Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-06

Charleston, and before the Convention had been
organized was informed that the delegation from
the State of Alabama would require new feature
to be Incorporated in the Democratic platform, de-
handing of Congress code of laws for the protec-
ton of slave property in the Territories, and in the
event it was not adopted, they would secede from
the Convention; that il slave code were adopted
and platform to suit them, they would remain anu
participate, on condition that the Convention would
not make a certain nomination, for If II dld, al
though the platform might be sufficient, they would
still withdraw. Now these were the terms dictated
to the Convention by the delegation from the
State of Alabama. That is the spirit with which
they went into the Convention. The Convention
must adopt a platform, and make nomination to
suit their own peculiar views, or they would come
out and have nothing to do with it. Now, had
thought the very object of the great gatherings Of
the Democracy in national Convention was for the
purpose of concession, compromise and Cancellation;
not so with these gentlemen; they must have all
they want or they will have nothing; they will
rule or RUM the Convention must obey them or
they would break up the Convention.
Their demand for slave code was rejected which
was the signal for retiring and their chairman arose
and announced it Others followed. A dead ST.
lence reigned throughout that vast Convention as
these seceders retired from the Hall. 1t was sad
scene to look upon! A strong and powerful thrust
had been made at the great head of the nation and
for the first time in my life did feel that the Union
was in danger!
Very many Of the delegates who left us as have
said | have no doubt were actuated by noble I'M
pulses; they suffering the most intense excite
ment occasioned by the repeated infammatory ap-
peas which had been made to them night after night
in their caucuses; but their leaders-oh they were
as calm and collected as their purpose and deter
mination were fixed, and cannot resist the belief
that that purpose and determination was to break
up the Democratic party, with the hope and belief
that it would eliminate in a dissolution Of the
Union. They went to the convention to have a
slave code adopted in the platform; they were de-
termined to secede if were not adoped they knew
it would not be adopted; then why 60 into the con-
vention but for the purpose of its embarrassment?
They knew that this question of Congressional MOI
intervention had been long since settled; that the
people had acquiesced in that settlement for nearly
ten years.
NoN-INTERFERENCE BY CONGRESS WITH SLAVERY IN
STATE AND TERRITORY was the basis of the compro-
mise of 1850; afterwards affirmed by both the De-
mocratc and Wing parties in their national conven-
tions and ratified by the people in the election of
President Pierce. 1t was re-affrmed in the Cincin-
natl platform; sanctioned by the Democratic party
in the States; and ratified again by the people in
the election of President Buchanan. This settle
ment having been so long acquesced in, what new
danger to the South required that it should be dis
turbed? What great crisis was at hand? Whence
the South at stake? Virginia, Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Missouri and North Carolina renamed; and
that is ample to the world that the
sion from that convention was not demanded by the
South for the preservation Of rights the vim
dication of our honor The delegation from our
State together with those from the other remaining
States, eneavored to effect reunion Of the party
while at Charleston, but our efforts were unavail-
ing, and the convention adjourned to meet in Balti
more the 18th of juno, giving time for reflection and
consultation, and hoping that the States whose del
egates seeded would commission others to meet us
in Baltimore
In baoting for the nomination, North-C carolina,
with the exception of the vote of one district cast
her vote for several ballots first for Mr. Hunter, of
Virginia; then for Mr.. Dickinson of New York;
and then for Gen. Lane, of Oregon. The vote
cast for Gen. Lane for. perhaps twenty-five ballots,
but he at no time received greater number than
204. The section from which he comes, if one sec
tion has claims over another the west never having
had Democratic President was, perhaps, entitled
TO the nomination; but the Little Giant came down
with almost the unanimous voice Of the great north
west and on the thirty-third ballot received 1924
votes, clear majority of the whole Electoral Col
lege. And it may be asked why hold out against
this majority? great many would not so have
held out-perha3s the nomination might have been
conferred upon him, but for the fac: that the nomi-
nation Of Judge Douglas upon the Cincinnati plat
form simply would be to adopt his construction of
it, and tantamount to an endorsement of his views
upon popular sovereignty. We who voted against
him entertained the opinion that Territorial leg
islature had no power to impair the rights of prop
ety in slaves or other chattes during its territorial
existence. And perhaps his immediate friends
would have acted wisely if they had agreed in the
beginning to the adoption of resolution in accord
ance with that opinion. But the leading spirits in
Of
nomination in any event. The difficulty, however,
with those who remained was this vexed question of
squatter sovereignty; question. practically of
less magnitude in my humble judgment than was
attached to it by some of my colleagues; question
which never can be determined by the Democratic
platform, nor by the platforms of all the parties,
nor by any authority short of the Supreme Court
of the United States and when that tribunal has
decided that question, Judge Douglas is pledged to
abide by it and to uphold it. The hostility of the
seceders, though, was unrelenting-and for what
Was it because they desired diSunon and they knew
that his nomination would be declaration of the
convention in favor Of the Union? Why this un-
precedented warfare upon that great statesman |?
Had they so forgotten the history Ct his whole
life as The faithful friend and ally of States Rights
Democracy? Do they remember that he was the
friend and advocate Of the annexation of Texas BY
which three hundred thousand square miles of slave
territory was added to the South? Do they remember
his advocacy of the compromise of 1902 Have
they forgotten the fierce opposition which he en-
countered from his own people for his advocating
the passage of the fugitive slave lawg Have they
quite forgotten the great and noble triumph of
Judge Douglas an infatuated mob of four thou
sand people at Chicago. when he so bravely stood
up and defended the rights of the South2 The re-
collection of all these services which he had render
ed his party and his country came first to my men,
DRY, when from the piazza of the Charleston Hotel
heard his name DETAINED by distinguished gentle
men; and in some allusion to the star-spanged
banner, voices from the crowded street below came
back in response, denouncing our noble flag and
Stephen A. Douglas!
"Oh judgment. thou art fed to british beasts
And men have lost their reasonI'
Aye, fellow-citizens, it was an honor great an
honor infinitely great that the crowd which de-
nounced the American flag should denounce the
name Of Stephen A. Douglas!
But the Convention adjourned, and ample time
has been given for cool and calm daliharation and