Newbern weekly progress., 1860-05-22

The press are commenting on the recent nOml
nations of the Union Constitutional Convention
at Baltimore. The Philadelphia Gazette says:
Few living American politicians have had
more enlarged experience in political affairs. Mr..
Bell has been than quarter of century in
one of the two branches of Congress. and for
short period a member of the Cabinet, as well as
twice a member of the Senate of his own State.
He possesses talents as a speaker and reasoner
which, though not remarkably brilliant, places
him far above mediocrity, and. altogether, the
hereditary antagonists OF the Democracy may
congratulate themselves upon having found a
candidate for whom they vote with a clear
conscience, and who has beena devoted repre-
sentative of their views The Chicago Conven-
tion # it is inclined to make terms with the
Union party, has a better excuse for doing so
since it has selected Bell, than if any other man
prominently named IN connection with the Union
Convention (unless, perhaps, McLean) had re-
ceived its nomination yesterday.
The New York Times says:
This is the record of the Union candidate for
the Presidency. 1t is good one throughout. He
has decided ability and is in the best sense of the
word statesman. The platform adopted by the
Convention evades all the points of principle and
policy now before the country. The position
taken is, that, inasmuch platforms are general
y intended to misead the public, it is best not
10 adopt any at all NO suppose that
such position this will be regarded as salts
factory by any considerable body of the people in
any section of the country. Issues cannot be
settled by being ignored; and the controversy
growing out of Slavery has reached such a point
that both North and South feel the absolute ne
cessity of coming to some distinct and definite
understanding in regard to it.
No Judgment can be formed as to the effect of
this nomination upon other parties until their
nominations shall have been made. Mr.. Bell
will command good deal of strength in the South
ern States, and will receive heavy conservative
vote in all those which were formerly Whig. At
the North he will be less formidable-not from
| any lack of persons popularity, but because his
party position does not represent any strong and
| earnest sentiment of the Northern people.
The New York Courier and Enquirer saws:
The name Of John Bell at once recalls the men,
ory of times gone by, when he was among the
leaders in the Senate; when, by his wise patriotic
and conservative course, he proved himself a true
statesman. He is one whom all revere and re-
| spect, and one who, were he in the Presidential
chair, would be to do it honor AS much,
therefore, as we like the man. we believe that.
| nominated under the circumstances that he now
| is he has not the slightest prospect of success
No party which ignores the issues of the day can
have any real vitality. There are issues before
the country which have been recognized bv the
Republican and Democratic parties but which
the ocalled Union Party has ignored. Those
issues must be met at some time other and to
seek to ignore them is but folly.
I The New York Herald admits Mr.. Bell to he an
excellent man, but objects that
He belongs to the fossil remains of the old Who
strata in political geology. He has no sympa7
thies in common with the present generation and
his name will awaken none of the enthusiasm
among the young men which is absolutely essen
tial to successful campaign His chances as a
Presidential candidate are that he will raoni,a
this leaves the struggle between the Chicaoo
nominee and the one of the ad djourned Charleston
Convention, If It should unite at Baltimore upou
popular and conservative man.