The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-14
BALTIMORE.
MONDAY, MAY a. iSoo

rho .;ro,o fact that the Constitutional Union
con,ort;on recently held in this city, should have
hoo,, on ,he point of taking General HoUsToN as
q, candidate affords, perhaps, the strongest COM
,ontarv that can be given upon the principles and
purposes of that body. General Houston has all
his life long been Democrat He claims to have
been a consistent one. There were probably few,
if any, Democrats in the Convention. The
great majority of the delegates, were formerly
Whigs-HENRY CLAY Wings they were proud TO
call themselves-and, Of course bitterly as well
as Numerically opposed to the party TO which
General HoUsToN belonged. Many of the mem
bers of the Convention, more recently, had
been connected with the so-called American
organization. That organization, IN MS i''le can
vase for the office of Governor of Texas, General
HoUsToy took occasion to denounce in terms OF
unsparing severity. Having been at one time
suspected of leaning towards that party, he was
at special pains to repudiate all sympathy with it.
In fact, opposition to Known thingism and TO the
re-opening of the African Save-Trade were the
two cardinal issues upon which he conducted the
canvass, and it was his position upon both Of
these questions that obtained him the German
vote to which he was largely indebted for his cleo
ton. Yet this man, whose political principles are
thus totally at variance with those proeSsed by
the GREAT majority of the members OF the Conven-
finn came within an ace as we have said, of being
IFS choice for the Presidency. No one who min
pIed freely with the delegates on their first arrival
in this city, and heard the first expression of their
preferences before the different delegations had an
have hesitated to predict General HoUsToN's nom-
nation fnot upon the first ballot at all events upon
the second or third. The best men in the Conven-
,on dreaded it as almost certain; large majority
seemed decidedly to favor it. There is little doubt
that had the Convention gone INTO ballot, as
was at first proposed, on the day 1t assembled,
rI,rsrov w0uld have been the man. Nothing but
Tho adjournment over to the next day, and the
earnest remonstrances of the Northern delegates,
those from New England particularly, who avail
cd themselves of the interval afforded for reflection
and DELAY. TO satisfy their colleagues that HoUs-
Toy's nomination would be fatal to every
chance of success in their portion of the
country, and that it would drive conservative
men disposed to favor their organization, either
into the Democratic or Republican ranks, pre-
vented that result. As it was, HoUsToN received
more than one-fonrth of all the votes cast and
next to the highest number received by any can
didae on the first ballot There was difference
of but eleven votes between Mr.. BELL and himself.
When it is added that the members of the Con-
vcntiOn were, generally speaking, of better
position higher culture, and greater responsibility
than are ordinarily found in attendance on such
bodies, and that there is nothing in General HoUs-
TONS life, character or habits to render him at all
attractive to such men, the favor with which his
nomination was viewed is even more remarkable,
and iustifcs conclusions even less complimentary
However, he was no. nominated. better man.
though probably, less available candidate was
chosen in his stead. The Convention saved its
reputation, though at the expense of considera-
bic number of votes. There is no doubt that
except among the very respectable and conserva-
tive classes represented by the New England dele
cations HoUsToN would have made IL better run
than Mr.. BELL can possibly make. The nomina-
ton of the latter is universally conceded to be
most respectable one, but it lacks the elements of
popularity. 1t inspires no enthusiasm, no more
than did the appearance of the candidate himself
on the balcony Of the La Pierre House in Phila-
dephia, the evening after his nomination, in
response to a serenade. The same coldly respect
full reception will everywhere attend both the
ticket and the man. Beyond this, we might say
that the nomination appears 10 have given very
general satisfaction. Partisans on both sides are
satisfied with it, for they look upon Mr.. BELL q
much less formidable antagonist than General
Houston. They regard him as a candidate who
has no power to attract any votes to himself
who will simply he the recipient of the support
OF those who are unable to approve of either of
the other nominations. Conservative men every
where satisfied with it, because it offers a safe
derRter resort in the event of the Democratic Party
failing in its duty to itself and TO the coun.
try-provng unable TO compose its differ.
ences, or presenting as its candidate an unfi
or inferior man. Only in that event
is Mr.. BELL likely to receive any considerable
measure of supporter stand the shadow of
chance of election, if it be conceded that he
would stand any then. For reasons upon which we
have already enlarged, and to which it is unneces
sary to recur now, men not likely to abandon in
acrisS like the present. old, tried and powerful
organization like the Democratic for one so new
and Uniformed as that of which the Constitutional
Convention is the nucleus. In fact the most i'm
portant consequence to be deduced from the nom
nation of Mr.. BELL is the warning which it offer
to the Democratic party-the grave responsibility
which it imposes upon the Convention which i;
to meet here on the 18th of June; and its happes
result would be the restoration of harmony in thai
party, and the presentation of a better man bv
that Convention. Success is still within the
reach of the Democratic party, but only upon the
terms that it shall deserve it. Upon no other terms
do we desire its success-and upon none other
shall we consent to labor for it,