American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-08-02

mitcd vigilance and activity if the Union is
TO be perpetuated, and the Constitution and
Laws upheld and preserved. There has not
been Time wheu the influence aud eXer-
tons OF the party were more needed, and
never before has it appeared to hesitate or
wavcr. On all past occasions it has entered
the field eager TO bear the heat and burden
of the day, on the slightest appeal to its
sense of public duty: but now, when the
country is convused by inremperate section
al contentionsGond violence aud anarchy
vituperation and abuse, threaten the subver-
sion OF public order for the first time the
party is missed at the advanced posts it has
been accustomed TO occupy aud cnnoble--
II is the proud distinction OF the Wing par
ty to have rendered invaluable services, as
well TO the country when out of power, as
in, by the influence Of its sound, moderate
and conservative views in rebuking and re-
stralning party bigo,ry. 1t was the Wing
party which composed the agitation and re-
stored the iraternal relations of the Union
in former instances Of civil feuds, eyaspera-
ted to fierce intolerance. Nor has the dom
inant party refused to seize upon Whig pro-
positions as its own, regardless OF having
denounced them, when their adoption would
| have Injured to the credit Of their authors -
Generous and pure aims such as those which
have characterized the Wing party, have a
power over selfish and crooked counseis be-
yond the influence which is found in mere
numbers.
| The memories Of the past, the hopes Of
| the future, and the obligations Of the pTesent,
condemn the thought OF disbanding the Whig
party, and Of any remission Of its untiring
eXertlons. The strength Of the party is in
IFS principles aud as these depend not on
acceptance for their truth, neither has the
| fol, - II
ot disappointment or defeat lis maxim has
been that it was better to be right than to
succeed.
The immediate and practical question now
10 be determined, respects the course or po-
sition of the Whig party in the approaching
election. In the decision OF this question,
there should not be, in our Judgment any
hesitation or dissent. The prevailing dis
fractions, the uneasiness petvading the pub
iIc mind, disaHeCtion amounting even TO re-
beiOn, unreclamed after months of insuS-
gent defiance, the denuncialon and intoler-
ance which have invaded the deliberations
of the national legislature, the ieuds. strles
and sectional hostili!ies which cast their ap.
palling shadows before them, indicate with
unerrlDg certainty the remedy which is re-
| CURED. The services OF a national chief
Imagsstrate-of one known for his modera-
t'otl, iIio olilCldl NV, DIS
eqnal and imper,urbable attachment to each
and every section, his intrepdity in adher-
ing TO his convictions and patient fidelity i'm
arriving ot them, his veneration for the Con.
stituIion as the object which his love and
duty both constrained him 10 defend. With
such man at the head of the administra-
lion, Of whom the world has had witness
that such in truth he was. from having once
discharged its high duties, to the eXtinguish-
mcnt Of sectional jealousies, the restoration
ofthe reign Of good feeling, the main,en-
anCo Of the honor Of The government. aud the
advancement of its welfare. confidence.
good feeling and fraternal conference would
succeed TO distrust, elimination and intoler
anCe.
Resolved, That having had no agency i'm
the nomination OF candidates for the Presi-
dency, and declining now To make any nom.
nation of their own; the Wings of Virginia
are left free to select among The candidates
already before The public but in making
their selection they consult alone their prin.
ciples and their duty. and by no means
merge themselves in that party whose can.
didate they may adopt, but they will on all
occasions meintan and preserve their time.
| honored and distinctive principles,as known
to the country and attested by their history
! g. That regarding the new party, absurdy
styling itself Republican, as wholly commit
ted TO sectional issue, ard engaged in a
crusade against acknowledged constitutional
rights and the Union OF the States, il IS
needless to say more Of its candidate than
that his protensons are unworthy of being
scrutiniZcd and unfit 10 be considered in
national contest.
3. That looking to the pledge publicly
given by the Democratic party in its nomi-
nation Of President Pierce, that call agita-
ton on the subject of slavery in Congress
and elsewhere should cease" and the reie-
ration of that pledge by the President him
self in his inaugural address and in his first
message 10 Congress, il was not to have been
expected that his administration would have
encouraged this agitation by giving its cour.
tenance aud patronage to the agi,ators, and
by disturbing, for mere party ends, compro-
misos that had long preserved the peace and
harmony Of the country. That o party,
whose administration Of the government,
from It's accession to power, has been char.
aCerized BY violated pledges and fagrant
abuses in its domestic policy and by blum.
ders and difficulties in its foreign relations
reducing the county from peace and happi
mess TO q state of Distraction, animosity and
violence unexampled in our annals, Justly
for(eils the confidence OF all conservative
| men.
| d. That no Whig attached 10 his prinoi.
pies and jealous Of the honor Of his country,
can consistently support the candidate OF
this party especially while in addition to
other weighty objections on the question of
territorial rights we find him sustained at
The North as the edyocotc Of "Squatter
Sovereignty" !" and at the South his doctrine
OF The absolute power of Congress over sla.
very in the territories, has 10 be met by ex.
ponations and glossos as untenable as they
are deceptive and while too he Is iosponsi.
bic for the doctrine Of the 0stend Manifesto,
repugnant to every sentiment of national
honor and morality, and calculated to com.
mil the country toa career OF foreign aogres.
sions, that must result in depraying public
morals and provoking wars with other ma.
tons.