Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-08-09

Inc following letter from Charles O'Conner, ESQ.,,
was read at the great Breckenridge and Lane ratca
ton meeting recently held in New York
NEW YORK, July II, 1860.
Genuemen :-Cordlaly approving the nomination of
j. c. Breckenridge for President and Joseph Lane for
wee PRESIDENT OF the United States regret that it
VIII not be In my power to address the ratification meet
stitute. 49,
However deeply it is to hsa1epored that rival plat
forms and rival candidates are presented to the Demo-
cratic party threatening to divide its strength and de-
liver 1t over as easy prey into TIE hands of its oppo
nents yet such being unhappy the fact the duty of
making a choice cannot be avoided
The difference between these two platforms like every
political question of the times derives all its significance
from the subject of negro slavery Its relation to the
Territories and to the mode of governing them is mere
" the form IN which this perpetualy recurring subject
Is mere developed as an element of strife. The contro-
yersy in all its practically bearings is merely this =
How is negro slavery to be dealt with?
In Its moral political legal and economical aspects
my views on that general subject have been so distinct
y and so often expressed that my position in reference
to the rival platforms before could not be doubt
full.
The most fertile regions of the globe cannot be so cu-
tVated as fully to develop their natural resources for
the benefit OF mankind except by negro labor negro la
Dor cannot be there employed except through the judi
clous compuslon OF superior and in no way can
so great measure of physical enjoyment and moral i'm
provement be Impaired to the negro his compuso
ry servtude in these very regions
From these undeniable facts written in the great
book OF nature, proven by experience and without
sanction from revelation my draws the inference
that negro slavery is not repugnant to usce-s not
Improbable to the white MANS oppressive to the
negro, and is not inexpedient matter of social pol
! icy.
Let US apply these views to our own country Since
the foundation of this Republic negro slavery has
been main pillar OF strength, Indispensable ee
ment of our growth and prosperity 1t is now an nte
grail part OF our being as nation to expe it by fraud
or tear 1t out by violence, would be national suicide
1t follows that to vindcae its essential justice and
morality, in all the Courts and places before men and
nations, is the duty of American citizens"
moral war has beenmade upon this institution by in
fdes and quasi religious crusade has been preached
against it by another class Hitherto at least the
North one has defended it, and its Southern advocates
have not been heard The natural results have ensued
judgment has passed against by default and the idea
that it conflicts with natural justice and divine law has
| taken possession of the Northern mind.
This state of things afforded most promising quarry
for the industry of political party makers and they have
availed themselves of it. They thus argued "With
the National Conscience on our side-With God and
Nature both side, and against antagonists
surely we must win Accordingly this bright idea
has been indusrousy worked into political organiza-
ton and here stands before at the North the Black
Republican, almost, if not absolutely invincibie.
Why has that party any strength Why does it
now threaten to destroy harmony between the North
and the South, leading to disunon and disaster, deep
|
1t is simply because the false assumption of Adolf
tonists that negro slavery is wicked and UNJUST has
been permitted to pass unrefuted
How is that destructive party to be sho1n of its per-
nicious strength? There is but method by which
this object be effected and that is by denying and
disprovng the false position which it is founded
We must, as party insist unqualihedly that In the
institution of negro slavery there is nothing whatever
which calls for unavorabe action by governments that
the right of the white master to the services of his negro
slave lS In every mo
right to any other property.
If this principle be not true no honest ought to
desire the permanency of Republic ii it be rue the
Black Republican doctrine reasonable and destruc
tive fallacy.
! in favor of the principles enuncated in the Sen
ate resolutions of 1860 and in the report OF the Com
mitee on Resolutions made to National Convention
Charleston because they up to this point. They
meet the exigency before they fairly and directly
meet the issue it is understood by all honest and SEN
sible men on either side.
am in favor of Breckenridge and Lane because they
stand upon platform distinctly expressing these princl-
pies.
Mr.. Douglas declines practically to stand up to them.
He bnks the main ISSUE aud seeks to ride into power
upon dogma which implicitly comedies to aboltionism
the vital element of its political power to wit that
gro slavery unjust at least has in 1t element
which, on moral grounds, justihes hostility.
His friends may deny this construction; but to my
mind it is manifesty Just. The whole practical impor-
lance of his popular sovereignty doctrine is in its bear
ing on the slave question NO one cares hg about 1t
except in this single connection In all its other bear
ngs it is admitted abstraction, unworthy OF mo-
ments attention, and incapable OF attracting 1t.
Let any man who doubts this, read MIR. Douglas
argument as published in Harper's Magazine and his
subsequent reply to Judge Black in defence OF that
article Slavery is the stat pie of his whole argument
The phrases and postulaes of the antsavery agators
invoked by him at every point in discussion, and
most literally used to sustain his views.
Thus, to all practical purposes Mr. Douglas presents
AhoIiti Tic
keep Abolitionsm alive power in the State, for tu
ture mischief The platform of Breckenridge and Lane
assails the Hydra in front and aims to STAY 1t outright
Whilst am thus with you in sentiment, and to the
extent of my humble powers ready to aid IN your OBJ
iect cannot lose sight of the policy which requires
thorough union of all New Workers who are opposed to
u the election of Lincoln. Concurrlng with that eminent
and patriotic citizen of Pennsylvania, William b. Reed
believe that there are three candidates Tor the freS
dency preferable to the one whom every ADohtonls
s or anti-slavery agitator in the land supports"
With great respect am, gentlemen,
a Your obedient servant,
e Gu. OCoNoR
To Messrs. Tucker, Henry, and others, Committee
= CAPTURE OF A SLAYER WITH THREE HUNDRED ANE
y SIXTY NEGROES ON BoARD.-The purser of the steamer
Karnak, at New York, from Nassau, gives the follow
% ing account of the capture OF another SLAYER
al On the 18th of July, Nassau all excitement il
CONSCIENCE of the arrival of three schooners with about
$50 Africans board, in complete state OF nudity
taken from a wrecked SLAYER. We saw the SLAYER or
! u Wednesday, the Goth ult at A. M: They ran il
shore at Abaco, but in consequence OF gale the pre-
vous day. they had lost most OF their canvass and hat
- not sufficient left to bear out again from the land
y finally struck at Lanyard Bay, on the n. E. coast
~ Abaco. The SLAYER left the coast with 400 slaves OF
board and had lost about 40 They all quite young
many of them children about 80 are females The.
were suffering much from scurvey and hunger. Th
captain and mate are not yet found They say the for
er cut his throat the first day out and the mate short
" " after was drowned. That however, remains to b