The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-05
THE CHARLESTON CONVENTION.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.


COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
We append below the comments of such inHuen-
tia papers as have received on the late session
of the Democratic Convention at Charleston. The
Eastern mail failed to connect at Philadelphia yes
terday, and consequently are unable to give the
views of the press of New York.
From the Philadelphia PeanSyuanian Administration
DemOcrat) Nay, Al
The CHARLESTON CONVENTION adjourn
ment yesterday of the Democratic National
Convention, in session at Charleston, to meet
in Baltimore on the 18th of June next, is sub
Ject OF congratulatiOn, and is much more likely
than any other course of proceeding to result in a
restoration of that union and harmony necessary
not only to success but to the peace and welfare of
the country. The adjournment will afford time for
reflection and the opportunity to the delegates to
mingle with the people, from whom all Conventions
derive their power, that upon the re- assembling
of the Convention may hope not only for more
harmonious but more patriotic action. Without
harmony nomination is n farce. But more than
this We shall see more clearly in June the great
issues to be met. The Baltimore Convention of the
9th instant, and the Chicago Convention of the 10th
Instant will then have made their respective nOmi-
nations, and the way to entire conciation will
have been made plain duty to those delegates
who have seeded from the great body of the
Democracy at Charleston. We look, as we ever
have, with entire confidence to the final action of
the Convention.
Press, Douglas Democrat Ndg Al
The ADJOURNMENT TO BALTIMORE The
contest before the meeting of the Baltimore Con-
vention will be no child's play. 1t will enlist all
the talent and all the energies of the friends of free
government. 1t may end in the defeat of the De
mocracy, but it will elevate principle, and will
compel every party to put forward its best men,
and to deal frankly with the great American con-
stituencies. The Administration and the fre-eat-
ers are resolved upon the destruction of Douglas
hear of their denunciation already. There is to
be no quarter shown him or any of his friends He
Is to be offered up as sacrifice and they to be
hunted out of public life. The fact is, no Northern
man who dares to differ from the pro slavery lead
ers can ever hope to regain their confidence. lie
Is foredoomed, and this forever. =
Extraordinary developments will now be the order
of the day. Politicians will look out upon the
troubled sea with varying hopes and fears. They
will be careful how to move, lest they may be sub
merged. To be national will be the fashion hereac
ter, and to avoid all ectremes necessary. The num-
ber of young men and vigorous thinkers in retire
ment will see in the rapidly approaching future
new chance for distinction; and you must not be
startled if you are daily treated to a coup d'etat
This is the time for progressive, original, and
daring men to take position. And b. content that
no matter how the parties may fight and the poll
ticans wrangle, the Union is safe-fOr lust now it
is race to see which of the great organizations
be truest to the Constitution. John Brown
frightened the South, nationazed the Republ-
cans, and made rebellion against the Federal Com
pact capital crime.
From the Charleston Correspondence of The PressI
Judge Douglas did not, as hisfriends hoped, bear
off the prize at Charleston, but he has come from
the conflict with his colors flying. He has shown
the Administration that he is the power in the free
States. He has triumphed alike over their malig-
nifty and their "enlisted sOldiers"-the office
holders-(so Mr.. Buchanan stigmatised them in
1S2S( and the secessionists, in the stern fidelity
with which his friends stood by him at Charleston,
have living example that there are some men at
the North above corruption, above intimidation,
and above submission to dishonor. The adjourn
ment OF the Convention at Charleston forces the
Republicans to lead off in the Presidential contest
which will be the most remarkable which the coun-
try has witnessed.
Another effect of the adjournment at Charleston
will be the rejection, most probably, of Mr.. Sc
ward, at Chicago, and strong Republican nomi-
nation, to satisfy the conservative element at the
North, which antagonizes Mr.. Seward and men of
his extreme opinions.
