The American patriot., 1855-12-08
Cincinnati American Convention.

was somewhat surprising. ~ 1t was evident no
national convention conid assemble until the
arrival of the day regularly sclectcd-the 22d |
of February. Wesupposed it to be Freesoil,
Seward affair, as soon as we read the dispath,
and SO was it inten led, although the recent tri-
umphs of the American party in New York,
Massachusetts, and Mary yand, mad several pro-
minent delegates much more moderate in their
propositions and movements than they other
wise would have been. .tH-t
The object of the Sewardites was to effect
complete division of the American party, North
and South, hoist the Abolition banner and run
MIR. Seward as Northern sectional candidate
for the Presidency This delectable scheme
was concocted long before the meeting Of the
National Council in Philadelphia, last June,
and the boiling of certain Abolition delegates
from that body was only portion of the game.
For time all things looked favorable to the
scheme; and the prospects Of Seward grew
brighter and brighter with each successive de-
feat Of the American party in the Southern
States-for neither Mr.. Seward nor his friends
feared any party in the country but the Amer
lean party. They had carried Ohio, and felt
sure Of sweeping in triumph over New York
and Massachusetts. But they were destined to
bitter and crushing disappointment. New
York and Massachusetts,, their vaunted strong
olds-through the gallant Americans of those
States-emphatcall repudiated them, tramp
led their doctrines under foot, and spurned
their dark and reasonable Vaccinations.
This was an efectual extinguisher of the as
pirations of Senator Seward and wet blanket
upon the Cincinnati movement. The tonst-
quence was, there were only forty three dele
gates at Cincinnati when there should have
been one hundred aud thirty, and but seven
States were partially represented, when it was
confidently anticipated that thirteen States
would be fully represented!
But the proceedings Of the Convention, as re-
ported in the New York Herald, of the 22d,
show the effect of the late elections in a man
ner still more marked. Lieut.. Gov. Ford, Of
Ohio, elected as Fresoiler, president over the
Convention. In his address, upon taking the
chair, he urged union and harmony advised
the Convention to make no sectional issues and
and to endeavor to get the whole American
party on a common national platform. This
is significant. Mr.. Dawson, ofIndiana, desired
) the adoption ola resolution declaring that slav-
cry was not national, but sectional issue,
and mnst be settled as such by the States Mr..
Knapp, of michigan, offered resolution Affirm
ing that it was not proper for the American
party to trouble itself about section issue and
20 the surprise Of all, exG Gov. johnson, Of Penn
S ,yvania--a prominent Frecsoilcr--rnade dc.
: cided national speech.
j All of these facts 60 to prove that the
strong medicine administered by the sturdy
t Americans of New York and Massachusetts, is
E working healthfn!ly.
1 The special reporter Of the Herald concludes
in this wise:
The popular plan tonight is to recommend a
special session of the Grand Council at Phila-
delphia, on the 18th Of February next four
a days before the nominating Council meets, at
/. which thetwelfth section shall be cut altogcth-
er, and the principles of State sovereignty SUBJ
c stituted, allowing the South to hold niggers in
! peace, and the North to work on the straight
r native platform, without regard to slavery at
, all. Something like this will be done, at any
rate. There will be 10 attempt at forming a
c Northern party. The chances for the party
Il in 1856 are considered too good to be imperill.
y ed in that way. The convention here is in the
n hands Of men who think their distinctive
e American principles of more consequence than
o Seward niggerism.
Upon the account of their reporter. the edi.
tors of the Herald make the following sugges'
: tive remarks:
II Have these Philadelphia scceders discovered
IS in the results of our late New York election Of
= the Missouri Compromise is dead humEug
y that the Seward abolito, league is a dead fail
rrc ?-that the fusion Of the Northern Know
If Nothings with it in Sc will involve crushing
p defeat? and that, on the other hand the re-or
+. ganization of the American party, North ant
South, on the broad and general doctrine o.
. non-interventon on slavery, as starting point
i; foreshadows certain success? Or, what is il
y the wind? What means this absence of Gov
# Gardner, Of Massachusetts--this unexpected
nationality of sentiment on tho part of Gov
johnston, OF fennsVluanla-tnls sudden revOl
I'd ution in the mind Of Col Ford-this harmoni
Up zing union motion of Mr.. Dawson-what meal
n; all these SYMPTOMS Of wholesale reaction, i
they do not indicate the complete dropping o
all further association with the Seward alliance
T. by the Know Nothings or all the North, ant
lg their junction with the Order in the South in
II, common American party movement, in boil
II. sections, for the Presidency? From the pro
ceedings before us we can can come to no 9th
he er conclusions than that they are the beginin
lg ola new order of things.
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