Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-12

to do any good, and contributing more to revive
the kindly feeling which once existed between
North and South, and which is now, i grieve to
say, nearly extinct, than I could possibly do by
engaging in the wretched scramble for office
which is one grea. source of the dangers that
threaten the country. 80
These considerations and others of still
more personal nature, have necessarily occa-
stoned me to reflect long and anxiously before
accepting the nomination with which the Union
Convention has honored me. In yielding at
length to the earnest solicitations which have
been addressed to me, from the most respecta-
BILE sources in almost every part OF the Union,
make painful sacrifice of inclination to what
am led to believe public duty. 1t has been
urged upon me, and / cannot deny that such is
my own feeling, that we have fallen upon times
which call upon all good citizens, at whatever
cost of personal convenience, to contribute their
share, However humble, to the public service.
/ suppose it to be the almost universal i'm
pression,-it is certainly mine,-that the exist
ing state of affairs is extremely critical. Our
political controversies have substantially as
sulned an almost purely sectional oharacter,-
that of a fearful struggle between the North and
the South. 1t would not be difficult to show
at length the perilous nature and tendency of
this struggle, but can only say, on this occa-
sion, that, in my opinion, it cannot be much
longer kept up, without rending the Union.
do not mean that either of the great parties in
the country desires or aims at separation of
the States as final object, although there are
extremists in considerable numbers who have
that object in view. - tsf3 sEI
While potent and baneful influence is ex-
ercised by men of this class in both sections of
the Union, portion of the conservative masses
/ Ill. dad info
currence with opinions and sentiments with
which, in the outset, they had no sympathy
Meantime, almost wholly neglectiDg the main
public interests, our political controversies turn
more and more on questions, in reference ito
which. as abstract formula, the great sections OF
the country differ irreconcilably, though there is
nothing practically important at stake which
REQUIRES the discussion to be kept up. These
controversies are carried on with steadily in
creasing bitterness and evaporation. The pas
sions thus kindled have already led to acts of vi
olence and bloodshed, approaching to civil war
in the Territories, and attempted servile insur-
rection in the States. The great religious and
philanthropc associations of the country are
sundered, and the kindly social relation of North
and South seriously impaired. The national
House of Representatives, lowering on the verge
of anarchy, requires weeks to effect the organi-
zaton, which ought to be the work of an hour,
and it holds its sessions, (maDy OF its members,
am told, armed with concealed weapons,) on
the crust of volcano The candidates for the
Presidency representing respectively the domi-
nant sectional ideas will, at the ensuing cleo
ton, in all probability, be supported by purely
geographical vote. In other words, we are al
ready brought to a pass, at which North and
South cannot and will not cooperate in the Pc
riodcal reorganization of the Government.
Can such state OF things long continue, es-
pecially with the ever present risk OF new eau
ses of exasperations | own that it seems to me
impossible, unless some healing course is adopt
ed, that the catastrophe, which the mass of good
citizens so much deprecate, should much longer
be delayed. A spirit of patriotic moderation
must be called into action throughout the Union
or it will assuredly be broken up. Unless the
warfare of inhammatory speeches and incendia-
ry publications is abandoned, and good citizens,
as in 1875 and 1884, North and South will agree
to deal with the same elements of disccro, (for
they existed then as now,) as our Fathers dealt
with them, we shall but for very few years
longer be even nominally Brethren of one fami-
lly. The suggestion that the Union can be main
tanned by the numerical predominance and mill
tary prowess of one Section, exerted to coerce
the other into submission, is, in my Judgment,
as selt-contradictory as it is dangerous. 1t
comes loaded with the death smell from fields
Wei WIFI DTOlu6TS OlOOus IL Juc Vltdl pTluClpio
of all republican governments is "the consent Of
the governed" much more does union of CO.
equal Sovereign States require, as its basis, the
harmony of its members and their voluntary CO.
operation in its organic functions.
Believing for these reasons, that healing coun-
sells must be listened to, if We are much longer
to remain one people, | regard the late National
Union Convention as movement in the right
direction. could wish that it had been earlier
assembled with less exclusive reference to Off
cial nominations, and with more comprehen-
sive representation, if possible, of the conflicting
opinions of the country. On general principles
and in ordinary times | admit that third parties
are Objectionable, but in the existing state of af-
fairs, If there is to be any escape from the pres
ent ill-omened conflict, it would seem that
commencement must be made with such meet
ing as that of the 9th and 10th at Baltimore
1t was fair representation of the conservative
opinion of the country, and the calInness gravi-
ty and good feeling with which the proceedings
were conducted, cannot be too highly praised.
In adopting as its platform the Constitution
without note or comment, the Convention, as it
seems to Inc, pursued q wise and patriotic
course. No other course was thought of in the
earlier days OF the Republic. Electoneering
platforms are almost without exception equivo-
cal and delusive. II is objected that men differ
as to any gloss or commentary. The Constitu-
tion in its fair and natural interpretation is the
only basis on which good citizens in every part
of the country can now unite and any attempt
to go further will usually have no other effect
than to cause those who agree on great practical
principles to differ on metaphysical subtleties, or
to bring together, by artfully constructed phra-
ses and from selfish motives, those who have
nothing else in common.
|
The candidate tor the Presidency, presented
by the Union Convention, is every way worthy
of confidence and support l speak from person
J al knowledge and long association with him in
I the public service His distinguished talent,
large experience in affairs, proved integrity and
sterling patriotism, furnish the amplest pledge
for an honest and efficient administration of the
government at home and abroad A citizen of
the South and loyal to her constitutional rights,
his impartial and conciliatory course as public
man affords ground on which he can be sup
ported in either section OF the country, without
dereliction of principle, and by men of all par
ties, without painful sacrifice of former prefer
ences. q s
| Deeply regretting that the Convention has not
put it in my power to pay an equally cordial and
emphatic tribute to some worthy candidate for
the Vice-Presdency, but feeling it duty to
give the desired proof of sympathy with its pa
trotic efforts to restore the happy days of broth
erly concord between the different sections of
our beloved country,
remain, dear sir, sincerely yours,
EDWARD EVERETT.
AN ExTRAORDINA Fpoo in tha- nal1o,