Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-18
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION,


and sincere desire to promote the best welfare OF
the Republic, without regard t. "party consldera-
lions OF party precedents" Because the salvation
of the Union is paramount to every other end,
0the salvation of this party or that party" In the
Judgment of our Republican contemporary, "is
comparatively of no account" insomuch that 1t
becomes the duty Of all true patriots $50 to act as
to secure the one essential result, and cast aside
all matters of inferior moment"
Entirely concurring with the Post in It's theory
of political duty, which, if just and proper at all
times, becomes of the highest obligation and last
Importance at the present juncture, we equally
concur with it in believing that the signs OF the
times portend complete relaxation OF those
purely partisan ties which formerly held whole
classes of men in the bonds of political contedera
tion under the power of a name or under the
guidance of recognised leaders, As the Fost wen
says, "No man pins head IN these serious
days for party menace or party discipline Parties
are nothing; the nation every thing individuals
are nothing, but the cause all important"
In recognition of this fact we have seen the Re
publican party widening the limits of its organiza
ton to receive into its bosom the adherents OF all
former political crecds who now concur with it IN
the objects and ends for which it is prosecuting
the present war; and of the candidates whom It has
placed In nomination before the people for the two
highest Offices in their gift, has been selected
from the ranks of that wing of the Democratic
party which in the last Presidential election sup
ported the pretensions of Mr. Breckenridge In
like manner we find the Democratic party inviting
to its political fellowship all persons of conserva-
tive faith and tendencies, whether formerly belong
ing to the Republican" the Constitutional
Union" or the g Democratic parties as such
parties were known and called in the last election
for the Presidency. 1t is recognised that these
parties, as formerly constituted have lost the rea-
son of their existence, if not the form OF their Or
ganization, and as of these parties the Republi-
can" and the Democratic" are the two which
have most perfectly preserved their political ldent:
ty and the compactness of their organizations, II
was natural that they should each serve as the cen
ire and nucleus of the respective tendencies which
are now crystallizing into new forms OF political
combination .....
Under these circumstances the determination Of
tho late Convention at Baltimore was an object Ct
interest and soicitude TO others than the members
of the Republican party, and Tor the same reason
men Of all parties looking with eager expeeta-
tion to the decision that shall be reached by the
Convention which is to assemble at Chicago on the
goth instant. Republican, like Thurlow Weed DC
not hesitate to say, in prospect OF the early meet
;nc ~ that body, that ''if imbued with true Wis
dom the Dem6cratic Convention has the power to
confer great blessing upon our country, lndeeo
since the 4th day of July, i.!'o no sucn 0ppof'u-
nitv for usefulness and honor has occurred II
ia every where felt that this Convention, IN spcs-
ING for itself has it also within its power to speak
for the great mass of the country, which, amid the
distractions and discussions Of the hour, Is eager
to turn from the shbbolehs of party to those grand
words, "the Union, the Constitution and the
Laws"
Rut in order to enlist the attention and to move
the heart of the people, the Chicago Convention
must speak with no uncertain sound and with no
confusion of dialect, the result of conflicting aims
and of antagonistc purposes with regard to either
men or measures. If it has an opportunity Of
nusefulness and honor" the like Of which has not
occurred, In the JuuRuohe "a PA'''0S'N - P0
cans. since the Declaration Of American Iudepen-
dence in the year 1776, it will prove grossly re-
creapt TO it's mission should it suffer its energies to
be wasted by Intellectual chickering's or by division
of counsels
The present Administration has placed itself on
trial before the American people for the purpose OF
TESTING the degree in which its past conduct re-
ceve. their approval and merits the continuance OF
their confidence. Its theory Of the war, its prac
teal conduct Of the war; and its terms OF peace
have been distinctly set before the eyes OF the poo
pie in the declarations of the Baltimore Conyen-
ton and in the subsequent declarations o. Prosi-
dent Lincoln All who approve this theory OF the
war who are satisfied with the manner Of its con-
duct, and with the terms of peace on which alone
any proposition looking to, "the integrity Of the
whole Union" will be received and considered, are
in condition to give full expression to their views
by voting for Messrs. Lincoln and johnson. 1t is
but right and proper, as it should be the wish Of
those who can consistently support these gentle
men, that such Of their countrymen as believe there
is more excellent way Of making either peace or
war should give full volume to the expression Of
their opinions which can be done only by concert