Year: 1860

forsworn whether the determination not 10 be couHd
WAS formed before or after admisou-non juring and
perjury equally dsquay all from executing public trusts
which the law requires they shaH be bound By oath faith
fully 10 perform Were juryman TO declare that he
would not be bound by his OATH believing in some high
er Obligation would he not be set aside, or committed
TO jail! Would judge procaiming from the Bench


at he did not regard as binding upon himself upon the
Jury or upon any citizen whatever, certain provision OF
the constitution involved in trial before him. be a. ur-
hesiatngly impeached and removed! Surely there can
he nothing incompatible with his tenure-no stronger
cause for expulsion, than voluntary confession OF the
legal or moral depravty Of having committed being
pfc Dared 10 commit the violation of his solemn and de-
liberate OATH 10 maintain the Constitution. Why was
not the question tested by resolution affirming the obl
CATION of the organic law and Of the oath 70 support it.
and the consequent liability to expulsion Of any repre-
sentative who In his legislative character should inten
tcnay violate either avow that they were OF no effect
TO bind his conscience control his conduct"


II may be thought much importance Is attached TO
the language and opinions which have SO specially no.
ticed Were they those Of insulated individuals there
would be great force in the objection aud far as they
we're designed TO reflect the character and institutions
of Virginia they might be well passed by, as little no.
tieed as the yelpng Off whipt cur the bowling of
tic mountain wolf in bis covert But these Congression-
al ibelers the spokesmen OF ates Of antislavery
factions who we are told 'cast million aud half Of
and viewing their language and opinions In con-
xon with the questions before us, the peace of the
Southern States aud the stability of the Union, you will
hardly think exaggerate their Importance


PRESIDENTIAL AsPiHASrs


In exion with the same questions let us now a6
vert somewhat more particularly 10 the movements De-
fore alluded to- preluding that momenious event which
beyond all others interests and agates the country The
chief business OF the nation, the neverendng still be-
ginning for the selection Of the monarch Of
the United Republics has since the adjournment Of the
General Assembly. been advanced another stage. The
whole array Of competitors Tor the succession Is in
full view. FIVE Rchmond' are in the field rather, for
the idols of the day are always Gods i've Jupers ap
pear at in the political ornament 1t Is for the
Fates decide which OF them shall haul down all his
rivals and henceforth launch the thunder.


The number of aspirants is without example. The
causes are obvious the increase of Executive
power and influence and the greatly aggravated bitter
ness Of sectional feeling. With powers definitely pre-
scIbed by the organic law the President has long prac


caly exercised authority extensive and well nigh
AS indefi;e as any crowned head in Europe. The up
per ten look him for official distinctions; the lower
mion for their daily brea1 together they form stand
ing army dangerous than the Jan2Iries Of ANA
raih aud ready obey the nod Of their masor. IL
is be wondered at that such office should be
the mark of ambitious aspiran q that the leaders
and followers Of party should rally the support OF the
drdabis, uuder well understood pledges OF being
raised to elevated stations fed from the public crib
Such is the actual and natural working of sys:em-
Equally natural is it, that amid the unhappy dsse nsiors
which divide the country, each of the two great
contending sections should deem il all important 10
the control of the hand which holds the sword and
upocks the Of the Federal Treasury; the ag
crossing section for Of still holder ag! ssions the
assaed for defence.


THE CANVASS.


] propose to glance for moment at the canvass
not i1 party aspect, but solely in reference to
probable ind fence the agitaring questions Of the
day and ia tea. view !us feel nS asastrea, results is
impossible 10 my opinion be that is wha, may that
will essen much less remove, the causes OF dssensiou
or permanently restore peace.


OF the four prominent candidates are pres .nted
bv the Democracy; by the Black Republicans and
oae by party under the imposing name Of the Con-
siitutiona Ii ion party.


