Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-22
DEMOCRATIC MEETING IN ROWAN.


On Tuesday last the Democracy of Rowan met at
the Court House in Salisbury for the purpose OF ap-
pointing delegates to the STATE and District Conven-
tons and for other purposes.
On motion of Col. b. r. Moore, the meeting was
organized by the appointment of David Barringer,
Esq, as Chairman and John Spelnan and W. l..
KcSter rs Secretaries.
On motion, Col B. R. Moore Col II. L. Richards
and w. L. Saunders Esq, were appointed COM
mittec to report business for the meeting.
During the absence of the committee,
n n Fleming Esq, being loudly called for, ad-
dressed the meeting. He considered it the duty OF
every citizen of a free government to meet Tor con-
sultation with his ellowctzens on matters pertain
ing to the general welfare, and spoke of the price
less privilege we enjoy nation in being able so
to assemble The spectacle of the people meeting
for seEgovernment was rare throughout the world.
A government in which every man fct an individual
interest was the only free government he could con-
ceive Mr.. Fleming believed in plurality OF par
ties as essential to free government-actng as they
did as checks or restraints the excuses of each
other. Corruption was guarded against by the OPP
position which plurality of parties gave birth to-
Mr. f. continued on this subject. The Democracy
of Rowan had assembled that day to re-affrm their
devotion to the great cardinal principles of Democra-
cy dating back to the foundation of our government,
and to renew their sentiments the great national
questions of policy which divide the people. Mr.. +.
then took glance at the history of parties in this
country. Abiding to the Wing party, he said it
died the death of decay. Upon its ruins rose the
modern, shortlved Know Nothing party, which
was quickly and Indignantly repudiated by the peo
pie and kicked into its original deteStable elements
But the Democratic party was now what it always
had been unchanged, unchangeable-thc same to-
day that it was generations ago-the same in New
England in the Far West, in the extreme South
and the coolest North. Through every vicisStude;
opposed by party or by faction openly attacked or
covertly assailcd; in triumph in dsaster-the glo-
rious old flag of Democracy has never yet been
struck-not blot nor a blur dcfaceS tit shines
as brightly has the same inspiring influence upon
the hearts of the people to-day as when first given
to the breeze by the great fathers of our political
creed Mr.. F. then inquired into the nature of the
parties of the present hour. As had been stated,
the old Democratic flag Twas still there" Endcav-
Oring to tear it down the Opposition party of
the South whose sole reason for its efforts was COM
priscd in the term opposition. Not single prin-
ciplc but Opposition" had they to rely on Then
the black Republicans opposed to Democracy.
They dated back but few years, having sprung
into existence upon the sudden exit of the Know
Nothings over the ruins of the defunct old Wings
The strength Of the black Republican party, the
aim of that organization, and the disastrous consc
quenceS of its success or long continued existence
next claimed the speakers attention After pOr-
traying these in vivid colors Mr. F. called upon the
conservative elements everywhere to come together
in their might. to lay that monster and save the
Union. He spoke of the rights Of the States in the
Union, and pointed out the designs of the black Re-
publicaES to cXterminate slavery not only in dis
regard and defiance of all Constitutional rights and
guarantees but at every hazard to the peace and life
of the South The South was an equal when she
entered the Union, and an equal she shall remain if
she stay in the Union. To enable the South to &C.
cupy position in the Union to which she is ent-
tied, all Southern men should come together and
stand together. And where was the rallying point?
The Democratic party was that point as all candid,
honeSt-mintel men must know. 1t was the only
party in the country with any pretenSions to ma
tionality. Every one knew that. lie called upon
the meeting to witness the late contest for the
SpeakcrShip iii Congress, in which insult TO the
South was sought to be added to wrong, by forcing
upon us for the office of Speaker man who en-
dOrScd movement of robbery treason and blood
against our property, our peace and our families.
Against that insult and wrong the Democracy of the
South rose up to a man, and beside them was to he
seen the glorious Democracy of The North. No dis
tinctiOn could be discovered between the DemoCra-
cy of Texas and Maine, Of Ohio and Virginia.
DemOcrGcy stood there, matter where the men
were from. They occupied the one common plat
form. Mr.. Fleming continued on this subject for
some time. We have not space to do more than
touch upon the leading points of his excellent
speech. Mr. F. deprecated separation of the
Union if it could honorably be avoided; but he had
no sort of respect for those Of the South who
preached submission on any terms. With ma
tional President it was hard enough for the South
to maintain her position, her rights her honor
with a black Republican President, with the armv
the navy, the treasury and the patronage of the
government, it would be impossible for her to exist
in the Union. He had no fear if the South should
she be forced into a conflict She had million of
at any hour to spring to arms, and million of
such men could make stand against the world. An
open outside enemy could be guarded against
tlon lO Of al
submitted to by the South, would inevitably create
a Republican party in the South. Let that once be
DONE and where then will be the institution of slave
ry? He called again upon the people of the South
to be united Cor when they become they will be
invncibe. How could black RepubcanSm be de.
feated? BY the South being divided? Mr.. F. took
glance at past history in party contests. lie con-
tinued. If the entire South voted as man they
could not defeat black Republicanism. We must
have some assistance from friends at the North.
Where friends to be found? The Wing
party was scattered; we can't get aid from the X
NS, for they were without organization except in
few States. The South must look to the Democracy
of the North which is numbered in Ohio, New York,
Pennsylvania and every other northern State, by
hundreds Of thousands. That is the material we
must rely on. 1t that which carried the last
Presidential election when the South voted almost
a unit. The South must encourage these brave
men by showing an undivided front. They have
given ample evidence of their determination to stand
by the South in her just demand. And here Mr.. F.
contrasted the conduct of these Northern Democrats
with that of the Plug Ugly Davis, of Baltimore;
traitor who owes his seat to neither character
brains, but to mere force of arms. This member of
the Southern Opposition refused to vote for another
member of the Southern Opposition (Mr. Smith, of
n. Co. because he had descended to the cul-
vert and completed his nfamy by assisting to elect
the black Republican Speaker. And all this time
the Northern Democracy stood by the South. We
have no space to follow Mr.. F. RAther lie conclu-
ded by urging upon the South unity of action in
order to defeat black Republicanism before it qained
access to the South by the appliances of patronage
which the first election of black Republican PreSi-
dent would place at the disposal of deades po-
ltical foes. This view Mr.. T. urged with force.