New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-03

throughout every nook and corner of the R-pub-
lie. The only platform required is that of the
Constitution on which the candidate is sworn
when he takes the oath to support it. We should
beware how construct platforms which may
make the word Of God Of none effect, rs did Of
old the scribes and pharisees. Let Us make apat-
form after the candidate is selected Is it sup
posed that any one of the candidates is so OBJ
noxious that he cannot stand upon it, Let US
not depart from the usages Of the party. They
have carried Us through safely. Why change what
has heretofore been done Why repudiate the
course our predecessors have marked out! The
gentleman from Louisiana has shown that while
Ill will come frsm the course suggested
in the resolution, none can occur from
following the old beaten track. I am glad
to avOw that my sentiments are those en-
tertained generally by the Virginia delegation.
Mr.. Thompson, tof Miss.) after saying that
majority has al Ways controlled the order OF bust
ness and never proclaimed in advance what can
ddste would or should not do, moved to lay the
resolution upon the table.
Mr.. Soue expressed the hope that tho gentle
man would withdraw his motion for a moment
The President stated that in that even a dele
gate from Indiana would have the floor.
Mr. Thompson withdrew his motion, when
Mr. J. l.. Robinson said the speeches having
been on one side, he was delegate from Indiana
and felt that if he were to remain silent he should
be reckless. Indiana is he said, about to un(url
the banner to the breeze so that he who runs may
read. (Applause.) He was astenished beyond
measure TO hear an objection from any quarter
Especially from the South and from the gentle
man from Louisiana to laying down plitform
in the great Democratic National Convention
In the name of God, if we don't lay down a plat
form now, when and where will we do it APP
plause.l In Washington some of the politicians
wished to say nothing about the matter, and shose
who oppose an election of an opinion, made it
pretext that the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives were not the proper places for
it, but it should come before the Con-
vention. With what face then could they
90 before the people when the Democracy had
been charging the Wings with the fault Of not
declaring their measures, and yet, they, them
selves were disposed to pursue a similar course Of
conduct. If the Democracy shall nominate a
candidate without first laying down their princi-
pies, they would be utterly and irrecoverably dis
gracsd and defeated in the ensuing contest as
they deserved to be.
Mr. Thompson, Ct Mississippi, said that while
he opposed the resolution, he did not wish it to
be understood as opposing platform.
Dir. Soule again arose, and by permission of the
Convention was permitted to speak. He said it
would seem from the remarks of the gentleman
who had last addressed the Convention at length,
that it was supposed that he opposed to
a platform. This was not so. [Applau'e.l We
want, he said, a platform, but not COM
posed of empty and insignificant words, but
platform plain to the dullest intellect, that will
remind the country Of the principles on which we
have fought the noblest battles Of the Democra-
cy. [Appausel Why, Sir has not the gentle.
man from Virginia, DIR. Wise who, am proud
to say, has my highest respect, told you plat
form was laid down by the fathers of our institu
tons, and if his position be true 1T will not require
considerable ingenuity TO erect it again. If we are
faithful to the teachings of those who framed the
Government and placed it upon a sound foundation
there can be no difference between the gentleman
from Virginia and myself. We belong not to that
class of politicians who un Ter any circumstances
shrink from declaration of principles. Wo shall
be found bold men, when the question of the
platform is reached, too bold, perhaps. | am
afraid we shall be tainted with delaying or
defeating the erection a platform - some
members will be found raising it rather too high
to the skies, but let us do away with rhetoric
and the articles of language and come to the tan
gible question before us, and my question goes to
the conscience of every man in this Convention
Are you prepared, are you ready now, to speak on
that all important question without prejudice
and preconceived opinions without some
thing to be obtained some ambition to be
nattered, and purpose to be advanced Is this
the moment TO decide the great prn-
ciple of platform which the next Presidential
battle is to be fought All Sir, we deIude our
selves at least, if we think in position to
erect such platform. While different elements
are at war, while there are variegated par
tizans in the arena, this is not the moment
when we can indulge in wise counsel
1t has been said and this seems to be
the most specious argument, that we should
erect platform before selecting our nominee, be-
cause it may be too late afterwards and that the
nominee will have your sanction, and will care but
very little for your platform. Has it come
TO this, that in the great Democratic party,
there is to be found a man bold enoguh
to present himself for the highest Office
in the country's gift who will have your decision
cannot nor will not believe it. Ifyou erect your
platform before hand, where are the candidates to
give their consent to it You might be at loss
were you to call them to the table, for 1t is mys-
tery who shall be selected. After further remarks,
he said he was for having some respect for the
usages Of the past-it had been the uniform rule
70 the Democratic Convention to lay down the
platform after the nomination of the candidate.
The resolution of Mr.. MAJORS was then laid on
the table by the following vote: