Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-29
THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.

lican party, for President, in the contest now
almost upon US, is question which is receiv.
ing the earnest and thoughtful attention of
the members of that party, and awakening in.
terest outside of that organization. The ac-
ton of the Chicago Convention is to affect
materially the success of the Republican party
this fall, and it may be, the destinies of our
country, for all time to come. 1t is not
strange, then, that much discussion should be
had, as to the proper course to be pursued by
that Convention, nor that the advice given,
should be as dissimilar, as is possible for the
judgment of men to be.
That the Republican party is to triumph in
the coming contest, if a reasonable amount of
prudence and sagacity are displayed, is conced-
ed on all hands But victory is not to alight
upon our banners, if supineneSs and apathy pre-
vail. Over confidence, is perhaps, our great
est danger. That the most extraordinary ex-
ertons are to be put forth by the Northern
adjunctS of the slave power, to maintain q
foot-hold in the Free States, is demonstrated
by the lavish expenditure of money and labor
in Connecticut, to carry the election which is
to take place next week. If the Southern pro-
gramme should be carried out at Charleston Gas
now seems certain) we must not calculate that
the Northern Democracy will quietly fold their
arms, and permit the Republican nominee to
sweep the North, without opposition. Stun,
ned, though they may be, by the ultra pro-
slavery action of the Charleston Convention,
they are too we'll trained in doing the behests
Of their Southern masters to falter when the
crack of the party whip sounds Supplied
with abundance of money, they will rally with
desperate energy, and do battle as vigorously
as ever for their Southern leaders.
1t behooves the Republican party to select
their standard-bearer, with unusual care. The
party is new enc, composed it is true of ho-
mogeneous eemetns, and actuated by common
impulse-to advance the interests Of Free
Labor-but the organization is so recent that
it has not had time to become thoroughly con-
solidated and drilled, as it will be in time
There are, besides, outside of the organization
elements which sympathze to a certain extent,
but for some cause have stood aloof A judi
ciouS nomination unites all these elements, and
secures the permanency of our party.
The country, we must admit, has not been
as yet thoroughly educated in the doctrines OF
the Republican party A vast stride has been
made in it, but time and labor are yet requir.
ed to instil the principles of Republicanism
into the minds of 2 portion of the population
of the Free States Lamentable and strange,
indeed, it is, that in this age of civilization
with all our advantages of education and re,
ligiol Free White Laborer should be found,
who diSsents from the platform of principles
upon which the Republican party is based !
Yet such there are, honest, we have no doubt,
in their convictions while much larger class
are held by the catchword of Democracy, or
influenced by hankering after Office, or con-
strained by commercial reasons, to pay court
to the Slave Power.
The primary consideration, as admitted on
all hands, in selecting our candidate, is to pay
respect to our principles. The Chicago nomi
nee must be q reliable, avowed, wel-known
Republican. He must be SO thoroughly and
completely identified with the Republican prn
ciples and movement, as to admit of no caVi
or doubt. Any other would fail to receive
the vote of a large body of Republicans and
if elected, it is serious question whether sue
cess would not be fraught with more disaster
than defeat. Such Republican as we have
indicated, who can bring to his support the
elements of which we have previously spoken,
is unquestonably the man 10 be nominated.
Who is that man ? Without doubt, to ee.
is the ardent desire of great majority of the
Republicans Of the country. But among the
calm and thinking men of the party-those
who lay aside personal preferences, and look
at the matter dispassonately-the has grown
up strong doubts as to the propriety of bis
being at this time candidate The distin.
guished Senator from New York, We are free
to confess, would be osr first choice, could we
satisfy ourselves, after careful survey of the
field, that he was the most araiIabie candidate.
We would not sacrifice principle to arailibility,
but unite both in the candidate Here, in the
Northern part of Pennsylvania, we could do
gallant battle with the name of SEWARD upon
our banners Indeed, We are not particular
about the candidate here, as affecting the
vote. But there are portions Of the State