The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-05-31


true theory Of the Government and of the
Constitution TO which our Union owes its birth,
and on whose preservation its permanent exist
ence depends.
f WHAT'S the history Of the recent Convention
at Charleston nv ~ ",sg
Seventeen States, forming majority Of the
whole, adopted with remarkable unanmity
platform Of principles SO worded as to avoid
the possibility of MISUNDERSTANDING
deemed political axioms by all who upheld the
equal rights Of the States as the very basis of
the Confederacy. Many delegates from the
remaining sixteen States concurred in opinion
with this majority conspicuous amongst whom
were delegates from Pennsylvania and New
jersey. I'D .J !1s,ir.
The States which adopted this platform give
electoral votes which can be relied Oh with alb.
solute certainty in favor Of Democratic nomi-
nees, and well-grounded confidence is enter
taiued Of like result in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey. These seventeen States united with
Pennsylvania alone comprise a majority of the
entire electoral vote of the United States, able
to elect the Democratic nominees against the
combiaed opposition Of oil the remaining
States. ,--,-,,... .. .a+
This platform was deliberately rejected by
combination composed of q small fraction of
the delegates from the seventeen Democratic
States and a very large majority of the dele
gates of the remaining sixteen States /; and
resolution was adopted in its stead simply re-
affirming the principles of the Cincinnati plat
from, without explanation or interpretation Of
its disputed meaning. This was done with the
openly purpose Of enabling the Demo
cratic party to wage battle with some chance of
success in certain Northern and Western States
by presenting to the people as its doctrines
principles openly and expressly repudiated by
u majority OF the Democratic State delegations
and by a majority approaching unanimity of the
Democratic electoral votes of the Union.
The delegations of eight States, together
with portion Of that of Delaware, faithful
adherents of our party and firm supporters of
cast by delegates from States that will certainly
vote for the Republican candidates, compelled
to withdraw from the Convention, because, in
the language Of distinguished delegate, they
felt "that it was burning imputation upon the
honor and patriotism Of the party, that, claim
ing to be national, and claiming to have prin-
ciples for its guide, it should acknowledge for
I placed two distinctly opposite interpretations
by its own advocates"
I We cannot refrain from expressing our admira-
ton and approval of this lofty manifestation of
adherence to principle, rising superior TO all
considerations of expedicncy, to all trammels
Of party, and looking With single eye to the
defense of the constitutional rights of the
States.
The delegations Of other Democratic States,
however, Gncluding q few delegates from the
seeding States) not less faithful in devotion to
principles, were more hopeful of obtaining from
T their brethren some satisfactory recognition of
sound principles, and decided on remaining in
) the Convention after distinctly declaring, how
: ever their determination also to withdraw il
their just expectations should be disappointed
1t is thus apparent that there was almost en-
r tire unanimity Of principles in the delegations
Of the only States on which absolute reliance
can be placed for Democratic electoral votes
/ whilst there existed diversity of opinion as tc
the line of policy best calculated to secure the
triumph Of those principles. Nor is it matter
, of surprise that in q conjuncture so unexpected
and anomalous when, in the enunciation o.
Democratic principles. the voice of Virginia
Arkansas were forced to stccumb to Vermont
, and Michigan, there should be excited feelings
divided counsels, and discordant action.
In the subsequent proceedings of the Con
vehtion, however, we think that distinct init.
nations may be dscerned of disposition on
the part Of the Convention to recede from its
determination, and to afford, either by al
amendment Of the platform, or in some Other
manner equally satisfactory, such recognition
, Of principles as would crectually obviate mis-
construction and secure the harmonious actor
of the party, and that it was only because o
: these intimatons that the delegations Of thu
remaining Democratic States consented to join ii
the ballots which took place with no other effec
- than to induce an adjournment to Baltimore tt
e e the 18th June, whilst the seeding delegation
:, adjourned to meet at Richmond on the I'd Mon
= = day of the same month.
! On this state Of facts the path seems open TO
q the united action of the party, and no insuper
a able obseAele opposes the restoration Of it
harmonyesaSo believing, we insist that our po
sition as representatives of Democratic State
= and constituencies forms no just bar to GU
- right. but rather imposes on us the duty Q
!, joining our counscls with those of our Demo
cratic brethren, and uniting in their efforts II
: secure the triumph of our principles.
= 1t is plain that if the Convention shall a
II Baltimore adopt satisfactory platform of prin
- cples before proceeding to select its candidates
= the reason which dictated the withdrawal Q
!, the delegations Of the eight States will hav
u ceased, and no motive will remain for refusing
:. to unite with their sister States nor for holding
u an adjourned meeting at Richmond. On tn
!. other hand, if the Convention, on reassembln
y at Baltimore shall disappoint the Just expecta
~ tons of the remaining Democratic States, thei
- delegations cannot fail to withdraw and unit
= with the eight States which have adjourned
= Richmond In either event there would
# unanimous action in support of our principle
- by oil the States which can be relied on fl
!, casunS Democratlc electoral votes.
y From this statement of facts, is it not cviden
u that the wise and prudent course now to b
= pursued by the delegations of the eight State
70 is to defer assembling in Richmond until tn
:, necessity for such meeting shall become impcl
e alive? Ought they not in view of the alread
:, altered condition of affairs, to return to tn
y Convention at Baltimore and aid their siste
:, States in the struggle for the recognition
=, sound Democratic principles! May it not b
10 that their votes would suffice to turn tn
scale. to purge the party creed of all heresie
and to emblazon on the party banner its honor
6. ed device of fidelity to the Constitution an
lie the Union in characters so clear as to defy mi:
10 construction?
4 Suppose for moment that in this last strun
u gle for the right they should again be ovei
!: borne: Is it not, then, equally plain that til
e. delegations of the other Democratic States can
II not for an instant be suspected of an intention
;, to refuse to redeem their pledge of withdraw
from an assemblage which shall persistentl
'r determine on the sacrifice of principle whici
e they themselves have declared indispeusabl
for their united action to supposed expediency
~ And will not all the Democratic States thu
10 Withdrawing and adjourning to Richmond b
:, joined by the true and faithful delegates from
:, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from Indian
e and New York-aye. from every one of GU
: sister States where delegates are found imbuet