Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-03-27
Mr.. Bell's speech.

Mr.. C. w. BELL, delegate from this Con-
gressional District, TO the American Con-
vention, in Philadelphia, reached home, on
Friday night, the 7th inst. Owing to the
arrangement Of the mails, but very little,
and that quite unreliable information, had
reached US Of the doings Of the Convention.
Mr.. BELL was consequently urged, by the
members of the party, 10 make speech and
give some accurate information. He complied
with tie request, and spoke in the City Hall
on Saturday evening, the 9Th inst. His
speech was satisfactory, in the highest de-
gree, to The members of the party; while our
opponents-many of whom were present.
showed by their impatient twisting in their
seats, the scowls upon their faces, that it
was bitter dose for them.
He said the deliberations of the Conven-
tion resulted in the repeal Of the platform Of
June, 1856, and the adoption of the platform
recommended to the National Council, by the
Washington City Council. Many reasons
were urged before the Convention in support
Of this action--some of which he approved,
and some he disapproved. Doubling the
policy Of making changes, however impor-
tnnt, he and his colleagues not only voted
against the repeal, but made every effort 10
prevent such result. How far this action
Of the National Council would be endorsed
by the members of the party North and
South, remained TO be seen. II the feelings
Of the representatives, in Council, could be
relied on as fair indication of the views of
their respective constituents, he presumed
that every State Council would ratify it,
Upon the vote adopting the present platform,
there were l08 for and II against. OF those
voting in the affirmative there were 81
Southern and II Northern men--of those
voting in the negative there were % South
ern and 55 Northern men. About one
half Of the Northern men voting in the neg
ative subsequently seeded from the Con-
ven,ion. 1t should be observed, also, that in
the vote upon the adoption Of the platform,
but SO Southern votes were cast-47 de-
clining TO vote; but all Of whom afterwards,
together with the Northern men (except the
bolters) voting in the negative, acquiesced
in the action of the Council.
With reference to the relative merits Of
the two platforms, upon the Slavery ques-
tion, he was free to say, he preferred the old
one. Yet he considered that the new one,
though more liable TO be wrested from its
true meaning, gave othe South every guar.
anty it claimed against that spirit of agrees.
ion,which has been so unjustly waged against
its institutions. The guarantee, which the
South now needed, did no: consist in saying
that measures affecting her interests were
polite and wise, at the time of their pas sage
nor can mere disapprOval of the policy, al
the time Of such passage, be cause for her
alarm. He thought that the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise was right; YET, if 9th.
ers thought it was wrong, but were willing
TO acquiesce in that repeal now that it had
been accomplished, there was no good rea.
son why he could not act with them. The
difference would be merely upon abstract
and not practical questions. He was for for.
getting the past and looking to the future
He did not care to know what mans views
were respecting the policy of passing the
Kansas Nebraska bill, at the time and under
the circumstances, but he wished to know
his future line Of policy. He wanted to know
if he would now acquiesce, and if in future
he would be governed by its principles, il
the organization of other Territories; and i
SO, he was prepared TO act with him.
The platform adopted, he thought, wa
ample in such guarantees. The 7th section
fully asserts the right of the "natve-borl
and naturalized citizens oil the United States
permanently residing in any Territory there
Of, to frame their constitution and laws, ant
to regulate their domestic and social affair
in their own mode, with the right of admis
sion into the Union whenever they have III
requisite population for one Representative il
Congress" The 18th section gives guar
antee of not only supporting, but also of EN-
forcing all laws now existing relative t
Southern rights. The Is and 18th section
the former denouncing slavery agitation
and the latter pledging the party to the poll
cy of eschewing all sectional issues-wer
the highest guarantees that the America
Party would not disturb existing Legislation
upon the subject of slavery. In addition t
above, there was another circumstance an
other important plank not in the Washing
ton platform. 1t was this: Mr.. KILLING En-
OF Pa, offered the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the National Gram
Council has no authority 10 establish plat
form of principles for this Convention; an
kbos mill M co. d.