Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05
THE NATIONAL NOMINATIONS.
From the Harrisburgh Telegraph.

that the proposition to proceed to make nomi-
nations prevailed by a decided majority, and
that Willard Fillmore, of New York, was Sc
lected as the candidate for President, and An
drew J. Donnelson, of Tennessee, for Vice
President.
The result of this Convention viii startle
the country, and but for some such considera-
tons as are suggested by our Philadelphia
correspondent, as having been potential in
precipitating the selection of a national ticket
at this most inauspieions period, it would ut
terly defy explanation in the minds OF most
prudent men, who honestly and earnestly de-
sire to wrest the government from the reckless
plunderers and perfidious betrarers who have
brought upon the nation such a hideous train
Of evils. We had everything TO lose by hasty
action, and nothing to gain. The elements
which must unite in support of ono ticket if
we would hope or wish TO succeed, are just
now in the worst possible condition to have
candidates flung upon them from any quarter.
They are infamed, Jealous and but too justly
suspicious of the good faith and integrity of
each other, and any Rct looking to a struggle
for supremacy in shaping the course of the
campaign, is but the act of a suicide. Adhere
TO our distinctive party prejudices or prefer
ences as we may, and clouded as may be the
Judgment of many when called to suggest the
way TO success, yet there can be no midnight
of prejudice so starless as TO shut out the con-
viction that in UNION alone can there be VIC
TORY!
We have no war to wage upon the ticket of
! tka pb;IadaIDbio Convention f,r from, II =
We have no time and as little inclination TO
censure those who have strewn the already
difficult path to success with new and more
formidable barriers; but the emergency de-
mands bold hearts and uniinching nerves 10
cure the evils which we cannot now avert. II
we should falter, with embarrassment thick
ening around ms, and our political sky cloud
ing deeper and deeper by the works of our own
friends, we could not be held otherwise than
faithless to our principles, faithless to ourselves
and faithless TO our country. The work of
ssUnion for the sake of the Union,' - so auspi-
ciously commenced in Pennsylvania, should
have. been the basis of national movements
touching the Presidential struggle and the
battle viii now bear heavily upon our friends
in perfecting it, with direct antagonism COM
ing from the American Convention. Did that
antagonism give but the rcmotest hope of sue
cess, with Wings and Republicans driven into
the position of foes, then we could commend
the party that took the field relying on its own
strength and defiant of all but it is worse
than madness to reject or even disregard that
We would not have the American party Alb
olitionized, or in any degree subordinate to
that dangerous element; but we dare not dis
regard the aroused feeling in the North that
demands simple justice. 1t IS not q narrow,
sectional or disunion sentiment to which we
would defer-it is the growing convictions and
goad.a spirit which are the natural offspring
! of a free people. when the government is lend
ing its best energies to spread the curse OF
Slavery into territory consecrated to Freedom
by the plighted faith of the nation. To this
sentiment we must yield or fall, and fall justly.
through intestine conflicts. With a common
cause and a common foe-with a common pa
triotism to inspire us and with a common
country to redeem, We should at least consent
TO be inst to the great North when justice on,
ly is demanded to secure concert of action and
a conlmon victory. The Wing party was once
4 pun LA POHSAAtAs L = mai Ahd4Nd III u lO-
bic ranks the brightest intellects of the age.
and, whether in power or out of it, exerted &
!; controlling influence in shaping the destiny Of
the nation. 1t was the true national party
Side by side with our northern statesmen stood
the Clays, the Bells, the Prestons, the Critten.
dens and others in support of the principle
; that Slavery should not be extended by the
/ government. But gradually it yielded to the
demands of the ''peculiar institution and fl
nally in an evil hour sought to compete witt
the Democracy for sectional strength, and from
thence it exists only on the dim canvass of the
past, Its greatness only made its wreck the
more terrible and complete. And yet with
the fate Of the Wing party still fresh in tie
recollection Of all, the American party seems
not to have profted by the lesson. In 1854
the American party was triumphant in ever1
northern State, because it was clearly and IN
eualifedlv identified with the anti-Ne braska
sentiment-notth eA bolitionism-ofthe y orth.
and the popular agencies which brought yicto.
~ to it's banner are as potent to-day as they
were then. We should not, therefore, il VIZ
could-brt we DARE NOT now forge that there
is a North
Tho time is not yet for Us to determine
how we shall vote for President. We shall
stand firm to the position assumed by the C.
Mon sentiment in Pennsylvania, and where ii
leads We shall follow. We have no war to
wage against any ticket but the one to be pre-
scented by the Cincinnati Convention, and a
gainst that our best energies shall be directed
and in support OF that opposition ticket most
likely TO succeed. We still hope that time