Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-20


publican principles Of government or want oil PATRIOTISM
on the part of the people The principles mainaiheu
by jackson and his compeers are eternal 'lhey HA!
slumber while the offactions is going on. lne SCI
pent of sectionasm may crawl stealthly toward tue "
tar of liberties; but when its head is raised TO strike
down the Constitution, and perhaps alas! not until 'ne"
the patriotism Of Jackson WILL even from his grave ava
ken, and arouse the people to sense oil ther dahSer
TroubOus times coming when, unless the people ~
the majesty Of their nationality go forth to battle against
corrupt cques and ambitious agators the days oil 'ne
Republic will be numbered.
Had | for a moment supposed that the CONVENTION
system would ever have degenemted TO present Son
diton certainly would have entered one. Inc!
are Inconsistent with the genius of our government
If it is to be conducted upon principles of segovetn
ment 1t pre-supposes capacity sufficient Tor lhaJ pu!
pose, and that there is public sentiment, whch Wheh
properly expressed is TO form a rule of action. There
must be some mode by which that public sentiment
shall be expressed il is true but Conventions having
failed express it. we must look to the ballot box In
the formation Of conventions, public sentiment IS not
regarded, expressed; but ciques and management
aud chicanery resOred substitutes for It, 1t Is
declared b. the advocates of Conventions that their OBJ
ect is to give expression to the popular will but the ell
feet as well the design is control the popular
ton. Hence it is that the highest privilege OF free
consigned to the keeping OF few crafty aud de-
signing politicians. Thus, nominations are made and
platforms originated and declared the only orthodox
sentiments aud he who does not submit 20 this iicatou
is to be prescribed.
In the construction of Platforms the first Ting con-
idered is how they best eontve to gull tie people
party success, and distribute the spos and ~
their arrangement the effort is not TO announce IN bold
and uumiitakcabe terms doctrines which vii! touch the
hearts of the masses and convince their reason, but 10
express in ambiguous language ideas subject to differ
constructions in various parts Of the Un'n and cal
culatcd "a deceive.
The qualifications of candidate are not considered
whether he is known to the nation, or has done
aught 10 advance its interests but Is he 1rdd5e. II he
is the eu OF party Is secured and there always
the spot the leading men Of delegations friendly to him.
ready TO Jits Diedqes who united nominate the cand
date and endorse him Pedging all the delegates who
the convention to support the nominee, that ind
pendent action essential to freedom, Is destroyed.
No Independent man ought TO accept nomination,
accompanied by any platform with which his previously
entertained opinions in conflict If his feelings are
national and he has claims upon the confidence Of the
country the nation must know hat BIS principles and
if they proper they surely do otreque the endorse
uent Of Convention 10 make them pass current with
the people but their Intelligence will enable them to
Judge. Aud again, if an individual accepts nomination
OF party under these circumstance he could not be
President OF the nation He select his Cabinet from
the members OF the party. lie mus. make all his prom
ueu appointments from the party aud aos party lead
ers 10 select them. No matter what the mers-no mat
ter hos patriotic and intelligent individual may be-
unless be has voted the ticket he 70 be excluded from
Office ard his merits aud claims dr5garded man who
would consent TO be tool because tsecured him the
Presidency does not deserve be the head of nation
Unless ne reserves TO himself the rgl Of remaining free
aud uutrammeed from AL pledges except bis Official OBJ
gatons he will never be able to control the destinies
OF this great nation and if he would g{e siugle pledge
90 secure the Presidency it is conclusive OF his want OF
merit and he descrv be rCpuczted. Though the ma
ton might accidentally prosper under his administration
by its mere selisustaung powers, and the onward spirit
4 / G.aN - ka H. linz
the post be occupied and the Gduuon OF parasites would
be poor recompeusc for the forfeiture Of seirespect
ia President is 10 govern the nation, his counseors
should be chosen from the nation and since party names
have cca ed to represent principles he who Is elevated
20 tue Presidency should regard IL II as whole and
calling around him those who have been true to the Con
sttuiou aud the Union and with the Constitution or
hi, foundation he should endeaTOr to rear structure
goriols TO bis country and perpetual as his race.
