The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-12
THE pH1LApELpH1A CoNvENrIoN.

Next Tuesday, at Philadelphia, viii assemble
a National Convention of delegates, chosen by
the People without distinction of party, to NOM
mate candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, on the issues growing out of the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and other
acts of like character.
AS one of the People, we have discussed
with care and at length the Principles and Pol
icy, which, in our opinion, ought to decide the
action of that Convention. Looking beyond
what are called the aggressions of the Slave
Power, to their source, regarding the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise, not as an isolated
outrage, but one of a series of bad acts, spring
ing from the same cause, and evincing fixed
purpose to subiugate the non.slaveholders of
the country to Slaveholding Oligarchy, we
have insisted that sound policy demands the
organization of Party Of Freedom, with prin-
ciples and sims commensurate with the gigantic
Evil to be overthrown-a permanent Party, act
ing for definite object, by clear, comprehen-
sive method: that such a party should select
as its standard bearer, a man fully comprehend
ing its whole scope, above suspicion in his de-
votion to its Principles, having attested by acts
his fidelity to them, in whose favor, in addition,
appear the highest probabilities of success, and
with whom the Party would be safe and pro-
gressive, whether in victory or defeat.
These views we still entertain and may we
not be permitted to say that, had they prevail.
ed, had the People in the selection of delegates
acted from similar views, there could now be
no doubt in relation to the character of the
nominations to be made by that Convention.
Does any man question that Seward or Chase
would have been determined upon as the Pres
idential candidate? Our own opinion still is,
that one or the other of those gentlemen ought
to be nominated, and such, we doubt not, is the
opinion of all who concur in our general views
of the true policy of National Movement
against the Slave Power.
But, the majority of the People, we sppre-
bend, are not with us on this point. They have
been urged to confine their views to the de-
mands Of the present; to engage in tempo
rary effort, rather than bend themselves to
permanent work to unite in kind Of unde-
fined movement, to redress a single wong, to
ward off an imminent danger, rather than form
permanent Party; and such opinions, we
suppose, will control the Convention. The
question asked will be, Who will combine all
the elements of opposition in the greatest de-
gree, and give most promise Of no,o overthrow
ing the powers that be? In other words, avail
ability will be the controlling consideration.
Should this be the case, who then shall be
the candidate -?
The New York Tribune, which, from the be-
ginning, has co-operated with those whose eye
was fixed on the polar star of immediate sue
cess, never laboring to brace up the public
mind to the noble task of organizing perma.
nent Party on clearly defined Principles, in OPP
position to the Slave Interest, having succeeded
in reducing the question to problem of avail
Utility, a few days since presented an elaborate
editorial, the effect of which was to convey the
impression that Chase nor Seward could be
elected, but that success might be achieved by
selecting some candidate not distinctively iden-
titled with our movement. After all that we
have said on this point heretofore, had the
Tribune stopped here, we might have been
silent. Indeed, we had carefully avoided in
our paper any reference to individual candi-
dates, excluding all communications on the
subject. True, we had noticed what we thought
unfair attempts to manufacture candidates, to
preoccupy the public mind with one name to
the exclusion of all others, but we trusted that
Xba Daopla Mould Of rorp,sf tbox,,o aly 70 ho
biased. This editorial of the Tribune, how
ever, makes it necessary for US to say some
thing more.
Let it not be forgotten that we are in favor
of contesting the election on the strength of
our movement, put forth distinctly and boldly,
and on the strength of a candidate, Seward or
Chase, as boldly representing it. But, if the
contest is to be removed from this high ground
to q lower, or, as some say, broader one then,
although we may be considered an outsider"
the People should act intelligently.
The Tribune names four gentlemen as "avail-
able"-Colonel Bissell of Illinois, Mr.. Banks,
Judge Mclean, and Colonel Fremont, but it
does not test them by the same standard. For
example, it finds great drawback to Judge
McLean's availability, in the fact that, on the
bench, believing the Fugitive Slave Act consti-
tutional, he has administered it. That is true !;
that is most serious objection to him among
old Anti Slavery men but, where do the other
gentlemen stand, when the same test is ap-
piled? Judge Mclean did not make that
Law, nor would he have voted for it, we pre-.
sume, had he been q member of Congress: but
has Colonel Fremont ever intimated any hos
tility to it? Mr.. Banks supported for two
years-until l854-a Party and President,
pledged to regard it as irrepealable; Colonel
Bissell voted for it, and continued to support
the Party committed to it, and none of these
gentlemen, we believe, have indicated any
change of view.
Recollect, if the ground we advocate is to be
changed, then the relatios which man has
held in times past to the Fugitive Slave Act,
by necessity, as in the case of Judge Mclean,
by voluntary action, as in the case of the other
gentlemen, are to be overlooked
The Tribune evidently prefers Fremont, next
to him Banks; Mclean it would lay on the
table. Fremont is a young man a successful
explorer; unfamiliar with politics; without
experience as a statesman without antece-
dents or record or any declared opinions On
the great Question which agitates the country,
and on which the Democratic Party has Just
taken thoroughly Pro-Slavery ground. Mr..
Banks is a gentleman about the same age ad.
mirably qualified as a Speaker; successful
politician; Democrat, in full communion with
his PARTY until 1894. then q r,a,bou n Al