The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-04-26
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC STATE
RIGHTS CONVENTION.
Har7isJurg, Uvednesdau, ApriI l:

Hdr7is5urg, u edneSddv, April Is.
The Democratic State Rights Conven-
tion met this morning. The attendance
was very large. Alexander Mckinney pre-
sided.
The Hou John Hickman made a speech
of an hours length, in which be said
These who talk Of Cancellation aud com
promises between us and the self-cUnstituted
oracles Of the Democratic party, can have
but feeble appreciation Of the real condi-
ton Of things Let this truth be made
prominent, that there Is eternal antagonism
between Freedom and Slavery. The strug-
gle between them is but just begun, and is
@oing on IN our midst. We have acted
honorably, benevolently, and longer forbear-
ance with the South no. only ceases to be
yirtuous, but becomes cowardly and base
The North has rights long held in abeyance
truly, vet not lost We Will save them; by
walls and fire and blood, iff need be, We will
save them We viii resist aggresson on
the part Of the South, but not her
constitutional guarantees, and will force
plain, distinct, unequivocal recognition Of
the righ,ful claims Of the North no,hmg
rOre and nothing less Further, au>urpa.
ton has been accomplished which sars =
the very foundation Of our political struc-
ture. Mr. Buchanan has demanded the
absorption Of the powers Of Congress in
those Of the Executive. To carry ont his
treachery he has assailed the representa-
tjves Of the people, bribed the venal, re-
ward the aspiring alarmed and timid, de-
ceived the honest. More recently, howev-
er, when the recommendations of the Pres
ideut were thought to favor the agricultural
and manufacturing States: when the pro-
priety Of new tariff law was suggested ::
when the sO-raled Democratic Members Of
the Senate and the House, even the Cabi-
net officers, raised the voice of denunciato-
ry opposition. it was all right, and rebellion
became loyalty. And yet Pennsylvanians
see nothing wrong in this; nav, they
commend it. Chains never clanked upon
the limbs Of beings more seryile and de-
based. We charge further upon the ad-
ministration of Mr.. Buchanan one main
cause by which We have reached the point
Of national insolvency, reckless prodical-
ty in the expenditures of the public money
and the prevailing vice in the Departments
Of the Government lie referred to the
Van Buren, administration, when the expen-
ditures Of the Government were thirtv-sev-
en- millions. This he pronounced very ex-
trayagant, but nothing to compare with the
present time, when the expenses were in
creased TO one hundred millions He then
alluded to the navy yards, all crowded with
supernumeraries, while the expenses Of the
Pos: Office Department are greatly aug
mented. These proceedings, which he
characterized as outrageous aud indorsed as
genuine by Convention PurportinC TO rep
resent the Democratic party in the State.
He then declared that Nr. Buchanan
and his cohorts were Incomplete. His adj
dress was qaite lengthy, and produced con-
siderable effect
The committee reported resolutions to
the following effect That We are here t.
day t. resist every attempt 20 weaken or
overthrow the creed of the Democratic par
ty-to unite for the purpose OF restoring in
all their viCor and purity the great
truths that have heretofore made the Dem
oeracy the couquering organization which
has contributed TO the enduring welfare of
the Union that this convention most SOL
eunly declares its warm attachment TO the