Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-23
MONDAY, APRIL %. 1860
vh. baltimore Convention.

The baltimore Convention.
The democratic National Convention meets
at Charleston this morning. 1t cannot be
exneeted that it will have either the inclina-
tiou or the ability to discard the evil inauen-
ces by which the party is controlled. Nor
can it revolutionize the practices by which 1t
has been characterized Tor several years past.
Until this shall be done, the party will al
ways meet with opposition from very large
body of the people of the Union. The con-
seryative opposition, North and South, can
expect nothing from this convention which
will justify them in supporting Its Candidate.
Sincerely believing that the agitating policy
of that party will ultimately bring ruin upon
our country and its institutions, they cannot
be true to themselves aud, by supporting that
party, increase its power to do those things
which are most to be avoided.
Neither can the conservative men Of the
country, North and South, look to The Con.
veuliou of the Republicans at Chicago for
any action that will commend itself 10 their
appreciation and support. The single bond
of union to that party is opposition to slave
~ extension, that tenet to be made practical
and effective by the use of the power of the
Federal Government in positive prohibition
by statute. They cannot yield this principle
and maintain their present organization. If
they, therefore, insist upon it at Chicago, and
present man who stands fairly and squarely
upon it, be cannot receive the support of the
constitutional, Union Opposition anywhere.
It is plain, If these views be correct, that
ri
masses, North and South, must rely on the
Baltimore Convention. II is for that body to
lay down such platform as will stand the
test of time and the scrutiny of history, pan
dering to the extremists nowhere; such as
will be fair and just, comprehensive enough
for all patriots who love the country more
than party, and who are willing TO devote
themselves to the work of roofing out and
destroying those parties which have brought
SO much evil upon the Republic, to stand up
on; and such as will give all who sincerely
desire to restore tranquility and harmony to
the country, an opportunity TO exert them
selves for that object Ii such be It's action
it will deserve to succeed whether 1t do so
or not. Success, unless it bring with it rad
zeal change of the feeling and the policy
which have created the dangers which all
see, amounts to nothing. Temporary success
is really not desirable; it is altogether
secondary consideration, unless it be the
means to do great and permanent good. He
who pursues the great interests oil the coun-
try, and strives to act intelligently and hon.
estiy and faithfully-Wbo labOrs more for
the commonwealth than for himselt-who
seeks in all things to be right-cares but lit
tie for partizan triumph, except so far as it |
indicates the soundness of the people them |
selves If the present generation shall be too |
much blinded by the prejudices incident to |
partizan feeling and warfare, he feels and |
knows the future will vindicate him and bis
counsels We trust the Baltimore Conven- |
ton will take this view of their duty-that IL |
will strive to be right rather than seek by a
temporizing policy to throw the weight of its |
influence in aid of other parties, whose prin- |
ciples end practices are destructive Of the |
higher aims of good government. We have
confidence that it will pursue this course,
and that it will be actuated by patriotic dis |
dain for the arts and tricks of the despicable |
dcmagogue. We have confidence, too, that |
IL will present a candidate for the public |
support whose sentiments and services have
been based upon these noble and unsellish |
principles Fortunately there are a few states
men, OF this order left to The country-Inen
who, in long course of public service, have
shown their honesty and capabiliiy-who
have, in all the raging and fac:ious displays
that have been made of late years. stood up
with more than Spartan courage 10 the Con-
stitution and the u nion-who, neither by the
clamor Of men nor the hopes of personal gain,
have been induced TO swerve from the right
line of patriotic duty; but have ut oil times
and under AL circumstances marched straight
on in the path of what appeared to them TO
be the path of recitade. When one OF these
is presented by the Baltimore Convention for
the SURFACES OF the American people, all who
desire that the administration oil public at
fairs shall he conducted on n truly national
aud conservative basis in all respects, and
with integrity and craftsmanship, will have
an opportunity OF ranging themselves under
his standard. IL then il should he made ap-
parent that majority of the American peo-
pie are opposed 10 such man aud such prin-
ciples. and prefer that the present course of
things should be continued, we will have |
washed our hands of the calamitous conse
qucnccs, and the dire responsibility will |
rest where it properly belongs.