New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-14

teret in the cause in which thoee of the Convention
well as myself, are engaged. do not appear before
you as my distinguished friend did me the justice 10
state, TO make you regular spcech, either upon the
TOPICS OF the day or uron the issues which have dis
tracted and agtated tie country for anything else,
more than 10 express INV simple Acknowledgements for
the honor done by the nomination at Baltimore and
10 thank you for this manifestation of Your kindness
and confidence in me. prolonged cheering. Ii you
VIII allow ne to address u few words TO you without
touching upon those questions about which there may
be great differences of opinion, in this assembly,
would like TO call your attention TO the causes which
have led 10 the assembly at Baltimore recently is
not tho Democratic Iary that have assembled by their
representative dclcg,t,sthere Itisnotthe Republican
party, il is not the American party, it is not tho Wing
party What party is it that is 10 re the popular party
A Voice-The Constitutional Union party.
Mr.. Bell-Yes, trust il is TO be the party of the
country, of the Constitution which cannot be mentioned
in this locality without calling up sensations and re-
membranes that must thrill every heart, every bosom.
Ii is the OF tie Union, the party of the Union
which we hope the PEOPLE win nauguraie trust
they will. Cries of "lhey whitley haye."l l
was not witness Of the proceedings of that Conven
ton hut repeat again, that from the names have
seen OF gentlemen who held it TO be their duty at tbi
period of the country, at this crisis, if may call j,
such of the country gentlemen who had retired long
from public affairs, OF able and large experience of
comprehensive and sagacous views, they thought that
Il condition of tire country required Of them as parties,
as men who took an interest not only in the present,
but in the future of this great country, to come forth
and by their zeal their sense of the impending state of
things that called for an unusual anxiety account
of the condition of the country, and to strive, IA far
as in them might TO allay the existing threatening
discussions and alterations, TO call back the coun-
Try 10 the true objects of Government and the
true purposes for which it was instituted, instead
of exhausting their time in distracting topics and
discussions upon abstract questions, chiefly 10 the
neglect of the great vital and material interests of
every section of the Union, to the Encouragement Of
the country, TO te withdrawal of vigilance aud watch
fulnes from the conduct of public alars. This state
OF things thus led 10 the disaTagemcnt of our country,
not only in the eyes of It's own citizens and of her in
situtions but it has cast stan i'll the opinion of for
eign nations and Of the most enlightened friends Of
liberty and republican institutions throughout Europe.
The honor, the purity, and the glory and the practical
results Of republican Institutions, are developed in
way that has not met the anticipation of the fathers
and founders of this great Government. Cries Of
/" That So ard applause Ii is true, it is 80. There
is of reflection and observation but that must
feel consciousness Of IT, We do not feel the same
confidence in the practical results of glorious rep
resentative republican government that we did forty
years ago-that We did twenty years ago. My eXpe-
rience MY own feeling and observation, have conn-
ned long enough fcs me 10 perceive clearly and dis
tinctly the marked change in the public confidence not
only Of our fellow citizens, but of the most ilustrous
advocates OF republican institutions in every civ
ilized nation of the world. Their eyes
upon us. These distinguished gentlemen that
met at Baltimore the other day have banished
from their councils and considerations those dis
of the institutions of the South and the diversity of the
feelings between tie institutions of the North and the
South. They consider them as called up in the
AID discussed for patty purposes, Ill the main by zeal
cts Notwithstanding there honest men in both sec
tons Of the country who have party objects in the
questions which they have espOused. | do not think
that the further agitation and discussion of these sub
ects could lead 10 any public good either to the North
or to the South but nothing but mischief 10 the
other both to the cause of our country.
Tley have called attention far they could by their
example, by their counsel, by their sentiments and de-
liberate and wse proceedings, TO impress upon the
country tie necessity of REFRESHING other chevOus
doctrines and discussions which have long agated
the country. My fellowcitizens, must say feel il 10
be a compliment / unworthy of that they should
think proper out Of the host Of distinguished, able,
perienced statesmen, such have Eat in the Conven
iionthe Delegates from almost every large State pre-
sentng gentlemen intelligent, capable, experienced,
and Trustworthy, that have proved themselves wOr.
thy of great trusts by long period Of public ser
vice--that from among such lllustrious and distin-
puished gentlemen / have been selected TO occupy
such position which should have been assigned to
one of thoseto the highest position in this Govern
ment the hope and i'll the trust that in and through
me- with the will of the people, they should restore
harmony TO this distracted country. Loud cheers
That we should bring back the Government TO its an
cient character and that party dsunion questions Of
domestic policy and questions Of foreign policy should
be national. 1t might be regarded as a forlom under
taking attempt TO restore harmony 10 this country
1t would be- my counrymen, If could not conceive 1t
to be fact which can, that the large majority OF
the people, both of the Democratic and Republican
party were conservative in their feengs-loved the
tnion-would not do anything wilfully with pre-
meditation that tended TO it's destruction to the in
PRODUCTION of anarchy and the overthrow of our go
rious Constitution. [Applausel l trust that the
Masses that the majority Of both parties are sound;
that they love the Union as | do both North and
South. There are extreme sentiments, though, that
belong to considerable class in both sections, who,
though they NAV love the Union, have most unfortu-
nate mode of manifestingjt 10 the country Laugh
ter and applause. j wish 10 say nothing that could
disturb the composure of their feelings If there be any
of them in this assembly tonight, much less their
friends and advocates. | regard the majority OF
the Republican party and the majority OF the Demo-
cratic Iarty as devoted TO the Constitution and this
Union. mol when i come TO the conclusion that
this is to De doubted then | shall concl udc that
il scarcely worth an effort 10 preserve the safety
of this country. The struggle that we make Is
against the extremes both sides. The gontle-
men who have been present at the Baltimore Conye-
ton have supposed that the contests Of these sectional
Issues are not worth the mchies that have grown out
OF them-tbat j was not the purpose Tor WINCH TINS
great Gnyernment was instituted to settle ABSTRACT
Questions further than they were settled by The Cos
tuition. Appsuse In the spirit Of the constructor
ond In il,e deeds OF our lllustrlons ancestors
in the organic period of Government FAR all
thee auctions should he consdered-beyond that no
further IL is the hope that We can naugurate parry
Of This country when these dsracting issues sna DC
hsnjsbed from the pnblc councils from the husngs II
our popular elections-hat the people VIII opv, !" ~
ewes 10 the msebiefs that have flowed, and viii con-
tinue TO flow out from them-is IL the hope oi TIE
Baltimore Convention. II is my hope. Whether sue
cessful or not--wheher the Baltimore Convention
ujeces me in the position in which sand in relation
10 the peoJle-if we introeuce new era,
new period in the affairs and administration oil
this Government, in relation 10 these questions, We
shal not have labored in vain. Those patriotic hearts
will not have been agitated and stirred and excited III
vain Fellow-etzeDs | will not enter into discus
sion Of these topics. My in regard to them for