Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-04-07
TO THE PEOPLE
--oE THE-- u.s
UNITED STATES,

The political aspect Of the country hlls the pub
lie mind with painful apprehension. The people
are everywhere disturbed with fear ofsoInS dis
astrouS crisis. Many arc alarmed for the safety
Of the Union. Allare conscious that the senti-
ment Of fraternity which once linked the States
together, even more firmly than the compact OF
the Constitution itself, has been rudely shaken,
and that discoEd has crept into the relationship Of
communities which should have found, both In the
interests Of the present and in the memories of the
past, tho strongest motives for mutual regard an
confidence.
What has produced these general and unhappy
conVictions1 aIH
It has been too apparent to escape the most
casual observation that for some years past there
has been manifested design, in the NOV ement Of
influential political leaders, to force the country
into an organization Ofpartios founded on the
question of slavery.
The 6rst introduction of this subject into party
polite engendered a controversy which has con-
SANITY increased in extent and bitterness, ming
ling with, usurping the place Of all other poit
ical questions, and giving to those party politics
greater and more dangerous vehemence. Consid-
eratons of the public welfare seem to be cast aside
TO make room for wider and more unrestrained
contention on this single and engrossing theme.
The two great parties in the country (the Demo-
ratio and Republioan) have been the chief actors,
in this fatal contest, if motifs authors. Whether
they have always exerted themselves to ally the
trary, have both ofthem occasionally employed ii
for the promotion Of party purposes, IL Is not for
to determine. 1t is sufficient to note that the
mind of the people has been industrously exercis-
ed by this contest to the service of sectional agita
ton, and that in its progress the teachings Of tho
fathers of the republic, lights of history the land
mark Of constitutional power havs been renounced,
old and reverend traditions Of policy spurned
I'd the welfare Of the present aud the hopes of the
lture have been brought into jeopardy In the al
erations of passionate challenge and defiance be-
tween the angry disputants.
1t Is not our purpose TO arraign or to denounce
either of these parties for their past errors or
transgressions, but we regard it an indisputabe
fact that by their conflicts they have been mainly
Instrumental in producing the present lainentable
state of public events in the recent history Of the
country, with which the public is but too familiar
but we purposely abstain from all comments upon
them, as inconsistent with the limits of this
address, and as tending TO revive controversies
which 1t is its object to allay. We will simply
state that the one by its frequent and Unnecessary
introduction ofthe slavery question into party poll
tics has exasperated sectional feelings at the North
and increased the growing spirit of dsunion at the
South, while the other has been prompt to avail
itself Of these opportunities for anti-slavery aRi.
tAtion. l.r..
After having so long agitated the country by
their reciprocal assaults, these parties are now
preparing for sectional struggle far exceeding in
violence any thst has yet occurred the results of
which may be disasterous to the country.
As an indication Of the character Of this strug-
gle, fits object and possible consequences, we
need only point to the significant fact, that con.
yenton has been called by one Of those parties 10
select candidate for the office of Chief agistrats
of the Union, from which, by the necessary logic
of construction, fifteen States Of that Unon are
excluded.
solemnly impressed with these facts, a number
of gentleman from different parts of the country,
among whom were members of the present Con-
gress and of Congress of former date recently az.
sembled in the City of Washington to deliberate
on means for ayerting dangers which they may
lead.
1t was the unanimous opinion Of the meeting,
that immediate steps should be taken to organize
q "0onstitutional Union party" pledged to sup
port "the Union, the Consttution and the enforce
ment Of the laws
This organization was accordingly commenced
by the appointment CT Central Executive Com
mittee" charged with the general direction Of the
party and with the preparation Of IN address to
the people of the United States.
We need not assure you, fellow oitizsna, that we
approach this task with difhdenes and anxiety
W are aware Of the difficulty which attends the
endeavOr, at any time, to persuade men to aban-
don political associations 70 Whleh they are allied
either by interest or preference, aud we know hsW
much that difficulty is increased when party at
taehment Is heightened BY the ardor Of expected
success or infamed by thn zeal of opposition. But
there are unctiIes when honest heart
ed citizens will be prepared, at any sacrifice Of
prejudice or opinion, to perform thir duty to their
country. 1t policy TO the dominant parties TO
the real strength of those whom disAp-
probation, Indifference, or disgust force into the
position Of neutrals in political warfare. The or
dinary tactics Of parties teach them 10 discourage
those whom they cannot enlist But the fact Is
dSmonstrable that those who occupy this position at
all times and more especially at tho present time
constitute most influential portion Of the whole
people. Ifthe Investigation could be made, there
Is reason to believe that, as parties now con-
sttuted, little lesh than million Of voters will be
driYsn out the sphere of active participation In
the coming elestion, The old Wing strength of
the country will lbs found to furnish small eontri-
button 70 this masz- Even those Of that assooa-
ton who have been induced to take sides in recent
elections with or the other OF opponent diyia
ions, acknowledge bat scant feality to their new
leadera5 and the greater number Of them will Il Is
belieyed, be prompt to join their old comrades in
rallying TO conservative Geld TO fight now bat
tie for the cause Of the Constitution and the resto
ration ofIost harmony. Large numbers of the
old Democratic party, who withdrew from the line
Of march When they discovered It loading towards
internal strife, and the assault of the traditional
policy BY which the party achieved its former tr-
umphs, would, We have no doubt, supply q pow
erful reinforcement TO the friends Of the Union.
10 the American party, TO which the breaking
up Of old organizations gave birth, and which has
been active in the endeavor to establish inter-
mediate power between the contending forces that
lave sngroased the Asld, viii be fOanda very large
element Of conservative strength to increase the
volume Of the proposed Organisation.
II ne add to AL these that mass Of quiet, unob-
truAiVe citizens, who have always slammed the tnr-
mol OF political life, content 70 leAye the destiny
Of the country In the hands Of those who, in the
ordinary condition Of the national progress, were
most anbltloua to assume ih direction, and who
have rsposed such faith Ia the patriohgm Of their
fellow men ~ 70 teel no gsaesEn N the question Of
The sSupEsmaeyof parry, bat whom she sSHaogdi-
nary lnssn1lTsg 0fa crisis hks the present maIi