Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-05-22
THE CAMPAIGN opENED.

John Bell, of Tennessee, the nominee
of the Spread Eagle Baltimore Conven-
ton, opened the Campaign by speech
in Philadelphia, on Friday evening, after
his nomination.. The speech is reported
in full in the Cincinnati Gazette of the
10th, and is in perfect keeping with the
character of the Convention.
The Convention resolved that, to serve
either the Lord or the Devil was bad
policy, tending to create difficulties and
divisions in their ranks, as they could not
agree under which banner they would
fight. Beside, the hosts who were ex-
pected to flock to their standard bearer,
sublimely Indifferent as to principle,
would content themselves with the spoils,
which they imagined could be obtained
/ by this exercise of newly invented pat
riotism.
Mr.. Bell, in the course of a long
speech, managed most adroitly to avoid
the expression of single idea A most
happy illustration and exposition of the
platform ON which he was nominated
It was doubted whether he would accept
the nomination. That doubt is now re-
moved. He accepts, and actually seems
| to think he will be elected. His arsu-
ment to thateffect is something like this
"The Republicans have certain princi-
pies which they cherish, but it is doubt
full whether they can convince the
masses of the people of their vital i'm
portance. The Democracy, also, cherish
certain opinions on the questions of the
day, but the discussion of these opin-
ions creates divisions and strife, and
harmony is destroyed. The old
line Wings have certain senti-
ments and notions Of Govern mental
policy, but to either advocate or oppose
those measures would probably beget
opposition. The Americans, likewise
have adopted theories which seem not
to be acceptable to everybody, and it
would not be polite to say anything on
that subject. In short, the adoption or
rejection of any principle, theory, meas
ure or policy would be inexpedient, and
probably lead to defeat Therefore Mr..
Bell and his party had utterly and abso-
lutely repudiated all expression of opinion
upon any and every question that has been
now is, or ever shall be brought before
the public.
Here he claims is platform broad
enough for all to stand upon. Take the
constitution alone, but don't make ii
mean anything on any subject, and Mr.
Bell contends that the great mass of the
people are in favor of it. Mr. Bell is
in favor oft Mr. Bell, therefore, main
tains that every man in the Union who
is in favor of the constitution should
vote for him. And he comes to the
comforting conclusion, that if they will
do so he will be triumphantly elected
True, people interpret the Constitution
differently, but they must not ask Mr.
Bell how he understands it in any par
ticular as that would tend to disturb
the sublime harmony of the new party
Mr.. Bell believes in the constitution
therefore every citizen who believes in tht
constitution ought to join the new party
and vote for Nh Bell!
Is not the argument conclusive? And
yet a renowned statesman "a candi
date for President-can talk such fatu-
lent namby pamby by the hour and ap
parantly cheat himself into the belle
that the people cannot see through the
; transparent humbug. Mr.. Bell seems to
have forgotten, if he ever knew the fact
that the people in these stirring days
take some interest in the great questions
of the age, and will hardly be humbuggeo
with the platitudes of Mr.. Bell and th'
new party.
prDT-D, TT NTsHr Vr uvpC.TNTA