Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-22
THE ooNsrIrUr,oNAL UNION PARTY.
ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CENTRAL EXECU-
TIVE COMMITTEE.

Nv II OOmhAA A@h'
To the people ofhe United States.
The political aspect of the country fills the public
mind with painful apprehension. The people every
where disturbed with the fear of disastrous crisis
Many are alarmed for the safety of the Union. All are
conscious that the sentiment of fraternity which once
linked the States together more firmly than the
compact ofhe Constitution ITSELF has been rudey shaken,
and that dscord has crept into the relationship of COM
muntes which should have found both in the interests
of the present and in the memories of the past the
strongest motives for mutual regard and confidence.
What has produced these general and unhappy con-
vctions?
1t has been too apparent to escape the most casual OBJ
servaton that for years past there has been mani
Tested design, in the movements of influential political
leaders, to force the country into an organization OF par
ties founded on the question of slavery.
The first introduction of this inject into party politics
ongendeed controversy which has constantly increased
in extent and bitterness mngng WITH usurping the
place OF all other political questions, and giving 10 those
party politics greater and more dangerous vehemence
Considerations of the public welfare seem TO be cast
aside, 10 make for wider and more unrestrained
contention on this single and engrossing theme.
The two great parties in the country the Democratic
and Republican, have been the chief in this fatal
contest if not its authors Whether they have always
exerted themselves TO alay the excitement to which 1t
gave RISE or on the contrary have both of them
sonaly employed it for the promotion OF party purposes
il is not for determine. II is sufficient TO note that
the mind of the people has been indusrousy exercised
by this contest 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 constr
utona power have been renOunced old and revered
traditions of policy spurned and the welfare OF the pres
and the hopes of the future been brought into eop
ardy in the alterations of passionate challenge and deh
ance between the angry disputants
It is not purpose arragn or TO denounce either
of these parties for their past transgresiOns
but regard indspuabe fact that by their
hcts they have been mainly instrumental in producing
the present lamentabe state of public affairs II would
be easy to establish this pOsonby reference to events
in the recent history of the country with which the pub
lie is but too familiar but purposely abstain from all
upon them inconsistent with the limits of
this address, and tending revive controversies which
il is its object to alay We will simply state that the
one by its frequent and unnecessary intrusion of the
slavery question into party politics. has eIasperatcd
tiona feeling at the North and increased the growing
spirit of dsuuion at the South while the other has been
prompt to avail itself Of these opportunities for anave
~ agitation
Alter having so long agated the country by their re-
ciproca assaults these parties preparing for
sectional struggle far exceeding in violence any that has
vet occurred results of which may be disastrous to
the country.
As an Indication of the character OF this struggle Of
its objects and possible consequences need only point
to the significant fact that convention has been called
by OF these parties select candidate for the Office
of Chief Magistrate of the Union, from which, by the
necessary logic of construction fifteen States of that
Union are excluded.
Solemnly impressed with these facts number Of gem
temen from different parts of the country among whom
members of the present Congress- and of Con-
crosses of former date recently assembled in the city of
Washington deliberate means for avertng dangers
TO which they may lead
1t was the unanimous opinion Of the meeting that i'm
mediate steps should be taken to organize "Constiu-
tiona Union Party" pledged to support "the Union,
the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws"
This organization accordingly commenced by the
appointment ola Central Executive Committee charged
with The general direction of the party and with the
preparation Of address TO the people OF the United
States.
We need not assure you fellowcitizens that we APP
proach this task with dilidence and anxiety We are
aware of the difficulty which attends the endeayor at
any time, to persuade men 10 abandon political assOcia
tons TO which they are allied either by interest or pre-
ference and know how much that difficulty is iu-
creased when party attachment is heightened by the
ardor of expected named by the zeal OF OPP
position. But there are, nevertheless junc,ures when
houeshearted citizens will be prepared at any sacrifice
Of prejudice opinion, to perform this duty to their
country.
