Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-25


chosen President, and Thomas b. Stevenson, OF
Maysve, Secretary.
The President addressed the meeting as follows
GESrLEaES In pursuance Of the circular letter
which have read to yoa. number of gentlemen,
who are members of the old Wing party, and who
nave not associated Themselves with any uf the
parties naugurated since the Inst Presidential cleo
tinn have for the purpose Of consulting on the
existing state of public affairs and OF adopting such
line of conduct aud action as duty aud patriotism may
seem 10 demand.
1t known To the gentlemen who compose this
meeting that the Wing party OF Kentucky has, for
more than twenty-five y,ard, maintained political
sscendancy i'll our State Government and in her rep
resenatuu in the Federal Councils, with what bsre-
lit 20 the country refer 10 the impartial Judgment
of the wise and good uf all parIies.
Within the last two years new party, called the
American party, has nude such heavy draft upon
our strength 10 deprive of much Of our vIgor
aud efficiency, and unless We shall, by renewed
efforts and organization. regsin our superiority, VIC
must become inactive spectators al public affairs or
g.. ,hall be- driven 10 other alliances.
W. deeply rrgre: that that portion OF the American
narIy which left our ranks aud from whose asaocia.
non we have hitherto derived such efficient strength
in NUMBERS worth and craftsmanship, should have
planted themselves on new code OF principles which
IN them is paramount, but 10 which We cannot sub
scribe consistently with our CONVICTIONS %! Guy or
propriety nr with our CONSTRUCTIVE Va ou' 'ePNo'
Constitution.
We cannot unite with our old Democratic oppo-
nn,. fur reason, which have been publicly proclaim
| ed for more than twenty-five years , :.
W. utterly repuduie all conncxon with the ADOLF
,,r and Fr..so parties uf the free States, because
f thar agitation of the question OF slavery their in-
vasou of the domestic rights aud INSTITUTIONS III tue
slave States, and their usurp.d CLAIMS 10 thr sete
ment aud occupation OF the Territories o tne on'eu
States to the exclusion oil !he equa pa'"e'Po''h VI
| the people OF the slave States.
| ". believe that, however our strength ms a party
has been Impure. by the secraaon - our !orhel
trisnds should perseyere Ill the EFFORT 10 na'b'"u
and establish our long cherished and hunored primer!
Ms and that both duty and patriotism demand thai
W. shoulI not be inactiye spectators oil puoc AFFAIRS
~. uropuse To old principles ana 10 pro-
cuirn our opinions the neg party ISSUES, ana we
| earnestly invoke the corporation VI our isGn
| zua of the Stale and the Union in ihu reorSaz"tioL
| of tb, Wing party, founded on the principles Sci
forth in our address and resolutions, which are pre-
| seuted tor their consideration aud acceptance
The committee, consisting ol the ffes'Ish', oee'e
APPOINTED To report nm address aud Resolutions eel
ting forth ia. principles of the WING parry "a wv
proposed objects Of this meeting wno' amer reI.oeiu
| tur, reported an address TO the wings Vi he"u'h'
| aud the Union and platform ot wang Pl'"e'Pie'
aud measures in the words following 10 VIII
address TO The Wig, of Kentucky and Of the Union
In obedience TO a. call circulated in ali quarters o
the State u number Of the Wing. OF heniucky, as
senbled ut Lexington on the I'm uf April, lo'o,
consider their duties and relations rs ctlzens of tn
Republic, and, having earnestly deberntsd there
upon, respectfully submit their views III !he SUI
joined Address and Platform, and solicit thr rater'
consideration thereof by their brethren OF hehtueA,
and the Union.
The time is now come, in our opinion, for the re
organization of the Wing party and Tor It's reap
pearancs or the important theatre oil poi!ticai action
lts interpnsiUn in public affairs, In our Judgment,
! a duty demanded by principle and patriotism. Ii
members are not content to remain rhssiVe spetta
tors, leaving the conduct Of public affairs anGer i'
exclusive guidance and control OF others Such III
action would exhibit them in an attitude unworthy
their past, and fathess to themselves TO their prln
cples, and to their country.
The od-line Wings, as such, cannot CONSISTENT!
unite with my other existing party. lhey cam"
join the Democratic party, because they do nor mp
prove its administrative policy. They cannot lo
the Glercan party because they believe It's primer
pies and spirit involve menace against the secnre
Of civil aud religious liberty and BECAUSE further
more that party has systematically introduced tn
alarming practice Of subOrd.atiGg the judiciary Il
political aud party influence and control They can
not Join the Republican party of the North, b.caus
it s fanaticaI and sectional party, whoss policy
carried out, will shater the Union in fragments Ant
dreuch the land i'll fraternal blood.
The Wing party, in the true manifestation q: II
principles and policy, is National party. R.ve'
= ence for the Constitution and devotion TO the Unln
have ever been distinguishing evidences OF lis ih''
and practice. In tbs spirit Of the iustrious patrlo
Webster, the Wings knog' no North, no South, n
: East, no West. Their love and their loyalty app
to the whole Union In the beautiful language OF IN
gifted Choate, the Wings can lin no peFty thf
does not carry the flag and keep step to the music
the Gnlou.
The Whiga have consistent alternative to resol
to but the reorganization Of their own party. An
it is the best resort uuder all circumstance IN
Republic has never seen @ party more patrlouc INA
i the W hig party, and we have no hope OF ever seem
purer or more useful political organization.
principles its policy, and its inexibe patriotism max
!, it the best hope OF the country.
. Its principles, founded on the basis of lmlnutao
}. truth, nre indestruelible They will survive Inc va
citations of men, the mutations of platforms, AMI IT
/ fate of parties. They ars bat the natural ana nece
r. sary deductions which practical wisdom, statesman
ship, and patriotism evoke from tue CONSTITUTIONS
I They will continue vital as long as we may nave
j. Constitution claiming our allegiance, thicn y
IL vuking our loyey,a people worthy oil our iraterni
a country soliciting our love. end hearts IN our
pulsstiug with the inspirations Of patriotism al
! duty.
/. The measures of the Wing party. everuore col
formabe TO the Constitution, look to the preser'a
= Of the Union, the prosperity aud happiness o! u
people aud the greatnes. and glory OF the na''on
j., The Wings have adopted their princlple' iro
and deliberate conviction oi their trutu' ah
If 10 viudcate their cunsistency aud Integrity III
r. should adhere IL them in every phase oi tort"s
N prosperous adverse; aud ia this conneAion
cauuot but be refreshed and encouraged o. recurrn
u as We should often do, 10 the stimulating e4aHPe
It the immortal leader Of the Wing party whose VOC
II were il still articGats. would now but re-ecno
IF voice which never fsed during his long and gior'o
life 10 animate his cumpatriots with new energy d
!. courage. In the most depressing periods ot ms
litica fortunes, the soul OF Henry Clay, Ike the SO
o of all the truly great, only gathered napra'on al
|. courage from adversely. In lS29, when DC seem
@ overwhelmed by an irremediable defeat, posing hiI
self loftily aud proudly on his own brave CENTRE