The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-02-29
THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION PARTY
"RoLL on TIE BALL.
ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CENFRAL
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

neopie a. e every where disturbed with fear
of some disastrous crisis. Many are alarmed
fur the safety Of the Union. All are cum
scious that the sentiment OF fraternity which I
linked the States together, even more hrm,y |
than the compact Of the Constitution Itself. |
has been rudeIy shaken, aud that dlscord has
crept into the relationship Of communities
which shoald have found, both in the inter
ests Of the present and in the MEMORIES Of
the past, the strongest motives for mutual
regard aud confidence.
What has produced these general and I'M
happy convictions.
Ii has been too apparent to escape the
most casual observation that Tor some years
past, there has been manifested design. N
the movements Of influential political lead
ers, to force the country into an organization
of parties founded on the question Of slavery.
The first introduction Of this subject IN.
to party politics engendered controversy
which has constantly increased in extent and
bitterness, mingling With, Or usurping the
place Of all other political questions, and
giving TO those party politics greater and
more dangerous vehemence. Considerations
of the public welfare seem 10 be cast aside,
Ia make room for wider and more unrestraln-
ed contention On this single and engrossins
theme.
The two great parties in the country (the
Democratic and Republican, have been the
chief actors in this fatal contest, II not ITS
authors. Whether they have always exert
ed themselves 10 allay the excitement 10
which il gave rise, or, on the contrary, have
both Of them occasionally employed It Tor
the promotion Of party purposes, Il u net
for Us to determine. Il is sufficient 10 note
that the mind Of the people has been indnstri-
ously exercised by this contest to the service
of sectional agitation, and that in its progress
the teachings Of the fathers Of the Republic,
the lights of history, the landmarks Of con
stitutionaI power, have been renowned, our
old and revefed traditions Of policy spurned,
and the welfare Of the present and the hopes
III the future been brought into jeopardy ~
the alterations Of passionate challenge and
defiance between the angry disPatants.
Ii is not our purpose to arraign or to de-
nounce either Of these parties for their past
errors or transsressions, but we regard il as
an indisputable fact that BY their conflicts
thew have been mainly instrumental IN pro-
dueing the present amentabe state of public
affairs. IL would be easy 10 establish this po-
sition by reference to events in the recent
history 81 the country, with which the public
Is but too familiar; but We purposeiy abstain
from all comments upon them, as laconsist-
ent with the limits OF this address. and as
tending 10 revive controversies which il is
it, object to aIlsy. We will simply state,
that the one. by It's frequent and unnecessa-
~ intrusion Of the slavery question into par.
" politics. has exasperated sectional feel.
ing at the North and increased the growing
spirit Of disunion at tie South, while thC
other has been prompt 10 avail Itself OF these
opportunities for anti.slasery agitation.
After having 80 long agitated the country
by their reciprocal assaults, these parties are
now preparing for i sectional struggle faf
exceeding ID violence any that has yet &C.
CARED, tie results Of which nav be disas-
trous to the country.
A. an indication of the character OF this
struggle, u its objects aud possible conse-
oaences. We need only point 10 the slgnih.
eau, fact, that Convention has been called
hy one Of these parties 10 select candidate
for The Office Of Chief Magistrate Of the Cn'
ION from which, by the necessary logic d
construction, fifteen States OF that Union are
excluded.
solemnlY impressed with these facts, /;
number Of gentlemen from different parts o
tie country, among whom we're members o
lie present Congress, and Df Congresses o.
former date, recently assembled 10 the city
Of Washington to deliberate on means GOI
aserting dangers 10 which they MAJ lead.
II VI lie unanimo4. opinion 81 The meet
~. that immediate steps should be take
~ sfgsnile - Constitutional Union Party,
pledged TO support tie Union, tie Consti
ig,ion, and The enforcement of tie laws"
Tai. organization Nas accordingly com
nens,a 81 Ire appointment Of " Cenlra
Executive Cnmmiitee" charged with IL
general difectioa u The party and with ii
preparation 81 "a adigr., 70 the people {
ths Gated states
We need 10; asslrs rag. fellaw.eitiLen'
tia, We approach H. task with ditiidenc
aad an.ietF. We are aware u The Difficult
n ahita stiends the endeayor. st any tiInt
M .s83e men ~ abandon political assDci
atiaas u fhich they are allied. eitssr BY II
fefssi 81 preference; anil We know bow mgc
fhat lifioalty i increased when party a
;sehnsai i heightened by the srdDr ~ e'
pseitd success ~ inlIaaied BIZ tie real
s5ppsition. 5lt there arr. nexertbeie.
faNriufEs AteN Nbh&sasEiEafhel EsA#e5Ft Us v
Os p.e9arrd. AZ any sacrifice n prejudice ,
opiaiua. u perform this duty q thslr coli
lfr.
u IL the policy u tie dominant pbftie.
un1ettste The real strength u Those Wto
dissppr 1atiYa, Indifference, ~ disgust FOR,
into ihf position u peatras 10 political va
fare. Tie ordinary tactics 81 parties teat
tirm ~ discourage THOSE Shym they canai
snllst bat tle Isei 4 aempn9ta5e that ii
nambtr. siio osc1pg iais pgstiuua; 81 time
III m1fe especially a The present. tmr 5,r
stituis ! uns' inaIeusal portion d f3e " ao
people. II iis investigation fpsttl W 'nsd
thefs ! reason 10 believe L would result
disclosing The fact that. as parties are na
constituted, lif,le less 'bsn million vote
,53u ~ .4ft,.a mat III fha stbrre Of acts