The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-03-15
From the n, Y. Evening Post.
The Pittsburgh COnye ntion.

Inc maj proceedings OF the Republican
Convention, held last week at Pittsburgh,
will be found reported in another part of this
sheet. 1t was one of the most respectable
assemblages of the kind ever held in this
country, SO far as regards the character of
those who were present, and the apparent
disinterestedness of their motives. Among
them were men who had been distinguished
as members Of both the old political parties,
and some who, coming into public life since
the slavery question became the principal
topic of political controversy, had never ac-
knowled any very devoted loyalty to either.
Yet one of the remarkable feature of this
Convention was the part taken in conducting
its deliberations by some of the sturdiest
Democrats in the Union, men who stood by
the side of Gen. jackson in all his battles
with the wing party; who loved his sinceri-
ty, courage and ever-wakeful sense of right,
as much as they admired his political princi-
| pies, and who learned from his example to
make no compromise with wrong and injus-
tice. The proceedings of the Convention
were worthy of the men who formed it; they
were dignified and well considered.
AT this meeting it was not expected that
any nomination of a candidate for the Presi-
dency should be made; it was held merely
for the purpose of preliminary consultation;
it was held to compare the views entertained
in different parts of the country by those who
were unfriendly to the extension of slavery,
to see if there was any common ground on
which all could stand together in opposing it
izen of the North. One effect of this Con-
vention is already manifest; it has given
those who think alike on this subject new
| oo 81 - Ioe IoI f1,o
effect of rallying under one flag those who
fought before in scattered and struggling
companies. Of the opinions and wishes OF
regard to the extension of slavery, we never
had the least doubt; but one of the reasons
why the general opinion and general desire
is wholly unrepresented in the Executive de-
partment is, that it has never been concentra-
ted upon the elections. The waters that are
dispersed in thousand little rivulets are Of
no use to the manufacturer. Gather them
into one mighty stream and they move the
most ponderous machinery.
1t is evident that the members Of the Re
publican Convention adjourned with higher
expectations of success for their cause than
when they came together. The Convention
VI tie hHSilCdil parry, WHICH commenced
its sittings before them, is quarreling yet,
and its members will 60 home with much less
hope of carrying the next Presidential cleo
ton than they had week ago. Every day
of their session has been a new scene of dis
cord; they could neither agree upon the slave
ry question, nor agree to exclude it from
their deliberations. If the deliberations of
the Cincinnati Convention should be less
stormy, it will be for the only reason that
only one division of the Democratic party is
representative pro-slavery side-to the
entire exclusion of the other. If there should
be found among the delegates class who
are in earnest in their opposition to the ex-
tension of slavery, there must be quarrel,
as there is in the Know-Nothing Council at
Philadelphia. This, however, is not at all
probable. The proceedings of the Conven-
ton, so far as relates toexpression of opin-
ion, have already been settled at Washing
ton, and if we were called upon to mention
any delegate from any State of the Union
who might be expected to offer any opposi-
ton, we should be puzzled to do so. The
pro-slavery party had taken measures to OBJ
tain the complete control of that body, and
will dictate its creed-a creed making slave
~ an object of national concern-and will
s,,cyern its choice Of candidate.