Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-28

|
wards internal strife and the assault of the ira
ditional policy by which that party achieved its
former triumphs, would, we have no doubt, sup
DIV powerful reinforcement to the friends of
the Union.
In the American party, to which the break
ing up of old organizations gave birth, and which
has been active in the endeavor to establish an
intermediate power between the contending
forces that have engrossed the field, will be
found a very large element of conservative
strength to increase the volume of the proposed
organization.
If we add to all these that mass of quiet, un-
obtrusive citizens who have always shun-
ned the turmols of political life, content to leave
the destiny of tie country in the hands of those
who. in the ordinary condition of the national
progress. were most ambitious to assume its d.
rection, and who have reposed such faith in the
patriotism of their fellow men as to feel no con-
Germ in the question of the supremacy of party,
but whom the extraordinary incentives of cri-
sis like the present must awaken to the resolve
of an effort to protect the threatened safety of
the confederacy, we have elements sufficient by
their combination to form great party, to
which additional strength will be impaired by
the exalted patriotism of its principles and OBJ
jects. Moreover, it is only just to the two con-
tending parties TO say, that we do not despair of
finding in the ranks of each, numerous individu
ais who, tired of intestine strife, and alarmed
at the threatening aspect of affairs, will unite
with the only party which holds out to the coun-
try prospect of repose.
| Can it be possible that with so glorious q
cause before US, an appeal to the patriotism of
the land founded on such inducements as the
present exigency supplies, can fall upon unheed-
ing ears, or fail to rouse the national heart to
the great emprse of this commanding duty r.
Now. when every honest and thoughtful citizen
within the broad confines of this Union, every
true son of the Republic at home and every
brother of our lineage abroad, is filled with dis
may at the sudden rupture of the national con-
cord can it be that the power which is able to
pour oil upon the troubled waters, and bring
gladness back to every mans tiresde, will with
hold its hand from the LAHORE That this gener-
alton of American citizens, awakned by the clam
or that threatens the integrity of our Union, and
conscious of its ability to command the ending of
mad debate, and to re-establish the foundations
of bealthful, just and benignant administration
of the duties and benefits of the Constitution will
play the sluggard in this hour, and incur the
everlasting shame of looking on upon the demo-
ition of this fabric of confederated States? that
this generation will prove itself SO false to all
generations to come as to permit, when it has
the power to forbid, the destruction of this glo-
rious heritage of SO many millions of freemen,
with such immortal memories clustering around
the path of their history, with such grand hopes
lowering over the career before them, the GEN.
tral point of so many blessings the subject of 80
many prayers OF the enlightened humanity OF
the whole world2
Let ali men reflect upon the incredible folly
of our quarrel.
The country is wrought into a tempest OF ex-
| citement Two great political armies are con-
tending for mastery. Both are infuriated with
q rage that threatens fearful extremes. The
great mass of abiding citizens are looking
on with amazement, and an omnous apprehen-
sion of mischief. And yet there is no danger
/ impending over the Republic which human pas
sions have not created, and which human wis
dom may not prevent.
We have pointed out the chief source of the
present agitation, and think we have sufficiently
shown that neither of the two parties who are
now seeking to obtain the control of the Gov
ernment can be safely entrusted with the man
agement of public affairs. The only way to res
cue the country from their hands is to organize
party whose cardinal principles shall be: To
remove the subject of slavery from the arena of
party politics, and leave it to the Independent
control of the States in which it exists, and to
the unbiased action of the judiciary.
To remove all obstacles from the due and
faithful execution of the provisions for the rem
dition of fugitive slaves.
| To cultivate and expand the resources of the
country by such protection to every useful pur-
suit and interest as is compatible with the gen.
eral welfare and equitable to all.
1 To maintain peace as far as possible, and hon.
orable relations TO all nations.
| To guard and enforce the supremacy of the
laws by an impartial and strict administration
of the powers granted by the Constitution.
| To respect the rights and reverence the Union
of the States as the vital source of present peace
and prosperity, and the surest guarantee of fu-
ture power and happiness.
| To teach reconciliation, fraternity and forbear-
ance, as the great national charities by which
the Union is ever to be preserved ; as fountain
of perennial blessings to the people.
| Let these principles be taken to the hearts OF
those who pledge themselves to the support of
the party and let them actuate their private life
as well as their public duty.
| 10 promote this movement, measures should
be adopted with as little delay as possible, such
as will afford an opportunity to the party to ex-
ert controlling influence Oh the approaching
election, and to select candidates upon whom its
vote may be effectively concentrated.
| To this end, we propose that Convention be
Immediately held in each State, which shall as
sumo the duty of enbodying the whole con-
SerVatlVe SGrengtn OF eacn III SUCH iOrlu Us Snau
make it most effective.
| That each of these Conventions shall make
domination of two candidates for the Presiden-
| cy, (omitting to nominate Vice-President,) to
| be selected from those most eminent and ap-
proved in public esteem, one of which candi-
| dates at least, shall be citizen OF some other
State than that in which he is nominated
| That these two candidates from each State
shall be submitted to the consideration of
! General Convention, to be assembled at Phila
| delpbia. at time that shall be designated by
the National Executive Committee, which Gen
| eral Convention shall be empowered to select
| from the whole number of the nominations trans
mitted to it, candidate for President and Vice.
President. as the candidates of the Constitution
al Union party
That this general Convention shall consist of
representation from each State, composed of
the same number of members as its representa-
tion in the two houses OF Congress.
That this representation of each State be cho-
sen either bv the State Convention itself, or in
snch other manner as such convention, in view
of the shortness of the time for the proceeding,
may appoint.
< convention constituted in accordance with
this plan. we think, would be satisfactory to all
parts of the country, and altogether competent
to the duty of discreet and judicous selection
of candidates. The people who have SO much
reason in their habitual experience of the insult
6ciency of conventions, to feel no little distrust
of these bodies. might prefer some other mode of