Tuesday, June 17, 2025

The Convention.

The eyes of the whole nation are turned upon Chicago to-day, and every truly patriotic heart beats in sympathy with the grand movement there to be inaugurated. For eight long, disastrous years has the country been misgoverned, its true interests sacrificed to the selfish schemes and peculations of the most corrupt and diabolical cabal that ever grasped the reins of an enlightened government. Every day, almost every hour, brings to light some ignoble act, more infamous that the last, till it seems the lowest possible depth has been reached. Is it strange that the people should begin to enquire earnestly when and where these things are to end? Nay, is it not passing strange that they have so long and so patiently borne with this crushing weight of corruption? But it has been endured, and today have come together, from all parts of the country, from almost every state in the Union, good and patriotic men, who see and appreciate the perilous condition in which the country is placed, to deliberate up[on] the best means to extricate it from this condition, to devise measures to stop the downward progress of the government, to stimulate the people to unite in hauling from power the men who have disgraced their positions and made the name of a republican government a reproach and a by word to all nations, and to join in placing men in their stead who will rule in accordance with the principles of freedom, justice and honesty. It is no wonder that this great movement should constitute the all-absorbing theme of conversation and enquiry. It is no wonder that the people have become thoroughly aroused; that they are looking with fixed earnestness at the means that are to disembarrass the government and disenthrall the nation; that are to displace the unfaithful servants who are wasting the substance of the public treasury for selfish gains and party favoritism, and to secure a return to the first principles of our republican government.

May the deliberations of the Chicago convention, commenced to-day, be characterized by that intelligence, harmony, moderation and foresight which we have a right to expect from men chosen for such a purpose, to promote such a good cause. May nothing occur to check the good feeling and enthusiasm with which the delegates and attendants upon the convention have come together, and may no result transpire to dampen the ardor with which the people are prepared to enter the canvass.

SOURCE: “The Delegates,” Janesville Weekly Gazette, Janesville, Wisconsin, Wednesday, May 16, 1860, p. 2, col. 1.

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