Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1856-01-22
TIE STATE O0NYRNTION.

arrived In COLUMBUS, which was on Snt'
urdoy night, large number Of tho del.
cgstes had already arrived; and appear.
ances indicated that the friends Of the
Administration end Of the Nebraska
measure. would have everything their
own way, and tina. line Of policy
would be adopted. which would compel
those who condemn the course adopted
by those in power OF Washington in re-
gard 10 slavery in the territories, either
to abnegate their principles and their
Independence, or protest against, and
perhaps wholly repudiate. the action Of
the Convention. The officials Of gov.
eminent were there in large numbers, ap.
parentIy resolved 10 force on explicit
and full endorsement Of President
PIERCE and the Nebraska Act, at all
hazards. Tho old and tried leaders OF
the party were, with few exceptions,
not there; and though there were in at.
tendance. many gallant and determined
opponents OF the doctrines and policy
which have wrecked the Democratic par.
ty, and clouded the future Of the coun.
try, they were mostly young men, un.
known 10 each other, and without or.
ganization. Gradually, however, this
latter class began 10 find zach other out;
consultation followed, and, before the
Convention met, a course Of action had
been agreed upon, which, it was hoped,
would disconcert and defeat the designs
OF those who seemed resolved 10 force
their policy and ideas upon the Con-
vention and the Democracy Of the State,
in their most extreme and odious forms;
and which, at all events, would enable
them TO preserve their own honor and
selfrc'pect. Thus they entered the Con-
vention--willing, nay, anxious 10 ac'
cept the olive branch. should it be Of.
fered; but prepared. at the same time, to
defend themselves unainchingly, should
they be challenged, TO COMBAT lou.
trance.
The result is known. The contest
took place, not in the Convention, but
in the committee on resolutions. The
friends Of the Administered ton there en-.
coun,ered a spirit, conciliatory indeed ,
but resoluto TO degree which caused
them 10 pause, and, finally, to compro
mise. The resolutions reported by the
committee were adopted by the Conven.
lion without discussion, and without ex.
pressed dissent; although they indebted.
ly fell short Of what many-like US
would have desired, and although they
contained some doctrines which were,
by many, regarded as untrue. They are
moderate and conciliatory in tone. and
will, wc doubt not, be accepted by the
Democracy Of the State generally, as,
perhaps, as near an approximation to
what each individual would have made
them as could reasonably have been ex.
pccted. That so much was accomplish.
ed under such apparently dishearening
circumstances was. we think, due alone
to the majesty Of truth, and the respect
which all men, not berelt Of every no.
BILE sentiment, pay to honest conviction
and manly in,repidi!y.
The denomination Of the present in.
cumbents Of the State Offices which are
about 10 become vacant, will, we pre-.
sumo, prove general y satisfactory.
In the delegation to the National Con.
ven,ion, the friends Of the Nebraska Act
are. undoubtedly, largely in the ascend
ant, though there is jus, as little doubt,
that the Administration is decidedly in
the minority. President PrERcE's pre-.
tended friends in that delegation are by
no means numerous, and bis real ones
are fewer still. Most Of tho delegates,
we apprehend. are at heart, Douglass
men.
The published proceedings show the
result Of the action Of the Convention.
but it does not show the process by which
those results were obtained. We wish
they did. We wish that every voter in
the State could see them all laid bare.
There we're, among them, some iIlustra.
iions Of the doctrine that call is fair in.
politics." which we hope. for the honor
Of our party, never to see repeated in a
Democratic Convention. The thorough.
bred politician may chuckle over them,
but they make honest mer !rown.
Ws dismiss this subjsc. with the re.
mark. that when delegate Conventions
are properly constituted and fairly con.
Quoted, they are useful means Of giving
practical expression to the sentiments
Of the people; but, that, on the other
hand. they are susceptible Of being easi.
y converted, by .rickery ia their com.