The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-04

! We should beware how we construct plat
forms, which may snake the word Of God Of
non effect" as did Of old the Scribes aud Phar
sees. Let u, make platform after the candi
date is selected
The gentleman from Louisiana has showr
that while i'll will come from the course sug
gested in the resolution, none can occur by fol
lowing the old beaten path | am glad to avov
that my sentiments are those entertained, gen
orally, by the Virginia delegation.
DIR. THO ApSON, of Mississippi, after saying
that minority has always controlled the orde
OF business, and never proclaimed in advanc,
what candidate should or should not do, moved
to lay the RESOLUTION upon the table.
Mr. SOULE expressed the hope that the gen
tleman would withdraw his motion for mo
ment.
Mr.. THOMPSON withdrew his motion.
Mr.. ] l.. ROBINSON then said the speeche,
having been on one side, be as IA delegate from
Indiana, felt that if he were to remain silent, he
should be reckless to duty. That State is about
TO unfurl her banner To the breeze, so that he
who runs may read. Applause, He was as
tonished beyond measure to hear an objection
| from any quarter especially from the South, and
from the gentleman from Louisiana, to laying
down platform in the great Democratic Ma
tiona! Convention
! In the name of God, if we don't lay down a
! platform now, when and where will we do it
! Applause. In Washington some of the poll
ticans wished to say nothing about the matter
and those who opposed an expression Of opinion
made il pretext that the Senate and House OF
Representatives were not the proper places for
il, but that it should come from the National
Convention. With what face, then, could they
go before the people when the Democracy had
been charging the Wings with the fault of moi
declaring their measures, and yet they them
selves were disposed to pursue similar course
of conduct Ii the Democracy shall nominate
a candidate without first laying down their prin
! ciples, they would be utterly and irretrievabe
| disgraced and defeated in the ensuing contest
as they deserved to be.
| Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi said that
while he opposed the resolution, he did not wish
to DE understood as opposing platform.
| Mr.. SOULE again arose, and by permission
| OF the Convention was permitted TO speak He
said il would seem from the remarks of the
| gentleman who last addressed the Convention
at length that he was opposed to a platform
This was not so. [Applause We want he
| said, a platform, but not one composed of empty
and insignificant words, but platform plain to
the dnIest intellect, that will remind the coun.
try of the principles on which we have fought
the noblest battles of the Democracy. Ap.
plause.
Why, sir, has not the gentleman from Viz
GINA, Mr.. WIsE,l who, am proud to say, has
my highest respect, told you platform was
laid down by the fathers of our institutions
and if bis position be true, it 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 sound
foundation.
There can be no difference between the gen
tleman from Virginia and myself We belong
not to that class of politicians who under any
circumstances, shrink from declaration of p IN
cpes. We 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 of platform.
Some members will be found raising it rather
too high to the skies. But let us do way with
rhetoric and the articles of language, and come
to the tangab!e question before us. And my
question goes to the consciences of every man
in this Convention
Are you prepared, are You ready now to
speak on that alimportant question without
prejudice and preconceived opinions, without
something to be obtained, some ambition to be
hattered and purpose to be advanced? Is this
LiiC tb)lliCHt W ucCiub oU DEctJ OF
platform on which the next Presidential battle
is to be fought? All. sir, we delude ourselves
at least if We think we are in proper position
to erect such platform.
While different elements are at war ; while
there are varlegated partisaDs in the arena this
is not the moment when we can indulge in wise
counsels.
1t has been said, and this seems to be the
most specious argument, that we should erect
platform before selecting our nominee because
it may be too late afterwards, and that the nom.
nee will have your sanction, and will care but
very little for your platform.
Has it come to this, that in the great Demo-
cratic party there is to be found man bold
enough to present himself for the highest office
in the conntry's gift who will belle your deci-
sion? cannot aud will not believe it. If you
erect your platform beforehand, where are the
candidates to give their assent to it. You might
be ut a loss were you to call them to the table,
for it is a mystery who shall be selected
After further remarks, he said be was for hav-
ing some respect for the usages of the past 1t
had been the uniform rule for the Democratic
Convention TO lay down the platform after the
nomination of the candidate.
The resolution of Mr. NABERs was then laid
upon the table by the following vote:
YEAs-Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut New
| Jersey, Delaware, Maryland Mississippi, Loui-
sianu, Michigan, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ten
nassee, and Illinois.
NAys-Pennsylvania Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri Ar
kansas, Texas and California Georgia not vo-
ting.
| The following States were divided: New
York, "a yeas, ! nays Ohio, II yeas 5 nays.
Result-yeas 1855, nays 1913. SO NABERs' re-
solution was laid upon the table.
| Mr.. BURKE of New Hampshire, from the
committee on credentials, made a report, saying
that in coming to a conclusion the committee
| were not unanimous
The report says that all the States have elected
delegates, with the exception of South Carolina.
AS to the contested seats from Georgia, the
committee recommended that the two sets of
delegates unite, and thus cast the vote of the
State. They decide that GEO. p. MOORE is
entitled to the seat for the third district of
| Maine and not / s. DICKTNsoN and from tho