New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-23
THE REpUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

There is that in the private and personal, aswell
as in the political history of Abraham Lincoln,
which gives peculiar propriety to his selection as
the Presidential candidate of the Republican
party. The great political question upon which
that party has been formed relates to the sort of
settlers for whose use the yet unOrganized Terri
tories of the United States shall be reserved.
Shall all these Territories be thrown wide open to
Slavery or shall that institution be strictly limited
to the States in which it already exists Shall
free labor be assured in all the remaining Terri.
tories of the United States, that same field Of
unrestricted expansion, which, by virtue of the
Ordinance of l7S7, it obtained in all the country
Northwest of the Ohio or shall it be subjected to
all those restrictions, notifications and degrade
tions under which it struggles in the slayeholding
States.
In selecting Mr.. Lincoln as the Presidential
candidate of the Republican party, the Chicago
Convention hold up TO view, in his person, the
benefcent operation of the social system of which
they are the champions and the advocates. His
case is sufficient 10 show that the existing conflict
is not sectional contest between the North and
the South; but contest between the few who are
rich enough TO own or buy slaves, and the great
mass of white freemen South as well as North, who
must commence life with nothing but their own
labor TO depend upon. Mr.. Lincoln was born in a
Slaveholdng State; but his father fortunately for
him, perceiying the superior advantages which the
free.labor system offered TO poor men with growing
families, emgrated, while he was yet child, to
Indiana. Left TO seek and make his own fortune,
with no other means TO commence with than the
labor of his own hands, Mr. Lincoln removed to
Illinois. BY steady labor and perseyering industry,
he opened the way for putting to use the talents
with which nature had blessed him. and possessing,
beside talent, high moral principle, while he rose
to emnence as lawyer, he secured, in high
degree, the confidence Of the community in his
patriotism as citizen and his integrity as q
man.
1t is thrown at him as q slur by some Of the
Democratic prints that until recently he has not
occupied conspicuous political position. Had
his ambition been as unprincipled and reckless as
that for instance, of Mr.. Douglas, he might easily
have uiade himself quite as conspicuous But he
scorned to sacrifice his views of the public interest
or his own selfrespect to political promotion
He had no disposition to play the part Of a dema-
gogue, or 10 elevate himself to Office by pandcring
to the passions and preudices of the hour. Find
ing himself in minority be had the courage and
principle 70 adhere to his convictions, and to wait
patiently till the time came when men of his views
and character were needed in the political field
The great question having been raised of the
repeal Of the Missouri prohibition and the opening
of the Territories to slaveholding he q once as
sumed q conspicuous position as leader OF the
Free-Labor party. Anxious, however. for the
cause, and not for himself, he exerted hi Influence
to secure for another that seat in the Senate Of the
United States in which his friends wished to
place him. If at this moment he does
not Gil the seat in the Senate occupied by
Mr.. Dougas, it is due not to any popular majority
in favor of his rival, but TO dstricting system in
accordance with slayeholding ideas, by which
minority of the people of Illinois chose majority
of the members Of the State Legislature
Instead, however, of being an objection, Mr.
Lincolns comparative freshness in political life is
q decided recommendation. His nomination was
largely due to the conviction, on the part of the