express the confident hope that
the Philadelphia convention will act wisely and pa
triotcally aud leave nothing to infcrence. Let Us
have All open, honest alive Oak" platform, and the
American party is henceforth the great conservative
party OF the country, and luvinrlolc.