New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-11-05
Nem Orleans 9ailp Grestslt.
MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 5, 1850.
A REVIEW AND AN APPEAL.


give any serious thought to the issues Of the con
test, we propose today briefly to review the lead
ing incidents Of the canvass now drawing to its
close, and determine, 50 far as we cam the results
which are to follow.
The first movement of Importance made by
political party, looking towards the Presidential
election tomorrow, was the Democratic Conven-
ton at Charleston Up to the time Of its meeting
the Democratic party was united and homogene-
GUS in its organization, however diverse in senti.
ment upon leading measures of public policy. 1t
was time, however, when sectional party a.
the North was threatening to take possession of
the Government, and the Democratic party was
looked to as the only one which had the power to
avert the disaster. The Opposition at the South,
though strong in numbers and influence, were
generally willing to leave the field Of contest TO
the Democracy, and patrioticaly aid them in the
struggle 1t was the general impression that if
the united Democracy presented to the country
some conservative statesman, not especially OBJ
noxious, there would have been only two candi-
dates for the Presidency, the Northern sectional
candidate on the one hand and National Demo
cratic candidate on the other, supported by Ma
tional Wings and Democrats all over the Union.
And we believe such candidate would have easily
won the victory Of the Presidency, and it would
have been such victory as would have given the
finishing blow to the Republican party of the
North for all time to come.
The Democratic party divided at Charleston, and
it was at once seen that the division was perma-
nent and the breach irreconcilable. 1t was then
that the Constitutional Union party interposed.
Seeing that the Democratic party was not ma
tiona one, and that neither of its wings had the
power to check the progress of the Black Republi-
cans, they organized Convention at Baltimore,
and placed before the people tive of the most dis
tinguished statesmen Of the country, men Of high
character, of undoubted patriotism, of long and
valuable service, and not justly obnoxious to any
reasonable man Of any portion of our whole coun-
try. This was some time before the Democratic
Convention, which had adjourned from Charleston,
was to reassembe at Baltimore. Here was an
opportunity for both sections of the Democracy
to do what the opposition of the South, with
scarcely an exception, had avowed their own will
ingness to do-that is, concentrate all the
ative strength of the Union upon one man, even
though former political opponent. Itwoud have
been safe compromise, as well as an exhibition
of high patriotism, if both sections of the Demoe-
raey had ratified the nominations Of Bell and Eve
rett, which had been already made, and thus united
the whole conservative strength Of the country
upon single ticket in opposition to Lincoln 1t
would, we say, have been graceful and patriotic
act if both wings of the Democracy had done this
thing, and it would have led inevitably to the
defeat of Lincoln. But the same spirit of discord
which was abroad at Charleston reappeared at
Baltimore; and thus three candidates were before
the people, when there should have been one and
one only.
These divisions among ourselves have encouraged
the Northern sectionalsts But, for this division
the Constitutional Union party is not responsible
Standing between the two Democratic wings, it
has counselled peace and Cancellation and compro-
mise. 1t has presented to the people two eminent
statesmen who can be consistently voted for by all
national men, all Union men, all Constitutional
men, all conservatives of all parties and of all Sec
tions.
The issue is now joined, and the people are about
to vote. On ordinary occasions expediency and
availability ought not to be consulted. As a gem
eral rule men ought to vote as they believe right,
without counting the chances of success, and leav-
ing the consequences to take care of themselves.
But this is not an ordinary occasion. 1t is an
casion unusual, peculiar, and different from any
that has ever yet presented itself to the people at
Presidential election. 1t is period fraught with
mighty consequences. 1t is a time when men
should study calmly but with full sense of their
responsibility to their country, their neghbors and
themselves the duty which they will be called upon
to discharge tomorrow at the polls.
| Scarcely any one desires dissolution of the
Union if the Government can be administered upon
national and Constitutional principles. There are,
| perhaps, some Disunionists in the South who are
for Disunen now and at all times, no matter who
may be elected. But as general thing the people
of the South are devoted to the Union as is proved
by their allegiance to it, Notwithstanding the Sec
| tional attitude of the North. The question then
presents itself, who among the candidates before
| the South is the best representative Of the Union
upon Constitutional principles and which one has
the best prospect of success, and the election of
which one would tend most to restore to the nation
the blessings of peace, concord, and fraternity.
| We answer, John Bell. He is Southern man by
ancestry, by birth, by education, by interest and
| by continued residence from his natal day to the
present moment. He can be trusted by the people
| of the South, and by the people of the North, ex-
| eept those who are working for the oppression of
the South and the destruction of the confederacy.
| There is no man who does not feel that, with Mr.
Bell in the Presidential chair, there would be a
wise, conservative administration of the Office
There would be no danger to the Union There
would be no oppression no injustice, no violation
of the Constitution, no notification of the laws thai
the Federal authorities could prevent. His election
would be the signal for peace. Breekinridge mer
and Douglas men, with but few exceptions, woult
feel that the country was safe, and that the jus
rights of all would be respected. We believe that
as general thing, both wings of the Democratic
party would sooner see Mr.. Bell in the Presidential
office than any ather candidate except their own
The transition to Mr.. Bell from either side of tn
Democracy is easy. The obligations of patriotism
should be stronger than party pride, or mere at
tachment to party organization. And when it be
comes manifest--as we think it already has be
impossible to elect either Mr.. Breck
inridge or Mr.. Douglas by the people, the motive t.
all to rally upon the common ground of concilia
ton held by the Constitutional Union party become
almost irresistible, if not imperative.
We have made no personal war, and we max
none now, upon either Mr.. Breckenridge or Nj
Douglas. We have deprecated the war that ha
been made upon Mr.. Bell. For nearly six months
amid all the exeitements of the canvass, we hay
endeavored to do justice to all parties. We beliey
that the South will be safe, and the Union will b
safe, under the Presidency of John Bell. We b.
r ieve his election would allay excitement and n