Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-02


partisan services thousands take to politics as prcies
SION a trade, livelihood. An army of political mcrce-
nares and adventures is thus recruited who by concert
ed action is often able to control the most important
elections and when successful virtually acquire the d.
recton aud control OF public affairs.
Most of the and abest of the country uRder
such circumstances retire in disgust from the fields of
potcs-the public offices for the most part Aled
with ignorant and incompetent partzlns, without cher
merit The able and patriotic men occasionally hrd
place in the Cabinet others who occupy seats IN Son-
gress cannot rule or give to affairs; they are gene
rally overrued bv the Zouaves Of their party. The
President himself if he happen to be of high order OF
ability can give but little attention to great questions OF
State-to questions of foreign domestic policy. Such
questions have become of inferior subordinate con
Germ and he is reduced to the position of Chief Justice
OF n Spells Court and his time consumed 10 adjusting the
conflicting claims of worthless partizans To this, and
other causes before referred to- may be ascrbed tho dis
ordered condition of the post Office departmenthi de-
rngement of the finances of the Government and the loss
of hundreds of millions the country, from the wast OF
wise and stable revenue pocy-nor ought it to be mat
of surprise in such state ofhings that extrayag nce
and waStcunes in the general expenditures shoull
st to such alarming extent and that frauds and cOr-
rupuons abound in high places.
Instances of frauds and corrupions will arise under
the wses and pures administration but the rapid growth
and progress of these evils in the period which has
elapsed since the adoption Of the spoil prncplef prn-
cipe il NAV be caled-eads irressby to the conclusion
either that the principle itself is unsound that the
in which carried out is essentially vicious
and corrupt.
When the public Offices and emolumeuts are bestowed
on honest and capable men, that they political parti
zns and supporters of the party in power form no
lust ground of complaint But when honest and capable
ncumbents substituted by Others who have no ade-
quate qualifications for the Offices duties to which they
assigned and other merit than their capacity to
be servceabe to the party TO the ambitious aspira-
tons of the President or other high officer by whom he
was employed is 4 corrupt abuse of power.
Whatever well-founded objections may exist to the
maxim that o the yctOrs belong the spoiS, 1t has been
too long acQuesced in and too firmly engraed to be
suddenly changed. II ever changed it must be a work
of time but il is TO be hoped, for the honor Of Re-
publican institutions that the abuses and corruPtions
which have arisen from the in which the maxim
has been made to operate in practice may be speedily
corrected
Bus the correction of the various abuses in the admin
stration Of the government important it is the ho-
nor and welfare of the country, sinks into comparative
iueuiGcauce when turn to the Overshadowng evil,
the practical and paramount question OF the day and of
the times IL IS not question OF abuses IN the practice
of the government; it is question concerning the erS-
'suc OF the government ITSELF which has been brought
into imminent peril of dissolution by the and
Influences which have fastened the downfall of al pre-
cedng republics. In an evil hour and at time Of rare
tranquility and exemption from party strife and excite
ment-thc result OF the compromise measures of 1850
tue MISSOURI compromise va 4'-' wa cNailH II
would be useless point out suggest the motives and
designs of the authors of that unfortunate measure be
thew what they may, the effect of the to
nde flame OF resentment in all the free States and 10
renew with tenold violence the sectional strife and dis
cord upon the subject of slavery which had been so hap
PLY quoted in 1850. II is needless TO recount the means
and devices by which the agitation thus recommended
vas continued aud increased in intensity, until now
when we lind two powerful parties confronting each
other the Que In the North and the other in the South
L.. a.. II s. 81.
government upon sectional issue-the right Of the
South under the Constitution carry slavery into the
territories and to have il protected there by Congress
being the Souther2 side Of the issue and the right OF
the North under the Constitution, TO prohibit sayfry in
the territories being the other side of the issue rac
caly aud in effect, distractions both at the present
time in the opinion Of many OF the most enlightened men
of the country, North and South. Nevertheless, the
same motives and causes which originated the cDntrO
verSy operate with the force keep 1t alive The
sectional hate and alienation Cngendered in the prOtrac
ted strife add greatly 20 the difficulties IN restoring the
wonted harmony OF the country and make the pros
pect of accomplishing that great and desirable end still
more gloomy the power aud Influence of the spoir prn
cpe operate with their usual effect in stimulating the
auagOui,tic parties put forth all their energies
maiatlin the conflict These circumstance combined have
created painful anxetes to the future in the minds OF
thousands patriotic citizens in both sections Ii
than idle that the Union IN danger j may
be mi.chieyous to lul the people into security, by
UrOClaimug that the Union cannot be dssoved-that
The associations of the past-ihe anticipation OF the go-
r.ous destiny which awaits a nation will prevent it
that the ties of kindred blood of a common lineage
and language will prevent it-tha the enogmity of the
crime OF dsunion against mankind will prevent It, and
that nothing else should avail the magnitude Of the
material interest dependent upon the preservation of the
Union will prevent its ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Unicu
not be saved by such teaching IL should be remember
I'd that the ties OF blood and natural affection often
broken BY repeated wrongs-that family quarrel of all
Others when entered upou Is the most bitter and recnt
ess-that a sentiment often proves stronger a motive
10 action than material interests. No! The safety of
the Union depends upon the united action and energies
of the God OF fathers upon their efforts the Union
can and will be preserved.
Rso'rt5 Therefore by delegates Of the people Of Tennes
see ubrd, that Will unite with all good
eveyp h-e devote all energies maintain and epeu
ate the Union under the Constitution az % Is.
Ei That the true test % devotion % the Union Is he
ready obedience the requirements OF h- Constitution.
Esni That lie continued Ca OF the slavery question,
while promises profitable result q any section iraught
wi ulae chief, the whole CONTEMPLATION 20 al mate
sretarii1g moral progrs-mpt ing the national
Cd abrOadpreentng the aspect Of weakness, from ncu
ab dens al home, and thereby ayus Insults aS asge
1ns from foreign p'w,rs nprng the peace Of the country,
she stability the Union ami that ought therefore to
Hesssf That opposed @ direct taxation, ani IN favor
% tI adequate 90 the expenses Of an economical aimnra
trn o' th- General Government Wh seil dulles, VII re dpp-
cable. discrimi4ain. in favor OF American labor
Ee.sc That the Hon John He Ia the opinion Of this Con
venon possesses superior Publications o the office Of President
palhs geryng dsvutOut0 the Union ami the Con
sfu0n through an phases OF bis political fortune ent him 10
warmest confidence and support
We commend him fsIOviE everywhere, aud the de
sgA app0Hed Union Instructed
20 an honorable means 10 procure hi' nomination.
adopted unanimously and with