Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-11
The Constitutional Union Movement-Its Aims
and 0bjects-Why it is Supported by the


1t is known to all, that the Convention by
which the Constitutional Union party for
mally inaugurated its definite organization,
and named its chosen candidates, was held
in obedience to u call issued by number of
the most eminent citizens in the country,
headed by the name Of the distinguished and
venerable Senator from the State of Ken
lucky, the Hon. JOHN J. CRlrrESDEN. In
an Address to the People Of the United
States" circulated throughout all parts of
the land they called the attention OF their
countrymen to the desperate condition of
our public affairs, under the prevalence of
/ that sectional agitation which has so long
diverted the political activity of the people
! from the consideration Of practical measures
Of State to the proftless and ieiune debates
of polemcal forum, in which the zeal of
! the disputants seems to rise in direct proper
| ton with the diminishing magnitude of the
points in controversy. Without arraigning
/ or denouncing either the Democratic or the
Republican party for their past errors or
transgressions, the Address simply stated
that the one, by its frequent and unneces-
sary intrusion of the slavery question into
! party politics, has exasperated sectional feel
| ing at the North, and increased the growing
/ >pris Of disunion ut the South, while the
other has been prompt to avail itself of
| these opportunities for antl-slavery aglta-
/ tom
| Reference was further made to the fact,
that a number of distinguished citizens from
different parts Of the country, had recently
held III informal meeting in the city of Wash
! ington, in order 10 deliberate on the means
which should be deemed most etfectual to
avert the dangers and restore the peace of
! the Republic 1t was added that, in the
unanimous opinion of the meeting, it was
| held advisable 70 take early steps for the
organization of Il Constitutional Union
party, pledged to support the Union, the
| Constitution, aud the enforcement Of the
| laws" which organization Was according y
| then commenced by the appointment OF a
| Central Executive Committee, charged with
the general direction OF the movement, and
with the preparation Of an Appeal TO the
People of the United States.
| The materials from which it was proposed
! TO recruit the new organization, were not
! left unmentloned. Under this head the Ad-
dress spoke as follows:
| ''Thc old Wing strength of the country will be
! found t. furnish no snail contribution to this
! mass. Even those of that association who have
been induced 10 take sides in recent elections with
! one or the other OF the opponent divisions.
| knowledge but scaut Iraty to their new leaders :
! and IT,. greater number OF them will. it is becv-
ed, be prompt to join their old comrades in rally
| ing TO Il conservative field, 10 tight new battle
for the cause Of the Constitution and the reSt0r;-
ton Of lost harmony. Large numbers Of the old
Democratic party. who withdrew from the line Of
>nlrch when they discovered it leading towards
internal strife and the assault Of the traditional
policy by which that party achieved its former
triumphS, would, we have 20 doubt, supply pow
cr.ul reinforcement to the friends Of the Union.
In the Americana party. To which the breaking up
Of old organization, gave birth, and which has
been active in the enCcavor 10 establish IN inter-
mediate bower bet yccn the contending forces that
have cngroSsed the field. will be found very
LARGE element Of conservative strength to increase
the yoiumc Of thc proposed organization.
AZ add 10 all these. thai mass of quiet. I'M
obtcuS;vc citizens, who have always Stunned the
turmoil Of political life, content t. leave the dcs
tiny ii the country in the hands Of those who. in
the ordinary condition Of the national progress,
were mos: ambitious to assume its direction, and
WAC have rcpoScd such faith in the patriotism
Of their fellow men as to feel no concern in the
question Of the supremacy OF party. but whom
the extraordinary incentives Of crisis like the
present must awaken To the resolve of effort 10
protect the threatened safety Of the COutedcracy,
we have clements sufficient, by their combination,
to form great party, to which additional strength
viii he impaired by the exalted patriotism Of its
prfe ciplcs aui objects. Moreover. ii is only just
10 the tw" cnutcEding parties To say, that we do
not despair Of finding in the ranks of EACH numer
individuals who, tired Of intestine strife, and
alarmed at :hc threatening aspect Of affairs, will
unite with The only party which holds out to the
country prosper! of rcposc.
Having thus pointed out the chief source
Of the evils which atiiict the country, as also
| the remedy deemed most effective for their
cure in the organization, from the patriotic
| masses above designated, Of a party distinct
from the two most directly arrayed in Sec
tonal antagonism to each other, the com
mittce proceeded, in their address, to state
and define, in advance, the following pro-
gramme Of cardinal principles. rs the basis
and hpnd o. union among the voluntary
constituents Of such new organization.
80 remove The >uhject of slavery from the
arena Of party ro.itcs and leave il to the indie
pendent control oi III" States in which it exists,
and 20 ih~ unbiased action Of the Judiciary:
"'Ho remove all obstacles from the due and
faithful execution III the provision for the rendi.
tion ~ fugitive slaves
10 cultivate ill't eA iaH't tns VI tue
country, by &nch protection 10 every useful pur-
quit and interest is compatible with the general
welfare, ami equitable 10 all:
TO maintain peace rs far ; possible, and hon
orablc relations to all nations;
TO guard and enforce the supremacy of the
laws hy Al impartial and strict administration Of
The powers Granted by the Constitution
10 respect the rights and reverence the Union
ii the States, The vital source Of present peace
nd property. and the guarantee OF future
power AID happiness:
TO tcach reconciliation, fraternity, and for
h-:,r,ncc. the great na!iona! charities by which
the Union i ever 10 he preserved n fountain OF
perennial blessings
Ii this schedule Of principles be compared
with that announced by any one Of the par
ties. or fractions Of parties, now in the field,
with their so-caIled ''platforms,' laboriously
constructed in National Convention, amid
the noise, confusion, and disarray of such
tnmultuous gatherings as were held by the
Republicans ut Chicago, or bv the Demo
Gratis at Charleston and Baltimore, it will be
found to labor under no disadvantage, either
IN c!earn"ss uf definition or solidity of mat
ter Tor il would be great mistake 10 sup
pose that ''1latform,' are valuable accord
ing To the number Of "reSolutions" out of
which they are bnIit.
10 resume the history Of the steps which
led to the Inauguration Of the Constitutional
Union party. we have to add that the COM
mittrp u ,,Jrt, ha sod n ANNA Is made To con-