Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-12

We come here as the representatives of the fndepen
dent States of the Union States which have united their
doctrines together for great aud noble purposes But
gentlemen we will not dismiss the fact that come
from States widely separated by distance separated per
hsps to extent by difference CONSTITUTIONS Cline
and social organization, and that Union embraces
two classes and sections Of States which sometimes
this modern day. placed in an attitude of antagonism
and hostility 10 each other. mean the peculiar die-
which exist in the social and democratic organl-
cations. There those who would magnify and eI-
aggerate these differences TO such degree that the eo
Pile shall no longer regard themselves as friends and
brothers Yes there such in both sections OF tins
glorious Union OF ours grieve to say it. There are
in this country who will organize strife into sys-
tem but God forbid that the people of this broad land
either North or South, or anywhere else should give
their sanction or approval those who would knde
those fires Of domestic discord and sectional strife
On the other hand there is a class of people, North
and South rejoice to them represented here to-day
who desire to put away these causes and VINO
feel and understand and know that our Government ana
Constitution not intended to engender these antag-
onsms and distruss between sections, but to promote
peace and harmony and unity between these members oil
the confederation. Applause. There are those, am
of them, gentlemen,) who would, if possible, bring
back the public mind of the country to the consideration
of those great and harmonious principles on which we
can all stand togeher-one and inseparable Applause
Be it part however to promote and dflse spirit OF
broad and generous national feeling OF forbearance ana
moderation So far the broad question is concerned,
which has been made the bane Of politics 1t has FUR
nshed to class of politicians the ercest elements oil
strife and discord But let us remember that from our
positions differences of educatons, OF surroundings, oil
habit of social interest," and domestic construction OF So
cety there will still be certain shades of difference II
was always so. II was so from the beginning but did
that prevent the great of the Republic from coming
together TO form system of political freedom ana oil
segovernment which shall enable US to move on as one
nation to protect from all external assault and TO cul-
tvata ourselves concord and domestic
tranquility Applause These difference that estrange
and divide the people of this country should not prevent
ia from going forward discharge the great work of self
government and to all the responsibility rea
tive those great interests which national which
commercial and which all hold in common which we
are ready TO sustain and defend in common, and which
possess the strongest claim upon our loyalty, patriotism,
and allegiance to the Constitution and the Unon-which
have received from the hands OF our patriotic ances-
tors. Applause
A few days ago, having occasion to visit one OF the
Western States Of the Union, was tempted to extend
my Journey farther on and for the first time saw the
glorious MlfEssippi-that noble and magnificent river
which connects the North and South and which by
lures organic law has declared that we are to be one
As / ioated upon the placid bosom OF the Father OF
Waters in my reflections could not but think and feel
that since the benefcence Of creative power has given
IA such bond OF union intended TO carry civilization,
prosperity and happiness to kindred people, IRON Its
mouth to its source, how vain, how preposteous Is the
folly of man, which would separate those whom God
hath Joined together applause How small and pitt
l the effort seems of those who would divide the Mis-
sssippi and interpose commercial regulations and Gus
tom house and tonnage duties upon the people OF this
American Unionl God forbid, gentlemen, that any Of
us, any considerable portion OF the people oil this
country should give their sanction TO sentiments OF
such nature We are one people and one country; We
90 forth under flag; stand npon national ground
representing the interests Of great continent which
Providence has entrusted to charge; and believe
the people will yet prove themselves equal TO the destiny
which has been given them and hand it over, as one
harmonious nation TO those who are to come after u.s.
Applause.
am OBTAINING you too long, gentlemen, for have
no thought Of making second speech. la conclusion,
will only repeat the sentiment expressed on former
occasion-that is that our deliberations and proceed
iugs may be characterized by harmony, by decorum,
and by dignity, and that disturbing element may
come in. trust shall not be very much embarrassed
in the construction of platform daughter and APP
plause) We ought to endeavor strongly TO estab-
fish uniformity of opinion on question which we all
know and understands question that every man will at
least think and feel according his judgment We
have here 10 contest the difference between
the various distinctions aud the shadowy forms of popu-
lar sovereignty and territorial Jurisdiction which have
for some time been presented and occupied so large
part of the attention Of Congress and OF the country
This Is not the question which we have come TO settle
aud do not think we can settle IT, If would prefer
to leave them all where the Constitution las left them
(appause)-leavng every State in the full enjoyment Of
its rights and its own independence. All we ask,
gentlemen, Il speak Of conservative men in that
portion of the country from which Gomez Is that you
will manage govern ald regulate your own internal al
fairs according TO your will and pleasure. On the
other hand We propose do precisely the same thing
for ourselves. (Applause)
We do not intend to burden consciences with your
Offences neither do want you TO burden yours with
ours but let each and every part for itself That
80 ba which oupht an nprvalp and which |
trust will pervade, the people OF this coun
try. A spirit of generous deiberatiou will then once
more become the order of the day. and think see signs
that such is to become the pervading spr-a spirit that
has been going since the repeal of the Missouri
compromise. trust the time come when toe people
will not be disposed encourage their representatives in
either section in hung nvectve and reproach upon the
people and representatives OF other secons-to place
themselves upon judgment of tue conduct of other sec
tons of our country but will consult and consult debe
rate upon those great which concern the well
fare and prosperity Of the country large North or
South, East or West Applause. Once more | in-
woke the spirit OF harmony preside over our deloera-
tons relying upon your kind aid and cooperation TO
enable discharge the duties which it has been your
pleasure to devove upon me. Applause.
At the conclusion OF the address a motion made
to proceed Immediately the nomination of candidates
for President and Vice President OF the United States
Cheers
Mr.. Shippen of Pennsylvania offered the following as
amendment;
Resolvsd, That each State shall now nominate one
person as candidate for the Presidency of the United
States and person for Vice President and that this
Convention thereupon proceed 70 the election OF such
officers from the nominations thus TO be made, and that
after the first three ballots the candidates having the
lowest number Of votes each successive ballot shall
be dropped and the ballot continued until candidate
shall be duly elected by majority of the whole number
OF votes cast.
Mr. Randolph, of New Jersey would beg leave to in
terrup the regular of business to state that he
had Just conducted by side of the President
of the Oldest esteemed and most honored cit
zens OF New Jersey man sufficiently old to have been
the companion associate and Compatrot OF Madison,
Jefferson and Monroe who had never allowed IA
naticsm sectonalism him from his love OF
the Union and the Constitution, aud who stood now, as
he had stood in the early days of the Republic, devoted
TO all sections OF his common country He therefore
moved that the Hon Lewis Condt, of New Jersey, be
declared honorary Vice President of this Convention.
Cheers
The President then presented TO the audience the vet
Vice President who received with great enthu-
siasm.
Mr. Grayson of PENNSYLVANIA, said Mr.. President
and gentlemen Of the Conventiou-I wish to speak my
individual opinion and utter word as the mouth
piece of the delegation from Pennsy lyania. When |
came here sir, came with the expectation that we had
infinitely more important work to do than TO nomi
nate candidate for the Presidency Of the United States
take it, sir, that about to initiate great conser
vative national party. Applause And, sir, whether
we successful to-day next year. or in the next
quarter of century, for wish to be understood
that when this party of shall triumph, it shall r
umph, not upon men, but upon principle. Applause.
am here not for any nomination. know sir, that the
Constitutional Union party embraces within its ranks
host of men, either of whom would dignity and do
honor to the high office of the chief magistrate OF the
United States. Applause Blu, sir, in these political
days upon which we have fallen and they are days of
trouble and disrust) tell you that whatever may be