The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-29
OUR CANDIDATE AND OUR PLAT
FORM

in the State. 1t was entirely harmonious.
The Delegates came together, delibcratcd,
and separated with but one fccling-that
of devotion to the great principles of the
party, State and national, and deternin-
alton to carry the Governor, the Legisla-
turc, and the candidate for President over
all opposition, by commanding majOrities.
In nominating Gov. BRAGG for re-elec-
ton, and in proclaiming its first choice
for President and Vice President, FRANK
LIN PIERCE and JAMES c. DOBBIN, the
Convention but gave uttcrance to the voice
of the Democrats and anti-know Nothings
of the entire State, expressed i'll their pri-
mary assemblies.
Two years ago, there was spontaneous
and general call of the Democracy upon
Thomas Bragg to take the field as candi-
date for Governor. He yielded to the
wishes of his party, canvassed the State
thoroughly, and was triumphantly elected.
So periodically, so justly, and so ably has
he borne himself as Governor that not
word of ccnsure has been heard against
him. lie has been true to his pledges
true to the all the great interests of the
State. A. he, in his eloquent speech before
the late Convention, accepted the nomina-
ton, he lifted his right hand and called
heaven TO witness that he had been true to
his obligations, and had endeavored to ad-
minister the government in purity and for
the good of the whole State; every one felt
that the heart spoke in those words; and
that, though elected as a party man, that
consideration had not swerved him hairs
breadth from what he regarded as his duty
towards the people of North Carolina. The
applause that greeted this declaration was
but the prelude to the enthusiastic approx
al which awaits him at the hands of the
people every where in the State. And yet
such n man-such Chief Magistrate is OPP
posed by party arrangements and party
candidate he is to be told that he has done
well, but that party requires his defeat
that party which is opposed to Equal Suf-
frage,-which is at least double tongued on
the basis,-which profess to stand in mortal
fear of Catholics, and yet admits them into
its COnventiOn,-whichs submitted at Phila-
dclphia to the striking out of the twelfth
section, and now dares TO denOunce to a
elaveholding people the repeal of the OdiOus
Missouri restriction. Such in brief is the
character of Gov. Bragg, and such the ma
ture of the opposition which he has to en-
counter. We have no fears as to the result.
Our reliance is upon truth and the people.
These have never yet failed the Democra-
cy in their contests with their opponents,
and they never will.
We point with just pride to the princi-
pies of the Democratic party, proclaimed
by the late Convention. They are plain,
clear, and cover the whole ground. They
ere substantially the same as those ANNOUNCE
cd two years ago-sOme of the Resolutions
being the same, word for word. The De-
mocrats, unlike their opponents, are not
under the necessity of making new plat
form every six months. They never change
their principles.
We cannot better conclude this article
than by extracting the following from our
contemporary of the Wilmington Journal
With our contemporary we say ''let as nor
go TO 'rork" and see how great a-majority
we can give Gov. Bragg. Let us also see
TO the Legislature, and determine to carry
that also. Let us, in a word, do our 1chOLe
duty, and the State is safe -
''But, leaving mere details out of the
question, certain facts stand out broad and
distinct. The Convention was the largest
ever held in the State. The number of del
egates actually present, which is, after all,
the real point, was 300. SOmuch for num-
bers- In unnnimity, we think it surpassed
any previous gathering. Thomas Bragg
was the personal choice or every man pres
cnt for governOr-the enthusiastic choice,
and after meeting him and hearing him
speak, as he did when introduced to the
Convention, all surprise at this enthusiasm
was at an end. He is a man, and The man,
every inch of him, and nobody dreams, for
an instant, that he will fail to be elected by
a majority exceeding the largest obtained
by Gov. Reid. Upon this point, there was
but one voice and one expression; the more
enthusiastic claim some fifteen to twenty
thOusand-ten thousand, perhaps. would be
nearer, but let us work and see how much
we can give him.
Another point upon which there was
found to exist perfect unanimity, was in
regard to the recommendation of Franklin
Pierce and James G. Dobbin. On this
point the Convention was, and the Demo-
crazy of the State is, unit. But, while
this is So, the deepest respect is felt and
for very many other able and
worthy members of the party throughout
the country, and the fullest determination
shown to go for the nominees of the Cincin-
natl Convention, provided they be good
Democrats, and on this head there exists a
perfect assurance that none other will be
presented.
On the principles of Democracy, the par
ty is a unit. We have never known more |
healthy feeling to prevail, and there is an
a disposition to work, which it
required the attacks of the Know Nothing
order 10 bring out. There is no lukewarm-
ness anywhere. and there Is a confidence in :
success, and fixed will to attain it. that
nothing can resist. We shall carry the
State with a rush, if We only keep up as we
I'll