Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-06-21
Agitation of the Slavery Question.

The last Wilmington Commercial puts the follow
ing pointed question to the country: "DM any par
y erer agitate the slaoery question more than 1t IS
nou agitated by the different dicisi1s Of the KNOB
Nothing or american party'" Never Why, look
at the facts. The Know Nothings first met in ma
tonal Convention in June, 1856. They were unit
on every thing else but slavery, but here they at
once divided. By bare majority they adopted
what is known as the twelfth section, embodying
upon the whole sound platform but in February,
1885, they met again, struck out this section, and
divided into two factions, the !" North Americans"
and the "South Americans" Mr.. Fillmore was
nominated by the Southern K. Ms, with the per-
mission of few Northern K. Ms, and forthwith he
was ,epudiated by majority of the Northern States
all the T. Ms in the latter taking ground against
the South, and denouncing the repeal of the Mis-
souri, line as atrocious and "infamous." They
met again, a few days since, in New York, where
they disputed on this question: quarrelled and again
divided and now see the great body of the Nor
them K. Ms openly uniting with the black Repnb-
licans or abotionists, and such in the lead as
Gardner, Conrad, and Johnston, whom We were told,
but twelve months ago, by Messrs. Rayner and
ry. Indeed, it requires pretty good memory to
keep Up with the Conventions the divisions, the Sc
cessions, and the factions of the Know Nothings-
They haze done but little else, since they were Or
ganized nationally, but agitate the Slavery guestion;
and they are now using the question North in one
way, and South in another-their paramount object
being to get into Office. And yet Mr. Fillmore is
simple enough to declare in his letter of acceptance
that the K. N party alone, of all political agencies
now existing, is possessed of the power to silence
this violent and disastrous agitation and to restore
harmony, by its own example of moderation and
forbearance!''
And now contrast with this disjointed concern the
great national Democratic party. Its old platform
on Slavery was re-adopted at Cincinnati without
dissenting voice and the Kansas Nebraska act was
expressly endorsed and added to the platform, and
that by unanimous vote. Of the sac hundred dele
gates IN that Convention, not one altered senti-
nent in the slightest degree cfensive to Southern
ear. As Mr.. Avery stated, in his eloquent speech
IN this City on Monday night, when the resolution
approving the Kansas Nebraska act was read to the
convention, scores of Northern delegates rose to
uef feet, manifesting as much enthusiasm as Sou
enefn delegates; and every expression uttered by
southern gentlemen in Convention in support Of
"'e'r rights under the Consultation was greeted by
'pe North with marked demonstrations of concur.
ience and approval. The Democratic party is a
Sa't upon the question of the Constitutional rights
VI ,ne South the K. N. party is divided, cut up,
a"a poWerless for good. Which party is most like
y " quiet agitation, restore concord, protect the
constitution and save the Union? Let the people
VI 'ne South, without regard to party look at the
'aes-at the actual condition of things and then de-
sue lor themselves. For moro than twenty five
''ars has JAMES BUCHANAN been devoting his en-
Ns'es on all occasions when called upon to speak
act to the defence of the Constitutional rights
VI the South Ee stood by Mr.. Calhoun in his eff
O'us to prevent the circulation of abolition docu
a'nts through the mais-he was the first leading
salesman in the free States to take bold and decid
=. ground against the Wilmot Proviso-he stood BY
wi, Clay, Mr. Cass, Judge Douglas Mr.. Webster
others, in their efforts in 1850 to settle the ques
"'A' and save the Union ; and he stands now upor