New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-29
Democratic Meeting i'm PhiIadeIphis.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday. Dec. %. |

inoorSe the Administration was large but eompara-
tVey Little enthusiasm was manifested.
mr. W. II. Witte Of Pennsylvania made speech.
ana argued that the object Of the Administration was
10 1911 the people OF Kansas settle their affairs
There was no charge of ilegaty brought forward
when the Convention was elected but many refused
10 vote. II wa their own fault II the President
marked out any Other in his Message than trse
Democracy, then charge him with either neglectug
his duty or overstepping his author, He referred
TO the attack OF Senator Douglas upon the Kansas
portion Of the Message Immediately after the reading
OF It, saying that he (Douglasl made it without
deliberation. Here three cheers were given for
Douglas with astonishing applause which was
followed by Kisses and an attempted election
OF the propOser, and loud cheers for buchanan
Mr. .Witte. continued, Mr.. Douglas araigned the
President IN no very respectful terms. He argued
tina: the people Of sKansas were allowed to manage
Their own Affairs in their way in being invited to
elect delegates to the Lecompt0n Convention He
had learned, On good authority, that the Toombs'
bill was submitted TO the Committee on Territories
and the Enabling Act discussed in the house of Mr.
Douglas over night. Next day that bin was submit
ted TO Congress with the Enabling Act stricken out
He alleged that the friendship OF Mr. Douglas to
others dangerous. He (Witte) wished to read no
man out Of the party, but when his actions cause
approving smiles from the opposition the door being
open, no one would prevent him from leaving. He is
himself 70 blame.
Senator Bright Of Indiana was the next speaker
He said be had not had time to prepare himself to
speak on the Presidents policy fully he desired
Every NOlu nc might say mere WOulQ 20 before an
other trbuna-the people of Indiana. If he neglected
Indiana or forgot her interest might Heaven forget
him. Territorial acquisition and government was
most intricate question, and had caused much trou
bic. He referred TO the Democratic policy in refer
ence to the admission of States since the estab-
shinent Of the Confederation, saying it had always
been favorable In order not to be misunderstood he
would place himself right before the people by ex-
planning the position he intended to take in the Senate
He had prepared written statement, from which he
read the doctrine Of non-inervention laid down.
The Nicholson letter always met with cordial APP
prOyal. Mind your own business" applicable
LecOmptOn Convention was constitutional and when
Kansas brought before the Senate for admission
under that Constitution, he should vote in favor
thereof without stopping to inquire whether 1t was
with or without Slavery. He believed with the Ad.
ministration that it would have been the most wise
policy to have submitted the whole Constitution.
the people themselves we must not question.
The Constitution of the United States was not SUBJ
mtted 10 the direct vote of the people but only TO the
Legisatures To no new State since the formation of
the Confederacy had the Constitution been submitted.
There il no precedent for such course, and surely
evil can come if follow the steps Of our revolution
airy fathers. Why should anew test be applied to Kansas
when only test ia required for the Constitution OF
the United States - it shall be republican in FORM
deny the right to travel outside of the requirements of
the Constitution. l will not state what are my private
wishes and feelings. | am no apologi-t and never
have been advocate of Slavery but never let my
private feelings interfere with my public duties.
When consider the slight difference between the
Tcpeks and LecGmP0n cnN Tnsn t tsf
there is not great difference of opinion relative to
other subjects. prefer the latter to the former, be-
cause il comes in authentic form from the people
themselves, through their chosen representatives.
But il il argued that the Convention elected by .
minority, and its actions do not reflect the will Of the
people Then il is their own fault; all had an oppor
tunity of voting But for them to urge their own
misconduct a reason for rejecting the admission
is ridiculous. My course Of duty is plain. l shall
sustain the President whenever he obeys the political
creed and shall abandon him only when he forsakes
the platform, and that is the Constitution.
Speeches were made by other gentlemen, and the
following resolutions which had been submitted early
in the evening" were adopted:
Waerras The measures and principles Of the Administration
of President Buchanan thus far developed in relation to the
affair been the subject Of The bitter denunca
on of oar political opponents Who In their unwise will
destroy the harmony Of the Uuion By raising false issues
WSerSas II the determination Of tho Democratic party to
adhere firmly 70 those landmark. which in time
be the only security the political institutions OF this vast and
when becomes in public manner TO declare
inuous confidence the cardinal doctrines of independent State
agemen, Territories ofthe United States and their sdm
sion into TIE Union States; therehlre. be il .
R,so'red TIM Democracy of Philadelphia, with signal
nniy, cordially gio,r approve and do and will snpP9rt the
We ogaise the language OF the patriot, THAI this language
cas ~ principles o the National ptmocrse party and jas
perfectly sa,.6ed that President Buchanan has not and can
high Office than Interests honor and dignity
othe Cnon that his abilities have been proved be ihe most
con,es and believe the people of the country every
part 1t cannot commit mistake IN rayns around such man
which the county may be involved whether foreign OF domestic
Re.ored That the Of the United State: !. Gov
erumea, Of delegated power that within the n o. ibe
ere either by those from whom ia delegated or those for
dangerous TO the PePetuy Of cyi institutions and
liberty and tends create confusion aud snarchy IN any con-
B,s,,J That hile Ii is true that the Of the
United Sises within the limits Of it, constitutional functions,
the sovereign power Of the land i.equay that in all
eGmrn' the night Of absolute sovereignty STATS
The psi Of the General Government with powers expressly
granted nexpedien and dangerous and should b. and dis
couuensnced by the Democratic party les. violation Of
The rpse rights Of the States than would be the attempt on the
par Of Of the States or the people Thereof eSegp que
expressly granted o the General Government. ,
Rc.orea That in the application OF the principe. u
pa responding the National Demo OF every State IN the
Union declares Congress has no power directly or Indirect
~ 10 with the local institutions Of the several State.
sud that in within the powers Delegated BY the
Constitution the States the only judges Of Their own snsrs
r people every and section OF the Union the sovereign
power 80 defeated Of ALL is vested in Congress- This
Lower should howeyes be exercised with strict regard to all
The gh,s the States and in exercising his SOVEREIGN
power II upon Congress 10 protect within The Ter
y sbs ne ,irep. om The various section.
t locating the Troes enjoyed within the states from
ry discharged - 20 time when under Constitution duly
sed such Territory shall by Congress be recognized as al in
S,,rs5 Tbs, the error. Lersure Of Kansas which
horzed he election OF the Leeompon Convention was hw
frame clearly acted within the scope Of It's powers
Thsi the Legislature did no, require said
20 submit The Constitution vote Of the people does not an-c
IL legality That neither said Legislature nor the Convention
which framed the Constitution having deemed exPdcnt save
in respect institution OF slavery 70 submit said oona
ZION popular vote Il Is unquesIonaby the du OF the