The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-22
MANIFESTO OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL


MANIFESTO OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
UNION PARTY.
The Central Committee of the "Constitutiona,
Union Party" has issued, from its headquarters.
at Washington, an address TO the people of the
United States, setting forth the views of the new
party which Is now in process of organization and
the objections that, in their opinions, exist against
both of the two great political parties which at
this time stand opposed to each other This mani -
iesto, which, we have reason to believe was writ
ten by the Hon. John p. Kennedy, sets forth by
stating that "the political aspect of the country
"flls the public mind with painful apprehension.
land that many of the people are alarmed for the
'saety of the Union" that the fraternal relations
which formerly existed between the States have
been rudely shaken, and that discord has crept
even into communities which ought to have been
bound together by sentiments of mutual regard
and confidence. The cause of this unhappy condi-
tlon is ascrlbed "to longcherished" design on the
part of Influential political leaders to force the
country into an organization of parties founded on
the question OF slavery. The address goes on to
state that
'The two great parties in the couptrythe Democratic
ana epu6ican-have been the chief actors in this fatal
contest, If not its authors Whether they have always
eXered themselves to aay the excitement To yhcL Il
gave rise the contrary have both of them occ
sonay employed it for the promotion of party purposes
IL Is not for us to determine. 1t is sufficient to note that
the mind Of the people has been industriousy exercised
by this contest to the service Of sectional agitation and
ht IN It's progress the teachings of the fatherof the re-
public, the lights of history the landmarks of constitu
uoh power nave been renounced, our old and
traditions Of policy spuned and the welfare of the pres
en and the hopes of the future been ght jeopardy
in the alterations of passionate challenge and
tween the angry disputantsp
While discaiming any design to arraign or de-
nounce either ot these parties for their past errors
or transgressions, 1t is contended that the one 'by
'lts frequent and unnecessary intrusion of the
slavery question into party politics, has exasper-
lated sectional feeling at the North and increased
the growing spirit of disunion at the South while
the other has been prompt to avail itself of these
opportunities for anti-savery agitation After
"having so long agiaed the country by their recip-
"roca assaults, these parties now preparing for
"a sectional struggle far exceeding in violence any
that has yet occurred, the results of which NAV
"be disastrous to the country As an Indication of
'the character of this struggle of It's objects and
'rosslbc consequences, we need only point to the
significant fact that a convention has been called
"by one of these parties to select candidate for
"the office of Chief Magistrate of the Union, from
(which, by the necessary logic of its construction
"lfteen States of that Union are excluded"
Impressed with the conviction that the safety of
the Union is emperiled by the spirit of antaeonism
which exists between the political parties now con-
fronting each other, number of gentlemen from
different parts of the country met together and or
ganIzed, by the appointment of a Central EXecu-
tive Committee a Constitutional Union Party"
pledged 'to support ''the Union, the Constitution
'and the laws" The many difficulties which beset
the formation of third party, by Withdrawing
men from their old political associations are frank
ly acknowledged but it is, nevertheless believed
that on occasions like the present. "honesthearted
"citiZens will be prepared at any sacrifice of pre-
'judice or opinion, to perform this duty to their
country" or the Republican and Democratic or
ganiZations the address says:
Is the policy the dominant parties to underrat the
real strength of those whom Interpretations indifference
or disgust force into the position of neutras in political
warfare. The ordinary tactics parties teach them to
he fact
demonsrable that the numbers who occupy this posi-
tion at all times and especially at the present tma
constitute most influential portion OF the whole peonI
If the investigation could be made there is reason to he
lieve it would result in disclosing The fact thar "a mar
lies constituted little than million of yo
ters will he driven out of the sphere of participa
ton in the coming elections
The Wings Of the country, it is confidently pre-
dicted, will rally almost to the support of
the now party, whose ranks will be swelled by the
addition "Of large numbers of the old Democratic
"party, who withdrew from their political associ.
