Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-10-22

and reported by the committee met with any oppo-
siton from the members of that commtte repl sent
ing non-slaveholding States. Our opponents IL TINS
section of the State to delight in msrepresent
ing the facts to the formation and adoption of the
platform by the late Democratic Convention, and
therefore these inquiries made, early answer
to which is earnestly solicited
Very truly, your friend &c.
THO. RUFFlN.
RALE1GH. October 18th, 1852.
My Dear Sir.--In reply to your enquiries con-
corning the action of the committee on resolutions
in the late Democratic National Convention, will
proceed to give you a statement of what occurred
before the committee
After draft of the platform was presented to the
committee, discussion which extended to al
most every member ofthe committee. When took
part in the discussion, expressed some objection to
the eighth resolution because preferred other Lam
guage than che language used | stated to the COM
mittee-that the South felt deeply the wrongs she
had suffered in the past that her only hope In the
future was upon the Northern Democracy; that she
looked to that Convention, both in its platform and
nominations, for realization of these hopes; that
unless the Northern Democracy were willing and
determined to place themselves on national basis,
it useless consumption of time to continue the
session of The Convention. For assured the
mlttee that so far as North Carolina concerned,
while she had maintained her position on the COM
promise and the slavery agitation generally, with
less noise than some of her hbors she had done
cy. She would enter into no organization based
any other consideration than total cessation in
future from all intermeddling in our institutions
That if the North was not prepared to pledge this
on the record North Carolina would act upon her
own responsibility. The mover of the resolutions
then asked me what | desired, and handed me the
resolutions to make such amendments as | wished.
There were several representatives from the free
States standing by, who each assured me that their
desire was to accede to platform couched in the
| lo~ he Co, Al
took the 9Th resolution and striking out part of its
phraseology, engrafted upon it the language it
bears. ! objected to the term "acquiescence in,'
for it was supposed by many Southern representa-
tives that this implied some degree OF approval of
the measures in their original passage. therefore
struck this out and inserted ''abide by and adhere
to-, for the that the first term would commit
the South to the maintenance of the compromise fer
the future without reference to past opposition, and
the latter would the support of the fugitive
slave law by the North without modification, and
would prevent the application of the Wilmot Pro
viso'' any other restriction upon any territory
that night apply for admission into the Union. The
resolution pedging the party to dscountenance all
future agitation then drafted At this moment
the member from New York, believe Mr.. Murphy
remarked to me that he anxious to have the
platform as strong as the South desired, but that
his delegation sitting in the next room and he
would take the resolutions and ascertain their senti
ments when he returned he informed me that the
NeW York delegation unanimously approved the res
outions and they then passed the committee by
unanimous Northern vote, and but one Southern
vote against them You were present in the Con-
venton and know how false is the statement of op-
| position there
How striking is the contrast with the action of the
Wing Convention The North, in body, voted a.
gainst the platform, weak as it when first pub
ished and there has been an acceptance of it
or pledge to its support and the Wing party are
now in the field, virtually without platform
In connection with this matter, it is demOnstrable
that Mr.. Fillmore his sacrifice to North Caro-
lima. First, MIR. Mangum on the floor of the SEN
ate placed Gen Scott in front of him, and held him
there an defiance Of the public sentiment of this Stale
Next, Mr. Stanly, in the House of Representatives
damnng Mr.. Fillmore with faint expression of
preference for him. proceeded to prepare the public
mind for SCOTS nomination.
Next, Mr.. Miller, (if common rumor be true.
though sent to the Convention by State unanimous
for Fillmore. gave it to be understood that he was
for Scott, affiliated with SCOTS friends and long be-
fore SCOTS nomination would have given the two
votes of the State for him but Mr. Shepherd, who
was the other State representative, restrained him
This was publicly stated in Wilmington by one of
the delegates on his return from Baltimore And
finally, it is publicly stated that Mr. Graham was
known to be willing to go behind Scott on the tick
ct, 1t Fillmore could not be nominated The effect
of all this Gift be true and if not true it calls for
denial was to weaken Mr.. Fillmore and to render
the freesoil influence pertnacous in its demand for
SCOTS nomination. 1t may not be improbable that
MI Grahams resignation was not altogether volun-
tary; that Mr. Conrad MIR. Stuart were not will
ing to remain with the sacrfcer of their chief At
all events, these things are stated thew have not
been authoritatvely denied and if true Mr. Fill.
more was mortally wounded in the house of his
friends, slaughtered by the action of North Carroll
ma representatives, while North Corolina has the
proud proud satisfaction Of knowing that her action,
through her organ Mr. Dobbin, was equally promi-
nent with any other in giving the nomination of
franklin Pierce to the American peonle
of M
IS now understood TO be opposed to the election OF
zen Scott and holds his Office in the Cabinet of Mr.
Fillmore unmolested for this opposition
In conclusion. permit me to express nv great
gratlteatlon at the enthusiasm in your section 1t
responded to throughout the State and the Union
and neither the concerted Dragging of our opponents
nor Cen scetts stump speeches, his demagogica
bidding for foreign votes by pretending that he i
their friend in politics and religion nor the whole
sale Of our candidate avail to save them
from defeat. The Germans and Irish will not for
get that Gen. Scott has pronounced them fahles,
IN war and unworthy to have the right of citizen
snip IN peac'; and his profession to love the
brogue," and to have Roman Catholic tendencies
Will be considered as used at the wrong time to be