Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-16
From the Washington Organ, May IL.
Ths Hon. MIR. Watkfns.

" fOtc iOI the HOuiihtc VI NiuEiDudAi
Convention, makes some statements in regard to
the American platform, which betray such an utter
ignorance of the points be undertook to discuss,
that we feel constrained, by Of duty TO the
American party, to expose that ignorance, and to
show the laundering faIlscy of bis attempt at rea
soniug on the subject He says, as reported in the
Union:
"But, sir, the platform recently adopted by the
Philadelphia Convention cannot receive my appro.
baton. l cannot support Mr. Fillmore or any
other distinguished Wing, upon that platform. The
only solitary plank in the Philadelphia platform of
June, 1855, was the twelfth secton-that section
which denied to Congressithe right TO interfere with
slavery in the Territories declaring the doctrine Of
non intervention and OF popular sovereignty in the
Territories. But sir, that plank in the platform
was stricken out by the convention recently held,
and the sixth resolution of the platform then adopt
ed substituted in its place. And what does that
resolution endorse, Is there any noninterventon
in the sixth resolution Of the Philadelphia platform?
Ia there any denial Of tie rights of Congress to in
terfere upon the subject Of slavery in the sixth
solution Of the Philadelphia platform! Certainly
mott
II will be observed tina, Mr.. Watkins says, in the
above extract that the 18th section of the June
platform "denied 10 Congrsa the right to interfere
st0teTy w LcTTttOItce
Of nOn-i"fsrvsntiOn and Of popular Sovereignty in
the 7SrritOrieG" The June platform contained no
such denial to Congress of the right TO interfere with
slavery in the Territories
II is indeed marvellous that member Of Con-
grsss should undertake to discuss Platforms which,
10 would seem be bad never read, or the purport
Of which, If be had ever read them he had wholly
Orb Of tba lima MI
says
"And expressly preternitting any erpression of
opinion upon the power Of Congress to establish
prohibit slavery In any Territory, it is the sense of
this National Council, that Congress OUGHT NOT to
legslate upon the subject fslavery within the Ter.
rtories of the United States"
It will thus be seen that instead of denying to
Congress the right to interfere with slavery in the
Territories as alleged by Mr.. Watkins, all opinion
on that subject "ezpressly prstsrznited' in the
June PLATFORM Mr.. Watkins in rather too
much of a hurry to join the Forney and Pierce
party, and did not carefully examine the platform
whose abrogation drove him from the American
ranks. But this is not the worst blunder which
that worthy gentleman committed 10 his speech
Mr.. Watkins turns to the new platform, and
ssks-
as there any non.intervention in the 9th resolu.
ton of the new Philadelphia platform? Is there
any denial ofthe right of Congress to interfere with
the subject Of slavery in the 9th resolution of the
new Philadelphia PLATFORM"
And he answers, certainly not !" Mr.. Watkins
IL would seem, had not read further down than the
sth section of the present platform, but even that
section contains a direct affirmative answer to his
questions as propounded by him, and bis answer,
"certainly not should have been given without
the ''nOt." The 9th section pronounces in distinct
language the following sentiment mon interference
by Congress with questions appertaining solely to
she individual States" Now we apprehend that
adUery is one OF the Questions appertaining solely
TO the individual States" where il exists and that
even this 9th section sufficiently announces the
doctrine Of intervention loih the question of
SLAVERY. But Mr.. Watkins we suppose, would
answer that this phraseOlogy is not explicit as to
non intervention in The Territories Be it 80.
We then respectfully ask Mr.. Watkins to read a
hnis further on, at least to the end OF the seventh
section. For the especial ed6cation OF Mr.. Waits
kns who may, perhaps, some time or another, de.
sire 10 come again within the folds of that party,
whose doctrines, on this question Of nOn-;nterven-
iOn in the Isrritorss the only true citizen sous
regnty doctrines now maintained by any party
we copy the 18th section of the American platform,
toSwt
18th. The recognition Of the right Of the native.
born and naturslized citizens OF the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof to
frame their constitution and laws and to regulate
their domestic aud social affairs IN their own mode
l.. ~ 70,
tuition, with the privilege OF admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite population
for one Representative in Congress- Provided always
That noIe bat those who are citizens Of the United
States, under the constitution and laws thereof and
who have fixed residence in any such Territory
ought 10 participate in the formation Of the const
tuition, or 10 she enactment OF laws Of said Territory
or State"
Here We beg leave to ask Mr.. Watkins, who is
doubtless good lawyer, Tor il not, be can consult
one,( whether this section, instead Of 'prstsrpuf
ting any opinion" on the question, does not an
nounce the doctrine that the citizens Of he United
States permanently residing in the Territories have
right" 10 frame their constitution and laws, and
to regulate their constitution and laws and TO re-
gulsts their domestic affairs 10 their own mode sub
ecs only TO the provisions Of tie Federal Constitu~
tionf
Does not this section just as snphaticAlly an.
Dounce the 'RohtintsrVsnton" doctrine as the Kan.
sas.NebrAska blli Does not this section embrace the
very principles Of the Kansas Nebraska bill, erelud
ing the 'squstter Sovereignty" and Glien-sufrage
portions of that bilR No man will deny il. Blu,
,he poser Of Coasrsss not erprsssiy denied in this
clause, Mr. Watkins would reply. Nor was the
power Of Congress Genisda he alleged in the 2th
ssetiOn-nor "a q dsnisd IN the KAnsss-Nebrask
bill, bat the fright" Of eissns to frame their own
constitution and laws ia rsoogHis,S ia the 7th sec
zion OF the American platform, and il is simply
granicdby the Kansas Nebraska bill to the squat
Ter soveregns," and to the alien felOns end pau
psrs Of the whole world Whenever any party shall
deem IL proper 10 5e6nitlVey decide for themselves
the question Of ths pOssv Of Congress over the
Territories, Il viii be ht occasion 90 discuss chat
Is meant by the "rghf" OF the citizens Of the Ter
ritores, Is proclammedin the 7th section. II Mr..
Watkins see anything in the Kansas and Ne
braska bill which claims his admiration, and which
is not contained in the 7th section Of the American
platform be viii plesse snlghtsn US on that point
WELLNsToS AKD NAPoLKoS.--In a memoir Of
Marshall Key, recently issued Lord Brougham, AZ.
Ger defending Wellington from the charge that has
been brought against him. OF wsnt Of generosity 10
allowing the punishment 10 be carried into effect
mentions a circumstance which se DO nos recollect
20 have seen elsewhere recorded
"While Napoleon passed Within range Of an En-.
glish battery Al Waterloo, and the officers we're
about TO ere At the group, he once peremptOrlly
forbade e. "This passage, he adds 'in his ilns-
-s -. 4. L.