Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-31
The Signs of the Times.

kDc SlShS VI tHc
The indications in all portions of the country are
favorable to the Democratic party. The Democracy
of the great State of New York at length united
for the first time since s4s and the prospect is that
they will act together in harmony in the Charleston
Convention. The same is true, with some slight
exceptions, as to Pennsylvania
We entertain no fears for the result in the South
ern States. While they will insist upon all their
Constitutional rights at Charleston, they will not
embarrass their brethren froaa other sections by de-
mands and clamors for the recognition Of abstract
doctrines which can produce practical good
The reopening of the African slavc-trade will not
be called for. A few delegates may propose it, and
may occasion some excitement by their agitation
on the subject; but we can confidently assure our
Northern Democratic friends that the people of the
South are opposed, by vast majoritics in all the
States, to the revival of this trade Nor will the
South demand any thing more on the subject of
slavery in the Territories than the resolutions of
the last Convention and endorsement of the Dred
Scott decision The Democracy of the South do
not desire a Congressional slave code. They are
now as they have been from the first, in favor of
non-action or non-interventon by Congress with
respect to slavery in the Territories. They for
leaving it to the people, when they assemble in
Convention to frame Constitution, to say whether
they will have slavery not and meanwhile, from
the time the Territory is organized until Conven-
ton is held, they are willing to rely for protection
to slave property the Constitution of the United
States as expounded on this subject by the Supreme
Court.
We apprehend, therefore, no serious divisions
at Charleston among the national Democracy And
if the Democracy agree as they have heretofore
done principles, will they permit contests about
mere men to divide them? Never. The whole
history of the party is against any such assumption
Our opponents who are already calculating on dis
putes and divisions at Charleston, will find them
selves mistaken. Possessing no strength of their
own which will enable them on their merits to OBJ
tain the confidence of the people and the control OF
public affairs their only hope is that the Democracy
will wrangle, divide, and play into their hands.
That hope will vanish like the baseless fabric of a
vision" in less than twelve months.
But what prospect is there that the "opposi-
ton that is, the black Republicans and the Know
Nohngs-can unite? The blacks, it is evident,
have determined to run a candidate of their own.-
That candidate will in all probability be Seward.
Southern Know Nothings cannot and will not sup
port him. If they should start man of their own,
conessedly sound the subject of slavery, with the
view of carrying the election to the House. they will
not be able to poll any thing like their strength for
such ticket The Southern people will see fol
themselves as they saw in 1856, that the contest is
really between the national Democratic candidate
and the black Republicans They will perceive also
the folly Of the South, the weaker section, taking
any step which would throw the election into thu
House; and under these circumstances, with such {
candidate in the field Breckenridge or Hunter, Oh
Dickinson or Lane, against Seward, thousands upor
thousands Of the "oppositionists of the South
would vote for the national Democratic candidate
What do you think of that, Mr.. Syme?
We say to our Democratic friends, be Of goot
cheer! Every indication is in our favor. W.
North Carolina Democrats are not affected to any
extent by the feeling which prevails in other State
with regard to men. We agree on principle ant
we will not fall out with each other about men,
Some are for Douglas some for Breckenridge SOM
for Wise, some for Hunter, some for Lane SOM
for Dickinson, some for Dallas--but, aee are al
t0r the nominee. That is the true fire Of tn
flint. Let us be careful to pursue such a course
will strengthen the bonds of harmony and goot
fellowship which now unite us. Let us be ready
when the period arrives, to play our part with yea
and effect in the great contest upon the result
which depends the preservation Of our rights and tn
perpetuation of Constitutional Union. Let us Sc
to it that if North Carolina is divided in the Hous
of Representatives at Washington, she shall not b
divided at home, but shall speak one voice for tn
right man and the right cause when the day for &C
ton arrives. Let our motto be-"Uni and har
mony; everything for the cause, nothing for men,
HOMEMADE LocoMoTIvE.-T. c. Roberts, Esq
the master mechanic at the Company's Shops, pass
edthrough on Wednesday last with the " Carolina,
locomotive built at the Shops for the N. e. kal
road We understand the '.Carolina" perform
well both as to strength aud speed Her appear
ance and qualities reflect much credit on the mt
chanical knowledge and skill Of Mr.. Roberts an
The Torkmen at the Shops
We are gratifed to learn that the business o
ae N. c. Road is still increasing, and is better