Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-15
The Charleston Convention.

The Charleston Convention.
Various are the rumors and speculations
rs to what will be the platform and policy
of the Democratic national Convention, es-
pecially as regards the vexed question Of
Congressional Intervention for the protec-
ton of slave property in the Territories. -
The ultra squatter sovereignty advocates Of
the North, with Douglas as their leader,
contending for the business Of the principle
Of total non Intervention, insist upon plank
to that effect being incorporated in the
Charleston platform, and the aiders and a.
bettors ofthis infamous doctrine at the South,
while they deny the soundness Of the theory
Of Douglas and his followers, and acknowl-
edge the truth of the principle for which
the conservative property protectionists con-
tend, yet argue the expediency Of ignering
the issue altogether for the sake of the har
mony and success Of the Democratic party
It is also rumored that there is q scheme
on foot to let the Charleston Convention 60
by default. This is only to be found ia OPP
position papers, and therefore. we are in
clined to think, is entitled to no sort Of
credit. But another report is to the effect
that many of the prominent politicians Of
the party have conceived the design Of SIM
ply nominating candidate, without the a.
doption Of any platform. This policy would
as surely be the signal for the dissolution of
the party, as would be that of allowing the
Convention to 60 by default but we give
very little credit to this report, the timid,
shallow and time-serving policy Of many of
the Southern journals being the only thing
which rescues it from supreme absurdity.--
For ourselves we do not believe the Charles
ton Convention will pursue either the poll
cy Of ignoring the protection question, or
of not adopting any platform at ALL The
fact is, the South has already planked out
the policy of the party for it, and has made
the insertion of clause recognizing the du-
ty Of Congress to interfere for the protec-
ton of slavery ip the Territories, g sine
qua aos.
Plain duty and plain expediency compel
the Democracy to this act Of duty to the
South, and, we verify believe, if it acts
boldly and without equivocation in this in
stance, its triumph will be infinitely more
certain, than if it meaniy ignore this issue,
so vital to all the South holds dear.
We acknowledge the dilemma in which
the party is placed to be difficult one
Should the Convention fearlessly do its du-
ty, it is to be feared We will lose great
Deal of strength in the North, and should it
basely desert the South and ignore its duty
IN this juncture, it is, we believe, certain
that the party cannot carry three Southern
States in the coming election. But let the
Convention, as it will most certainly do, fol-
low the plain line Of duty, by inserting an
express clause in effect, somewhat as
follows: f
whenever in any Of the territories the
safety of slave persons or the right of slave
property, or the right or safety of any de-
scription of persons or property, is uncon-
shtutionally assailed, it is the power and
duty of Congress, not less than Of any and
every other Department Of the Gener al
Government, to exercise its proper functions
for the security of equal protection to the
rights and safety Of every species Of persons
and property"
PISA Hthis is done, we will assured1y carry
every Southern State, and it is to be hoped
from the indications in Pennsvlvania anc
other Northern States. that our strength il
the North, after casting aside the squattel
sovereignty element, will be sufficient tx
secure the election of our candidate /; and i
the worst befal, and Black Republican
President is forced upon us, we will have
sheproud satisfaction Of knowing that W.
have boldly done our whole duty, and the
last resort of bursting the bonds of a Uniof
which has become unbearable, and over.
throwing government formed for the Nortl
and the South equally but which has become
completely sectionalized by faction of po
fitical fanatics, who have elected a Chic
Magistrate on the single idea Of hostility t
our institutions.
Market House.
Our neighbor Of the Spectator sugges
the idea of converting the Market House
which he contends has turned out hurnbus
and nuisance, into large and commodiou
Gown Hall. It will be remembered by GU
readers that we suggested at the time of tn
building Of the Market House the feasibili