Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-11

for the Convention to determine. platforms
have been go frequently employed rs the shallow
devices of party deception that they have come to
be viewed with distrust by the people. We kao,,
Of no higher md aoLier aim than The restoration ar
peace and harnlony 10 a dicided and distracted
country, and no PLATFORM morc acceptable 10 erery
true patriot, than THE UNION, THE CoSsrIruTIoy.
AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS"
1t was, therefore, only necessary for thu
Convention, which met at Baltimore on the
9th and 10th Of last May, to authenticate by
its action the legitimacy Of its origin and
descent from the antecedent measures which
had been taken for the inauguration of
party, designed to receive the support Of
conservative citizens without distinction Of
their previous political denomination, though
relying for its princi pal contingent upon the
disorganized remains Of the Wing and
American parties. How exactly the Con.
vention fulfilled the expectations Of the pa,
triotic men who initiated the new movement,
is read alike in the character Of its nomna.
TONS and in the proclamation by which its
principles were ascertained 10 be identical
with those preigured in the address from
which we have previously quoted. In con.
tirmation of this point, we need but cite the
following declaration, unanimously adopted
by the Baltimore Constitutional Union Con.
yentlOn:
"WHEREAs, experience has demonstrated that
platforms adopted by the part2an conventions Of
the country have had the effect 10 niseaG and de,
ceive the people, and, al the time, TO widen
the political divisions Of the country, by the crea
ton and encouragement of geographical and Sec
tional parties: Therefore,
"Resotred, That it is both the part of patriot
ism and of duty, to recognize no political princi
Piles other than
THE Constitution OF TuE COUNTRY,
The UNION or THE STATES, AND
The ENFORCEMENT OF THE Laws:
and that, as representatives Of the constitutional
Union men Of the country, in National Conyea.
ton assembled, we here pledge ourselves 10 tnal-
tain, protect and defend, separately and unitedy,
those great principles ofpublic liberty and IA.
tonal safety against all enemies, at home and
abroad, believing that thereby peace may once
more be restored 10 the country, the just rights Of
the people and of the States established, and
the Government again placed in that condition Of
justice, fraternity, and equality, which, under tho
example and constitution Of our fathers, has
solemnly bound every citizen III the United State.
to maintain Il more perfect union, establish JUS
tice insure domestic tranquility, provide for tho
common defence, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings Of liberty to ourselves
and our postcrity.
If the history of party may eyer be said
to constitute sufficient explanation OF its
aims and policy, it certainly cannot be de-
MED that the Constitutional Union party has
"a history which may safely be compared
with that of any other in point Of definite
ness, while, in respect to the wisdom Of its
recommendations and the statesmanIy char
acter of its nominees, we may be pardoned
for giving them a preference over those Of
its rival organizations.