Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-08
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The proceedings of the Republican National
Convention are already before our readers. 1t
was our good fortune to attend its deliberations
We believe that it will challenge comparison
with any former political assemblage for the
high character and elevated talents of its mem
bers So marked was this that it has com
manded the respect Of the most debased of the
dough-face presses of the North, who are ac-
customed to misrepreSent and stigmatizc the
friends of freedom on all occasions Though
merely an advisory convention, at an inclcment
season Of the year, every free state and eight
of the slave states were represented. There
were were in attendance, we believe, about five
hundred delegates To draw these men to-
gether, there was nothing but devotion to the
cause, no nominations were expected, and in
all the conversation we heard we did not as
certain personal preference. The expression
in regard to the future candidates of the Re
publican party was a desire that the best men
should be nominated. Who those men viii he,
we could form no judgment from what we saw
and heard CHASE, SEWARD, MLEAN, BANKS:
WINoT Benton, JrLIAN and many Of the true
men of the cause, had admirers and were often
referred to with pride and confidence 1t is
generally understood, however, that the con
test about to commence in Congress is likely
to bring many men prominently before the
country, for credit or reproach. We have no
question from the feeling manifested at Pitts
burg, that personal preferences will be laid
aide in making the nominations, aud the good
of the cause only consulted.
The attendance Of Francis 7. BLAIR, as
delegate from Maryland was oae of the most
pleasing features Of the Convention Tothose
who ike ourselves had formerly acted with the
Democratic party. it was gratifying to be cheer
ed by the presence of the venerable friend and
adviser of Jackson aud Wax BURES. 1t was
an earnest, if any testimony was needed, that
we had not strayed from the Jefersonian de-
mocracy in which we had been educated To
/ those who had formerly been opposed, it was
evidence that he was willing to forget the fierce
contests of the past, when, as he believes, the
| Institutions of the country are asSailed by the
| mullifyng plans first promulgated by CALHOUN
| When he was named for chairman of the cor
vention, so appropriate was the selection, that
the assembled multitude testified their appro-
baton by round after round of applause His
presence and cooperation are the best evidence
which can be adduced 10 meet the falSehoodS
of those who seek to misrepreseut the priuc-
pies and purposes of the Republican party
/ Himself a sIave-owuer. and living in a slave
state, he cannot be called an aboitionist =
! His antecedents will acquit him of any morbid
! sympathy upon the question of slavery But
! Mr.. BLAIR is a statesman of enlarged views.
/ and the most ample experience lie probably
understands the views Of the founders of our
/ government, and Of the action in the Missouri
struggle, better than any other man The pa
per read by him to the Convention illustrates
his views and viii commend itself to the read
er, for its plain common sense and for It's mo-
/ deration.