Year: 1860

Wnlcn IL now, grleve TO say, nearly extinct, thai


could possibly do by engaging in the wietchet


dangers that threaten the country.


These considerations and others ofa still NOR,


personal nature, have necessarily occasioned me L


reflect long and anxiously before accepting tn,


nomination with which the Union Convention ha.


honored me. In yielding at length to the earnes


solicitations which have been addressed to me- from


the respectable in almost every part Of tn,
Union, make painful sacrifice Of inclination tc


what am led TO believe public duty II ha.


been urged upon me, and / cannot deny that such
is my own feeling, that we have fallen upon time,
which call upon all good citizens at whatever cos
OF personal convenience to contribute their share
however humble, to tue public service


suppose it to be the almost universal impression
1t Is certainly mine,-that the existing state OF
affairs is extremely critical. Our political contro-
versies have substantially assumed an almost purel
sectional character-that of fearful struggle be-
tween tho North and the South. II would not be
difficult to show at length the perous nature und
tendency of this struggle, but can only saw on
this occasion, that, in my opinion, il cannot he
much longer kept up, without reuiing the Union.


do not mean that either of the great parties ID the
country desires or aims at separation ofthe States
as final object, although there are extremists in
considerable numbers who have that object in view.
While potent and baefill influence Is exercised
by men of this class, in both sections of the Union
aporton of the conservative masses are insensibly
and gradually goaded into concurrence with opin-
ions and sentiments with which, in the outset they
had no sympathy. Meantime, almost wholly neg
lectng the main public interests our political con-
troverses turn more and mote on questions in re-
ference to which, as abstract formulse the great
sections of the country differ irreconcably though
there is nothing practically important at stake,
which requires the discussion to be kept up. These
controversies are carried with steadily increasing
bitterness and evaporation. The passions thus
kindled have already led to acts Of violence and
bloodshed, approaching TO civil war in the Terri
tories, and attempted servile insurrection in the
States. The great religious and phanthropc as
socatons of the country sundcred, and the kind
ly social relation of North and South seriously i'm
paired. The national House of Representatives,
lowering on the verge of anarchy, requires weeks
to effect the organization, which ought to be the
work of an hour, and it holds its sessions (many of
Its members, | am told, armed with concealed
weapons on the crust of a volcaho. The candi-
dates for the Presidency representing respectively
the dominant sectional ideas will at the ensuing
election in all probability be supporrethby purely
geographical vote. In other words, we are already
brought to pass at which North and South can
not and will not cooperate in the periodical re-or-
ganzatioL of the Government.


Can such state ofthings long continue, especial


y with the ever present risk Of new causes of er-
asperation2 ! own that it seems to me impossible
unless some healing course is adopted that the
catastrophe, which the masses of good citizens so
much deprecate, should be much longer delayed A
spirit OF patriotic moderation must be called into
action throughout the Union it will assuredly be
broken up. Unless the warfare of infsmmatory
speeches and inccndiary publications is abandoned
and good citizens, as in l776 and 1887, North and
South, will agree to deal with the same elements of
discord (for they existed then ms now as our faith
them all hnt far N g.,
years longer be even nomnally brethren of one
family. The suggestion that the Union can be
maintained by the numerical predominance and
military prowess of one section exerted to coerce
the other into submission, is, in my Judgment as
self-conradctory as II is dangerous. 1t comes load
ed with the death smell from fields wet with broth
ers blood. If the vital principle Of all republican
government is "the consent Of the governed" much
more does union of cO-equal sovereign States re-
quire, as its basis, the harmony its members and
their voluntary cooperation in its organic funS-
tons


Believing, for these reasons, that healing counsels
must be listened to- if We are much longer to re-
main one people, regard the late National Union
Convention AS movement in the right direction
could wish that it had been earlier assembled
with less exclusive reference to official nominations
and with more comprehensive representation, il
possible of the conflicting opinions of the country
On general principles and in ordinary times admit
that third parties are Objectionable but in the ex-
istng state of affairs if there is TO be any escape
from the present il-omened conflict, it would seem
that commencement must be made with such
meeting as that of the 9th and 10th at Baltimore
1t was fair representation of the conservative
opinion of the country, and the calmness, gravity
and good feeling with which the proceedings were
cannot be too highly praised.


In adopting as its platform the Constitution with
out note or comment, the Convention, as it seems to
me, pursued wise and patriotic course. No other
course was thought ofin the earlier days of the Re-
public. Electioneering platforms are almost with |
out exception equivocal and delusiye 1t is objected
that men differ as to the meaning Ofthe fundament-
al law but they differ not less to any gloss or COM
mentary. The Constitution, in its fair and natural
is the only basis which good citi-
zens in every part of the country can now unite
and any attempt to go further will usually have no
other effect than TO those who agree on great
practical principles to differ metaphysical subtle
ties or to bring together, by artfully constructed
phrases and from selfish motives, those who have
nothing else in common.


The candidate for the Presidency, presented by |
The Union Convention, is every way worthy of con-
hdence and support. | speak from personal knowl- |
edge and long nsso ;aton with him in the public |
service. His distinguished talent large experience
in affairs, proved integrity and sterling patriotism,
furnish the amplest pledge for an honest aud efic-
ent administration Of the government at home and
abroad. A citizen Of the South and loyal to her |
rights, his impartial and conciliatory
course as public man affords ground on which |
be be supported in either section of the country
without dersiction of principle aud by men Of all
parties, without painful sacrifice of former pre-
ferences


Deeply regretting that the Convention has not
put It in my power to pay an equally cordial and
emphatc tribute to some worthy candidate for the |
Vice Presidency, but feeling it duty to give the
desired proof Of sympathy with its patriotic efforts
10 restore the happy days Of brotherly concord be-
tween the different section of our beloved coun-
Try.


remain, dear sir, sincerely yours,


EDWARD EVERETT.