Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-25

also supposed to have renowned political aspira
tions. But in the present time it may be Justly
held that it is precisely this quality of an incunl-
bent Of the bench which would fit him for the. dis
charge of duties requiring in still higher sphere,
II not in higher degree, the attributes of the just
and indexible judge.
OF Ex-President PIERCE, of Mr.. WINTHROP,
of Mr.. CowAs, Mr.. " WOODWARD, Mr.. GUTHRIE,
and of the others who have been named for the
next Presidency, we cannot undertake to speak
more particularly than to say that, representing in
their several names all the different shades Of
opinion which have formerly divided the people of
this country into different political parties, they
to-day stand, as we believe, on common plat
form, whether regard be had to objects and ends Of
the great struggle in which the country is engaged
or to the agencies by which Union and Peace can
alone be restored to our distracted land. Eschew-
Ing iorce as the sole means of restoring the one or
the other, but not denying its just place in leeti-
mate government, they would, we believe, all rely
more on moral than on physical forces for the ad-
justment of those bases on which alone can be
founded peace that shall be enduring and Union
that shall be worthy of the name
We suppose that the Chicago Convention, fol-
lowing the example of its predecessors in late years.
will feel called to construct what, in modern par
lance, is known as ga platform" Our readers
know that we have no great respect for this spe-
cies Of political structure. Platforms have always
seemed to us clumsy device for the elevation of
small men into conspicuousness which they
would never have received from the dignity of their
characters or the eminence of their public services
As has been well said by another, they are COM
monty made in times of high excitement, under
pressure of circumstances, and with the view to
conciatc 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 are transient
in their nature; their power and influence are con-
sumed in the using, leaving no continuing obliga-
ton upon their respective parties And hence we
need notwonder that platforms, so made are hardly
ever acted upon in practice" In illustration of
this TRUTH we need but advert to the fact, already
signalized by us few weeks ago, that, on COM
pairing the Baltimore Republican platform with the
Chicago Republican platform of four years ago, we
find the only plank common to both to be that
which excites the least popular interest now, viz.
the resolution in favor of the Pacific railroad And
how little effect the most elaborate platforms have
in establishing permanent system of principles
or line of policy for the conduct of the Govern
ment, to be observed by those who are elevated to
power on such foundations, VIC may read in the
significant fact that the Republican majority of the
present House of Representatives unanimously
voted down. at the late session of Congress, one of
the "planks' Of the Republican platform of four
years ago, and which was brought forward by q
member of the Opposition for reafirmance, as con-
tanning sound doctrine. Whatever may be con-
tanned in the coming Chicago platform or omitted
from it will be little among sensible persons
for either supporting or opposing the man who
may be nominated by the Convention The peo-
pie will look to the himsst, not to the decla-
rations of those who nominate him, when they
rich for the grounds of their confidence as to the
principles on which he will administer the Go
vernmcnt. What would "patform" add to the
stature Of a Washington, or Of an Adams, or of
Jefferson, or of Madison, or OF Monroe? On
this point we endorse the following judicious sug-
gestions made to the Chicago Convention by the
Boston Courier:
The Convention ought not TO be arena for debate or
for any persnal display the part Of any Of its members
however eminent OF however able We hope there will
be no speech made there, except of strictly business
character for the eucdson Of matters directly before
the assembly. We hope that the session will not be long
here IL no good reason why single day shoud not br
amply sufficient Tor the organisation the nomin ltion of
candidates. and the adoption Of any brief aud d.cs
ration OF principles which may be acceptable to the Con-
vepti0n.
In truth the people want elaborate application OF
political principles this occasion. They understand
perfectly well just what is the bsct to be accomplished
namely the removal OF his AdmIust and the sub st
tuition of bet er, and they will look with much more in
erest upon the nominal than upon any expression Of
opinion the assembly They do not care to be puzzled
or delayed by heightened dsqus IONS to listen to
recapituation Of the enormes perpetrated by the Ad
IN nj, trslion. These all mems minds memories
Or not they will be sufficiently dwet upon In the course
OF the canvass.
1--WE desire to nothing proposed by the Convention
about which with the object in view can
reasonably differ That object with All such men will be
simply the restoration o the Union upon the basis of the
Constitution; and all details as TO the methsd by h Oh
this purpose to be effected may properly deferred
they cannot be acted upon until the chosen
aud the Administration is actually inaugursted."