Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-28
Democratic State Convention,

This BODY met at the Commons Hall at Raleigh, on
the 10Th inst at IL o'clock NJ and was temporarily
organized by calling Hon. Asa Biggs of Martin to
the Chair and appointing Mr. Stone of Franklin, and
Mr. Williams of Caswell Secretaries. After call
ing the roll and the appointment OF committee OF
two from each district TO report officers for the per-
manent organization of the meeting, the convention
adjourned until 81 P. NJ. The number of counties
represented at this stage of the proceeding stated
by the Secretaries as SO.
At the hour of 81 p. m, to which the Convention
had adjourned several other Counties reported them
selves. The Committee upon permanent organization
reported for President Hon. A. Rencher of Chatham,
assisted by six Vice Presidents, of whom two were
from this Disrict-Thomas l. Fason, Esq, of Samp-
son. and Col. CASTOR Meares of Brunswick; Messrs.
Holden of Wake Stone, of Franklin, and Holmes Of
Sampson, were appointed Secretaries.
The address made by Mr.. Rencher on taking the
Chair was really an eloquent and finished production,
exhibiting in clear and forcibIe manner the grounds
occupied by the Democratic party, and the argu-
ments by which these grounds maintained Mr..
Rencher was warmly applauded
On motion, committee on resolutions, consisting
of two from each district appointed by the
Chair at the suggestion Of the respective delega-
tons We cannot now remember every name on
the Committee and shall only give the names of those
from this District-i. c--J g. Shepherd, of Cum
berland, and James Fulton, of New Hanover. In Or
der to give the Committee time to act, the Conven
ton adjourned until 10 o'clock next (ThursGay) NOR
nng,-wilh the understanding, however, that the
Convention should meet again in private session at
u o'clock on Wednesday night. To this session,
the Committee on Resolutions, through its Chairman,
Hon. Asa Biggs. reported the following Resolutions,
which were adopted unanimously
We, the delegates of the Democracy of North Caro-
lima in convention assembled considering the occa-
sion proper one for the re-asserton ofthe weldefned
and time honoted principles that bind us together as
party, do resolve,
1st That we are for a rigid construction of the
constitution of the United States, grant of limited
powers: for an independent Treasury and against
United States Bank; for Tariff for Revenue and
against Tariff for Protection for economy IN the ad
ministration of the Federal Government and against
extravagant expenditures; for the only payment OF
the Public debt and against the payment of uni just
and unfoundcd claims.
3D. Resolred That President Pierce, by his inau-
gural address and annual message, and by his de-
yotion to the constitution and rights OF the States
therein manifested has signally justified the expect
atoms of the American Democracy In electng him to
the distinguished position he fills; and in the ad
ministration of the government upon the principles
they boldly avowed by him. he will place himself
where he deserves to stand, high IN the list OF Anne
riCan Presidents.
Sd. RESOLVED, That the bill now pending before
Congress to organize the Territories of Nebraska and
KanZas, has our hearty approval, and we tender to
Senator Douglass, and other members OF Congress
from the non slaveholding States thanks for their
manly and national course on this question.
4th Resolved, That the Public Lands are the COM
mon property of the people of the United States,
and therefore disposal OF them for the sole and ex
elusive benefit of any of the States, would be
unjust and unconstitutional.
9Th Resolved, That the Public Lands, being the
common property of the people of all the States,
should be held as a common fund.- and disposed OF tor
the common benefit Of ail,-frSt, in the payment OF
tie public debt, and then in defrayng the expenses
of the Federal Government SO as TO reduce te taxes
now imposed upon the common necessarles OF lie.
9th Resolved, That the Democracy Of the State
have reason to be proud of the administration o.
public affairs under David S. Reid that he has
shown himself just, patriotic and able Executive
and in addition to the fame he has achieved as The
originator and champion of Free Suffrage, and as thu
long tried and unwaverlng advocate OF the peoples
rights he will carry with him, in his retirementfrcn
his present post the consciousness OF having deVotel
his best energies to the public good, and the sincere
and enthusiastic confidence OF the Democratic party
9TH. Resolved, That the constitution OF this STATE
ought TO be so amended as to extend to all free white
men the same right to vote for members of the Sen
ate as for members of the House of Commons tina
we regard the plan of amendment by Legislative en-
aCiment and the sanction of the people at the ballot
box, as strictly Republican, as it is certainly consti
tutonal that opposed, under any and al
circumstances, to a change in the basis OF represen
tation in the Senate and House of Commons; an(
that we will never abandon the great principle o
Free Suffrage, but will unite with our fellow-cilizen
of both parties in pressing 1t, IN the lace OF all op
position and difficulties TO its final triumph.
9Th. RESOLVED, That it is our earnest wish and de
sire to see the of North Carolina agriculture
mineral and commercial fOstered and developed, an
the State having already entered upon system @
internal improvements, to that end, and made larg
investments with that view, 1T would in the OpiniO
of this convention be polite and proper for the Legs
laure from time to time, TO extend such further al
in the completion of the works already undertaken
and the extension oflhe same Just regard for tn
and of the State will prudently allow
9Th. Resolred, That present system of Con-
Schools ought 10 be fosteed by the Legislature
and It's efficiency increased, until the blessings
Education shall have been afforded 10 all the chide
of the State.
10th. Resolved, That we reafirm the resolutions
the Baltimore Conventions of 1874, 1848 and 1856
as far they applicable to the present conditio
of the country
llth ReSoiued, That having entire confidence
the ability integrity and sound principles of THoM
BRAGG, Esq, of the county of Northampton, we c
hereby nominate and recommend him 10 the people
North Carolina as a suitable candidate for Govern
at the ensuing election.
1t deemed proper by the committee on resoI
uOns to make recommendation on the subject
candidate leaving that matter for action in full ca
Gus. When the resolutions constituting the platfor
had been passed upon, nominations were in order
The names of Thomas Bragg, Esq, of Northamptc
of Hon. John Ellis, of Rowan of Col. s. J. Persc
of New Hanover and of Hon. Calvin Graves, of C;
well, were suggested by their respective friends