Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-11
C reat Union Meeting I'm PhfIadel-
phia--1O.000 People Present.

A great Union meeting was held In Phila-
delphia on Saturday evening last. for the
pose of organizing Constitutional Union
Party in that city. The meeting was opened
with an able address by the President, JOHN
IrfrLE, ESQ, which was succeeded By the
adoption of the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, A large number, if not indeed a
large majority OF good and loyal citizens, in
all parts of this land, see, with increasing
concern, that crisis exists in the politics OF
the country which may well arrest the at
tention of the most Indifferent, and alarm the
Z fears of the most hopeful patriot. and where
q is believed. that the endless protraction of
an intensely sectional controversy is the sole
cause which has arrayed one-balf OF the
States of the Confederation in bitter animosi-
ty against the other, impaired that fraternai
confidence among the people, which is every
where the only sure basis OF national mar
mony, and so engrossed the regard OF the
government as TO make it neglect all, il 1t
has not, in fact, taken away its power to act
for any of the great industrial interests OF
Che nation; and whereas, it is obvious that
political parties, az now constituted, must
necessarily perpetuate strife which has so
qInbappily disturbed the peace and injured
The prosperity of the people. and that the
only reasonable hope of delivering the eoun-
try from the disastrous distraction into
which ii has fallen, is to be found in the or
panization of truly National party, which,
studiously avoiding all sectional questions,
and taking for its platform the Constitution.
[applause] simply and purely, as expounded
by the Supreme Court, shall propose no other
ends than the preservation OF our Federal
Union by careful regard for the welfare of
the people of all states, and by administer
ing the Government in accordance with the
conciIjatory spirit and intention of its foun-
ders; therefore.
RssoUed. That we, who have here assembled.
in sympathy with the sentiments and purpO-
ses of the call converting this meeting, do
hereby organize ourselves as political par
ty, which shall be styled and known the
siConstitutionai Union Association OF Phila-
deIphia," (thundeIs of applause and three
cheers for the Union Party and recommend
that the people of the several counties, town
ships and villages of the State, take meas
ures at once to establish organizations to act
in concert with this association.
Reso1ued, That the Chairman of this meet
ing be aW hOriZed to appoint, at his earliest
convenience, one citizen from each Ward,
who shall act as a General Committee~to or
ganize Ward Associations, and that the
Chairman OF this meeting be Chairman of said
General Committee. (Applause.)
The following letter from Hon. ]. ]. Crit
tenden, OF hentucky, was read:
WASHINGTON, February 3. 1860.
GENTLENEs l have just received your
Geographic communication of tonight. Con-
slider my condition, and am sure you will
conclude that cannot attend your meeting.
/ went to you but few days ago. when
could have gone nowhere else, and carry
too many years on my back to make such
trips very often; the task must be performed
by younger men. / have done all L could to
prevail on some of your friends in the House
of Representatives to attend your meeting,
but Cannot assure you that any of them will
attend, they are quite worn down by their
continued labors, and, with all the best wish
es for your success, are reluctant to under
take a journey to your city in this Indictment
weather. Your good cause will make you
triumphant God speed you, and your cOun-
ty speed you. lCheers) If you can sue
coed without assistance from abroad it will be
all the better; it will have more effect abroad
FL I'VE all the honor of doing the work your
selves. (Applause.) There is mighty pow
er IN a good cause. Screw yourselves 10 the
sticking point and you will not fail.
am yours, most respectfully,
j j. CRITTESDEN.
Letters were also read from Edward Ever
EFT, E,q., C.. NJ. Conrad, of La, and Erastus
Brooks, Esq, of New York. Speeches were
delivered by Jacob Broom, Esq, and other
distinguished speakers.