Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-23
The New York American Conven-
tfOn.


tons of the State of New York have been
held, and it now remains for the American
party of that State to decide upon its action.
Amy attempt at consolidation with the Re-
publican organization has been rendered
hopeless, and the American Convention to be
held at Utica must determine upon the pro-
per course to be pursued. The proposition
now most fully concurred in is to select from
both the Democratic and Republican tickets
the names of such persons as they deem most
capable of filling the offices for which they
are candidates. The American vote in the
State is from seventy to one hundred thou
sand, and with that force to cast in favor of
such ticket, its election may be considered
certain.
The New York Express, referring to the
matter, says:
Americans, therefore. owe nothing to Re-
publican conventions. or to the Republican
organization. They have received nothing
but contumely at their hands. The patriotic
and intelligent men of the party. who have
desired union. not less for the sake of victory.
have been overruled. The leaders have
been selfish, revengeful and triumphant.
They have misled many in times past. Init
they eau hardly deceive any one for the time
TO come. They necessitate the action of the
American party in this State to do-wbat II
was originally meant it should do-select the
best men for office-men most in sympatby
with its priDciples-the most suitable for the
places which they have been selected tn fiji.
1t is in the power of the American conven-
ton to select and elect such a ticket They
have capital of two hundred thousand
votes in the organized ranks of their oppo-
Dents to begin with. They have from seventy
to one hundred thousand votes of their
own to ensure success, beyond all doubt or
peradventure. They have but to will and to
act, and the thing is done.
The part of a wise discretion dictates but
one course of policy by the American State
Convention and that is, to select the very
best men in nomination to fill all the offices
for the ensuing year. They will have eighteen
men in nomination for State offices, from
which to select nine candidates OF their own;
and this sci, ction, if the suggestion should be
carrie ont. ought to result in presenting the
very lest names upon the two tickets. Who
ever il named will be elected, and whoever is
neglected or rejected, will be defeated. And
as victory is just as certain as the day of cleo
ton, and as the responsibility offiling all the
nine offices is very great, the utmost care and
circumspection should be observed in the nam
nominated or voted for as Democrats. nor as
republicans, but as public men, having the
best antecedents and the best qualifications.
They will be elected by Americans, and others
willing to sacrifice much of party orgauiZa-
ton, and much of personal opinion, upon the
alter of the public good. They will be in
strumental, however, unwilling. in destroying
the machinery of their respective organiza-
tions. The way is open to victory, and we
there Wi hl of
of patriotism to secure il.
The Buffalo Commercial advertiser, another
staunch American journal, says:
There seems to be no longer doubt that
the Utica Convention will present ticket
made up from the candidates nominated by
the other political parties, thus assuming the
position of balance of power party, and
controlling the result in the State.
1t Is right that we should state frankly our
own concurrence in this policy, and the rea-
sons which we conceive should actuate Ameri-
cans in giving to it q hearty and effective
support. Among the alternatives presented
to the party, we see none which promises re-
suits 80 favorable to the best interests of the
State and the organization. To nominate an
independen t ticket is to elect the Republican
candidates. To endorse the Republican ticket
would be an act of humiliation which self
respect fOrbids, and treason to American
principle. 1t would be virtual acceptance |
of the Republican platform with all its sec
tiOnal hercsies; an unconstitutional pledge |
Of American support to the Republican Presi- |
Dental candidate in 1860, no matter who he |
may be or what the doctrines on which he is |
nominated and an abandonment of all
chances for that great opposition party from
which 80 much is hoped, and which we still |
believe is destined to triumph over Buchanan
Democracy in the national struggle. And,
finally, TO endorse in any manner the Demo-
cratic platform would be abhOrent to all our
views of state and national politics.
Ruling out these various alternatives we |
have either to subside into silence and prac-
tically break up the organization, as the Old
Wings have done, leaving each member of
the party TO follow his individual preferences
and thus sacrifice all chance of any definite
result; or to assume the position indicated
and nominate ticket which will be elected |
In adopting the latter course, we were guilty
of no party heresy. We come back to the |
primitive idea of the American order, which
was organized as balance-ofpow party,
with the sole purpose OF maintaining Il con-
servative reserve vote. capable of being
thrown into the contest upon emergency, aud |
thus securing the election of the best men
whatever political afiinities. 1t would be
within the scope of the original American |
idea TO declare either for the entire ticket of
one of the parties should it seem TO be for |
the interests of the State TO do so; or 10 Sc |
lect from either such candidates as will best |
subserve the measures designed to be for
warded. And by returning to this original |
policy in the present emergency, the Amer |
lean party may not only vindicate its own |
dignity aud title to consideration, but accom- |
pllsh great practical good i'll modifying the |
policy of the State.
The Mohawk Valley American holds the |
same doctrine as follows:
Now, we ask what has the American party |
left for il to do? Nominate an American
ticket TO be DEFEATED? Or. as we think best,
dissect and closely scrutinize each candidate
upon the two tickets. and nominate the best |
men found thereon In so doing. is adj
mitted 10y every intelligent being, the nomi-
nation is equivalent to an election; and the
politicians taught that though they make out
States" the D. ople can smash them. In urg- /
ing this course, we THU we speak the unani-
nous sentiments of the Americans of old
Previous to the nomination
at Syracuse, there were n few in our midst
" no differed with us. but since the drama at
Syracuse. it is considered rs the only wise
aud prudent course for the Americans to
pursue BY some it has been asked-what
10 you gain by electing Republicans and
Democrats! Our reply is, in so doing we
hold as unit the entire American vote,
which will in all probability be largely in
and in 1860 We can IN all proclaim
20 the United States. that no nominee for
he Presidential chair can have the electoral
iote of the Empire Stale, unless be sympa-
hzes with, or adopts the American prin-
.iples.