Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-05-29
The Charleston Mercury mud tho Rich
mond Convention.

The Charleston Mercury mud tho Rich
mond Convention.
The ingenious and sood-tcmpercd article OF
the Charleston Mercury, Of Wednesday last
cannot unsettlc our convictions that the Rich
mond Convention should await the action Of the
Baltimore Convention Even could we be in
duccd to change our views, we TO not feel dis
posed to run counter to the wishes Of the Do
m0cracy Of Virginia, us expressed III various
portons Of the State. 10 obtain the rccognl-
ton Of our just demands, and TO secure the
nomination of :: man Of sound views and Of
ability and strength to carry the popular heart
union among our own people is most essential;
and, when such grave issues arc at stake, we feel
disposed 10 adopt every measyrc OF concIlla-
ton, consistent with principle. Thc$emocra-
tic meetings hell in Northampton, Elizabeth
City, Richmond, buckingham, Hanover, Gooch-
land Barbour and IlarrSon-on the sca.shorc,
in central Virginia. and on the borders Of tic
Ohio rivcr-all urge the attendance of the Fir-
c;nia Delegates at both Richmond and Baltl-
more, 50 as to leave 10 effort untried to effect
the harmony OF the party, upon platform
that will br satisfactory both 10 The cotton
States and to the frontier States, and to the
whole conierleracy. There is but one scn,i-
mcnt rs to the course which the Virginia dele
gates should pursue III coming to the Richmond
Conveution Tho Democracy Of Harrison re-
quest their delegates to meet with the Southern
delegates at Richmond, on the til day o! June
next, .'lor the purpose Of taking such action
with them as may be deemed advisable, pre-
paratory to the meeting at Baltimore on the 18th
of June, and to advocate reunion oi those
delegates. who assemble there, with their
brethren at Baltimore, and once more cndca-
vor TO give the Democratic party and tic
Union candidate and platform upon which all
may unite.
The Democracy ri Buckingham arow Their
opinion, and wish Thai their delegates should
meet in Richmond I" for the purpdsc q collsri-
tation. and with the view Of cilectinS unity Of
feeling sentiment anil action among the slave
holding States of the Union in the present
position of political affairs" II is true, as ne
much regret. Mr. T. II. Glass avows his deter
mination not to carry out this wish 0l his
constituents. and the meeting in Rockingham
county made no reference TO the Richmond
Convention; but we cannot surrender oar
hearty trust that, in view of the general ScE!ii-
mcnt of the State, and OF its intimate bearing
upon the unity Of the party and the safety OF
our institutions, the great body OF the Virginia
delcratcS will assemble in Richmond TO confer
with their brethren from other States as to tha
proper course to be pursued, and that course, in
our humble Judgment. is TO take no final action
as TO the nominations but TO appeal to the justice
and party fidelity Of the baltimore Convention,
and to await It's decision. The eloquent and
accomplished Judge hcnnins, the Chairman Of
the Georgia Delegation TO Charleston, struck
the right key in his address to the Democracy
of Georgia, when he advised the selection Of
DELEGATES 10 attend both the I.clunond and
Baltimore Conventions.
But, says the Mercury" the ulattcr ol the
platform is incapable Of further consideration,
inaslnucll as the platform adopted by the
Charleston Convention was followed by mo.
ton to reconsider and that motion was laid on
the table On the other hand, Judge Bcnnins
says, in his address, that he was informed by
Mr.. Cushing President Of the Charleston Con-
vcntion, that the question could be rc-opcncd
ut Baltimore Bat, even should it require the
unanimous consent Of the Convention to re-
open the question, we cannot believe that there
will be found Il single delegate 50 lost to every
principle OF propricty and justice, so reckless
Of the unity Of the party and the existence oi
our institutions. rs to dare to raisc his.rolcc in
the negative Such refusal 10 listen to reason
would produce an instant disruption of the
Baltimore Convention.
The Mercury" further contends that even
should the unanimous consent be given, there Is
moi the least hope for the adoption Of y platform
that will be satisfactory to the cotton States,
although it might he acceptable 10 the "lrontlcr
States" That is a matter Of opinion, and we
decidedly differ from the Mercury rs to the re-
SUN but, even five shall prove to be IN error,
matter: will stand in no worse condition than
at present. and the dissatisfied States will hare
all additional ground lor jastifying their ute
rior action. We, however, feel confident that
4 returning sense nf justice and reason vii! so
! d., l,,lt
secure the reasonable concessions made IN the
platform adopted by minority o! Tic States
| in tie committee on resolutions We cannot
doubt That !he passage Of the territorial reSolli'
tiDh> iy Il >wccpIn: Democratic majority IN
the /. 5. Senate on Thursday and Friday last
| published in another column will have Il po-
tent and genial influence upon the public mind
ami induce the Democracy at baltimore to fake
! Il SG!:a,i position.
For these reasons whicf arc the result Of Sc
liuuS lelihe-atinn. We cannot hut entertain the
belief that sound policy, dignity and devotion
TO principle, call upon the Richmond Convcn-
tinn 10 defer final action until the Baltimore as
$emhiagc shall have ,clberatcd and decided
upon the mighty issues that will come before it.
| The Convention ut Baltimore has in It's hands
the dcst!nies Of the party and, We fear, Of the
Union itsclE In view Of the past, and the great
future, we still have hope that they will meet
their mighty responsibilities in the proper
spirit. and that if necessary, As IN The days OF
| old Rome. there will be found more than one
Marcus Curlins, who will sacrifice himself by
leaping irlo the gulf Of temporary ohSc'Ir'ty,
10 save his country from distraction ami a'S'
rupti"n.
Augusta County.
We arc sincerely gratiiicd 10 learn that "'F
friend, General W. H. IIarnan, has been cleo
ted Commonwcalth's Attorney for augusta