The Nevada Democrat., 1861-07-06
Mr. McCOnneIl before the Convention.

Mr. Mcconnell before the Convention.
Just as our last issue was going 10 press,
we rcceiveda a copy Of this gentleman's
speech, made before the Douglas Conven-
ton. We do not agree with either his pre-
mises or bis conclusions, nor do we think
the speech either consistent with itself or
with former views held by its author.
Mr.. Mcconnell starts out with the propo.
sition that the election Of Mr.. Lincoln
was an act of hostility TO the South and
the conviction in which this enunciation lie
made places Mr.. Mcconnell with those who
claim that this election, without any act
whatever upon the part Of Mr. Lincoln, ev-
idenced such settled hostility towards the
South as TO render her continuance in the
Union impossible. Against Mr.. McCOn-
nell's opinion upon this point, we array the
earlier speeches of A. H. Stephens, OF Bell,
of Douglas, and Of the entire Union party
of the South, with whom Mr.. Mcconnell is
proud to class himself.
Mr.. Mcconnell is much exercised about
the unconstitutional action taken by the
President. He questions whether the Pres
ident can assemble forces for the immediate
protection of the Capital, and knows that
be can 90 no further. Perhaps the Presi-
dent aud his Cabinet may resist and repel
any personal iDdignities offered to them
selves within the municipality, but they
must not pollute the sacred soil Of Virginia.
though bristling with batteries erected for
the capture of the Capital that while fifty
thousand men, armed with stolen guns aud
paid from plundered treasures Of the Unit
ed States, are marching upon Washington.
their avowed object to seize the city and
make prisoners of the Administration, the
Executive must meet them with hOmilies
| from the Constitution and remonstrances.
and IL il issue proclamation must see that
It flows butter and honey, lest 1t offend the
moral sense Of jeff Davis aud his strict
constructonists. He is supposed to under
stand how the sacred soil of q State may be
polluted by the armies of the nation, NOV
ing for its defense, while the same hallowed
ground is honored by the hordes Of a Miss
issippi repudiatOr, banded by perjury, paid
by plunder, and moving for the subversiOn
of the Government.
Mr.. Mcconnell quotes extensively from
Mr.. Douglas. Will he claim, that after the
taking of Sumter, Douglas did not fully en-
dorse the war policy of the Administration?
that it was not his potent influence, his last
speeches. bis dying words. more than oil be.
sides, that extinguished parties in the North
west, and united all for the nation? Doug
las is indeed dead, but the brightest leaves
of his laurels are the last, and he is false to
his memory who would remove or conceal
them.
Mr.. Mcconnell was in favor Of peace so
we're we all. He is still 10 favor ii and
still we and all humane men are agreed.
But we do not quite agree with him as TO
who should take the first steps to establish
1t. Mr. Mcconnell thinks the AministrA-
tion should sheath its sword in the scabbard
which the South boasts to have thrown
away that it should offer compromise
when none will be received, aud meet can
non aud bombs with olive branches aud
applications that the Mississippi should
not be Obstructed lest the enemy hunger,
nor MonOngahela whisky intercepted lest
be thirst. This would be an eminently hu-
name, and perhaps Christian policy; but
Mr.. Buchanan's success in getting Goals Of
fire on JEFF. Davis head by such tactics was
not very encouraging. We are in favor Of
peace-Of the only peace worth having
the peace that shall follow the maintenance
of the Constitution and the enforcement OF
the law. War with all it's horrors were
preferable to the peace, short-lived and dis
graceful Ms it must be, which should recog
nize the right of traitors to subvert the
Government, ofrobbers to plunder its treas.
ury, of pirates to assail its flag, and OF fel.
ons to murder its citizens.
The platform upon which Mr.. Mcconnell
could not stand, asserted naughl but fealty
| to the law and support to the Government