, 1860-06-15
The Charleston Convention.

resolutions The majority consisted OF the
representatives on it from the fifteen South
ern States and those Of California and Ore
gon. They made the following report
ResoIred, That the platform at Cincin-
natl be affirmed, with the following resolu-
tions
That the Democracy of the United
hold these cardinal principles on the sub
ject Of slavery in the Territories : First,
That Congress has no power to abolish
slavery in the Territories; Second, That
the Territorial Legislature has no power
to abolish slavery in any Territory, nor any
power to exclude Slavery therefrom, nor
any power to destroy or impair the right
of property in slaves by any legislation
whatever.
ResOlred, That the enactments Of State
Legislatures to defeat the faithful execu-
tion of the Fugitive Slave Law are hostile
in character, subversive of the Constitution,
and revolutionary in their effect.
Resolved, That it is the duty Of the Fed
eral Government to protect, when necessary,
the rights of persons aud property on the
high seas, in the Territories, or wherever
else its Constitutional authority extends
Resolred, That the Democracy of the
nation recognize 1t us the imperative duty
of this Government to protect the natural
lied citizen in all his rights, whether at
home or in foreign lands, to the same ex.
tent as its native-born citizens.
ResOired, That the National Democracy
earnestly recommend the acquisition of the
Island of Cuba at the earliest practicable
period.
Whereas, One Of the greatest necessities
of the age, in political, commercial, postal
and military point Of view, is a speedy COM
muncation between the Pacific and Allan
tic coasts; therefore, be it
ResOlred, That the National Democratic
party hereby pledge themselves to use every
means in their power to secure the passage
Of some bill for the construction of a Pa
cfc Railroad, from the Mississippi river to
the Pacific Ocean, at the earliest practica-
ble moment.
The following is the minority report,
which was adopted. 1t will be seen that
| it is different in the clause touching the
rights Of property in the Territories from
the report received by Pony Express:
Resolred, That we, the Democracy Of
the Union, in Convention assembled, here
by declare our afirmance Of the resolutions
unanimously adopted, and declared as a
platform of principles by the Democratic
Convention at Cincinnati, in the year 1856.
believing that Democratic principles are
IN, tbair ottrra trha ia6
to the same subject matters and we rec
ommend as our only further resolutions the
following:
|. lInasmuch as differences Of opinion exist
in the Democratic psfy as to the nature
aud extent of the powers Of a Territorial
Legislature, and as to the powers and du-
ties Of Congress, under the Constitution Of
the United States, over the institution Of
Slavery within the Territories.
Resolred, That the Democratic party
will abide by the decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United States on the ques-
tions Of constitutional law.
Resolred, That it is the duty Of the Uni
ted States to afford ample and complete
protection to all its citizens, whether at
home or abroad, and whether native or for
eign.
ResOiued, That one of the necessities Of
the age, in military, commercial and
postal point Of view, is speedy communion
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific
States, and the Democratic party pledge
such constitutional Government aid as will
insure the construction Of railroad to the
Pacific coast at the earliest practicable
period.
ResOired, That the Democratic party are
in favor Of the acquisition Of the Island Of
Cuba on such terms as shall be honorable
to ourselves and just TO Spain.
RGsOired, That the enactments Of the
State Legislatures to defeat the faithful
execution of the Fugitive Slave law are
hostile in character, subversive Of the Con-
stitution, and revolutionary in their effects.
At the close of the Convention, Mr..
Cushing, the Chairman, made the follow
ing address
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN-Allow
me, before putting the question of adjourn:
ment, to address to you parting word.
desire first to say, and in saying it, to
/ DtdI tcsblluOul " JOul SOuotAtuChho anu W
the people Of the United.States, that, con-
sidering the numerousness Of this assembly,
and the important interests involved in its
deliberations, and the emotions thus natu-
rally awakened in your bosoms-consider-
ing all this, say, your sessions have been
distinguished by order, by freedom from
personalities, by decorum, and by an OBJ
servance of parliamentary method and law.
In competition for the floor, and in the zeal
of gentlemen TO promote their respective
opinions by notions or objections to mo-
tions, in the lassitude Of protracted sittings
accasiOns have occurred Of apparent, but
only apparent, confusion. But there has
been no real confusion, no deliberate viola
tiOn Of order am better able than any
other person to speak knowingly on this
point, and to speak impartially, aud say
it with pride and pleasure, as thing espe-
cially proper for me to say from the chair
| desire further to say, for and in behalf of
myself, that | also know by knowledge of
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