From the Philadelphia LEDGER independently Mdy T. I
The CHARLESTON CoNyENTIoN.-The rock the
Convention split upon the attempt to erect a
platform broad enough to hold both the Northern
and Southern Democracy. They attempted the
impossible task of establishing n uniform standard
OF faith upon questions not essentially material and
upon which men could safely be lett to entertain
diversity of opinion. They thought it necessary
| to announce doctrines essential political
principles, which the Convention itself had no
| power to establish and which are controlled and
| governed by the Constitution of the country, and
the recognized tribunals that give it and the laws
| their Interpretation when disputed There is no
tion-there is no better State policy to be adopted
| than leaving legislation to be moulded by the ex-
sting circumstances and requirements of the cOun-
try. If the common sense of the nation, with the
Constitution to guide it, is not equal at all times to
provide for the wants of the country and the rights
of all the members of the Union, then platform
adopted at party conventions possibly exercise
that saving virtue Whether the breaking down
OF the Charleston Convention and its PLATFORM
both at once, will be any injury to the country is
questionable. The people are behind all conven-
tions; they have their fixed political opinions and
they will be just as ready to act and to protect the
interests of the country, even If national party
exist, and no national nomination is before them
The effect of the rupture will probably be that
there will be several candidates for the Presidency
and if the Electoral Colleges cannot make choice,
the struggle will be transferred to the House of
| Representatives.
From, the Charleston Courier May 81
TIE Seeding DELEGATES : : ! 1t is not
province, or duty, or desire to dictate, ad-
wise, or anticipate any decision. 1t is enough to
give cordial approval to the acts of the retiring
Delegations, and to utter earnest wish that the
| lesson may not be lost. Let none deceive them
| selves with the assurance or assertion that any
appeal can be made with success effect from our
! Southern Delegations to their constituencies. 1t
may be that the people in all not with the
retiring Delegates In such cases it will be found,
| however, that the people are before and beyond
their leaders, in the earnest and TesOute determi-
nation that the rights, honor and interests of the
| South and the Federal integrity and equality of
| the great family and ssterhood of American States
shall not be plaything pretext for politicians
If the Union can be saved, let the terms of saliva
tion come from those who, for forty years. have
assaed it. The South can and shall be vindicated,
and with the South in all causes and contingencies
will be found the State of South Carolina. ''God
8uce the Commonwealth
From the Charleston Merc1uy May4l
THE SOUTHERN DELEGATES Southern States
which have remained in the Convention, may,
we suppose, be fairly considered engaged in
| lt,I lfDf
regard to the rights of the South They go into
| the ballot with a Squatter Sovereignty platform.
On such platform it is of little or no consequence
| to the South whom they nominate. MT DouSias
! is lust as good as any Southern man who can be
| nominated Indeed he may be far better South
| ern man who will accept of a nomination on plat
| form opposed the rights Of the South, whether he
| believes in it or not, is totally unworthy of the
support of the Cotton States. If he believes in it,
| then he is worse than Mr.. Douglas, for in admins
tering the government he will endeavor to concii-
ate the North, while Mr.. Douglas, on the contrary,
| being from the North, would strive to conciliate
the South. And if he does not believe in the plat
form, then he is still less worthy of the support OF
| the South.
THE DUELLo IN JAPAN.-A popularity of the peo-
pie of Japan is their contempt of death, and con-
| sequent proneness to commit suicide. We have
| read an exemplifcation of this which contains a
! useful suggestion to civilized duellists. Two
| officials jostled each other accidentally on the
| palace steps. One, who was irascible, demanded
satisfaction, which the more peace-loving dignitary
| gave in the shape OF an ample apology. This die
not suit the other, who was "spoiling for fight
| Seeing that the peaceabe party would not be pro
voked into duel, what did our irate friend do bu
draw his own sword and chop himself up in tn,
most approved stylel AS matter of honor hi
adversary was obliged to follow the example, anc
| let daylight into himself in like manner.-Net
York Times.
great natural curiosity in the shape of an i'm
mense cave has been discovered in Kentucky, ant
explored for considerable distance. 1t is LOCATED
not many miles from the great Mammoth Cave