Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-08
WARREN COUNTY BRECKINRIDGE AND.
LANE RATIFICATION MEETING.


to ratify the nominations made by the National
Democratic Convention at Baltimore. The spacious
Court House vas filed to its utmost capacity, and
the greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevailed
throughout the assemblage The majority of those
present were grey headed Democrats who had spent
their lives defending and maintaining the doctrines
of Nat Mhcon and had now rallied at the .callof
their country. determined to maintain with their
last BREATH the true principles of constitutional
{. liberty, as ayowed by the Democratic Party. Nor
were the youth of the County absent bnt eagerly
Joined with their experienced seniors in rallying
around the banner Of Breckenridge and Lane. n :.
On motion of Dr. Thos j. Pitchford, the Hon.
Weldon N. Edwards was called to the Chair, and
Wn A. Walsh was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. Edwards returned thanks for the proof OF,
their Partially, evinced by calling HIM to preside
over such an intelligent assembly. He alluded TO
hisiege which ought to exempt him from paruci-
pating the political struggles of the day but the
times were such as compelled every man to come
forward to rescue their beloved country from de.
struction.s The people of Warren knew him from
his bpyhood to the present day, and had ever given
him a cheerful and steady support throughout
long public life and hence he felt bound to rcspond
to their call. He gave brief sketch of the purpose
for which they were assembled. For 70 years this
country had enjoyed prosperity unexampled in
the world and which no history could portray
But we are fallen on evil days; war was waging
against the principles of Democracy, and the great
cause Of the Union-the People-and the Constitu-
ton were stake not only at present. but for the
future. Four tickets were before the people. The
Black Republican, conceived in scctionasm, and
matured in gross treason. lie strongly denounced
their doctrines which could not be permitted to ride
triumphant through the Union. Bell and Everett
were highly respectable gentlemen, more conserva-
tive-ttmn the others, but they only represent the
fragment Of party that had gone through all kind
of phases, from federalism down to Know Nothing
ISM and now call themselves Union Constitutional
men, He considered Douglas and johnson as much
"higher law" party rs that Of Lincoln and Ham
lin. He explained the Douglas doctrine relative to
the Territories and in the course Of his lucid re-
marks on the Douglasites appeal to the Cincinnati
platform, he gave graphic showing up Of the alb
surdity of their contending that n mere voluntary
assemblage called Convention, could release Con-
greSs from their obligations to enforce the provisions
of the Constitution. He explained and pointed out
the protection which the Constitution would give
them under Lincoln, but Douglas erects Terrific
rial Legislature Congress- and leaves the latter
powerless Douglas might and would collect around
him the disafected and corrupt but he never would
attain the dadem of power. He would go for Bell,
if he thought he could save the country but he only
represents chip Of a party, that merely depends
for upon the divisions caused by Douglas in
the Democratic party. Mr.. Edwards spoke with
great energy and vigor, and was warmly appauded
throughout II was highly gratifying to the friends
Of the venerable patriot to much Of his youth
full fire yet remaining. to be used, if necessary in
raying the people to the defence Of the Union and
Constitution. -t ss- F.rrt .E-
On motion of Thomas j. Foote ESQ.,, the follow
ing were appointed as a Committee to prepare reso-
utions to be submitted to the meeting; Messrs. T.
J. Foote, T. j. Pitchford T. j. Green, W. T. Aston,
n. Milan, w. K. Kearney, j. I. Russell, j. S.
Jones and E. D. Drake.
The Committee having retired ss
Gen. Green moved that the Hon. Abram Venable,
Eector for this District be requested to address the
meeting. which was adopted by reclamation.
Mr.. Venable, in response to the call. said he had
once hoped his political life had closed and that az
ter 40 years public service he would be allowed TO
retire to the quiet Of private life, and that he would
have died with the hope OF leaving his country safe
and prosperous. But he was disappointed; he was
called upon, and came willingly forward to protect
the rights Of himself and his descendants, and he
would die in his tracks than surrender them.
He had fought for Democracy in North-Carolina
when Democracy was by-word He compliment
ed the old Wing party before it was tainted with
KNOWN othingism, but he denied that it had any
connection with the present Union Constitutional
Conservative party, which made up in length Of
for its paucity in numbers. applause. y
Before the election in the presence Of Gen. Lane at
Kittrers lie had stated, as Ellis had declared for
Breckenridge and Pool for Bell that il the latter
was elected on that issue he would feel bound to
he called upon the Bell men to follow his example
and vote for Breckenridge We cannot follow the
eloquent speaker through the various topics which
he discussed He gave graphic description OF the
results which would follow Black Republican rule.
As Elector he came to ask their votes for Brock
inridgc and Lane lie discussed the claims of Doug
las and johnson, and exposed the irregular nominal
ton Of the latter. who in support Of Squatter Sow
ereignty, was equally involved with Douglas. He
entered into an able analysis Of Douglas doctrine.
lie demonstrated that the same protection should
be extended to slave property, as given to all
other descriptions Property brought into the Ter
rItories. The right to protect and create does not
include the right to destroy, and quoted Webster to
support his position. He exposed the absurdity Of
allowing the power, as claimed by Mr.. Douglas, to
be lodged in Territorial Legislature.
Mr.. Venable gave sketch of the public services
of Breckenridge and Lane. He scornfully hurled
back the malignant fa!sehood that they were dis
unonlsts, appealing to their past life as the best
futat;on. I'VE are fallen on evil times" exclaimed
he, "when Presidential candidates tramp through
the country, like Constables canyassing Captains
beat (cheers,) but we have, unfortunately, got y
breed of politicians and lost that of statesmen,
Cheers, and as, I consider Mr. Douglas the candi-
date Of the politicians, Isupport Breckenridge and
Lane as the candidates Of the people, applause.
He had unbounded confidence in the people they
may occasionally waver about In ordinary times
but when once aroused by the approach Of danger
they will arise and sweep all before them. He
.eloquently aposthophized the spirit Of Macon and
called upon his countrymen to protect the Union
Constitution, and the equality Of the States with
in it (Applause) He would stand by the
Union, and pointed ont the evils Of civil discord
and drew most happily conceived illustration
from the destruction Of Jerusalem of the present
state of public affairs. When Titus army assaled
the city, voice was heard from the Utmost sanctu-
AIRY enchanting, :" Let us go hence He hoped that
he should not 1--we to the day when The spirit Of
our Constitution would make the same exclamation,
while We were assaulted by the hosts of Black Re
I publicanism. applause Come what may, he
| would cling to North Carolina The blood Of his
foretathers was shed her fields and he was ready
20 shed his own, to do as she ordered; to strike
when she struck and whaneyer our foes shall break