Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-16
From Tie NafiouaI MielIiqencer.


Reyerug the precedents set in the earlier days OF
the Republic when Washington and Adams, Jcfftr
SON Madison aud Monroe were supposed to present
in their wellknown characters and long-proved ab
sufficient guarantee Of their high qualifications for the
distinctions proposed be conferred them by CRATE
full and admiring people the Baltimore Convention has,
with remarkable unanimity, made choice of dis
tnguished citizens who may be truly said to command
the universal respect Of their countrymen alike for the
purity of their private lives and for the emnence they
have already by the faithful discharge Of civil trusts
in the high public stations which they have previously
filed with no less credit 10 themselves than usefulness TO
the country.
In the case of such men the Convention Judged and
VIC think wisely Judged that those modern contivances
known as platforms might be safely dispensed with,
as at best supertuous appendage and as sufficiently
shown by the recent experience OF the country 10 be u
tile in point Of efficacy, they are certainly to be
evanescent in duration, aud utterly poNeress
consistency of political purpose or any identity OF poll
cal opinion among their nominal uphOlders.
At the present the first and highest need of the
country domestic peace. is called between
the begerent parties if only long enough that both may
clearly ascertain for what they contending witbsa
zeal which some of their couutrymen seems grea
y dsproporiiouate the objects sever4y proposed-
Aud tie circumstances under which this appeal made
by the friends Of he Constitution, the Union ard the
enforcement of the laws, seem pTopous TO the accom-
pshment OF theI patriotic purpose Party ties are Wis
from within, or by the absence Of compelling motives
from without sufficiently cogent give them compac.
ness Of organization and dehnteneSS Of aim. Patriotic
citizens OF all classes aud political ainities are no longer
called to cast their votes under the influence Of section
al feeling wonded in its sensibi,cs by indscrinate re-
proache. OF by hostile aggressons. With several par
ties in the field aad with Independence OF opinion gene.
rally reging amoag the members of cach with partisan
rage materially modified IN its capacity for attack by in
ternal dsagreements in the bosom OF former conedor
aes il is obvious that the reserved strength OF that
large and influential body who have hitherto been unab
and unwilling to share in the heats of recent polt
cal contests may approach the masses OF their coun
trymen in the confident nope that they will suspend tie
fratricda strife which, having already endured long
for the peace and prosperity of the country has begun
10 prove source of confusion aud defeat last TO th
forces previously banded by in columns closed and ca
ger for the unnatural contest
Ii is IN the midst OF this relaxation of political bonds
that the Constitutional Union Party offers its nominees
10 the acceptance of all who wearied by the aeita
tons of the last few years. And who not wearied by
them? Who would not gladly promote a return to the
things which make for peacey Is it time seal VI
the bitter fountains which, instead of healing streams
cast up only mire aud dirt the more they are srredy
In furtberance of these high and holy aims as cons
tuting the paramount need Of the times the Baltimore
Convention as we interpret its action, has placed in
nomination the distinguished statesmen who have been
selected by that body candidates for the highest Of
fees in the gift of the people SO constituting its purpose
should do great violence to what deem the dictates
of patriotic duty if failed to commend that purpose tc
the appreciation Of cOuntrymen especially when the
movement is nauguratcd under the auspices OF two
among the iIlustrious of living statesmen and
in whose elevation to high official responsibilities the
whole people might confess TO feeling of legitimate
PRIDE well of satisfaction the thought that The
public welfare would be safe in their hands