"ates when the latter abandoned the traditional
"policy OF the party-to these will be ioincd a CON
siderable reinforcement of Americans" This
combination of forces, with the assistance Of all
that mass of quiet, unobtrusive citizens who usu-
ally shun the turmoil Of a political life, but whu
from a sentiment OF patriotism, NAV be induced to
sustain conservative movement at so imminent
crisis, it is supposed will possess sufficient weight
OF numbers and influence of character to arrest the
strife which now prevails, and hold out to the
country prospect of repOse.
On these grounds an appeal is made to the peo-
pie, whose support is asked in behalf of the ardi-
nal principles of the party, which are declared
shall be:
To remove the subject of sIavey from the arena
Of party politics. and leave to the independent control
Of the States in which it exists, and the unbiased nc
ton Of the judiciary.
TO remove all obstacles from the due and faithful exe
cuoh of the provisions for the rendition fugitive
slaves.
To cultivate and expand the resources Of the copntr
by such protection to every useful pursuit and interest AS
Is compatible with the general welfare and equitable
To maintain peace, far possible and honorable re-
latious to all nations.
To guard and enforce the the supremacy of the laws b
an impartial and strict administration the powers
granted by the Constitution
To respect the rights and the Union of the
states as the vital source of present and prosperity
and the surest guarantee of future power and happiness
To teach reconciliation fraternity and forbearance a
ihe great national charities by which the Union is
to be preserved as fountain of perennial blessings to
the people
Let these principles be taken to the hearts Of those who
pledge themselves to the support the party and let
them actuate their private life as their public
duty.
To promote this movement measures should be adopted
with as little delay as possible, such will afford an
upon whom its vote may be effectively concentrated
To this end we propose that convention he immedi-
aely held in each State which shall assume duty of
embodyng the whole conservative strength of each in
such form as shall make it most effective
That each of these conventions shall make nomination
OF two candidates for the Presidency tomng to nomi-
nate Vice Presdent, to be selected those most
eminent and approved IN public esteem, of which
candidates, Mt least shall be citizen other State
than that in which he is nominated.
That these two candidates from each State shall he sub
med to the consideration Of general convention to he
assembled at Philadelphia time that Shall be dpsie.
mated by the National Executive Committee, which gen
eral convention shall he empowered select from TIL
whole number of the nominations Transmitted a can
ddate for President and Vice President as the candidates
Of the Constitutional Union Party.
That this general convention shall of repre
sentatOn from each State composed of the same number
Of members its representation in the two Houses of
Congress.
That this representation of State be chosen either
by the State itself such other manner "A
such convention in view of the shorncss the time for
the proceeding, may appoint.
The propriety of calling convention on the ba-
sis of the above plan is next suggested, and the
address closes by saying:
Fellow citizens the that has beeu allotted to us i
performed. We have pointed out path by which in our
opinion the country be rescued from its periious
position. II is for you 10 determine whether y0u will
pursue that path continue in which, however the
but not peace to brief cessation of STRIFE but not to
restoration of harmony.
WASHINGTON, Feb. -. 1860.
John J. Crittenden, KY, Chairman; William Eiyes
Va; Washington Hunt y. Y William A. Graham n
c.; Henry NJ. Fuller Pa. John +. Kennedy Md: Henry
Rockwell, CT John Wheeler VT; j. Morrison Harris
Nd Lewis Condict n. j.; Charles VI. Conrad La: Mar
shall p. Wilder, Mass Joshua Hill Fa.; Joseph ~ Snv-
der, Ohio John Durham, Conn; John A. Gmer ~ c;
C. C. Lathrop Pa r. W Thompson, Ind; N. W. Shelley
Ala: George Briggs n. Y; William G. Brownlow Tenn
William l.. Tooe, Iowa; John Wilson Ill Jere Clemens
Tenn; f. J. Whiteock, n Y.-ComIaittet.
Francis Granger, Chairman National Whig EX Com:
Jacob Broome, Chairman National American FIX. Com