Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-06-21
worIs out, in practiee, Is dangeroas 5,

patriots. More than thirty years ago
served with them both in Congress and
from that time to this have always held
them in respect and honor. But what can
| the third party do towards the election of
| even such worthy men as these agIimst
the two great parties which are now in
actual contest for the power to rnle the
nation? 1t is made up entirely Of por-
tions of the disintegrated elements of
the late Whig and American parties
good material in the main, admit, but
establish any principle. The most it
can do is, here and there in particn-
lar localities, to make diversion in
favor of the Democrats. In 1856, the
Whig and American parties mot forming
a nHIV party. but united as allcs) with en-.
tire unnnimity and some zeal, supported
Mr.. Fillmore for the presidency, and with
what results25 : We made miserable fatl-
urc, carrying no state but the gallant lit
tie Maryland, and surely the united Wings
and Americans of that day had far
greater show of strength and far better
prospects of success than any which be-
long to the Constitutional Union party
now. In fact see no possibility of sue
cess for the third party, except in one con-
tingency-the destruction of the Demo
likely to- happen this year, for, badly as
think of many of the acts and policies of
that party, its cup is not yet full-the day
has not yet come when it mnst dissolve in
its own corruptions. Rnt the day is COM
ing and is not far off. The party has
made itself entirely sectional; it has con-
Centrated its very being into one single
idea; negro slavery has control of all its
faculties, and it can see and hear nothing
clcs-"onc stern, tyrannic thought, that
makes all other thoughts its slaves!"
But the Democratic party still lives, and
while it lives, it and the Republican party
are the only real 0ntagouistic powers in
the nation. and for the present. ! must
ter as wiser, purer, younger, and less cor
ruptcd by time and selr-indulgcnce.
The candidates nominated at Chicago
are both men who, as individuals aud
politicians. rank with the foremost of the
country. I have heard no objection to
Mr. H0mlin personally, but only to his
geographical position, which is thought
by some to be too far North and East to
allow his personal good qualities to exer-
else their proper influence over the nation
at large But the nomination for the
Presidency is the great controlling act
Mr. Lincoln, his character, talents, opin-
ions and history will be criticised by
thousands, while the candidate for the
Vice Presidency will be passed over in
comparative silence.
Mr. LincoIn's nomination took the pub
lie by surprise, because, until just before
the event it was unexpected. But really
it ought not to have excited any surprise,
for such unforeseen nominations are COM
mon in political history. Polk and
Pierce by the Democrats, and Harrison
F ali
Rtcd in this cXtemporaneous manner, all of
which were elected. | have known Mr..
Lincoln for more than twenty years, and
therefore have a right to speak of him
with some confidence. AS an individual
he has earned high reputation for truth,
courage, candor, morals and hmiahllity, so
that, as q man, he is most trustworthy.
And in this particular, he is more entitled
to our esteem than some other men, his
equals, who had far better opportunities
and aids in early life. His talents and the
will to use them to the best advantage, are
unqucstionable; and the proof is found in
the fact that, in every position i'll life,
from his humble beginning to his present
wcll-earned elevation, be has more than
fulfilled the best hopes of his friends
And now, in the full vigor of his man
hood and in the honest pride of having
made himself what he is, he is the peer
of the first men of the nation, we'll able
to sustain himself and advance his cause,
against any adversary, and in any field
where mind and Knowledge are the wen-
pons used.
In politics he has but acted out the prin
ciple of his own moral and intellectual
character He has not concealed his
thoughts nor hidden his light under II
buShel. With the boldnesS of conscious
rcctitude, and the frnnkncss of downright
honesty, he has not failed to avow his
opinions of public affairs upon all fitting
occasions.
This | know may subject him to the
carping censure of that class of politicians
who mistake cunning for wisdom, and
fiIlSehOod for ingenuity; but such men as
Lincoln must act in keeping with their
own characters, and hope for success only
by advancing the truth prudcntly, and
maintaining it bravely. All his old politi-
cal nntecedents, are in my Judgment cx-
actlY right, being square up to the old
Wing standard. And as to his views about
''the pcstilent negro question" am not
aware that he has gone one step beyond
the doctrine publicly and hAbitunIly avow-
Ell by the great lights of the Wing party,
Clay, Webster, and their fellows and in
deed sustained and carried out by the
Democrats themselves, in their wiser and
better days.
The following, I suppose, are in brief
his opinions upon that subject: l. Slavery
is domestic institution within the States
which choose to have it, and it exists
within those States beyond the control of
Congress. .. Congress has supreme lie.
gislutivc power over all the Territories.
and may, at its discretion, allow or forbid
! the existence of slavery within them. 8.
Congress, in wisdom and sound policy,
ought not so to exercise its power, directly
or indirectly, as to plant and establish
slavery in any Territory heretofore free.
4. And that it is unwise and impolitic In