The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-07-12
LETTER FROM JUDGE BATES.
HIS VIEWS ON THE
CHICAGO NOMINATIONS.
What Platforms are.

| had no thought that the answer would
be SO long delayed; but, waving all excu-
ses, proceed to answer it now.
Under the circumstances of the case. it
ought not to have been doubted that [
would give Mr.. LineolD's nomination a
cordial and hearty support But in de-
olaring my intention to do SO, it is due to
myself 20 state some of the facts and rea-
sons, which have q controlling influence
over my mind, and which think, ought
to be persuasive arguments with some
other men, whose political opinions and
antecedents are, some important particu-
lars, like my own.
There was no good ground for suppo-
sing that ! felt any bique or dissatisfac-
ton because the Chicago Convention fail
ed to nominate me. | had no such feel
ing. On party grounds, l bad no right
to expect the nomination. had no claims
upon the Republicans as party, for l
had never been a member of any party,
so as 10 be bound by its dogmas and sub
jcct to its discipline, except only the
Wing party, which is now broken up, and
its materials, for the most part, absorbed
into other organizations. And thus am
left alone and powerless indeed, but per-
fectly free to follow the dictates of my
! own judgment, and to take such part in
current politics as ny own sense of duty
and patriotism may require. Many Re-
pubicans, and among them, think, some
of the most moderate and patriotic of
that party, honored me with their conf
deRce, and desired to make me their can
didate. For this favor | as indebted to
the fact that between them and me there
vas coincidence Of opinion upon certain
important questions Of Government
They and agreed in believing that the
National Government has sovereign pow.
er over the territories, and that it would
be impolitc and unwise to use that power
for the propagation of negro slavery by
planting it in free Territory. Some of
them believed also that my nomination,
while it would tend to soften the tone of
the Republican party. without any aban-
donmeDt Of its principles, ght tend also
to geneTalize its character and attract
the friendship and support of many, es-
pecially in the border States, vino, like me,
bad never been members of their party,
but copcurred With them in opinion about
the government of the Territories. These
are the grounds, and | think the only
ground, upon which l was supported at
ell at Chicago.
As to the platform put forth by the
Chicago Convention, have little to say,
because whether good or bad, that will not
constitute the ground of ms support of
Mr.. Lincoln. have no great respect for
party platforms in general They are
commonly made in times of high excite
ment. under pressure of circumstances
and with the view to conciliate present
support, rather than to establish perma-
nent system of principles and line of pol
icy for the future good government of the
country. The Conventions which form
them are transient in their nature; their
power and influence are consumed in the
using, leaving no continuing obligation
upon their respective parties. And hence
We need not wonder that platforms so
made, are hardly ever acted out 10 prac.
tice shall not discuss their relative
merits, but content myself With saying
that this Republican platform, though in
several particulars it does not conform to
ny views, is still far better than any pub
lished creed, past or present, of the Dem
ocrats. And as to the new party, it has
not chosen to promulgate any platform
at all, except two or three broad general
tiles which are common to the professions
of faith Of ell parties in the country. No
party, indeed, dare ask the confidence Of
the nation, while openly denying the OBJ
LEGATION to support the Union and the
Constitution, and to enforce the laws
That is common duty, binding upon ev-
cry citizen, and the failure to perform il
is crime.
To NE it is plain that the approaching
contest must be between the Democratic
and Republican parties; and between them
| prefer the latter.
The Democratic party, by the long pos.
session and abuse of power, has grown
wsnton and reckless; has corrupted Itself
and perverted the principles of the Gov.
ernmeut; has set itself openly against the
great homo interests of the people. by ne
glectiDg to protect their own industry, and
by refusing to improve and keep in order
the highways and depots of comm
and even now is urging a measure il
Congress to abdicate the constitutions
power aud duty to regulate commerce a.
moDg the States, and to grant to the
! States the discretionary power to levy
tonnage duties upon all commerce, under
the pretence Of improving harbors, rivers
and lakes; has changed the status of tht
negro slave by making him no longer
mere property, but politician, an an
! tagouist power in the State, power t.
, which all other powers are required t.
; yield, under penalty of dissolution o
: the Union; has directed it's energies to tb
, qualification of its lusts of foreign domain
as manifested in its persistent efforts t
, saixa unnp tropicaI regioDs not becaus