The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-29
THE STATES :
MIR. GILMER.


This gentleman now aspires TO be the
Governor of North Carolin. 1t is proper,
therefore, that the people should understand
his political platform. 1t is known that he
and the whole Convention which nominated
him. ratified and approved the Platform of
the National American Party, adopted at
Philadelphia, in February last" This
platform contains the following anti South
crn section, to which we wish to call par
ticularlv the attention of our readers
..IMh. Opposition to the reckless and
mwi>r policy of the present administration
in the general management of our national
affairs, and more especially as shown in re-
moving. americans" (by designation
ami conservatives i'll principle from office,
and placing foreigners, and ultraists in
their places: "a shown in a trucking sub
Srrvicncy to the stronger, and an insolcnt
and c"wardly bravado towards the weaker
powers, as shown i'll reOpening sectional
agitation, by The repeal IF the Missouri
ComyromjSe. As shown &c.
We omit the remainder the section, as
our purpose at present is to show that Mr..
GiIIncr and his party condemn the Admin
i-tration and Democratic Party for ''re-
priIimg the Missouri COMPROMISED" A
strange fact, but nevertheless true. Look
at the resolutions of the Greensboro Con-
ycntion and the Philadelphia platform of
February, and you have at once the evil
d,ucc to show that Mr.. Gilmcr and his par
tv. protesting to be friends of the South,
are drmouncing the Administration because
it favored a repeal of the Missouri Compro-
ca measure which had long been felt
by the Southern people as stigma and
rproach: for by its provisions, Southern
men were excluded from the enjoyment of
4 vast and fertile portion of the territory of
the Union, acquired by the common efforts
Of the whole nation, unless they would con-
sent to the abandonment of their most val
liable property, title to which is express
" recognized by the Federal Constitution
Itself
We can listen with cOmposurc to the de-
nmciations of the AbOlitiOnists of the North
against the Democratic party, for the repeal
Of that odious, unjust, and unconstitutional
restriction; but when we find Southerners,
uniting with those fanatics, in condemnation
"f it> repeal, we cannot remain silent
What was the Missouri Compromise! The
.'ValIy Democrat answers: 1t was line
"f dcmarkation between the South and the
North, established by Congress, excluding
shareholders from all Territory North of 36
degrees latitude, and declaring that slavery
might exist South of that line if the people
- willcd it, but placing no restrictions
whatever upon the right of cmigrants from
the North from tlocking to such Territory, |
and voting against the establishment of the |
domestic institutions of the South. Here |
was manifest injustice to the people of the |
South, and made them unequal under the
Constitution. 1t degraded the South, and
t'nirdthc right of the equality of the South
rm States, and practically established the
"'iious doctrines of the Wilmot proviso,
which gave Congress the power to exclude |
the people of the South from any participa- |
lion in the Territories with their peculiar |
property. Not only was this unjust to the |
South, hut it violated the Constitution, and
the doctrines of the capacity of the people
I" govern themselves. Hence this restric-
lion was removed, and the question left to
the people of the Territories when they are
entitled to assume the rights of sovercigns
or co-cqualS to settle the question for them
selves. And for this act of Justice and
fairness to the South, this Know Nothing
party condemns the administration of Mr..
Pierce, and the Democratic party. and
l"ns in with aboltionists in their howlinrs
ami dcnunciations!! \ party condemning
line act Of placing Southern and Northern
property upon equal grounds and entitled
i" equal protection is not entitled to the
support Of SouthcmcrS;-and we shall OK
r"et t" find men of all parties, Coxcept the
""oth-bound," who are compelled to swallow
any dish that the Order may present \
Ferudiating Mr.. Gilmer, for his donuncia-
non Of measure of such vital interest TO
/ the South.