American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-06-27
NATIONAL AMERICAN ADDRESS.

the eloquent ana patriotic address of
tho Louisville Convention to the people
Of the United States. We hope no one
into whose hand sit may fall, will fail to
read this admirable document, which
unless we are greatly mistaken in our
estimate of the intelligence and patri-
otism of the great body Of the Ameri-
can people, is destined to make a pro-
found and lasting impression upon the
public mind throughput the Union. Its
calm temperate and conservative tone,
and its clear exposition of the dangers
to be apprchcndcd from the reckless
and fanatical principles and practices
Of black rcpublicanism, the scarcely
less mischicvous tendency Of pseudo
dcmocracy,--and the unmitigated evils
that flow from the influx Of ignorant
and dcpravcd outcasts from the shores
of Europe, who are invested with all
tho attributes of American citizenship,
and courtcd and carcsscd alike by Dem
ocrats and Republicans, appeal so
strongly to the patriotic, Union-loving,
and american sentiment of the coun-
try, that none who read it can fail to
he convinced Of the existence of the
National American party:
ADDRESS.
Called by the passing away Of an
other year to meet the members of the
American party in National Council,
the case demands re-atlirmatiou of
our opinions. We are ready to-day
as aforctime, to give Il rcasion for the
faith that IS in us, and as ready to-day
as ever before to stand fastby our vows
to the whole country. Neither dis
mayed by defeat, nor dishcartcncd by
Experimentation discouraged by the
past, nor without hope for the future
We meet together both to counsel one
with another, and to show to the pco-
pie Of the United States, by our pres
once and by our numbers here in open
convention, that as party, we arc
hopeful and determined as to our flu
ture course Of action.
The dominant party at the North,
and the dominant party at the South,
by appeals made to sections of coun-
try and the passions Of the day, arc
temporarily successful. But u tempo
rary triumph is no evidence of perma-
nent success. Nor does a victory Sc
cured by passion give evidence of a
true attachment to principle. A true
soldier will never be diShcartcncd in
suStaininga good cause because of one
or many defeats.
The nine hundred thousand Amcri,
can voters who sustained the American
candidates for the two first Offices with
in the gift Of the people in November
last, may enjoy the consciousness of an
honest work, well meant and well done.
They neither counted the cost of defeat,
nor faltcred in the discharge of great
public duty, and had the thousands of
men who agreed with them in opinion
as to the justice Of their principles and
the fitness Of their candidates, acted
upon the same convictions of public
duty, IT," result would have been far
different. At the North, tens of thou
sands voted for Mr. Fremont upon
the plea that there was no chance for
Mr.. Fillmore, while tens of thousands
voted for Mr.. Buchanan at the South
upon the plea that a vote for Mr.. Fill.
more would secure the election of the
candidate Of the mis-callcd Republican
party. 1t was q cruel and uncalled
for sacrifice of principle upon the al,
tar Of eXpediency, and one of those
sacrifices of principles which if persist.
cd in, in private life, as is sometimes
the case, in tho consideration Of sub
jccts of great public moment, would
result in common disaster. When pa.
triotism becomes the rule of action.
and true love Of country points out
the path Of duty, nothing can excuse
the yielding up Of that which is right
for that which is merely cXpcdicnt.
We DO not however seek to recall
anything in the past calculated to
wound the feelings of those who were
tempted in moment Of dependency
or thoughtlcssncss to forget their obi
cations to their country or their asso-
ciatcs in principle.
Thousands who left our ranks in No
vcinbcr drawn away by tho temporary
oxpcdicnts and passions of the hour.
have returned to the fold Of the Amor
lean party. They have been taught
i'll the bitter school Of experience that
tho word of promise, may be made to
the ear and broken to the hope. Who're
there was u pledge to secure, and the
power to effect pure ballot.box--thc
want of which is one Of tho great evils
Of tho timcs--and to accomplish which
ought to unite the good men of all par