American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-10

ltS own guidance ana government now
then can series of resolutions agreed up
on by minority, and which drives from
the convention those representing major
ity OF the party, be regarded as platform
binding on the party? l cannot compre-
bend how it is, that the Philadelphia Con-
vention could claim the right or power TO
adopt platform; for where one is legiti-
mately adopted, the convention must be
very differently organized from that which
sat in Philadelphia.
Is there one man in the entire party, !
who will claim that in settling upon what
shall constitute the principles of the party,
the representation from Florida shall be
allowed to Offset that from New York
Delaware Offset that of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Offset Ohio-Texas Offset
Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky or
Massachusetts,? The proposition is in it.
self pslpaple and monstrous absurdity;
and yet this was the character and consti'
tuition Of that convention each State be-
ing allowed an equal number of represen-
talives.
But suppose am wrong again. and that
this was fair representation, where then
was the necessity for, or propriety in, ad-
opting any resolutions that were accepta-
bile only to comparatively small portion
of the party? If we are strong enough in
the South, to carry Presidential election
without the aid Of those in the North, who
agree with us on the main point that first
brought us together, to wit, the necessity
for arresting the current of foreign intiu-
enee that threatens TO overwhelm us, and
,, to place the government and destinies OF
America in American hands, then it may
all be woll enough; but if, on the other
hand, it shall appear that we oan't bulge
one step without their cooperation, then
why do anything that will provoke quar-
rel among ourselves. and one too, which
will assuredy throw the power that
), is within our grasp into the hands Of cur
u adversariess | confess l do not see the
; practical wisdom of su,:l proceeding.
France and England have agreed to lay
: aside all their former national disputes,
>. y, and have formed an alliance to accomplish
a certain great object.
What would be thought Of the wisdom
u u they would display. if they should permit
u their ancient jeaousies to be rekindled
!" and should undertake to settle them by al
appeal to arms in the presence OF the Rus
:. sian army, and thus invite certain delea
IN to both? And. in like manner, what mus
70 be thought of the wisdom we display
&c when men of the various political parties
u u have been brought together from sens
~ AZ of common danger, and have formed al
:" - alliance for the single purpose OF rescuin
: the country from the influence and con
- troll Of foreigners, if we should now, wit
:" every prospect of success before us. sto
to quarrel over those old questions which
." g for the time, we had agreed to bury, an
-. thus surrender ourselves an easy prey I
Nv our common adversary, and defeat the or
'I OI ginal object of our organization ? In m
ou opinion, if we are TO quarrel, it would
40. 40. quite as well to postpone it until We hay
ro' battled with the Democracy, and secure
'o' the principles of our faith, and placed tf
government in the hands of those in who
W" we can con6de, as to quarrel in advanc
81 ':o and thus increase the foreign power We
~ 80 much wish to cur,ail.
~, Io The evil of which we complain is eth
'.o ~, real or affected If it is imaginary, let
W dissolve our organization and each one
'1 ~ back to his original party and association
."i or wherever else he may think proper; b
'. 'n- if it is reality that stares us in the fac
wei e. let us accomplish the object Of our orga
- :. iza,ion without reference to outside ISSUE
~" take it to be nm acknowledged fact Il
'y no one contcmplates settlement OF t
omo 90" slavery question within the next tweI
I"' bo months, and therefore any expression
I'' opinion in our platform, whether from
~. ~ North or the South. may, without Diet
= I'" ." ment 10 any, be well postponed until at
SI tho Presidential election, which must Is
'0'U place within that time, and can't be pt
poned. Is there any one who really 81
wv poses that the institution Of slavery will
pa p"a redercd any more secure by sticking i
- ~ the platform resolution upon the SUBJ
~er0 wei, of slavery, especially when it is resis
o, o,~, by majority of the party? Or does a
az ~, body indulge in the hallucination that
- ~. w. institution will become less secure byor
!. sn1y ~ ting the whole subject from the platf'
st,;". and con6ning ourselves totthe one sin
Si'. ''' mighty purpose, that has aroused the
oio.1 ~.1 ton, and brought men Of all parties,
!, ~ tions, shades. and compilations togeth
- ;. w w If not, pray to ask why then press
5 on subject for the benefit of our adversal
and for our own certain and inevitable
10y n"! struction. If it is to be done, those
aIao iuuO' are more far sighted than profess to
ei'o;, emG must bear the responsibility, and take
w :. consequences on their own shoulders.
.s" an humble member of the party do
- ~ wish, and cannot consent, 10 partlclpa
P"U p,o,. the mischief which it appears TO me
:. Lie inevitably follow from SO suicidal COZ
and What have we gained by the Phil'
mand phia resolutions They have certs
out a spit the party all 10 pieces. and in SUI
ian in manner as to leave us powerless unless
claim split can be healed; and so long as we
The sist in that course which occasionet
Wbio split, as matter Of necessity the split
., and not only continue but increase. and
q did opponents will have nothing left for
to do but TO take advantage Of our