Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-03
srz.souri Opposition Convention.

Bfzssourf Opposition Convention.
The Opposition of Missouri held State
Convention on the 29th nit. at Jefferson City.
Nearly every county in the State was rep
resented, and the greatest harmony and en-
thusiasm characterized the proceedings The
following sketch of their proceedings we
COPY from the Cincinnati Commercial to which
1T was telegrspbed:
The Convention was permanently organ
lied by the appointment of Hon Abel Leo
tnard, Of Howard county. as President, and the
usual number of Vice Presidents and Secre-
.taries Mr.. Leonard, in taking the Chair.
announced the object of the Convention 70
be the nomination of Edward Bates for Presi-
dent of the United States
He gave brief history of the life of Mr..
Bates and in view Of the present turbulent
state of political parties, he regarded him as
She best selection the people could make. He
had known him for more than twenty years
to be man of the stricGest int gritty and the
highest moral character A cOmmittee Of
ten were appointed. to whom j resolutions
were referred without debate. The commit
tee reported as follows:
No attentive observer Of passing events,
can fail to perceive that the kesTt of the Ma
ton Is fbrobbing with dread of impending
calamity, arising from the corruption and
holds the reins of GOV ernment ard directs the
power of official Station to perpetuate its
own supremacy. It's leaders are the active
abettors of the spirit of disunion. Many of
them declaring that If the people drive them
from power they will dissolve the glorious
cOnfsderacy Of States
Vain threats which will only nerve the
arms Of every brave and loyal defender Of the
Constitution who have resolved that their
first duty 20 their country is to unite in dri-
wing them from power, and to that end we
declare that We are in favor first of the pres
ervaIion of the Federal Union End. The
supremacy of the Constitution, and the en-
forcement Of the laws of the UEited States.
The unqualified recognition of the reserved
rights of the States, aud of tie people for
the cultivation and expansion of the resources
of the country by such protection OF every
useful pursuit and interest as is compatible
with the general welfare. and equitable to all;
the strengthening of the national defenses.
and the construction OF a railroad to the Pa
elf; Ocean.
The elevation TO office of men of unwaver-
ing frmness, incOrruptible integrity, IN
doubted ability and sound conservatism. We
are opposed. first TO the enormous corruption
and protiIgate extravaganza OF the present
administration. Second. To the practical
usurpaton and tyrannical exercise of absO
lutte and unlimited power by The chief mag
patronage for unworthy purposes.
3rd- To the arrant beresies of the so-called
Nationa. Democratic party, in regard to the
subject Of slavery in the territories.
4ta. To the systematic re6pening and dan
gerous agitation of the slavery question by
ultra political leaders for purely party pur-
poses
5th. To the inhumanity and shocking bar
barity involved in the proposition to reopen
the African slave trade.
9Th To the reasonable avowal recently
made in high places, that the elevation to
the Presidency, in the regular Constitutional
mode, of one candidate OF any party, ia in
itself a sufficient cause for dissolving the
Union.
7th. The granting of free homesteads to
those who will actually settle and improve
the public domain.
sih. To the Anti-Republican doctrine of
secession, as promulgated by ultra Southern
leaders, believing the prevalence OF such rad
ical views to be at war with the spirit and
genius ut our Government, and subversiye of
the cause of constitutional liberty.
9Th. To the systematic aud studied at
tempts of the party now in power, by art
fully arrayed platforms, with their double
readings aud studied antiquities, to deceive
an honest and cUnfding people.
In view therefore of the principles thus
enunciated, and a means OF carrying them
out, and OF restoring the Government to the
purity of the earlier days of the Republic
we declare that among eminent men whose
names have been mentioned in connection
with the highest Office in the gift of the
people, We know OF no man so well qualified
by his talents, his incOrrnpiiIle integrity,
aud his devotion to the Union and the Con-
stitutiOn, to fill that important post, as
Edward Bates, OF Missouri. To his guidance
we are willing to confide the destines OF the |
Republic, aud with his name inscribed upon |
our banner, we this day throw it to the |
breeze, inviting the friends of good govern |
nent aud of the Constitution aud Union to |
rally under it, folds, determined that 90 far |
as we are concerned. we will not be driven |
from his support by the insane howl of ato- |
hIionism. that ready weapon of our adyer- |
saries, " hich. alike in the hands OF the weak |
est and wisest OF them, has ever been uscd !
egsiEst the best aud purest OF our statesmen. |
The above was unanimously adopted, and |
its adoption was followed by tremendous ap-
plsuse. On motion a committee was APP
pointed With instructions TO report cleo
torial ticket, after which the CONVENTION adj
jOurued. ALI the delegates whom | have
heard speak ON the subject. declares that the
opposition can sweep the State next August
aud November, If Bates receives the Chicago
nomination