The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-06
THE PLATFORM OF THE OPPOSITION
PARTY OF NORTH CAROLINA

We give below the resolutions adopted by the
Opposition or Know Nothing Convention held in
Raleigh on the 22d of February. We shall take
occasion hereafter to review the declarations and
resolutions and point out their ms-statements:
Whereas, The present Democratic party, having
been in power, for several years, and having abu-
sed the trust confded in it, this Convention believes
that the time has come when every patriotic citizen
should take prompt and efficient action towards a
sound and thorough reformation in public affairs.
The party in power is responsible for the pres
ent deplorai,le condition of the country. At the
expiration of the term of Willard Fillmore, it was
with overlooking treasury, peaceful and pros
porous at home, and regarded with respect and
confidence abroad. 1t is now with bankrupt
treasury, divided by internal dissentons dlsgraced
by exposed corruptions, and watched by foreign
nations with jealousy and distrust.
To the practices of those who have controlled
the government, in the intervening period, the
people must lock for the source of these misfor-
tunes.
Under the prestige of name they have violat-
ed the fundamental doctrines and distinctive prn-
ciples which they were pledged to support. In
stead of ECONOMY in the public expenditures
they have increased the expenses OF the govern
ment from fifty to eighty millions of dollars
year, supporting the treasury in time Of peace, by
repeated loans by the issue Of treasury notes.
Instead of Estate Rights" they have put forth
the arm of the government to control State cleo
tons, employing the corrupting power OF Exc
cutive patronage and encouraging lawlessness aud
fraud.
Instend of a "strct construction ofthe Constitu-
ton" they have made the most extraordinary and
alarming proposition to place unusual and danger
Gus powers in the hands Of the Executive-that
millions might be at his disposal-that the army
| and navy night be so far at his command as to
give him virtually the war-making power-de-
mands which, if acceded to- would endanger the
liberties Of the people, and sooner or later become
subversive of the institutions under which we live
They have practiced bold and unblushing cor
rupton in the various departments of the govern
ment, and have encountered the mails with onesd-
ed and exciting publications, to turn public atten
ton from their conduct, and mislead the people
into the support of their schemes for the purpose
of proouging their party ancy and perpetual
ing their power
To the same end they have welcomed into their
ranks and taken under their especial protection
agitators and disurbers of the public, in every
section and of every shade Of political faith, regard
less alike of the demands justice and the safety
of the republic.
They have encouraged foreign emigration with
out reference to character or class-and when
landed on our shores, they have openly courted
foreign refugees criminals and paupers, and mar
Shallcd them into their party ranks to be conduct
ed to the ballot box contrary to the laws of the
land. to stife the voice of American citizens and
rob them Of their dearest birthright
To carry elections they have let out the contracts
of the government to influential favortes, at
bant rates left the laws unexecuted, para yzed the
arm of public justice and cOuntenanced force and
fraud
They checked the development of the national
resources and made US dependent on foreign ma
tions for the most common articles of consumption.
until financial and commercial distress is reported
from every quarter
They have kept up a systematic agitation of the
dangerous and exciting QUESTION of slavery adopting
deceptive and double meaning platforms on the
subject, and by the operation of an adroit political
machinery, have aroused popular excitement,
whenever their purpose might require it, upon
false and designed issues, and have then practiced
upon the fears of the people to betray their prin
ciples and interests.
They have annulled long established compro-
misses between the conflicting interest of different
sections, broken down the great landmarks of poll
cy erected by our fathers and left the public
ellis laundering in darkness and uncertainty
By urging sectionaism on the South they have
fostered sectionalsm in the North until they have
built up powerful Northern party, which they
have not scrupled to encourage by accusing some
of the best and purest among Southern men of
utilization with its views and purposes.
They have converted the halls of the national
Congress into theatre for the contests of the glad
iators of faction, seeking to take the control of
political affairs from the conservative Masses and
to place it in the keeping of an olgarchy of mer-
cenary Office seekers, who however the feelings of
the people may revolt, demand obedience to the
martial law of their party discipline.
In North Carolina they have attempted to make
their party creed part of the teaching of youth,
by electng partisan Trustees of our University,
and by secret caucusses, excluding from particpa-
ton in the management of the institution, all whose
subservicncy to the behests of party could in any
wise be doubted, Therefore
ResolrNd, That against such practices and such
organizations, free people, jealous of liberty,
ought to raise the voice of condemnation and the
stout arm of determined resistance and that con-
servatve citizens in every section of the State who
love their country better than party, acknowcdg-
ing allegiance but to the constitution and
the laws, should rally under the honored flag of
the Union, and unite for the preservation of the
cherished institutions of liberty, pledging them
selves to carry out the following platform of pol
itcal principles:
l. There should be an honest and faithful ad-
minisration of the general government, separating
its appointments and contracts from political bribery
and arrestng the present profigacy and corrup-
ton.
2. The control Of the Senate over the treaty.
making power of the President ought to be ever
carefully preserved by that body well in sub
stance as in form, and the public treasure and the
war power of the government, ought with the Just
lea Ousy of free DeODe to be kent in the hands Of