Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-30
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE


We observe that many of our Republican con-
temporaries are specializing upon the motive anu
signi icance OF that resolution in the PLATFORM
adopted by the Republican Convention IN Dai'i-
more which declares
"Tbat we deem il essential TO the genera "et s 'na'
harmony shall prevail in the national couae' tt 49,
gard worthy Of public confidence anp IN
these resolutions and which should characterize the ad-
minstration of the Government
It seems to be generally conceded that this de-
claration means something, and was aimed at some
bodv, but what it meaus and whom it was aimed
at no two classes of journals agree in affirming.
BY some of our contemporaries it is supposed to
be palpable hit at Mr.. Chase for his known want
of identity of opinion with the President IN many
matters of theoretical policy as in many measures
of practical administration. Others see IN 1t a
blow aimed at Mr.. Stewards alleged remuneration
of the Monroe doctrine" though wherein the att
tude of the Secretary of State differs from that OF
the Convention in their resolution approving 1.-THE
position taken by the Government that the people
of the United States never regard with lna'l-
ference the attempt of any European Power 10
overthrow by force, or to supplant by fraud, the
institutions of any republican government On the
Western Continent" these pundlts fail to lndl-
cate, and thus reveal nothing but their per.
sonal prejudice against the distinguished premier
Others suppose themselves to Id in this resolution
3 reflection on the Postmaster General and Attor
ney General for their imputed dissent from certain
features of Mr.. Lincoln's policy in the matter o.
the constitutional relations of the seeded States
and the franchises of loyal men in those States,
though they fail to show that the Convention has,
by its words or its actions, said or done any thing
which isopposed to the doctrine. these members Of
the Administration known to cherish.
Under these circumstances we think it would be
wise for all concerned to put truce to the exposl
tion Of this clause in the Baltimore platform unit
the critical commentators can better agree IN its
exegesis And when we consider how transient II
the period within which such declarations have
any force or significance, it would hardly be wortl
any bodys while to make point of them agains
any member Of the Administration. In illustra
tion of this truth one of our Republican contem
poraries, the Boston Journal, points to the siguif
cant fact that Q on comparing the Baltimore plat
AoiIi Win VIC ShiS'SO P1uoih1 " Apui JSoAS 80
we find the only plank common to both to be tba
which excites the least popular interest now, viz
the resolution in favor of tie Pacific railroad Ii
all else there is great change" And it is quite
probable that the platform erected in Baltimore
less than month ago, will be as obsolete as that Of
Chicago in amuch shorter time than four years from
the present date. President Lincoln well knew wher
he selected the present esteemed Attorney Gen
eral as the legal adviser Of the Administration tina
that officer had great respect for political "plat
forms" Of any kind or of any construction. Wher
that of Chicago had just been put together ant
yeneered, he gave his opinion Of platforms in gen
eral and of the Chicago platform in particular in
letter under date of "St Louis, June IL, 1860,
in which lie wrote as follows:
AS to the platform put forth by the Chicago Couven
ton have little to say, because, whether good bad
that will not constitute the ground Of my support Of Mr.
Lincoln. have great respect for party platform in
general They are commonly made in times Of high ex
element under pressure Of circumstances aud ruth The
c0Rcate present support rather than TO establish
permanent system Of principles and line Of policy for the
future good government Of the country The Conventions
which form Them transient their nature their po,oer
and fuence consumed IN the using teatiHg
nuing obligation upon hev respective parties And benc,
need not wonder TINT platforms so made, hardil
acted upon practice shall discuss their rea
tive merits but CONTEXT myself With saying that this Re
publican platform though IN SsUcTdi particulars does
conform my ucs still far better than auy published
creed, past or present, Of the Democrats