The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-08-24

l0t rhetoric, De Siid TO serve rs sort OF am
algam by which streng principles aud feeble
men are brought into substantial identity
insomuch that the people, while called to vote
for the names Of certain candidates, are, in
reality, invited to pledge their adhesion to a
series Of resolutions constituting dogmatc
creed in politics.
| Men like Washington, and jefferson, and
Madison did not need this modern contri-
vance to lift them into a conspicuous eleva-
ton before the people. Their title to popu.
lar confidence was read in proved capacity
for civil affairs, and not in the passive facili-
ty with which candidates in modern times
are expected to adjust their proportions IL
the Procrustean bed OF nominating conven-
ti0n.
But experience has proved that "plat'
forms" are as worthless in practice as they
are anomalous in theory. However ingeni.
ously constructed, they soon betray symp.
toms OF dilapidation. Whether from the haste
with which they are patched together. or the
unseasoned and Heterogeneous timber which
generally enter into their composition, GER.
tain il is that they are never expected TO lss
longer thaa four years, and even before the
expiration Of that period "a general flavor
Of mild decay" is perceptible in all theil
parts. Ssch. for instance, is the present
condition Of the Cincinnati platform, il We
should judge from the report, Of the politi.
cal artisans who may be presumed most com
petent to pronounce scientific judgment il
the premises. Among those who regard i
as too insecure 10 afford any longer safe
foundation for the Democracy Is Mr. A. b,
Wright. a candidate for Congress in the
eighth district Of Georgia, and who, being re-
Gently placed in nomination on the basis d
some merits more personal than his accep'
lance Of a ready .made confession Of pollica
faith, accompanied his acceptance OF the hon
or with the following criticism on the utility
Of these political structures;
| think. gentlemen, your Convention
acted wisely in ignoring these political man,
traps. yclept platforms The people have
been 50 often deceived and deluded by tbs
promises held OUT to them in these paper
shufiieboards,' that they have come to look
with suspicion and distrust upon all who ad,
yocate them. They are generally fair Il
look upon, but, like dead sea fruit, they
turn TO ashes upon the lips Take, il you
please, that piece Of master-carpentry, con-
struc,ed at Cincinnati in 1856. by the grea,
master-builder OF modern Democracy, with
timber furnished and brought from the differ.
ent sections Of the Union. The South tor
nlshed palmetto. cotton, and slavery; the
North oak. commerce. and abolitionism the
East pine, manufactures, and free.soil; the
Westash, internal Improvements, and squat.
ter sovereignty I; the Atlantic and Middle
States poplar, free trade, and non.interven-
ton. All dosetailed tremendously together.
and to the casual observer--the masses oi
the peoPle-exceedingly fair TO look upon
but within 1t is q whited sepulchre, filled
with dead mems bones The filling Of the
seams in the structure indicates the master
talents. The internal improvements open
ing IS filled with the Pacific railroad ! the
squatter sovereignty joining j. made smooth
BY non intervention !; the slavery plank, il
covered with Cuba Z the tree soil seam il
covered with unifiendly legislation ! while
the Abolition panel is garnished with $50
thermal lines Thus, an uniting 10 one har-
monious and symmetrical structure, well cal
eulated 20 catch the popular gaze and csIole
a nation OF freemen.'