The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-09-06
TOOdIes VS. Bell.

We make the following extract from
the speech of Hon. Charles Sumner at
the Massachusetts, Republican State Con-
ventlon on the 29th ultimo. This ex-
tract humorously, but precisely, explains
the logic Of the Bell Everett party with
regard to the Presidency The conven-
ton above named nominated the Hon.
John A. Andrew, of Boston, for Cover
nor, Hon. Nathaniel banks declining a re-
nomination for the reoson that he has ac-
cepted the position of a resident director
of the Illinois Central r. r. Co. The
Convention nominated the Hon. j. u.
Goodrich for Lieut.. Governor.
But here is the extract from Mr. Sum-
ner's speech
'Looking at them separately, there is
FIRST the Bell party. Pardon NE if | use
names freely. 1t is merely fer tue sake
of convenience. This party, known
among us only by its boasts, draws its
practical support from the slave states
1t is pro-slavery party-especlally hos
tile to the prohibition of slavery in the
territories; but, in its direct avowals
dealing in plausible generalities, which,
if they have any meaning, mean slavery
-exalting the constitution, as slave-mas-
ters understand it-als0 exalting the
Union, in order to gain credit for ''saving"
it-and calling for the enforcement of
the laws, meaning simply the entcrce-
ment of the on ly act of Congress which
slave-masters recognise, that for the sur
render of fugitive slaves. Your indul-
gence would hardly excuse me, if occu-
pied time IL argument against this COM
biuation. which, without declaring sim
gle principle, without any chance of a
J majority In the electoral colleges, and
without any chance of single electoral
vote IN the free states, runs for luck /;
which, with onl y single possible vote
IN the House of Representatives, where
/ it seeks for a revolutionary purpose to
transfer the election, again proposes to
run for luck. It's plan, so far as known,
is this: You will remember that, by the
constitution of the United States, IN the
event of a failure to elect bV the people,
the House of Representatives is empow-
cred to choose President out of the
three highest candidates for that office,
and the Senate to choose a Vice Presi-
dent out Of the two highest candidates
for that Office. Now, assuming first that
the Republican candidate will not be
elected by the people-which you know
to be avery wild assumptlou--ands second
| ly, assuming tnat there will be no elec.
lion OF President by the House, this par
ty next turning to the Vice Presidency
assumes thirdly, that Mr.. Everett will be
one of the two highest candidates for the
Vice Presidency, and fourthly, that Mr..
Everett Will be elected by the Senate
! Vice President, and then will become
President, like John Tyler and Millard
Fillmore-not through the death of
President, but through the double failure
by the people aud by the House. Such
is the calculation by which this band of
professed conservatives seek to give re.
pose to the country. Permit me to say
thatit is only equalled by theextravagance
of Mrs Toodles, in the farce, whose pas
sion was to purchase ancient articles of
furniture at auction, under the idea that
they might some day be useful. Once
to the amazement of her husband she
brought home brass door plate with the