IL the policy Of the dominant parties TO underrate
the real strength of those whom dapprobltion indier
euce or disgust force into the position OF neutra in po
icll warfare. The Ordinary tactics of parties teach
them TO discourage those whom they cannot enlist But
the fact is dcmOnstrabe that the numbers who occupy
this position all times and more especially the pres.
eut time, constitute most Influential portion OF the
whole people. II the Investigation could be made there
is reason TO believe would result in disclosing tue fact
that as part constituted little less than a mil
Lon will be driven out of the sphere Of active par
tcipaton in the coming election The old Wing strength
Of the country will be found furnish small contri-
button 10 this mass.
Even those OF that association who have been induced
TO take sides in elections with one the other Of
the opponent divisions acknowledged but scant fgllty
10 their leaders, aud the greater number of them
will IL il believed be prompt TO Join their oil comrades
in ralyiug a conservative field fight new battle
TOR the cause of the Constitution and the restoration OF
lost harmony. Large numbers Of the old Democratic
party who withdrew from the line OF march when they dis
covered leading towards internal STRIFE and the assault
OF the traditional policy by which that party achieved its
former trumphs, would, we have dolbt, supply
powerful reinforcement TO the friends Of the Union
In the American party 30 which the breaking up Of
old organizations gave birth, and which has been active
IN the CndclyOr 10 establish intermediate power be-
tween the cOuteudug O;ces that have cugrossed the
field viii be found very large element of conservative
strength increase the volume Of the proposed org mi
cation.
NJ ge add to al these that mass of quiet unobirusve
citizens WHO have always shuuucd the turmoil OF poIit.
cal life content to leave the destiny of the country in the
hands of those WHO in the ordinary condition of the
uOual progress most ambitious 20 its direc
lion and who nave repOsed such Faith in the patriotism
OF ho,r fellow to feel 10 in the question
of the supremacy OF party but whom the trlordnary
incentives Of crisis like the present must awaken to the
resolve OF effort to protect the threatened safety OF
the coutedcmcy, we have elements sufficient by their
combination form great party, to which additional
strength will be imp lrtei by the exalted patriotism of its
principles and jects Moreover it is only just to the
two cOuten! linz parties say that DO despair OF
fading in the ranks Of EACH numerous individuals who
tired of intestine strife ald alarmed the threatening
aspect OF affairs, win unite with the only party which
holds out to tue country prospect Of repOse
Can il be possible that with so gouousa cause before
tta friO-n Of the land fpuu1,d
such inducements as the present eSigency supplies
fall upon uuheelng ears, or fail to rouse the national
heart TO the great cmprse of this luding duty -
Now when every honest and thoughtful citizen within
the broad confines OF this Union every true OF the Re-
public ut home and every brother OF neage abroad
is filed with dsnav ut the sudden rupture OF the national
concord can il be that the power which Is able to pour
oil upon the troubled waters and bring gadness back to
every good mans reside will withhold its hand from the
labor That this generation OF American citizens
kened by the canor that threatens the integrity OF our
Union and conscious of It's facility TO command the end
ing of mad debate ind to re-esabh the foundations OF
healthfu lust and beninan administration of the du
ties and benefits of the Constitution, will play the slug
gard in this momentous hour aud incur the everlasting
shame OF passiyely looking upon the demolition OF
this fabric of confederated Sates that this generation
will prove itself so false all generations to come as to
permit when has the power 30 forbid the destruction
of this glorious heritage OF many millions Of freemen,
with such immortal memories clustering around tue path
of their history with such gEndh lowering the
career before Them the central point OF SO many bless
ings the subject of mary prayers OF the enlightened
humanity of the whole word
Let all reflect upon the incredible folly oil our
quarrel
The country is wrought into tempest OF excitement.
Two great political armies contending Tor mastery
Both are Infatuated with rage thai threatens fearful eI
tremes The great mass Of awabding citizens are look
ing with amusement AMI ominous Apprehension OF