New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-20
WILLIAM l.. DAYTON.

To the Editor of The n. y TTibsse
SIR: At the Chicago Convention, the friends of
Judge Dayton will urge hs nomination upon no local
or personal grounds will they present him as an
antagonist Of any other candidate III it shalt be the
deliberate iu6euent Of the Convention that the n0D-
nation Of any other candidate viii the best policy
for he Repub lean party, the delegation from New
Jersey will acquesce in that judgment defer 70 H.
with all proper respect and obsdsnee.
II is not opposition TO any other candidate, nor
bind personal devotion TO Judge Dayton, that upes
the great body Of the Opposition party in NeHJersey
10 advise his nomination. bat siupy the strong
viciOn that it would contribute TO the Of the
Republican party and Of Republican principles well.
II is Of the gIeateft importance TO both that candi
date be nominated who carry New-Jersey aud
ylvsna-Staies which the Republican party per
Sc never has carried. Until recently, the idea mas
prevailed in quarters that the Electoral votes of
New-JeTsey might be dispensed with; but since the
Gomez and Rhode Island elections this does not
appear to be safe wise policy.
1t is believed by the great body of the Opposition
party in NewJs rsey that Judge Dayton would be the
strongest candidate that could be nominated in these
two States Our delegation 20 Chicago will represent
this opinion. The Pennsylvania delegation, Whatever
may be the preferences Of the dele gates, will it is not
doubted cheerfuy concede the ability OF Judge Day
ton to carry that STATE. His strong Republican, strong
conservative and strong tariff record and reputation
aIe Just what these States require.
A good deal is sale about the prOprety OF nominating
a conservative candidate as distinguished from de-
cide6 Republican. The Republican National Conven-
ton should give no couDtnanee 10 the assumption that
there is q contrarety between these two terms. 1t
shoud sgnaZe the conservative character OF the Re
pubcsn party aud not ignore it, To 20 Outside OF tire
party for conservative candidate would be practical
confession that the party is not l.selE conservative
Sueh confession would be self-slander. On the con-
tray, the Chicago Convention should sgnalze the
trnly conservative character of the Republican party
by Omnating for the Presidency ilustrious con-
servatve Republican-some statesman whose record
and whose reputation distinguished for devotion
alike 10 the Constitution and to Freedom. Not only
Goes it this to its character and honor but 1t
would be the wisest policy; for statesman Of such
reputation is utt the required for the States called
conservative and for the States known to be Rspub
can-whicb latter States by the way, must not be IL
1Ored, but must be consulted, and will have potential
voice both in the nomination snd the campaign.
The character of Judge Dayton is emphatically such
tquired 10 meet this exgency. 10 the Senate he
was Conservative Of the Conservatives, and Re-
publican before there Republicans A Constitu-
uonsl lawyer, thoroughly grounded in tina,
construction Of the Constitution which pre-.
vailed in former times, according to which Con-
gress had an undeniable right 10 proh BIZ Slavery
in the Territories, he opposed from the fret, and
always, there new isms of the Slavery extsnsonists
which they have al las! imposed upon the Democratic
party. As lo1g sgo as 1875 during the consideration
Of the admission Of Texas be TOOK de ided grOuni
against the extension of Slavery, and against sanely
Weld 10 the threats of ts proIagandist and proph
esied that il those threats met with concessions
and compromises, they would be constantly renewed
the reafter Wher ever the question recnrred while he
was In the Senate he TOOK leading aud determined
position a9ainet the extension OF slavery. In I8JO,
hen so many faltered he stepped forward, first at
least and perhaps ablest, among those which were
considered conservative statefmen, 70 resst the az.
eTessons Of Slavery, and 10 maintain the principles OF
the Constitution and the authority and dignity OF tae
Government sgapet Slavery threats OF treason and
1tunion. The Fugitivs-Slave law found in him a most
Bfe Give opponent because while acknowledging the
fu force of the Constitutional provision on TINS sao
ec he showed that the proposed act was not 10 fnn
mt Of the Constitut on, but in violation OF IT, Iae
vents of that memorable conflict have no doubt faded
,way from the memories Of many; but those VINO 10
emtmber them, remember that tue caose OF Consuta-
iopal freedom rested in no small de9reoupon Inc
bouldeT Of Judge Dayton.
If the nomination Of the Chicago Convention anal
al upon him, rethsr the strong Republics Dor Tue
ceaed Come va,ive Stsies will BE- dis tshed, Tor
10Th will have obtained a caDdidee who fauy repre-
eDts tb cir PRINCIPLES Neither will have obtained Tn,
nmph overt the other aud yet neither will have sustained
DISAPPOINTMENT. The union Of the Opposition Will
be secured and It's principles and s honor vindceteo:
lbe Republican States will secure the ehcert AID OF
lie Opposition party in New.JeIsey and Pennsylyanis,
bow dominant in both these States. The Republican
party will have done uftoe 10 itse and pat itself be-
lore the country ar the eDly party rne To the Cops-
nop, to the principles is trainers and to FREQ IN
it.o1ions. The Conservative sates and the Repubb-