Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-06-14
FROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY.
THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION.

In pursuance of our promise, we resume the SUD
ec of the late Convention of the Democratic party
in Baltimore
The proceedings of that body have fallen like the
startling tones of an alarm bell on the of the
South lis nomination of Gen. Cass-its resolu-
lion about savery-its entire proceedings, from be
ginning to end, fill us with apprehension almost a.
mounting to dismay. Tho opinions of Gen. Cass.
promulgated In his late letter-that the inhabitants
OF territory, before they invested with the at
tributes or self government and soverepnty-ten-
ants Of the public lands, at the sufferance of the
o'ates-mere squatters, have the right to appropri-
ate the territory that may be acquired by the trea
sure or the gallantry Of all the States and to ex
clude from its limits the property of fourteen of the
States-had been repudiated by the press and the
people of the whole South. 1t is a doctrine too
monstrous to be tolerated, an ostracism too degra
ding TO be endured. The Democratic Conventions
OF Virginia. Alabama, and Florida, had unanimous
~ denounced with Indignation this fragrant heresy
And yet Virginia and Alabama, to say nothing of
Georgia, so far their delegates in the Baltimore
Convention can bind them, are pledged TO approve
ana sustain the nomination Of one who thus insults
and degrades the South from its constitutional e.
quality with the North in the common properly of
both.
But If the opinions Of Gen. Cass are thus obiec
uonaoe, what shall be thought of the resolutions
and proceedings of the Convention itself which has
nominated him and made him the standard bearer
Oh the democracy. DO they-idle and ridiculous
as are such proceedings-meIe traps to catch conf
Ding and honest peorle-do they, we ask, provide
platform on which the South can stand without
utter dishonor?
This Convention gravely promugates the doc
trne that Congress has no right to interfere in the
States. with State policy and State Institutions
is not this the whole scope and purpor of the reso
iutlons Let any honest mind or honorable man
read, and then ask fimselfif it means ANYTHING
more IL refuses to affirm. by the adoption of Mr.
iahceys resolution, that Congress has not the right
10 interfere with slavery in the territories. Why,
Gddlngs never asserted the contrary and Hannibal
Hamln agreed TO the resolutions of the Conyentinn
was there ever mockeTy more barefaced and un
blushng! And Virginia and Alabama, with their
resolutions fresh in the memory Of the South. are
called on by their delegations 10 consent to this be-
travail of their rights and Reputation Of their princi,
pies f'''N'
We cannot in sincerity say that we ever SUNNI
sed the Convention would uphold the rights of the
South We knew that an honest and frank avowal
oil opinion upon slavery, by any Presidential asp
rant, or any Convention would drive of either The
North or the South. We anticipated an attempt to
surrender the South to the North as we knew the
North would yield nothing TO justice OF the Consti
tuition Bu we supposed that at least preext
would be resorted TO, in order that the sacrifice
should be made with ordinary decencv.
bnt the harmony OF the party was to be preserv-
ed and this could only he effected by the prostra
ton of the rights of the South viii the people
ratify this shameless concession? viii they bow
their necks like beasts of burden to this yoke which
irresponsible office seekers have prepared for them
and proclaimed that they shall wear? When it
Is recoliected that the members of the Convention
that nominated Mr.. Polk have already received
more than seven hundred thousand dollars in the
distribution of Executive patronage the induce
ments OF a Convention like that at Baltimore ~
preserve the harmony of the Party may be seen and
appreciated. But what boots party 10 the people?
When 'rampling under foot their constitutional
rishis' party becomes an unscrupulous combination
Tor the distribution spoils torn from the hands of
honest and patient industry. Let the Sou,h-the
people of the South, reject this wicked continuance
10 betray and deliver them, like sheep in the sham
bles, bound hand and foot. in the power of the
North they have the spirit of freemen-ofmen
Jet them bear it not'