Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-06-15
The Baltimore Nominations.

The Baltimore Nominations.
The National Union Convention has unan-
imously declared Abraham Lincoln to be
the candidate of the great Union party for
the next Presidency of the United States.
This proceeding Is not so much substan-
tive act as a formal expression. The max
ing of the nomination was already virtually
accomplished by the people; the convention
simply gave form TO it With single ex-
ception, it is the only instance for a genera
ton in which political National Conven-
ton has named It's candidate without com
petition. That exception was the renomi-
nation of Henry Clay by the Baltimore
Wing Convention OF 1874. In every other
national convention there has been an ar
dent, and in many cases a very bitter, strife
between the supporters of different favor
ties. This strife sometimes proceeded from
difference in shades of party sentiment,
sometimes from sectional or local influences,
sometimes from purely personal preferences.
II, in the case of Mr.. Clay, there was from
the first an absolute unanimity, it came al
most entirely from personal considerations.
Mr. Clay had been for very many years the
head and front Of the Whig party. He had
again and again been urged for the regular
Presidential nomination of the party, but his
pre-eminent merits were as often set asidein
favor of some more available candidate,
so styled The betrayal Of the party by
John Tyler brought the party to univer-
~, II h "A
thily treated, and the convention of 1914
was thus fired with the single purpose of
doing justice to its great champion. ltwas
4 personal sentiment that wrought that u
nanimity Vast numbers gave themselves
up to it, who seriously doubted whether the
denomination would not insure the defeat of
the party, or whether even if it prevailed,
the interests of the party would not suffer
under the strong will and stern rule to which
it would be subjected Concern for the
party almost entirely disappeared in a con-
cern for Henry Clay.
The unanimity in the present case Is of a
very different character. 1t comes prima-
rily from concern for the cause to which
the party is devoted. The party is thor
oughly agreed that Abraham Lincoln deserves
well of the country, but nobody conceives
that this denomination is given him as a re-
ward. He himself would be the last man
to claim it as such He has done his duty
wisely and nobly, but yet nothing more than
his siinble duty Were he to leave the
Presidential chair next fourth Of March,
the commendation and practical support
which the great majority of the people have
already given him would be sufficient vim
dication of him against all the opprobrium
heaped upon him by his political enemies
and full requital for all his public service.
No man could merit richer guerdon The
great Union party has made this renomina-
tion not to vindicate or reward Abraham
Lincoln, but because his first term has at
tested his thorough devotion to the cause
has proved his ability to shape its policies
wisely and successfully, has identified him
completely before rebeldom and before the
world as its foremost exponent ; and be-
cause all changes of tried for untried men,
in great national emergency, of necessity
involves more or less risk The motives
which produce this striking unanimity are
of far higher order than any personal at
tachments They spring from patriotic de-
votion-from a solemn conviction that the
re-electiono of the present head of the nation
is best calculated to re-establish the nation
al authority. The same loyalty which has
impelled the people to give their treasure
without limit, and to pour out their blood
like water for the salvation of the Republic,
has also impelled them to demand, with al
most united voice, that the guidance of
the great work shall be continued in the
hands of Abraham Lincoln.
The nomination of Andrew johnson for
the Vice-Presidency, though not, like the
other, a ''foregone conclusion" will still
be readily recognized by all loyal men as one
eminently fit to be made. In thus select
ing a War Democrat for this high distinc-
ton, the convention gave the country a sub
stantial pledge that it was truly indepen-
dent of all the old political organizations,
and that it recognized no party test but that