The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-14


people are not tending that way.
"
The PhiIadeI Iphia Convention Its Duty to
the Country.
From, the Herald.
There will be to-day a more impOr tant
gathering of representative public men and
eminent citizens from all parts of the Union
than has ever taken place IN the country since
the formation of the Governments; that is it
will become so if those who meet in conven-
tion at Philadelphia do their work well.
Though this body Is not called together by law,
and its action will not have the force of law, it
may, nevertheless, exercise the greatest infu-
ence. Nor is it to be convention to make
nominations for oflice-for the Presidency, for
Congress- or for any other office 1t will be-
strictly speaking, conference, spontane Jus
assembly brought together by the necessities
of the times, In which the pa riots and leading
minds OF the repub lie will confer as to the best
means OF saving the country and Government
from the revolutionary and destructive mea-
sures OF a powerful IaCtiOn. The convention
system Itself, which makes our presidents, gov
ernors, and legislators, and which, i'll fact, con-
trolls the whole political machinery OF the re-
public, has no foundation in law, II sprung up
spontaneously anu from political necessity. Yet
while it is without leSalized existence, ii has be-
come all powerful. The con ventions that formed
the confederation and the Union originally met
only to discuss inportanti political questions
pertaining to the Government. Our own admi.
rable institutions were the result rather than the
direct object OF these conventions OF patriots and
great men OF that day. Difficulties OF a sectional
and political character distracted the new
publican communities, and the fathers of our
country said, let us meet together in convention
to talk over these matters and to see what can
be done to give peace unity and permanent
goou government. They met simply to discuss
the absorbing political questions OF the day, Just
as the Philadelphia Convention will meet for
resulted plOriOuS
institutions we have lived happily and prospe-
| rously under for nearly a century. The Con-
| vention that will meet tomorrow has not a
| constitution to make or government to estab.
lish they had, but it has not the less important
| duty to perform OF preserving that Constitution
! and Government from the destruction with
| which they are now threatened by revolution
| ary Congress.
The accounts we have received from all parts
| Of the country relative to the temper and pur-
| pose which animate the people who have
and as to the character and dispo-
sition OF the delegates, give us hope
| OF the happiest result. few obnoxious
! and troublesome fellows, such as Vallandlgham
| and the WOODS, who have more ambition than
patriotism, may try to make fuss and give
| trouble, but we believe the overwhelming ma
iorty OF the conservatives and patriotic men will
| soon silence them. We think the Southern
| delegates especially will frown down those agi-
tators who would raise unnecessary and trouble
some issues. They have pad too dearly for
agitation, and have too much at stake not to
avoid disCord.
The thought of assembling this truly national
| Convention was happy one. For more than
| five years the people OF the North and South
have been separated, first by foolish act OF
| attempted secession by the latter, and since by
! bitter and unscrupulous faction who got con-
! troll of Congress. Like the prodigal son, the
Southern people have suffered from their folly,
| and after being whipped into sense of their
error they desire to come back to the family
| circle. The utter hopelessness of their former
theories and cause could have no other effect,
Tor such disposition is in accordance with
reason, their interests, and the philosophy
OF human nature. Every humane citizen,
every conservative who desires peace and
harmony In the republic, every statesman
who sees the evil OF prolonged exclusion
of the South from representation in the Gov
ernment-all naturally say, let the wounds
of our country be healed, let the Usion be as
complete as it was betdre the war. But radical
! majority in Congress say no, IL shall not be so;
we will keep the South unrepresented and the
country in d dangerous disorganize1 state be
cause we are afraid OF losing political power
Under these circumstances the next best thing
TO be done, undoubtedly, Is to bring the repre-
sentatiVes Of the people from all sections
together in a nat onal convention. If The
radicals will not let them exchange views anC
harmonize IN Congress- they can do SO in thi'
|, assembly. The people will thus be enabled tC
see and rejoice over return to former traterna
relations The Convention will be standing
, protest against and condemnation of the conduc
|
ening the public as to the character and pur
poses OF that body.
But in order that these good results may fol
} low the Convention, there must be no attemp
made TO revive old party organizations or rival
ries. II the conservative Republicans enter tht
Convention with the purpose of swallowing VI
, the Democrats, and using them for their o VI
old party purposes they will commit grave
: mistake, and damage the cause they have es
. poused, The same may be said of the Demo
: Gratis; and the caution is more necessary Il
q them, perhaps, because they may be NOR
s tempted to swallow up the Republicaus for
though they are divided, there Is still "a pow
y erful Democratic organization. But this, as w
c said, would be grave mistake, and perhap
e fatal one Truly it may be asked on thi
y occasion, what is in name? Yes, a goot
Y deal is in a name for harm, if 1t be odious
i But what does it matter about an old name il
> the present crisis? The principle, the restora
a tion OF the country, is the thing. The defea
!. of the radical revolutionists and the election O
r a new and better Congress is the work TO b
8 done. The war, and the revolution that II ha
= caused, have swept away old party issues. lie
b the names be buried with them; at least let no
J. these names cause strife when grand patriot
e movement is inaugurated The party of tn
Is philadelphia Convention, whatever particula
y name may be assumed, ouRhtto be and can b
C +he party OF the future All who meet ther