Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-24

'Under the authority conferred BY the Union State
Convention the following members have been added -
VIM s. Tiplett, D. J. Burr A N. Trabue George n.
GEathmey, James A. Scott John Frayser Samuel NJ
Price, D. Blair BurweI, W. B. Smith, Geo. W. Register
The Committee viii meet this Tuesday evening, at
the Billiard House. at 6 o'clock
The -Four Great Parties--TheIr Relative PO-
SItiOn and Policy.
The country behOlds the extraordinary spectacle
OF four great political parties striving for ascendancy in
the Presidential contest There is the Republican or
Northern Sectional party the Breeknridge Southern
Sectional party, the Douglas, Squater Sovereignty
party, and the Constitutional Union party The policy
The two first named-Ehaever may be the intentions
their supporers-neceSsarly leads to disunon Neither
OF them has any Of the odour Of nationality about it,
They represent only the extreme opinions Of their respec
tive sections and the Of either would be the tr
nmph Of one section the other. The result would
be to strain TO the utmost if to break the cords
which bind the Union together.
The Douglas party represents the small modicum Of
nationality which yet belongs the Democracy In Yir
GINA has is strength in the Tenth legion and other dis
trcts devoted the Union whilst in the secession
hrs-eAng districts /; is pOwerless Objectionable as this
party IS il Is still far acceptable the conservative
sentiment of the country than either Of the sectional par
lies because it does not threaten the integrity Of the
Union.
The only purely national party before the people
l. the Constitutional Union party It presents itself un
der the auspices OF Convention composed Of distinguish
ed men-men known TO the whole country-representing
the whole eOuniry-and with candidates entitled 10 the
confidence Of the whole country. Bell and Everett are
Statesmen Of experience tried patriotism and
acknowledged ability. Amidst all the excitement of sec
tonl STRIFE neither Of them has been led into the ex
preston advocacy Of extreme opinions measures
They have been emphsticaly men Of moderation Pru-
dence wise discretion, and catholic nationality have
characterized all their public conduct The crisis de-
ands the services Of Of their stamp. The country
has need OF the rein than the spur The tenn
per Of the public mind Is explosive. We require men
who, by wisdom and eOsciiaion vii calm down and
sOOhe the popular excitemeu' and harmony and
the spirit Of concord the nation The divisions in pub
Ec sentiment such render it extremely doubtful
whether there will be election Of President by the
people Judging from the past tie Republican party is
likely TO have plurality OF the electoral vote though in
common with ali men Of rational sentiments We most
earnestly hope that it may not rise into a majority The
danger however, matters stand is from that quar-
Ter. Il behOoves ell national UniOn-oyiag men, there
fore, consider mAiurey the best means Of arres.n
such dire calamity the election Of sectional Black Re-
publican President To this end every Arrangement for
cooperation should be made by other organizations
which be effected without an abandonment Of fnda
mental principles.
Let ~ then proceed consider what IS the true policy
OF tbe conservative men Of the Union
The Republican and the Brecknridge or Secession par
lies being both already stated, essentially sectional
aud tending 70 the end-DisUNION-but by differ
ent means-t manifest that neither OF the parties claim
ing to be national and UnOnlOving unite or co-ope
rate With either Of them. It would be like minghug oil
and II would involve abandonment Of the car
dinal prineplesO Of their national organizations Between
the SECTIONAL and the parties there is an i'm
passAble gu-as wide that which separated Lazarus
and Dives.
But between the Douglas and Bell parties there no
such insuPerable barrier. True, they dier-dier wide
D. many important questions; but these admins
taive questions which entirely subordinate the
greater question Of the permAnency Of the Unon In
view of the strong bond Of sympathy between them arr
sing Of devotion to the Union, these par
ties NAV well afford 10 adjourn all functional questions
for future adjudication and address themselves earnestly
snetgeeay and patriOeay the preservation of the
organism Of political system. There is no vital
tagonsni between theu and no good reason why they
should together in the extraordinary emergency
thai has arisen
Let examine the proper basis of the proposed
cooperation
I must be obvious every friend Of Douglas that be
cannot be elected President BY the Electoral Colleges
He has great strength in the Northwestern States and in
some Of the Eastern and Middle States but in the South
he Is poweress. HIS sanguine supporters there
FORE can hardly suppose that he viii carry majority Of
she whole number Of electoral votes. The determined
and relentless hostility of the seceders headed by Brec
inrdge aided by the Democratic senators and backed
By Buchanan and his horde Of officials precudes the
possibility Of his obtaining majority.
dis only hope then, is in defeating the election Of
Lincoln BY the people and going before the House of
Representatives as one Ofthe three highest candidates
Lincoln viii certainly be Of these three. Il IS almost
equally that Bel viii be another. The only ques-
lion then Who shall be the third The contest lies be-
wesn Douglas and Breckinridge-Evsry vote cast for
rsekiHrdgs Is substantially vote cast against Douglas
il Is death grapple between them. One or the other
must 20 to the wall and il is entirely within the power
81 the friends OF Douglas to decide which it shall be-
We advise the friends Of Douglas TO have clear preeep
ton Of this view Of the case and for that purpose will
: submit practical Illustration Of it. Douglas certainly
has no chance Of carrying Delaware Maryland Virgins,
North Carolina Georgia Tennessee Kentucky, Missouri
Alabama, Mississippi, Florida Louisiana The Seee-
der are stronger than he is many Of those States and
almost a. strong in others What then is his policy in
regard those States If he should be so enough
90 into convention with the seceders is it not obvious
ihat be would be in effect giving the votes Of those
Safes his rivals This would be the contamination of
fly-t would be suicide Douglas holds the balance of
poser in most Of those States He decide how they
shall be thrown between Breekinridge and Bell and
hs friends should have the sagaeity that every
woe taken from Breckinrdge adds to the relative
Strength Of Douglas Il Is to be hoped they will perceive
ths palpabs truth, and act accordingly Douglas him
self understands bis game perfectly, and hence We see
that FOfney protesting to speak BY authority, scorns
aad sp.ts upoa all ehAsrng proposals Of the BsSekin-
ridge for bargaa. He knsUs that the embrace Of
ths Ssceders Il death to him.
Bat let Look the question In another aspect Sup
pose In error in regard the Inherent and inds