Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-22
The Third Degree. etc.

led. This degree has been read by KNOWN Nothing
Candidates on the stump conclusive evidence that
Know-Nohing could not be an Aboltionist or Free
Soer Now let US ask where was this boosted de-
gree during the sessions of the Philadelphia Courf.
Gil. How came it that SO many of the States seed
ed and went off on the Abolition tack' How came
bug Of humbugs all is humbug.
From the table of the votes the majority report,
it appears that although it received numerical ma
ory in the council it still failed to receive the votes
of the representatives of maority of the constituent
cies. The States which voted for the orty report
are entitled LAG votes in the electoral college, and
those which voted against it to $50. c. D. Deshler'
of New Jersey, whose hourishes largely at the
foot of the published platform, voted against 1t In
Council and for the platform reported by the minority
Of the committee resolutions, strongly anti sla-
very affair. But two delegates from Pennsylvania
voted for the platform and FIVE against it. why
what shall we think of council in which even the
delegates of the Slave State of Missouri are found
voting against even the milk and water platform OF
the majority of the committee, and going Tor the anti
slavery platform of the minority OF said committee
The platform-the third degree-the Philadelphia
Councl-and in fact, the whole affair, generally ana
particularly may be said to be in state of rapid eVap-
Grafton and disappearance, and the sooner the better
Neither platform degree appear TO be worth the
paper upon which they printed. They amount
to compact which binds only on one side, and is
therefore void and valueless. Sixteen States repre-
sentng the majority of the constituencies, voted
against the platform. Twelve States seeded from
the Council, and the other members who opposed
@Lo III tfo but6 Ct thp
Council, entered protest against it, denying its
thority and obligation.
But even surprising that the North had assented
to the so-caed ''patform; y it amounts to nothing
but slippery non -committalism, where it means any
thing fair, and is positive and unmIstakeable only
where it advocates the rankes consolidation In a
previous article we have shown where it makes the
maintenance Of the Union the paramount political
good-paramount TO the rights of the States, of the
Constitution, and of the South.
Article w. puts forward the doctrine that the Su-
preme Court is not simply the Supreme legal, but
the Supreme political tribunal, and has thep power and
right decide upon questions OF States rights, arising
between the Federal authority and any of the State
Governments This doctrine would totally degrade
the States from the position of SoVeeigns, and me
them into mere provinces, having no authority to
Judge of their rights. under the Constitution,
and without any power to redress their grievances.
This is the most perfect flower, the most sublimated
essence of New England Federalism of the John
Adams era. After this it is folly for the Council to
pirate about the rights of the States.
2 "A tender and sacred regard for those acts Of
craftsmanship, which are to be contradstinguished
from acts of ordinary legislation by the fact of their
lo:,.u. It, &c to- md
so, to be considered fixed and settled national
policy"
Put in to hit a side blow at the repeal of the Mis-
souri, ComLromse-to fool the South and honey
fuggle the North.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office, which
characterzes the age
Of course, and their candidates in this State are
bright and brilliant examples of this disgust, especial
ly the candidate in this district. Can anybody tell
when at any time, Mr. Reid has not been a candidate
or applicant for some sort of Office appointment?
He is about fair specimen of K N, disgust for Office
hunting.
''Admration of the maxim that office should seek
the man, and not man the Office"
Why qyiH they keep hitting at their men, es-
pecalIy their standard bearer, in this district The
Offices don't come along and most of the Know-Noth-
ing politicians are anxious the subject-tired wait
ing, and since the mountain won't come to Mahomet
why Mahomet must come to the mountain.
Let us look at the slavery portion of the platform.
Few are unaware of the fact, that the great differ
ence in regard TO slavery, has had reference to the
power Of the general government to egislate upon
the subject of slavery in the territories The famous
or Infamous Wilmot Proviso, was no more and no
less than an attempt to assert and exercise that
power in the prohibition of slavery from the
new territories acquired from Mexico. dhe high,
true safe and constitutional ground is that Con-
gress has not the poer to do any such thing and it
is thus that the Democratic party has met the issue.
But the K n platform not only shrinks from taking
open and manly ground, but " expressly predermits
: any expression of opinion upon the power of Con-
gress establish prohibit slavery any territory
Admit or fail to deny and resist the power of Con-
? gress in this matter, and you yield the whole ques,
ton You abandon your strong constitutional ground
and if you admit or fail to deny that the North may
do So you must be that through their numbers
they can.
And this lame and. impotent conclusion is the
strongest point to which the courage of Southern
Ms could be screwed This is the best that even
minority could be got to sanction. The representa-
yves OF majority OF the CONSTITUENCIES anu lOur
iftbs of the Know Nothing strength split off ever
, from thiS.
Third Degree Platform Disgust for Office hun
ting -! Shy- Slally -! Messrs. Reid & Co., :!
Humbug ~!
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
1t has leaked out that, although the Pennsylvania
delegation did secede from the K. N. Convention
and even appear the face of things to 90 for tn
majority platform, that in fact, it is in appearance
only. Ex-Governor Johnson and three of the Penn