Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-06-27
THE KNOW NOTHING PLATFORMS.

THE KNOW NOTHING PLATFORMS.
We publish to-day the Resolutions adopted at
Philadelphia by the Southern portion of the Know
Nothing delegates, together with those who assum-
ed to speak for New York and also the Resolutions
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 find
this so much better done than we could do it. in an
article in the last Richmond Enquirer, that we sub.
stitute it for any remarks of our own. We ask the
attentive consideration of all Southern men to the
Enquirers 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
no 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 a 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-
vdual members of the Council, the representatives
FROM tacctue States seeded and promulgated prin-
cples which, as they alege truly reflect the anti
slavery sentiment of Know Nothingism in the
North. This platform of the minority Tin 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
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, repudate and spit upon it.
As it affects the interests ofthe South the platform
of party pretending to national organization, is
of consequence and value so far only as it 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 reverse 1t
has had this effect only to demonstrate that the
Kaoc Nothsng party of tie North is thoroughly
rotten on the stacery issues So far from being
bound by its stpulatons to respect the rights of the
South the Know Nothings of the North utterly con-
demn and repudiate it, and openly their de-
termination to pursue their schemes of agitation
and aggression.
The Philadelphia Platform is not worth the paper
on 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 the North denouncing and dcr-
ding it. 1t not on repudated 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 org gn and nature is void
and of 10 effect; but as the Philadelphia Platform
at least represents the sentiments of those who cub
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 Feder
al Constitution only be legally ascertaired and
expounded by the Judicial power of the United
States" 1t is impossible to conceive doctrine
subversve of the rights of the States and more
fatal to the interests of thu South than that which
is so dogmatcaly propounded in this paragraph
1t is the rankest Federalism, and involves the most
odous principle Of centralization 1t degrades the
States from their sovereignty and reduces them to
the condition Of helpless and dependent provinces
without the prerogatlve to judge OF their own rights
under the Constitution, and without the power to
redress their grievances According to this doc
trne the rights of the South to, ,pe determined
not by the conditions OF the Constitutional compact
but by the arbitrary will of the Federal Judiciary
If this principle prevail, the South need make nc
further effort to maintain its independence and to
protect its interests. 1t against this very doc
trine that the Republican party rallied in 1913 and
1885, and it to refute this pernicous principle
that Madison wrote his immortal report.
After affirming this most Objectionable dogma o.
New England Federalism, the Grand Council O.
Know Nothings illustrate their wilful inconsistency
or perFeTSe Stupiulty, ny aHeCtnS Ill tue WHU AZ
tcle of the Platform |" full recognition of the right:
| of the States"
| Although the Platform carefully avoids any men
ton of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, ye
| it employs language which clearly indicates a dis
| approval of that measure. Thus it speaks sweetly
| and touchingly of "tender and sacred regard fo
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
agreements, and so to be considered fixed and set
tied national policy" And more pointedly still, il
the taoeltth Article the Platform denounces the OBJ
aorious acts and violated pledges of the old parties
referring to the repeal of the Missouri restriction
and meapingto censure the Democratic party, which
is responsible for the passage of the Nebraska BILL
In the taoelfth article of the PLATFORM the Nation
al Council of Know Nothings "e%pressly pretermit
any expression of opinion upon the power Of Con
gress to establish prohibit slavery in any terrific
ry.' That is, the Council will not commit itse
against the Wilmot proviso, and of set purpose g
nores the most important issue' in controversy be
tween the North and 1.-The South! Some people ma
call this cowardice it is worse-it is treachery. Th
principle of the Wimot proviso is the most etfectiv
| instrument of mischief which the abolitionsts EN-
ploy to break down the power and the rights of tn
South. The National Council of the Know-Nothin
party, while affecting the "tenderest" regard for tn
interests of all sections and the peace of the country
quietly agree that this destructive engine shall cor
tinue to play upon the South and to batter dow
the safeguards of the Union. If they homes
in their patriotic professions why did they not d
something to suppress this element of agitation
sectional encroachment? Their silence in respec
to the Wilmot provso was con cession to the ur
Just demands of Wilson and his Know Nothin
confederates in the North And every Know Notf
ing in the South, who endorses the Philadelphi
Platform, consents to the sacrifice, and agrees
IL H.