New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-05-19
geh 9rleans 9ailp GassteId.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 10. 1860.

|
synopsis Of the Republican platform, adopted
4 by the Convention now In session at Chicago, is
reported by telegraph. In some respects it is less
radical and revolutionary than had anticipated.
1t takes ground against any interference with
slavery where IT already exists, and it condemns
the awless invasion of States after tie manner of
John Brown, under whatsoever pretext,n as one
of the gravest of crimes. 1t denounces the old Le
compton Constitution, thus unnecessarily reviving
an extinct issue. 1t proclaims against extraya-
gance, and in favor Of economy, in the administra
4 ton of the Federal Government. 1t declares
against the right Of the South to carry slaves to
4 the Territories; in favor of the immediate admis-
sion of Kansas as State in favor of the Home
4 stead bill and the Pacific Railroad; and against
any change in the laws of naturalization. Such in
| brief il the Black Republican platform. A few
| glttering generalitss as Caleb Gushing calls
\ them are added but these do not mean anything,
\ nor were they so intended.
The platform is evidently retreat from the po-
sitions assumed by the Black Republican leaders
in Congress. 1t is manifestly a concession to the
:" conservative" element of the party-if such
1 term be allowable in such a connection. If we
may draw any inference from this circumstance
as to the nomination. that will be made, we would
say that Mr.. Seward is already shelved. If the
nomination answers to the spirit Of the platform,
the nominee will be Bates, or Cameron, Lincoln.
Some one less violent than Seward will be put
upon the track. 1t is notable fact, too, that the
Convention fails to promulgate Stewards idea Of
there being an irrepressible conflict between
freedom and slavery Upon this point the platform
is Significantly silent.
If the South had any assurance that this Platform
reaches the extreme limit Of Black Republican in
tention, perhaps we should have less cause for
alarm and apprehension Let US not, however, be
deceived by its apparent fairness For instance,
at the suggestion of policy alone they condemn the
raid Of John Brown into Virginia But they never
have public meeting anywhere in the North that
John Brown is not held up and extolled as hero
and martyr. The papers in the interest of tile
party continually echo the same cry The youth
of the country stimulated to follow his exam
pie, and taught that there is no surer road to
fame than to follow in John Browns footsteps. 1t
is useless to pass abstract resolutions condemna-
tory of such ncursions in the face Of the fact that
they are openly encouraged. It was but the other
4 day public speaker in New York declared that
Gov. Wise, instead of John Brown, ought to have
| been hung at Harper's Ferry. These things show
the aninaus of the Black Republican party, how
4 ever different may be the formal professions Of
their NaUonal C0nyenuons.
So, also in regard to slavery in the States. They
proclaim that they will not interfere with it, But
everybody knows that they ,oould if they had the
poverty indirect means, if not by direct inter
position. They already avow purpose to abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia, and in the pub
lie forts and arsenas and wherever else the Federal
Government has jurisdiction. When this is accom-
plished the transition will be an easy one to insdi
affa olrv ala In Tho ata An
late Senator Butler once said in the Senate, is
mockery for an incendiary to disayow any inten-
ton or burning dwelling, when he ID industronsy
engaged all the time in setting fire to all the out
buildings that surround it.
Nor is it to be supposed that the South will sub
init to the decree pronounced by this party, that
there must never be any further extension of hel
"peculiar institution The country is annually
growing and expanding, in every respecLin pop
ulation in wealth, in territorial settlement, and
political strength. To say that the South is moi
entitled to her legitimate share of this growth and
expansion, is to deny her an unquestionable right
To say that slavery must never go beyond its
present limits, no matter how great the future
growth of the country and the extension Of its
boundaries, is to put badge of disgrace upon the
institution, as well those who uphold it, that
take it the South will never submit to- With the
North this is question of political power only
With the South it is not merely question of po
litical power, but one of Individual and sectiona
honor. The South will never consent that the
restriction of slavery to its present limits shall be
come the fixed and settled policy Of the Fedora
Government. She asks only fair play and justice
and equality of rights, in all matters concerning
our national growth and expansion. If these are
secured her, she will submit with resignation to
adverse result-but not otherwise.
This Republican Platform at Chicago has beer
framed not so much for the purpose of embodyine
the views and principles of the party making it. as
for the purpose of securing the largest possible
vote for the nominees who may be placed upon it
This, indeed, is too much the case with all Plat
g forms. But it is evident that this Convention
meets, not only with the intention Of vigorously
. contesting the election, but with the confden
hope of success. In view of the imminent danger
$ of this result is there no way of combining thu
conservative elements Of the nation of all parties
North and South, for the purpose of defeating it
If there is such way, the politicians of the coun
try will be held to fearful accountability by th,
people if, through personal or political rivaries
they fail to embrace it.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
We invite the special attention of our reader
this morning to the very able and interesting me