The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-16


title. 1t is not simply because only one-half of
the States of the UNION will be represented there
In the Convention which met in this city for the
same purpose last week, there were delegates in
attendance but from twenty-five States out of the
thirty-three. That which gave to il its ma
tionai character however apart from the patri-
otto views and purposes by which those who call
ed it together proiessed TO be animated, was the
fact that with the exception of the Pacific States,
every portion of the UNION was represented in the
Convention. Maine and Texas, Florida and Min
nesota, each had delegates there, and though for
reasons which we have already discussed, and
may recur to again, its candidates may find but
few supporters anywhere, there is nothing in
their position to preclude them from finding some
supporters everywhere. The Chicago Conven-
ton, on the contrary, will be composed almost
exclusively of delegates from the non-slavehold-
ing States. There may and probably will be
representatives there from Delaware MARYLAND
Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, but it is hardly
necessary to observe that they will represent but
an inconsiderable fraction of the people of those
States The meeting which was held in this city
for the purpose of nominating delegates from this
State, scarcely numbered twenty persons. TWAS
in effect farce, which only escaped being con-
verted into a tragedy through the interference of
the police. The Convention which was held for
like purpose in Virginia met at Wheeling in
the extreme Northwestern corner of the State
and hardly represented larger proportion of the
population, than did the gentlemen who were here
so unceremoniously and summarily elected by the
mob from Rechabite Hall. Outside of the nom
slaveholding States, the Republican Party has few
adherents and possesses no organization worth
the name. 1t is essentially sectional Party
necessarily so by reason of the principles it advo-
Gates. Sectional though it be, however, we can
not forget that this Party cast in the Presidential
Election of 1856, over one million of votes
that since that time, from variety of causes, it
has gained largely in all the non-slaveholding
Ntates-that at the present day it controls one
branch, and that the popular branch of the Ma
tonal Legislature-and that there is at least
chance, and, we may say, an even one, that
its candidate will be the next President of
the UNITED STATES. Opposed as we are.
therefore, to the Republican Party, we cannot
but feel profound interest at the deliberations
which are about TO take place in Chicago, and re-
gard with deep solicitude the action of the Con-
vention. The task that devoves upon that BODY
is one ofno ordinary magnitude us well as respon
sibility. 1t involves the selection of a candidate
from among host of competitors, and the adop-
ton of platform which shall be comprehensive
enough to embrace all the different divisions of
the Party and yet Precise and definite enough TO
satisfy the masses that principle has not been sac
rifced to eXpedency. OF the two the
choice Of candidate will probably be the
more difficult task. First upon the list
from which the Convention is to choose is Mr..
SEWARD, the master-spirit of the party, and, by
all odds, its ablest and most distinguished expo
nent, and who is generally supposed to have the
greatest number of friends in the Convention.
though whether these can muster votes enough to
give him the nomination is extremely doubtful.
Mr.. SEWARD is the favorite of the extreme and
radical members of the Party especially in New
York and New England, where his strength
chiefly lies, and where, if nominated, he would
doubtless poll an immense vote PENNSYLVANIA,
Ohio Indiana and Illinois, and we presume the
delegations already spoken of from the slaye-bod.
ing States favor the selection of a more moderate
man. Pennsylvania presents the claim of her
own citizen, Mr.. CAMERON; Ohio has two candi-
dates IN the held-Governor CHASE and the Hon.
BENJAMIN WADE; Illinois tenders the name of Mr..
LINCOLN; Missouri that of Mr. Bates while with
the view of drawing off portion of Mr.. SEwARD's
New England strength, as well as for the sake of
the probable influence which his name would
have with the American Party at the North Gov
eihor BANKS, of Massachusetts, is pushed into the
ring. a concentration of the opposition to Mr.
SEWARD upon any one of these candidates would
at once determine the contest against the former:
Jul whether any such arrangement can be effected
remains 10 be seen. Mr.. SEwARD's popularity
WIN The mass of the Party is very
great many Of the most influential and
"eai'hlest men in it are earnest in his
oehali, and he has the advantage of having on his
sue one OF the most astute wire-workers and in
uIsuerS IN the country in the person of THURLow
WEED The great argument of Mr.. SEwARD's
friends Is that he is entitled to the nomination as
" matter OF right-that the Democratic Party is
hopeleSsly and irremediaby split, and that now
never Is the time TO recognize and reward his
sei'VeS ana claims. Those who oppose Mr.
''h"A'O' on the contrary, say that the present is
ho unie 10 run any risks-that considerations of
justice must give way to those of expediency-that
the split in the Democratic Party amounts to
nothing, and that the November election will find
hat fariy strong and united as before and that Mr.
SEWARD extreme opinions ill drive thousands
Vi conservative men, who might vote for a more
nouef"'e man, INTO the support of Mr.. BELL -
10" the question Will be settled, it is impossible
10 tell and it were idle to conjecture, when few
days. perhaps to morrow will determine When
the nomination for the important Office is
settled, the selection of candidate for the Vice
Presidency will he comparatively an easy matter.
The nomination will be given, most likely. TO one
of those already named in connection with the
higher station, though, in addition to these. Mr..
- HICKMAN of Pennsylvania, and the Hon. HEyRv
WINTER DAVIS, of this city, are also spoken of.
So much for the Candidates, now for the Plat
FORM The same feeling which will probably in
fluence the majority of the Convention to prefer a
moderate man to one of extreme opinions in the
choice of Candidate, will most likely restrain
them from the PRONUNCIATION of any radical or
ultra sentiments in the Party-Platform. The
probabilities are that the Platform of 1856 will be
re-atfirmed, without other change than, posi-
bly,, the insertion of clause in favor of n higher
Tariff TO help the cause in Pennsylvania. ANY
attempt to construct new Platform, at this time,
would be exceedingly hazardous, and might lead to
the disruption Of the Party. 1t is Il noticeable fact
that, although confined chiefly to representatives
from the non slaveholding States, and supposed to
be animated by one spirit and one purpose in re-
gard TO the institution of Slavery the Republican
Convention is scarcely less divided upon that
subject than the Democratic Convention nj
Charleston. Even in regard 10 such cardinal
issues rs the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave
Law and the question of Slavery in the Terri
tories, the widest difference of opinion prevails
Tins. Judge MCLEAN and Mr.. CoRwIN, the orators
of the Party, are in favor of the Fugitive Slave
Law. Most of the more prominent members OF
the Party are against it. The Hon. ELI THAyER
believes, with Mr.. DOUGLAS, in Squatter Sow
ereignty, and SO votes;-the Hon. GALUsHA A.
Grow believes in nothing of the sort, and is in
favor of the doctrine OF Congressional Sovereign
ty and its practical application to the new terri
tories about to be organized. The debate in the
House CT Representatives upon the territorial Bills
now pending has disclosed radical division of
sentiment among Republicans on this question
the very question upon which the Charleston