Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-07-16

To the Old Line Wm18S Oh w. IN
Convention Assembled.
FsLIow CITIZENS. Active service in yours ranks
for more than 20 years although in "a private sta
ton and jealous and uniform devotion to the great
national and conservative principles which, rs par
w. you have advocated constitute the only apol
ogy which have to offer for briefly soliciting your
attention on your asscmblage in the City of Rich
mond Need | say that the country Is now look
ing to the deliberations of your body with the most
earnest and anxious solicitude' That, notwthstand-
ing all the assumed and boosted confidence Of inter-
ested politicians, scarcely rational doubt can be
tertaned tina, you hold the balance of power in the
approaching Presidential election not only in vir-
ginia, but throughout the Union; and 60 the "0ld
Line Wings Of Virginia, doubtless will go the
remnant ofthat noble spartan band in every State in
the Union. Does 1t not become you then seriously to
deliberate upon the present condition of the country,
and compare with It's history four years ago when
your chosen champion was at the heinz Then
peace prosperity and happiness regned throughout
borders. Then undoubtng confidence in the sta
bliiy Of the government and the permanencc Of our
glorious Union pervaded the country from the ST.
Johns to the Sabine-thea, although Abolition fana-
les were scattered through the North and here and
and there presented themselves in the halls Of Con-
gress, they constituted faction too weak and
tcmptibe to excite the fears Of the country Taylor
and Fillmore had crushed to atoms the hope of the
Van Burens 1.-THE present supporters Of Mr.. Buchan-
AM and their free-so confederates and tramped the
Buffalo platform In the dust Then the country
heard of the removal Of honest patriotic
tive and national men from office because of their re-
fusal to appoint fee-soilers to prominent and res
ponsible statons-nor had 1t witnessed the bestowa
of all the Offices Of influence and profit upon free
sellers, and the appointment of Southern man the
Governorship Of Territory which II was impossible
could ever become Slave State, and the appoint
ment ofa Northern Abolitionist MS Governor of n |
Territory well adapted to slave labour and by an adj
ministraton, too protesting especial and almost ex-
elusive devotion to Southern Rights Mr. Fillmore's
friends then only claimed for him the sterling quail
ties Of noble and self sacrificing patrotisma stern
and unbending and incorruptible integrity-and the
qualifications Of an able, successful, accomplished
and practical statesman. And did he not nobly vim
dictate his claims to the high chaacer7 But it was
Ibis fortune to entwne no military laurel with the civic
wreath that encircled his brow--nether his
administration marked with so signal event in the
history ofarms, that which characterized the bonn
bardment of Greytown. But it was marked with the
fortunate and signal success of his model and Wash
ngton-ke conduct ofthe affairs of the government
and by the generous confidence which il inspired in
every section Of the Unonnot less than by the vol
untary and spontaneous communications bestowed
upon it by political adversaries, warmly and as
,zealousy as by political friends
Need invite you "to look upon that picture and
then upon this2n Have we not already reached A
fearful and momentous crisis under the guidance
and control Of this Democratic administration Is it
not true that the gentle breeges of sectionalsm and
abolition fanaticism, which have heretofore only
dimpled the wave before the prov of the stately
vessel, have been made to sigh and howl in imita-
ton OF the tempest2 Is il not that the sappers
and miners openly Mt work to undermine the sta
BILE foundations of this beautiful fortress of Freedom2
Is it not true that dark and portentous clouds are
lowering in every quarter of the political horzon?-
that blood has already been split in civil stre-that
civil war with all its horrors and fearful consequent
ces, has recently ragged lift does even now rage
upon our borders; that Seward, Wilson Co. the
great leaders OF purely sectional party have openly
proclaimed in the Senate that the hour for compro-
mise has past, and that dark, and deep and damned
treason has tramped upon the constitution and deed
the authority and the laws of the Union? Have we
not seen the fires OF hypocrca and fendish phian-
thropy famed into fame In section of the Union
and blind and servile obedience to party political
corruption and demagogueism all over the country?
Have we not seen two hundred able experienced and
accomplished naval officers cashiered superseded
turned out of Office for other crime than their no.
iiticai opinions, and mainly because like yourselves
they are gallant Old Line Wings? And everywhere.
Whenever the Democratic party has the power, the
great Republican and Jefersonan doctrine Of homes
capsbity aad fidelity In Office ignored and substi-
tuted IN practice by the Brigand doctrine that might
give right in the distribution of every Office from the
highest to the lowestl Have We not seen the patron
age ofthe Federal Government openly brought into
conflict With the freedom of elections and the pub
lie revenue--the treasure Of the nation-wantonly
wastefally and shamesally squandered by this Demo.
cratic administration, until annual expenditures
have reached the enormous sum Of 70 or $50 900
so0c7
But notwithstanding all these evidences Of NAL
administration inbecility and corruption, the coun
try Is gravely asked and the South In particular,
aid in the elevation to power Of the sale party-t
place In the Presidential chair another Northern De
mecrat With Southern feelngs-a man who advo
Gated the Niseoud restriction in lsl9--vho declare
"ks - bassed stap1y 70 BE- great political and
<v1 = 1896 and thanked God thai his lot had been
n ! Rsb vaevsa I'D not ezisf-who, ia 1914, advo
cutsd ne asnsxation of Texas, because in his opn
Ion, at woald be the means ofmiting, not tnlorgin
~ dominieo Of slavery" and who then declare