The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-06-25

dOned the body which has been in session during
the past week at the Theatre, met on Saturday at
the Maryland Institute. An organization was
speedily perfected platform adopted and a nomi-
nation made. A full report of the proceedings of
this Convention will be found in another column.
It's brief session was characterized by harmony
and enthusiasm. Indeed the department of its
members was such that Mr.. CUSHING found no oc
casion for the exercise of that tact and GOODNESS
which he possesses, and which render him so pre-
eminently qualified 10 preside over deliberative
assembly. The platform, which Was adopted
with entire unanimity, is that which was present.
ed at Charleston by the majority of the Committee
which was there selected to put into proper shape
the cardinal principles of the party. The leading
resolution of the series presents the point upon
1t insists upon the right of every citizen to settle
in the Territories and claim protection there for
his property and person. The proposition is
simply the converse of that which was enunciated
at Chicago. Men may and certainly will, differ
upon this constitutional question, and many will
doubt the expediency or necessity of calling on
the country TO pass upon it. But, whatever may
be our individual opinions about the power of
Congress of Territorial Legislatures 10 protect
or prohibit slavery, we are bound to defer to the
decision of the Supreme Court, and it can hardly
be denied that the DRIED SCOTT case sustains fully
the doctrine promulged by the Convention on
Saturday. We have, therefore, no alternative
We compelled to and do accept it as the cor
rect construction of the Constitution. Whether or
not it was impoitic to bring prominently forward
as topic for discussion in the coming canvass, a
matter which the Supreme Court has already ad-
Indicated, and which, if it was still open could
not be determined by vote of the people, we will
not now inquire. The whole dispute concerns an
abstraction at the best for no one can believe that
if Congress and the Federal Courts together con-
cede the right of the stakeholder to 90 where he
will, there is the remotest chance of the intro
duction of Southern institutions into the Terrific
ries Of Nebraska and Washington. We cam
therefore, afford TO pay much or as little regard
to the platform as we please. We confess we are
disposed rather to leave the latter out of vicw be-
cause consider the character of the candidate
to be, at this time, Il matter of more Importance
than the political dispositions of the Convention
which might select him. We have thought for
some time past that if the Democratic Party
could manage to cast off the selfish and intriguing
aspirants who sought to obtain the Presidency at
any price, and could place in nomination gentle
man whose reputation for capacity, purity and
integrity was unassallable then it might consider
its duty as discharged. 1t had only to present a
candidate whose high personal qualifications
would command the respect aud support of con-
VNbp nd haI
relied upon its past record for proof of its nation
ality. This the united Party has failed to do.
But the Conven ton which has nominated Mr..
BRECKENRIDGE has satisfied the country on this
point. He is of the prominent politicians, and
they are unfortunately few, whose public career
has been as honorable his private life has been
irreproachahc. There doubtless better and
ADLER men in the land than he, but they must be
something more than captions who can take eX-
ception TO him the of character or capacity.
We have had no special preference for Mr.. BaEcK-
ENRDGE, though we cannot but feel satisfied that if
he had been selected by both sections of the Demo-
cratic party, his name would have been hailed with
"a tumult ofaccaim'' throughout the country, and
his election would have been certain. But in the
present situation of affairs we cannot say definitely
what we expect or what we hope. We anXously
desire the defeat of Mr. LINCOLN, and have been
solicitons only to find among his opponents the
candidate who will be most likely to concentrate
the strength of the anti-Republcan voters. Pub
lie sentiment will probably develop itself most
vigorously in some one direction before many
days, men begin to take the decided and active
course that it becomes every one TO adopt in this
emergency. At this juncture, Mr. BRECKENRIDGE
assuredly has the vantage ground of all Mr.. LIN
coins adversaries. He comes forward, backed by
the entire South and from his popularity in Penn
sylVania and New Jersey, and other Northern
States, it is not an improbable conjecture that he
may triumphantly carry some of them, despite the
divisions in his party. At all events, he is entitled
to the conservative vote of the country, and we
hope he may receive it.