Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-20
STAUNTON SPECTATOR,
@sTAUNTON:@
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 40, 1856.
The American Convention.


On Friday next, the 22nd Of February the first
nominating National Convention Of the American
party will be held in the city of Philadelphia.
Whether the Convention will proceed to nominate
candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency.
or adjourn to some future period,we are not able TO
conjecture from the information in our possession
The press of this State have,with few exceptions
expressed the opinion that it would be impoll'lc 10
make the nominations at present. This has been
and still is our opinion. unless it be found upon
consultation that "tried and true statesman can
be nominated without difficulty, who can bid deh-
apce to the assaults Of his oPponens,and instead Of
losing, gain ground from this time until the day of
election. The signs of the times lead US to en-
terrain strong hope that such a result may be
easily effected, and in that event we should be
prat6ed to see the American banner unfured on
The glorious "22d.n the birth day of the immortal
Washington. Unless, he viewer, We are to have
inscribed upon that banner the name of some man
whose patriotism is as broad and comprehensive as
tina, of Washington-whose name might not be
,nvor,b;lv associated with that Of the "Father OF
his Country" we prefer to let the flag remain a
round its staff while longer-ifuot indefinitely.
We do not belong to that class Of politicians who
prefer a triumph with shutting, tricky, purchas-
able dsmagogue, who aims at nothing but party
success, and thereby his own personal advance
ment. to defeat with statesman who is known to
be honest, capable and faithful. We detest the
abominable doctrine Of availability, which incul-
Gates sacrifice Of the highest interests of the
country, in order to secure the spos Of office as
reward for party devotion and which, almost inva-
rably, results in the elevation of unknown, fifth
rate men to places Of high public trust and respon-
sibility. That great and good and patriotic man,
Henry Clay, who, perhaps because he was seldom
wrong, never was President, gave utterance to
the noble sentimental would rather be right
than President" Perhaps it would be taxing the
credulity Of our readers ''ll it groaned," to say
",hem's our sentiments" Confident Of our own
honesty, however, we hope to be believed when
we declare that we would rather be right than E.
lect President. II the Convention does right,
then, blinking no legitimate responsibility, but
placing tho party fair and square before the couu-
try, as band of united national Americans, we
can 90 cheerfuly to battle, and whether victorious
or not, feel comfortable after it is over. This the
Convention can do by placing at the head and
front of the column the right sort Of man-one
in whom the people can con6de-and that done,
we care nothing for the articles and sections that
make up those ingenously contrived political ma
chimes called platforms. As a general rule, we
wouldn't give That for platforms; snap your fin
gers and you will have pretty correct idea of
their value. The people of the South would will
rngly vote for Willard Fillmore without any
platform would they sustain William Fl. Sew
ard, even though he should endorse the Phiadel-
phia platform. and plant himself right in the CEN
tire Of the famous 18th Section? Of course not.
What the people of the South WANTS not flim
sy fabric of paper resolves, but tried and true
man who knows the rights Of all sections, "and
knowing dares maintain Them"
We await with deep anxiety intelligence from
the Convention, not without hope that its men,
bers will commemorate the birth day of Wash
ington by wise counsels and such action as will
rebound to the best interests Of the country.