The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-20
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.

In addition to the proceedings published last
week, we copy from the Salisbury Banner the fol-
lowing sketches of the speeches of Hon. w. W.
Avery, the temporary President; Hon. David 5.
Reid, the permanent President; and of Gov. Ellis
on accepting the nomination:
SPEECH OF MR. AVERY.
Mr. Averv, on taking the chair, briefly addressed
the Convention He was thankful for the honor
of occupying his present position, for it was high
honor to preside over the deliberations of such an
assemblagc for ever short period. lie then
spoke of the purposes of the meeting, which were,
he said to re-affirm our devotion to the time-hon-
ored principles Of the democratic party to declare
our sentiments on the diStracting and dangerous
issues of the day-for the purpose of meeting
boldly and fearlessly any new issue sought to be
forced upon the people by opponents, (cheers,
and to counsel with the friends of the Union every
where The people everywhere throughout the
State were looking anxously to the action Of this
Convention-the tmid for safety, the conservative
for succor, the patriot with hope. (Cheers.) He
mex: took a glance at the opposition to the Demo-
cratic party. depicting in glowing coOrs the per-
sistent warfare of the Black Republican party upon
the peace security and happiness Of the South;
and he wilhcrngly rebuked the miserable faction
in our midst who would divert us from this state
of things by Il contemplate guerrilla warfare on
new-fangled notions at home. cloud cheerlng.)
Mr. Avery then spoke of the democratic party and
the position it occupied in the nation. 1t was the
only national party in the country, and the Oppo-
stion knew it and believed it, say what they would
to the contrary Every one knew it. And this
party in addition to the battle it has to fight with
the Black Republican enemies OF the South the
Constitution aud the Union, was now called upon
to battle with another mushroom party, the ''Na-
tional Conservative Union Party" daughter
and cheers.) Parties, he said, are not the growth
of a moment; they are the slow growth of years.
lie next took a view Of the platform of this last
mushroom concern, which he characterized
bill Of Indictment against the democratic party,
and did not contain word of menace against the
enemies Of the Union aud the South. Well, said
Mr. Avery, we have force enough to put them
down, and the guerrillas in midst, too. He
counseled harmony in our ranks and i'll dclibcr
ations He promised the Convention to do his
duty IL that respect He called upon them to
work as one man. Il am fresh from the people,
said he, Gas we'll as you, and | tell you that the
people are ready to sink all minor differences and
to stand together for the common defence Of their
homes and their interests" Loud chcers.) He
concluded by again reminding the Convention Of
the objects Of their meeting. They would have
noble and fearless standard bearer in the person Of
Gov Ellis-one who would give good account
of his actions and his efforts in August next.
prolonged chcers.)
SPEECH OF HON. D. S. REID.
Hon d. s Reid was received with enthusiastic
applause He returned his most profound and
grateful thanks for the distinguished honor just
conferred on him. I have often met my political
friends and conferred with them he went to
say, but never at more important or momcntous
period than the present. The success of the Dem
ucratic party is at all times Of great Importance.
At the present time it is of higher Importance
than at any other period of our history. (ChcerS.)
| firmly believe that the preservation of the Union
according to the Constitution depends upon the
success of the principles of the Democratic party.
Continued cheering.) | trust you will remember
in our deliberations that our duties of sufficient
importance to demand of every one of US the sac
rifce of minor concerns when much is at stake.
(Cheers) You have been entrusted by your res
pective constituencies with high and important
duty. You know what that duty is better than |.
hope that concert Of action and harmony at this
important crisis Will continue to actuSte you. The
Democracy are the antagonists of the Mack Repub-
Leans of the North. Here Gov. Red touched
on the principles of the Black Republicans. He
continued: | trust the Democracy of the North,
united with the Democracy of the South will yet
save the Union Cloud cheers) We all love the
spise Union which tramples on our rights
freemen. Tremendous cheering.) Let US look
then to our interests; bury minor considerations,
and let us unite all our strength in defence Of the
Constitution. | do not mean that any member of
the Convention shall concede any one Important
principle. No party ever yet departed from
great principle without feeling it. (Chcers.) |
would despise to do so for a temporary victory.
Continued cheers.) 1t is our steadfastncss to
principle that gave us the confidence of the people,
and it was the disregard of this by orr opponents
which broke them down as party in the State,
OCheers.) Let us, then, take firm and decided
stand the great and important questions which
so nearly touch US. Let us stand on the COnsttu-
tion-demand our rights-conccde nothing short
of our rights. Loud and reiterated cheers Let
us trust in this hour of peril-in our anxiety for
the Constitution of our country-which contains
more than human wisdom-that there will be
found more than human wisdom to preserve it. At
all events let US erect such platform as will assure
the people that their rights are not dlsregarded-
do this, then rest assured that no political party
can triumph over us loud and continual cheers
during which Gov. Reid took his seat)
SPEECH OF Gov. ELLIS.
Gov. Ellis now entered the hall with the COM
mittee sent to inform him of his denomination. and
was received with the most enthusiastic applause
On ascending the stand, Gov. Ellis thanked the
Convention for the honor they had conferred upon
him. The nomination for Governor was a COM
pliment of which any man mi ht feel proud; but
coming as it did from the representatives of
great political party it excited in his breast emo
tions he could not give expression to. This cord-
al aDnrOVal no esteemed valuahln an opJnr,o