Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-06-23
THE KNoW nf,THIN6a AT an 4,


adopted, by way of secession and protest, by the
delegates in the minority from some thirteen free
States. We had intended to examine and comment
at some length upon these Resolutions, but we find
this much better done than we could do it, in
article in the last Richmond Enquirer, that SUBJ
stitute it for any remarks of our own. We ask the
attentive consideration of all Southern to the
Enqurer's article which is as follows:
'THE PHILADELPHIA PLATFORM AND THE RIGHTS
OF THE SoUTH.-The position of the Philadelphia
Platform in respect to the rights of the South is of
sort of consequence and for the very obvious
and sufficient reason, that it is utterly rejected and
repudiated by the Know Nothing party in the
North, 1t was adopted by majority of individual
votes from fifteen States in spite of the opposition of
the members from sixteen States, who represented
both majority of the popular vote and of the
electoral college. This important fact is devel-
oped by the National Intelligencer, in an article
which we transfer to our own columns. After the
Platform was thus imposed upon majority of the
constituency by numerical majority of the indi-
vidual members of the Council, the representatives
from taoeEpe States seeded, and promulgated prin-
ciples which, as they alege truly reflect the anti
slavery sentiment of Know Nothingism in the
North. This platform of the minority Gin fact it
represents the principles of the majority may be
found in another column. The other members who
opposed the platform of the minority, but did not
choose to secede from the Council, entered pro-
test against it, denying its authority and obligation.
Thus, it is shown, first that the Philadelphia
Platform was adopted by the representatives of a
minority of the popular vote of the Know Nothing
party, and secondly that the representatives of the
North (where lies the strength of the party,) re-
ject repudiate and spit upon it.
AS it affects the interests of the South the platform
of party pretending to national organization, is
of consequence and value, far only indicates
the prevalence of sound principles in the Northern
portion of the party and binds them to respect the
guarantees of the constitution and the rights of
slavery. Now, the Philadelphia Platform serves
neither of these purposes but the very 1t
has had this effect only: to demonstrate that the
Rnoac Nothsng party of the North is Thoroughly
rotten the sLGUery issueS. So far from being
bound by its stpuations to respect the rights of the
South, the Know Nothngs of the North utterly
denim and repudiate it, and openly their de-
termination to pursue their schemes of agitation
and aggression.
The Philadelphia Platform is not worth the paper
which it is written. 1t is compact which binds
only side, and is therefore void and of no value.
1t is of consequence only so far as it binds the
North, and we see the North denouncing and deri-
ding it. 1t not only repudiated by sixteen States
but it was rejected by the entire Know Nothing
press of the North
1t is scarcely worth while to consider the terms
of compact which in its origin and nature is void
and of effect; but as the Philadelphia Platform
at least represents the sentiments of those who sub
scribe it, it will serve to show how Know Nothing
ism in the South stands in respect to the issues of
slavery.
In Article ". of the Platform. it is affirmed,
that in all doubtful and disputed points, the FEEDER
al Constitution can only be legally ascertaiEed and
expounded by the Judicial power of the United
States" 1t is impossible to conceive o doctrine
subversive of the rights of the States and
fatal the interests of the South than that which
is so dogmatically propounded i'll this paragraph
1t is the rankest Federalism, and involves the most
odious principle of Capitalization. 1t degradeS the
States from their sovereignty and reduces them to
the condition of helpless and dependent provinces,
without the prerogative to judge of their rights
under the Constitution, and without the power to
redress their grievances According to this doc
trine the rights of the South to be determined,
by the conditions of the Constitutional compact,
but by the arbitrary will of the Federal Judiciary.
If this principle prevail, the South need make no
further effort to maintain its independence and to
protect its interests. 1t against this very doc
trine that the Republican party rallied in 1898 and
1799 and it was to refute this pernieous principle
that Madison wrote his immortal report.
After affirming this most Objectionable dogma of
New England Federalism, the Grand Council of
Know Nothngs illustrate their wilful inconsistency
or perverse stupidity, by affecting in the third Ar
tice of the Platform full recognition of the rights
Of the States"
ton of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, yet
it employs language which clearly indicates dis
approval of that measure. Thus, it speaks sweetly
and touchingy of tender and sacred regard for
those acts Of craftsmanship, which to be contra
distinguished from acts of ordinary legislation, by
the fact of their being of the nature of compacts and
agreements and so to be considered fixed and set
tied national policy" And, more pointedy still, in
the taoelth Article, the Platform denounces the cob
orious acts and UioLate pledges of the old parties"
referring to the repeal of the Missouri restriction,
and meaDingt to censure the Democratic party, which
is responsible for the passage of the Nebraska bill
In the taOekh article of the platform, the Nation
al Council of Know Nothings expressly pretermits
any expression of opinion upon the power of Con-
gress to establish prohibit slavery in any terrific
ry." That is, the Council will not init itself
against the Wilmot proviso and of set purpose igr
the most important issuet in controversy be-
tween the North and the South! Some people may
call this cowardice it is worse-it is treachery. The
principle of the Wilmot proviso is the most effective
instrument of mischief which the abolitionsts en-
poy to break down the power and the rights of the
South. The National Council of the Know-Nothing
party, while affecting the tenderest' regard for the
interests of all sections and the peace of the country,
tnue to play upon the South and to batter down
the safeguards of the Union. If they were honest
in their patriotic professions, why did they do
something to suppress this element of agitation and
sectional encroachment? Their silence in respect
to the Wilmot proviso, a con cession to the
Just demands of Wilson and his Know Nothing
confederates in the North. And every Know Moth
ing in the South, who endorses the Philadelphia
Platform, consents to the sacrifice and agrees to
have no opinion upon the Wilmot proviso. How
many true friends OF the South will assume this
position of passive neutrality in regard to the most
momentous issue that menaccs the interests of the
South and the stability of the Union?
To compensate for these most obnoxious princi-
pies and fatal concessions the Philadelphia Plat
form exacts from the North no clear positive and