The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-02-18

material bearing upon the political organiza-
tons at present existing or which may here
after arise out Of the complicated condition of
our national affairs The opinion seems gem
eral, that the more ultra leaders OF the Repub-
lican porty have lost their influence. and that
it is rapidly passing under the control of the
statesmen Of the north, who have most ear
nestly stood up. both in Congress, and at
their homes for the constitutional rights Of
the south.
The election by that party Of snch men as
Corwn. of Ohio and otitrs, who take every
opportunity to boldly rcbukc the madness Of
fanatlcal dsturhers, the entire surrender
which its adhcrents in Congress made of their
candidate for Speaker, Mr. Sherman, and the
unanimity with which they came to the sup
port of Mr.. Pennington, and who is not a
Republican, and who proclaims openly his
views in favor Of the rights Of the south and
the justice, propriety aud binding force Of the
fugitive slave law, have done much to divcst
1t Of the ,ional character which it at one
time assumed. and give it an odor of nation.
atty. The fact that the Republican members
Of Congress cast a united vote for Mr. Penn
ington Will drive from the party thousands Of
men of extreme opinions, but will bling to it
tens of thousands even in the north, who
would not act with party which denied the
constitutional rights of the southern sections
of the republic. Heretofore Republicanism
has had but few chance supporters in the
south: our people have stood aloof watching
it, some with hatred, others with fear, all
with interest The facility with which it
swallowed all other organizations, particularly
in the Democratic shongholds. struck the
death knell of Locofocois,n, and buried the
hopes Of the thousands Of greedy supplian,s
who chung to its wheels. A few groans and
some curses, loud and deep, might we'll be
pardoncd them as they felt the Democratic car
brought to dead halt by the Republican
chock. The storm of enthusiasm, with which
1t swept over the north, startled men of ca In
Judgment, and they trembed lest intox lea ted
with political success, and forgctful of the
rights of others. the extreme views Of some Of
its adhercnts shonl be fastened upon tho
country. They we'll knew that the free spirit
of Americans would revolt and that the con.
sequences must be terrible. But when they
saw such men as Corwin, guiding the whirl-
wind, and heard the mild clear voice of the
venerable Judge Mclean, directing the storm,
reasonable men every where took heart Of
hope, and Gained their fears.
An additional guarantee has been furnished
by the vote for Speaker, and it now remains
to be seen whether this confidence shall grow
and strengthen, or again relapse into the gloom
and foreboding which has settled upon many
hearts, in the last five years. since the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise.
Upon the Convention at Chicago, all ewes
will now be turned for there the great ques.
ton will be solved whether the Republican
party is thencclorth to be national or sectional.
1t has already yielded to the conservative SEN
timcnt of the country thrown aside its own
candidate for Speaker, and given its votes to
a gentleman elected to Congress by another
party; if it Shall adopt similar course at
Chicaso-rclinquishng not only the ultra men
of the party such as Seward Chase and others,
but all men Of The party of however mild q
type their Reppblicanism may be, and accept
the nominee of the conservative opposition
Edward Bates. Of Missouri will give ad.
ditonal strength 10 the hope, which men be-
gin everywhere to entertain, that our sectional
animositics are softcning, our sectional preju.
diccs disappearing, and the sectional schemes
and hopes of bad sectional politicians being
finally overthrown.