The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-06

its harmony. So believing, we insist that oul
position as representatives of fdemocnatic States
and constituencies forms no just bar TO oul
right, but rather imposes on us the duty, Of
joining our counsels with those Of our demo
cratic brethren, and uniting in their efforts to
secure the triumph of our principles.
1t is plain that, if the convention shah at
Baltimore adopt satisfactory platform OF
principles before proceeding to select its can
didates, the reason which dictated the with
drawal of the delegations Of the eight States
win have ceased, and no motive will remain
for refusing 10 unite with their sister States
nor for holding an adjourned meeting at Rich
mond. On the other hand, if the convention,
on reassembling at Baltimore, shall disappoint
the just expectations of the remaining demo-
cratic States, their delegations cannot fail to
withdraw and unite with the eight States which
have adjourned to Richmond. In either event
there would be unanimous action in; support
of our principles by all the States which can
be relied on for casting democratic electoral
votes.
From this statement of facts, is it not evi-
dent that the wise and prudent course now TO
be pursued by the delegations Of the eight
States is to defer assembling in Richmond un-
til the necessity for such meeting shall become
imperative' Ought they not, in view of the
altered condition of affairs, 10 return to the
convention at Baltimore and aid their sister
States in the struggle for the recognition of
sound democratic principles May it not be
that their votes would now suffice to turn the
scale, to purge the party creed of all heresies,
and to emblazon on the party banner its hon
ored device of fidelity to the Constitution and
the Union in characters so clear as to defy
misconstruction
Suppose for moment that in this last
struggle for the right they should again be
overborne: Is it not, then, equally plain that
the delegations of the other democratic States
cannot for an instant be suspected of an in
tention to refuse to redeem their pledge of
withdrawal from an assemblage which shall
pcrsistently determine on the sacrifice Of prin-
ciple, (which they themselves have declared in
dispensable for their united action to sup
posed expedicncy! And will not all the dem
ocratic States,thus Withdrawing and adjourn
ing to Richmond be joined by the true
anS faithful delegates from Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, from Indiana and New York
aye from every one of our sister States where
delegates are found imbued with the living
principles of our party, but whose voice has
hitherto been stihed in the Convention, be-
cause of their being in the minority of their
respective delegations
For it is a striking fact not to be overlook
ID in this connection, that whether the vote
lad been taken entirely by States or by dele
sates in either event there was clear major
ty in the Convention in favor of the recog-
lition of sound constitutional principles, and
t was only by taking part of the votes by
states Il, units, aud another part by divided
ita,es that az apparent and Fictitious ma
ority succeeded in preventing that recogni
ion.
The answer 10 all these foregoing questions
Gems to us to be clear and plain. The line
conduct we suggest leads, in our judgment,
a reconciliation Of differences on a basis of t
rincpIe. 1t leads to the united and harmo- a
ious action of our party. II does more, in S
nitely more: 1t secures vastly added strength r
, that assertion of principles which none Of
$ would for an instant think Of compromis- 1
lg; it compels their recognition and proudly ft
indicates the action of the seeding delegates IL
no will thus have secured the object of their h
ruggle, and have merited the applause and L
ratitude of their democratic brethren. Il
The contrary course would, we believe, be pl
roductive of mischievous consequences
ime does not permit the action of the regu- Ri
r organizations of our party in the rcspec- -
We States, and who alone have the power to tll
,eak their will, to meet in council and give OF
structions to their delegates. How is the sc
ice of California or of Oregon to be heard III
time, How are the constituencies of Tex ha
and Virginia to meet in State conventions dc
ID give authoritative expressions of their tn
ii before the middle of Junel How can re-
e machinery be put in motion by which the pl'
voters will direct attendance at ed
,ltimore or Richmond in accordance with Is
cir judgment! Evidently, this cannot be fol
ne. Evidently, the delegations already ev'
,cted are the only ones that can act, and en-
ey must act on their own Judgment in a tho
njuncture which does not allow opportunity Wit
instruction by their constituencies A re- res
al, then, by the delegates of the seeding Sta
ties to return to Baltimore, a refusal to de- vot
the Richmond meeting until there shall to
an uncomfortable necessity for holding it, lea
uld inevitably result in incurable division sur
our party, the sole conservative organiza- tat'
n remaining in our country; in its final Of
ruption; worse than all, in the endanger- prii
Of the successful assertion Of its prinei- gio
), compared with which the success Of an
gle electoral struggle is unworthy Of one tins
ment's consideration. hon