Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-01
Very truly yours, &C.,
B. F. HALLETT.
HrLLsnoRo', N. H., June 20, 1860.

HrLLsnoRo, N. H., June 20, 1860.
MY DEAR SIR:-Your letter from Baltimore d.
rectcd to me at New York and forwarded thence to
Concord, has at last reached me here, and will not
lay it aside without saying word in reply. Your
rejection delegate was, in my judgement, clear
violation of right, but it must have grathcd your
friends on the spot as it has me SINCE to observe
that the wrong perpetratetl in your exclusion was
not more palpable than your vindication OF sound
principles and Of your claims to seat was conclu-
sive and triumphant
1t was vain to hope for harmony after the action
of the majority upon the report of the Committee on
Credentials 1t could hardly have failed to be under
stood generally that such action must terminate
the existence of the Convention body represent
ing the Democracy of the Union, and eventuate in
the present condition of the powerful and patriotic
organization, which has so long upheld the equal
rights and indicated in peace and in war the COM
mon honor of these confederated States. There has
been, in fact, no nomination made in conformity
with the established and recognized usages of that
organization, and hence sound and faithful men will
find nothing in the proceedings, so far as the nomi-
nees are concerned to bind their party fealty I'm
der these circumstances it would crafty me exceed
ingy if our friends in all sections of the land could
unite earnestly and cordially in the support Of Mr.
Breckenridge and Gen. Lane, and thus insure for
our cause signal victory; but this cannot even be
hoped for. What then is to be done with result
so repugnant to our wishes? 1t is of less conse
quence to discuss, who were right and who wrong
upon the question Of membership in the Convention,
than it is to determine how the Democratic party,
which united is invincible can avert the calamity of
an rreconclable breach. If division is at present
inevitable it may be well to inquire whether it is to
be permanent Is devotion to principle, to the equal
rights Of the States and to the integrity of the
Union, to be sacrificed to any object of personal am
bition, or what is worse if possible to the blind
control of passion of which have already had too
much? Have the doctrines and sentiments OF sec
tional fanatcism which eliminated last year in the
armed invasion of sister State with the avowed
purpose Of exciting nsurrection ceased to be dan
gerous? Where is the evidence of change in the
direction of sounder and more conservative opinions?
do not perceive it. 1t certainly is not to be found
in the want Of concert so apparent among the great
body of our countrymen who are opposed to the
principles and policy of which Mr.. Lincoln and Mr..
Hamlin are now the representative men.
While it would be culpable weakness to intermit
effort for the right there is neither wisdom nor
courage in turning from full view of the enbar-
easements which beset our party, and the dangers
which threaten our country. The only manly idea
on which to act is q" Things are bad and may be
worse but with the blessing of God we will try to
make them better" At all events it is no time for
elimination and recrimination among those who ex-
pect hereafter to need and to have each the support
of the other. 1t cannot mend the past-cannot help
the present-and cannot fail to be disastrous to the
future. He who takes different view and acts up
on it will only accumulate harvest of regrets by
uttering sentiments to be explained, qualified or
called unless indeed he is already at the "halfway
house" (where so many have stopped temporarily
before only to resume his march and take his place
in the ranks of those whose opinions and action
have been in direct antagonism with his own. am
not without hope that the sterling Democracy of the
Keystone State will be able untedly to support the
electoral ticket already nominated by Them without
regard to the preference of the individual nominees,
but with satisfactory understanding as to the man.
ner in which the vote of the State SHALL in certain
contingencies, be cast and that their example may
be followed by other States, and thus something
like unanimity be yet secured Should policy like
this, at once conciliatory and just be pursued we
may well be animated by fresh hope and confidence
expect to be in Boston next week. when we can
interchange thoughts fully and satisfactorily
than it is possible to do by letter. In the meantime
if you see the editors of the Post Especially Col
Greene) will you express to them my thanks for the
well-considered, able and dspassionate article in
which they grappled with the emergency of divided
National Convention, and for the characteristic
promptitude with which they assumed position,
which am confident ample time for reflection
will fully justify.
Very truly, your friend,
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Hon. b. F. HALLETT, Boston, Mass.