Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-05

servative masses are insensbly and gradually
goaded into concurrence with opinions and
sentiments with which, in the outset, they
had no sympathy. Meantime, almost Who'll
| ly neglecting the main public interests, our
political controversies turn more and more
on questions in reference to which, as abstract
formul3e, the great sections of the country
differ irreconcilably, though there is nothing
practically important at stake which requires
the discussion to be kept up. These contro-
vcrsies are carried on with steadily increas-
ing bitterness and evaporation. The pas
sions thus kndled have already led to acts
of violence and bloodshed, approaching to
civil war in the Territories, and attempting
scryile Instruction in the States. The great
religious and philanthropc associations of
| the country are sundered, and the kindly So
cial relations of North and South seriously
| impaired. The National House Of Represen-
tatives, lowering on the verge of anarchy,
requires weeks to effect the organization,
which ought to be the work of an hour, and
it holds its sessions (many of its members,
| | am told, armed with concealed weapons
on the crust of volcano. The candidates
for the Presidency representing respectively
| the dominant sectional ideas will, at the en-
suing election, in all probability, be supper
ted by purely geographical vote. In other
words, we are already brought to a pass at
which North and South cannot and will not
cooperate in the periodical reorganization
Of the Government.
Can such q state Of things long continue,
especially with the ever present risk of new
causes Of evaporation? | own that it seems
to me impossible, unless some healing course
! is adopted, that the catastrophe, which the
mass OF good citizens SO much deprecate,
| should be much longer delayed. spirit OF
patriotic moderation must be called into ac-
ton throughout the Union, or it will assur-
edIy be broken up. Unless the warfare OF
inaammatory speeches and incendiary pub
| lications is Abandoned, and good citizens,
us in l776 and 1857, North and South, will
agree to deal with the same elements of dis
cord (ior they existed then as now as our
| fathers dealt with them, we shall but for
| few years longer be even nomlnally brethren
of one family. The suggestion that the Uni
on can be maintained by the numerical pre-
dominance and military proves OF one Sec
| ton, excrtcd to coerce the other into submls-
| sion, is in my Judgment, as selt-c0ntradlc-
| tory as it is dangerous. 1t comes loaded with
the dcath-smel from fields wet with BROTH
crs blood If the vital principle OF all re-
publican government is" the consent OF the
governed" much more does q union OF CO.
equal sovereign States require, as its basis,
the harmony Of its members, and their volun-
| tarv corporation in its organic functions.
Believing, for these reasons, that healing
counse!s must be listened to, if we are much
| ri
late National Union Convention as move
ment in the right direction. | could wish
that it had been earlier assembled, with less
exclusive reference to official nominations, and
with amore comprehensive representation, II
possible, Of the conflicting opinions of the
country. On general principles and in ordl-
| nary times, | admit that third parties are OBJ
iectonable, but in tie existing state OF at
fairs, if there is to DE any escape from thepre-
sent i'll omcncd conflict, it would seem that
! commencement must be made with such a
meeting as that of the 9th and 10th at Balti-
more. 1t was Il fair representation Of the
conservative opinion of the country, and the
calmncss. gravity, and good feeling with
which its proceedings were conducted, cannot
be too highly praised.
In adopting as its platform the Constitu-
ton without note or comment, the Conven-
ton, as it seems 20 me, pursued a wise and
patriotic course No other course was
thought of ia the earlier days of the republic.
Elcctioncering platforms are almost without
exception equivocal and delusive. 1t is OBJ
iecrcd that men differ us to the meaning of the
fundamental law; but they differ not less as
10 any gloss or commentary. The Consttu-
ton, in it's fair and natural Interpretation,
is the only basis on which good citizens i'll
every part of the country can now unite; and
any attempt to 30 further will usually have
no other effect than to cause those who agree
on great practical principles, to differ on me
taphysca subtleties, or to bring together, by
artiuIly constructed phrases and from selfish
motives, those who have nothing else in COM
mon.
The candidate for the Presidency presen-
ted By the Union party is every way worthy
Of confidence support. speak from per-
sonal knowledge and long association with
him in the public service. His distinguished
talents, large experience in affairs, proved
integrity, and sterling patriotism, furnish the
ampest pledge for an honest and efficient
administration Of the Government at home
and abroad \ citizen OF the South and 10y
nj to her constitutional rights his impartial
and conciliatory course us Il public man al
iorls ground on which he can be supper
ted in either section OF the country, without
dcrc;ction OF principle, and by men of all
parties, without painful sacrifice Of former
preferences.
Deeply regrctting that the Convention has
not put it in my power to pay an equally cor
dial and emphatic tribute to some worthy can
dilatc for The Vice Presidency, but feeling it
duty to give the desired proof of sympathy
with their patriotic efforts to restore the hap
py days OF brothcrly concord between the
different sections oil our beloved country, re-
MAN. dear sir, sincerely yours,
EDWA ARD ENERETT.
STEW BOOKS. MAGAZINES, AND PAPERS
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CasSell's Illustrated Family Bible, part s, now
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Dickens Short Stories. containing thrty-two
stories before published in this country, SOC.
Black Rolf. or the Red Witch Wissahckon,
Tale Of the Secret Crimes and Mysteries Of Qua
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