II the original idea of Conventions was to cOncentr tc
public opinion that idea has been lost sight Of. The
representative character has been abandoned and the Ell
fort Is made to create public opinion. saysh subser
vieucr TO arrogant demagogues the leading strings OF
cques has possessed those who aspire Office and favor
is sought their hands, rather tan Of the people. The
result is that the bold spirit which characterized
Our statesmen is cramped. They should stand the sent
ntls Ci liberty and progress challenging the admiration
Of the world for the benefcencc OF our Institutions or
announcing national doctrines il keeping with their
paniye spirit but bound within the scope Of platforms
they iaro not copardze party success by the enuncia
ton of aught that is new startling Politicians no
longer take the lead in the path OF progress and enter
prise No great measure is proposed by them. They
content to be at stand STILL and ENJOY the spols
and when the masses have shown their determination TO
achieve result as was the case With the annexation of
Texas they step in and convert to their purposes
statesman elected to the Presidency Of the United
States should enter upon the discharge OF duty, bound
within the narrow confines OF no platform, framed to
the purposes Of success but subject TO be con-
strucd to suit the views of every faction and section
He should have doctrines clearly enunciated bold and
independent Standing upon the Constitution, he should
embrace in h- grasp all that tends to the welfare of the
American people the expansion OF American institutions
and the defence of American honor, no matter from
whence the assault might come. What party, what
platform will sustain such President:
Who that regards the true policy OF our nation can
fail 10 see that humanity liberty American interest and
security, alike demand that government should ex-
tend Protectorate over Meyicoy Politicians may
srl the ISSUE but destiny will force Il on our people,
t cannot be ayerted. Il is our duty to civilization 10
stay the hand of pne and murder in that country, and
to establish regulated government there. 1t is our In
erest to put It's resources in process OF development and
open the country TO trade and commerce. Cursed by
anarchy its vast wealth lies dormant. Establish order
and its beautiful vales will give forth abundance, its
hidden mineral wealth be revealed Our security alike
points this the only mode by which we will be tree
from tie INVASION OF OanultS, vi
auouoe there inimical to as nation. Looking upon
this MS the policy of the United States, believe
that statesmen should lend their efforts TO effect con-
summation SO desirable TO humanity, important TO our
safety If not done legtimatey and under the Nation
al auspices the restless spirit of our people cannot be
restrainedI but It will push westward and accomplish
that which timid politicians dare got achieve.
Surrounded by the minious OF party, tied to mean
inress PLATFORM compelled consult the success OF the
party rather than the welfare of he country, what hum
iaton would fall upon man OF nerve and PATRIOTISM =!
Aud should he attempt TO act as duty would dictate and
Sampson like break the witbs that bound him, no malig
nifty has vet been invented which would exceed the hos
tity with which those who but yesterday, sought his la
vor. would pursue him.
What hope can the country have for that great enter
prise Pacific railroad org as the present thirst for
spells controls politics. and all the wants oil the country
made subservlen TO slavery agitation what guar
auee for protection the citizens OF our border have
so long seconalism arrays the people OF the North
and South in conflict and they taught to regard each
other enemies What hope for American expansion
for the progress of American liberty can MI the heart OIL
patroi as he behods the ony land where freedom has
maintained an existence given over 10 seouonai stne
Foreign vessels NAV insult our flag, as they have DONE
they may fire into vessels within sound OF our iors
they may build up strength very doors aud while
the great heart of the nation is struggling Tor uerance
throbhng wildly at the remembrance OF the wrong tue
National pride must be humbed or vent isei upon some
sicky, hith-rate power became the couh"eois "uon
party forced upon the President have not courage 10
stand boldly forth and vindcSo the houor OF their eoun
try at all hazardsnor he the nerve and dscernment 10
point the way!
Whit independent man would be such Presldent!-
With the Constitution for his guide he should De tram
melted by party pledges. He should enter into no
bargain with political clqnes or party leaders, whose
corrupious be cloaked and who must be retained
in office the party the Odium oil exposure ana
Who when they could no longer impose upon his TREND
ship would turn their rai,ocus iangs 10 0lte Nun ne
sboull recognize no utilization with who have been
untrue to the Constitution in both sections. He should
IL. a. - -,cb Nominated DY