St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-03-22
Tho Presidential Question.

Inc presidential question.
Scarcely had James Buchanan become
. Presidential fact, at Washington, before
the ceunty began to agitatc The question
Of who was to be his successor. 4 Ever
since then, the canvass las been going
steadily on, in tie village bar-rooln, III the
town hall and on the street corners, until
the question of who is to be our next pres
ident has become the all-absorbing topic
Of the day: We arc of those who care
but very little, provided tho principles
which we advocate: and believe in, are to
be embodied in his Administration. We
care more for principles, and for men
and parties less. What difference does it
make to US whether Bates of Missouri,
Seward, Of New York, or Fesscnden, Of
Maine, be nominated for the Presidency,
provided they 80 into the canvass upon a
sound Republican platform? The mere
desire of this man or that man for politi-
cal distinction, amounts to nothing in COM
parison with the public welfare. IT is
true, sectional feeling may demand the
nomination Of its particular candidate, and
may insist upon such nomination as po-
litical right. Suppose it does; the Re-
publican party was instituted for national
and not a sectional purpose, and none Of
its ultimate triumphs should be sacrificed
to crafty sectional desires.
The Republican Convention is soon to
meet at Chicago, and upon its Delegates
devolves the important responsibility of
forming platform for its nominees which
shall not only be national and conserva-
tive, but at the same time shadow forth
the distinctive features of the Republican
party. They are to construct a platform
entertaining wise and statcsmanlike views,
and place upon it candidates whose politi-
cal antecedents guaranty the fidelity of
their future political acts; men whose tried
abilities Inspire public confidence, and
whose integrity is without question or
doubt.
OF course, we, here in Minnesota, with
our diminutive representation, cannot ex-
pect to have controlling influence in that
body. We are too far removed from the
great political centers, to be needed much.
But the Delegates from Minnesota, if they
are not powerful in that Convention, they
may still be respectable; they may so COW
CT up their numerical weakness by skillful
management and by the irmness of the
political tone which they assume, that the
more powerful delegations may be deceived
in their favor.
We expect much from that Convention.
Judging from the resolutions which have
been passed by those States which have
already chosen their Delegates, that Con-
vention must assume an attitude towards
the great crime of this Rcpublic-Slaver,
which cannot but suit the most fastidious
Of anti-Slavery men.
We dislike very much to see the anti
Slavery hosts warning among themselves,
when we know they have common object
in view. We desire to see the contest as
Nature has decreed it, between Freedom
and Slavery, Guilt and Innocence, Vice
and Virtue. In this shape, the battle be-
comes attractive to the members of both
parties. We hope that the Republican
Convention at Chicago may make such a
platform and Place upon it such men that
no pure-minded and jealous friend Of the
slave may feel himself conscientiously cal
led upon to cast his vote against its NOM
inees. "i 49, -~.