Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-11

Tue We set up oAVtuoiNOucost ""~
turn our backs upon such Democrats as CLANCY
Jones and Cadwalader, of Pennsylvania, lwho
would trust as soon as if they were slave
owners, aud because they interpret the consti-
tuition as We do, and obey i'll that moment we
become powerless, and might AS well be at
home on our farms. But, in the matter of con-
sistency, we are told that our State has uni
formly declined all connection with national
conventions. Is this historically true? La
May 1913, our people assembled in convention
at Columbia, and appointed delegates TO attend
the Democratic convention at Baltimore, and
for the avowed purpose of promoting the nomi'
nation of Mr.. Calhoun for the Presidency. The
two distinguished gentlemen selected to repre-
sent the State at large went to Balimorej but
before they reached that city, II was clearly
ascertained (so clearly that the district dele
gates were not appointed) that Mr.. Calhoun
could, under no circumstances, get the nomlna-
ton for the Presidency, and, therefore. they
declined to take their seats.
Does any man in the Stale believe that il Mr..
Calhoun's chances bad been as good when the
Baltimore Convention met, as they had been at
the time Of the meeting of the State convention
which appointed the delegates, that they would
have hestated about uniting with national
d mocrals, aud of nominating Mr.. Calhoun
They would have been inundated over the fires
fpublic Indignation had they dared to do-so.
But was not South Carolina virtually repre-
scented IN the Baltimore Convention? Are the
facts not that two delegates were chosen TO 20
to Baltimore; that they appeared in that city
while the convention was III session; that the
name Of Mr.. Polk was suggested by our own
delegates; that they made speeches in his be-
half at different points of their route on their
return home; that district meetings were called
10 hear their report; that the State OF South
Carolina endorsed the conduct of her delegates,
and approved again the mission upon WHICH
they were sent by voting for the nominee OF the
said National Convention? And if this be not
'lamTering" with conventions, would like to
know What is. Why, sir, the mission to Eng
land Was offered to each Of the delegates in
reward for "service rendered, in their mission
TO Baltimore, and was magnanmously declined
BY them both.
Oursare gallant bat peculiar people. Why
cavil about "squatler sovereignty" while the |
abotioniss are taking possession OF Territory
which has been reopened 10 slavery? They
fiddle while Rome is burning. They profess
an earnest desire for the reelection of Gen.
Pierce, and are yet reluctant 10 make the only
move which can, by any possibility, benefit him.
That they are sincere / do not doubt, but am
cure they are Influenced bv motives Of patri-
otism.
have deliberated upon this question with
the deepest solcitude, and have reached the
conclusions that we have everything to gain and
nothing 10 lose by going into convention. We
should he there to unite our southern bretlfen
IN demanding platform Of principles, aud
candidate we can trust. We should be there
to encourage our friends, and urge them up to
the highest point of southern sentiment. II no
H..
relieve our State frem the charge OF desiring to
dictate to her equals, from alleged assump
ton of superiority which is always offensiye
Waving every other consideration. would have
our State represented in order 10 promote south
ern harmony.
Since the opening OF the session have made
1t my duty to confer with every leading democrat
in Congress from the South, and all concnril
the representation OF our State
under The peculiar circumstances in which We
are now situated, as high moral obligation
The legislation Of the last Congress was in our
favor, and the present Administration as true T.
the constitution as the needle to the pole
Besides, we stand committed by the last con
yeniion of our people to cooperate with the
South.
Many gentlemen who cherish the extremes
South Carolina views, who earnestly desire tha
South Carolina principles shall pervade ever
southern State, and shall be engrafted upor
every southern heart, tell me that il is all-im
portant to them, to their principles, and GU
principles, that the South should present an uu
broken front at Cincinnati. They tell me tina
South Carolina impracticnbiity is a stumbling
block in their path, and in the onward progress
of South Carolina doctrines Shall V,
strengthen or weaken the hands Of our friends
have observed with painful segret the wan
of unanimity in our State in regard TO thi
Democratic convention
IL will require the achievement Of very muc
good to compensate us for distraction AZ home
In all internal State issues, However the wi
OF the majority must prevail, and it is the dyt
OF the minority 10 acquiesce. Governmen
itself Is compromise between the strong am
v eak, and | trust that compromise may b
effected between our friends OF opposin
opinions. The contest for the presideutia
nomination will be between Pierce an
Buchanan. The anlecedents Of Buchanan ar
good, but those of General Pierce are better
General Pierce is the choice of the South, an
in our own State do not think that one ma
in hundred objects to him. The strength
Buchanan lies in the fact that he is backed b
the large State of Pennsylvania, with he
twenty-seven votes. His friends urge his nom
nation upon the ground lhat he is certain
carry Pennsylvania, and that il is doubtful
that State will vote for General Pierce. Ii til
South is firmly united upon Pierce, Pennsy
vania must yield. Now the compromise pr
pose to the people of our Stale is, to send del
gates to Cincinnati, selected from our able
and best men, without regard TO past PAT
differences, and that they be instructed TO vo
for Franklin Pierce for President, AID TO u
all honorable means TO secure his uominaiio
from first to last The conditions upon whic
our delegates will enter the convention W
give strength to General Pierce; aud If 9th
southern States initiate our example,
nomination is secure, and that is equivalent
his election. Ii he is not nominated, SON
other sound Democrat will be; and as to Il
obligation which will devolve upon us to 81
port another nominee than General Piece
think have shown that we will do that in al
event, rather than embrace the other altern
1--we, and vote for Black Republican. BY Il
pursuance of this course, the escutcheon
South Carolina will be preserved in its pristi
brightness, no blot denoting the deserion Of
friend will re- uuon IA mud Iha acf y,l h