As to the chances: Without offering any specu!aons
of nv own | adop, the almost universal belief, that
neither President nor Vice President will be elected by
the popular vote to which Through electoral coeges
the questO is in the first Instance TO be referred For
getful of the old adage, Daos gHi-sc9Hr Lp,res nsa
tram cdp the great party wLo, with hardly single in
stance TO the contrary have triumphed in every Pres
dental contest for more than ball century, no longer
able perhaps TO command success though united
have entered into Suicidal contest and commenced a
frutes, chase in different directions. II is be hoped
in thus eschewng the execabe but only safe policy of
party organzaon-coheson for the sake OF the party
the Seceders have yielded to conscientious conviction
OF the Just principle whose violation they had two much
reason to apprehend.


On he other band the Black Republicans and the Red
Aboitionss notwithstanding their mock quarrel rot in
respect to the object both aim at but the less
bloody means OF ,iectiDg it, have readily become ANAL
gamaied, and will vote as unit. Still their united
strength. il sud insufficient TO carry maj orty OF
the popular vote.


Deductng the votes OF the united Black and Red
squadrons and of the divided Democracy is regarded
As an impossibity that the nominees OF the party
can stand the remoiet chance OF election by the people,


In this state Of things the choice Of President de-
wolves on the House OF Representatives voting by States
of Nice- Sdent IN The voting mar cani-
a. If no President receive majority of all tue States
before the 4th day Of March, the VcePresident Is
act as President.


cAsUs oNIssus


But suppose that neither President Vice-Pres-
dent shall be chosen in any Of the modes prescribed
by the constuton-an event in the opinion of many by
no means mprobabe-what then? Toe only prov sion
bearing on this question is authorizing Congress- in
case of the removal death, resignation, inability Of
both the President and VcePresdent to declare what
officer shall then act as President But the case suppos
cot that of removal, death, resignation inability.
il the case of vacancy indeed resulting from
neither Of the specified IL is therefore, would
SEEM a easus omissus-and IL 30, in the contingency
alluded to- the Execu i've Department Of the Government
would exist-or would be without officer to
discharge its duies-for III, teim at least Of four yea


RESULT OF An ELEcTIoN.


But FAY the office Ia duly filed. What effect may we
anticipate from the administration the "great
tious ssues" VII it arrest "the irepressble conct?'
VIII it establish slavery the North extinguish at
the South, making the States dn one thing. or all The
other Will IL give permanent stability TO the Union,


security to the Souh: When you answer these ques-
tons you will agree with me- that the grievances
der which suffer do not spring from the Presidency,
so it equally certain that no President can furnish
cure.


Give us Brsckinridge and Lane, or either They would
be powerless not merely the great ISSUE but On eve
~ issue between the sections.


Douqla, and johnson would be equally powefless on
every ISSUE that which, in the estimation OF many
States Of the South Identifies them with eneme'-
Say despite the opposition Of the two great rart" who
constitute eight nineenths probably, OF the en- re
voting population Of the United States that Bell and Ev
eret owing unaccounable caprice Of foruneor
turn Of public sentiment should carrv the day what
could be achieved by administration having no de-
finite policy, approved by either Of the great parties or
sections OF the country Should it incline to the North
would offend the South IL to the South it must be de.
feated by the preponderating power the North
neutral or impartial attitude would most probably dissat
isfy BOTH The truth is to John Rhndophs iustra
ton, no tide at once both sides Of saplng.


To my mind it is perfectly plain that neither OF the
sets OF nominees, (eitber of which would be mmeasura
by preferred by the South, to Lincoln and HamlD;
sny man or men In the Union the South to choose
could as President or Vice President under the exist
ing Constitution, carry out any measure eecualy 10
prevent Northern aggressions oonspracies or, in.
de 3D. any plan whatever for the benefit Of the Southern
people,


Failing all others, either Lincoln and Hamln must be
elected or there will be no President Vice President
for the next four yeals. l viii not stop TO consider
which would be the greater calamity to tue ouns-y.-
The government certainly could exist without
an Executive than a man without head. But, how
much longer would 1t live under the original patenee OF
the SIRE pressble cophct?" How long would take
him. with his maui and wedges to rend the Union IN
twain by the exact line of Mason and Dixon Could
the government endure twelvemonth undar the sway