The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1860-05-19

BALTIWoRE. last We have had National
Convention whose proceedings have been marked
by decorum and harmony, and which has framed
its platform and selected its candidates for Pres.
ident and Vice President without difficulty or
delay. Considering that the party is new one,
and that this is the first time it has been called
to 60 through the forma!ities in question, We
take pleasure in saying that it is entitled to all
the credit of a smooth and successful debut
The National Union party have nominated for
President John Bell of Tennessee, and for Vice
President Edward Everett Of Massachusetts,
Their platform is as follows, brief If not expires
sve:
Whereas, Experience has demonstrated that
oil platforms adopted by political parties have
the effect to mislead and TO cause political divi
sions, BY encouraging geographical and sectional
parties, therefore,
Resolved, That both patriotism and duty re
quire that We should recognize no policy or
principles but those resting on the broad found.
alton OF the Constitution of the country, tn
Union OF the States, and the enforcement of the
laws. and that as the representatives of the Con-
stitutional Union Party and of the country, we
pledge ourselves to maintain. protect and defend
these principles, thus affording security at home
and abroad, and securing the blessings of liberty
TO ourselves and posterity."
First, word as to this platforms: We object
is intended to be ambiguous and delusiye. II
will bear one Interpretation in one q larter, and
another in another, and that is the very purpose
for which it was contrived
But this is not its worst fault. Like some of
Its authors, it is fossil dug up from the remains
OF past age 1t belongs to the year 1880 and
not the times in which we live. 1t ignores all
that has transpired in the most animated and
pregnant period Of our history The contests.
the triumphs, the principles, the convictions,
the interests, the passions, the still FACILITATING
and unsettled questions OF quarter of centur,
are all carefully shut out of sight by this plat
form, as il they had never existed and had no
right to exist. In this point of view the platform
y almost comical Who can seriously propose
TO shove aside and ignore the questions Of the
power and duty Of Congress as regards the Ter.
ritories, of the nature and rights Of property in
slaves, of the bred Scott decision, of re openine
the African slave trade, Of acquiring new slave
States in West India, Mexico, and Central Amer
icas The people of this country have done YER,
much and suffered Very much in order to bring
these questions to a final settlement. There is
very earnest and almost universal desire for a
decision respecting them. But here comes the
Old Gentlemen's party with this mild suggestion
that the ease shall be abandoned and all the
record wiped out, leaving the controversy TO be
renewed at future das under aggravated cir
somstanees. We think the decision of all sensi |
PIE people. belonging TO the present geological
spoon viii lie III at the matter had better be ad
y"dicated and settled now so that we can after. |
~ard attend to other business without danger q, |
0e'ng interrupted and disturbed by this. The
v'd rentlcmen's platform, then, will never do
New York Tribune, Nav il.