Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-15
POLITICAL AND MORAL DETERMINATIONS.


Tor the purpose Of ratifying the nominations for
State officers made by the Republican Convention
held at Worcester on the Oath ultimo. Among the
distinguished speakers of the occasion was the
Hon. RICHARD III. DANA, Jr, the Attorney Of the
United States District Court for the State Of Mas
sachusetts, who had been member Of the Con-
ventlon which placed Governor Andrew in reno
mination and adopted certain resolutions (pub-
lshed in the Intelligenoer Of the 18th ultimo) as
expressive Of the political sentiments entertained
BY the Republican party Of Massachusetts,
La giving an account of what the Worcester
Convention did and said, Mr.. Dana felicitated his
follow.citizens on the fact that, after completing
its nominations it had taken to the expression Of
opinions, and separated without having done posi-
tive mischief" He adds that we may rejoice when
any political convention in time of civil war sepa-
rates without having presented some new cause
or pretext for division, or placed some stumbling
block in the way Of the dmsighted or tender-foot-
Cd, and given some cause for regret to the patri-
Otto"
One would infer from this congratulation that
Mr.. Dana was entirely satisfied with the pro-
ceedDgs and the results Of late Convention which
assembled at Worcester and adopted the resolu-
tions we have published. And yet it seems to
Us that in some remarks which he made at the
Cambridge meeting, and which we reproduce else
whore in to-day's Intelligencer he has pronounced
criticism as able as it is timely upon certain
declarations contained in the manifesto of the
Convention.
1t will be remembered that the Convention en-
dorsed the Presidents proclamation of emancipa-
ton" not only as "smeasure of military necessity"
designed as means to the end Of prosecuting
the war to . successful conclusion, and therefore
commensurate only with the necessities of war and
terminating with them but also declared that, I" as
measure Of security for the future peace and
tranquility of the reunited nation, it was indis
pensable and must be maintained inviolate and
as guarantee to the aoorld that our contest is for
civilization and christianity it removes from us a
reproach under which we labored, and, as we reve-
rently believe, 1t assures as Of the favor Of Al
mighty God"
In another of it, declarations the Convention as
sumed that the Union, as is pretended BY the
Southern secessionists has been actually broken.
and that tho restoration Of the national authority
over the region in instruction will be tantamount
to Gre union" of discovered States. And in the
work Of demonstrating" the fallen fabric of the
so-called Seeded States, the Convention invokes
the cooperation only of those Unconditional
Union men" who are in favor Of establishing GER
tain " conditions of reunion" among which the
most important is specified to be "a reconstruc-
ton of their political and social fabric upon free
basis, compatible with the new order of things es
tablished by the decree of emancipation" To
this effect the Convention declared
when the time arrives for settlement let it be made
with the unconditional Union Of the South who alone
have any right voice vote upon the conditions of
union and not with the rebels who have rights but the
right TO submit And 10 this end extend cordial
sympathy and support to all the the South who de
sire t. reconstruct their political and social fabric upon
free bass, compatible with the order Of things
tablshed by the decree OF emancipation"
It is impossible, as we conceive, to express in
palmer terms the objects and views of the party
denounced by Postmaster General Blair in his re-
cent speech at Rockville. The resolutions more
over, are SO understood by the gentleman, Hon.
g. ). Boutwell,, who reported them to the Conven-
ton, and as he had hand in the framing of them
he would not be likely to misapprehend their pur
port.
But whether Mr.. Boutwell, or Mr.. Dana be COR
rect in the Interpretation of the meaning which
the Convention meant to convey by the language
1t held, it is certain that Mr. Dana has pronounced
most philosophical sentence of condemnation on
the doctrine propounded by the adherents of the
political policy to which Mr. Boutwell, aud others
would seem anxious to commit the Administration
and the party that raised II to power.
It is known that the oonfessors Of the revolu-
tionary dogma which accepts secession and war Is
having abolished State lines, are fond of represent
ing the struggle in which the country is engaged
o one joined, not for the vindcation Of constitu
tional rights and the maintenance of national in
terests, but for the establishment Of certain ideas
and hence, like the Convention at Worcester, they
represent the proclamation Of freedom !" as
guarantee to the world that our contest is for
civilization and christianity" To this effect Mr..
Whiting, in the very preface Of his letter eKpound
ing the revolutionary theory, was careful to say;
However brilliant the success Of our military opera
lions has BEEN the country encompsssed by dangers
Two wars are still waged between the citizens Of the
limited Statet---s war of arms and q Of ideas
Achievements in the field cannot much eustrp the vcto