Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-14
The Sfapaafe.
SpEECH-0F
ROBERT p. DICK, Esq,

Carolina, claim the indulgence of the Convention,
while briefly define my position and assign some
of the reasons which have influenced my ACTON IN
this body As now stand alone from tue va North
State think have right to be heard. For SIN
teen days have been patient and anxious nearer,
but silent ard determined actor in the Important
proceedinps which have occurred in the Convention,
and which have produced such deep and painful
interest in the public mind throughout the whole
country,
have parted from my associate delegates with
much sorrow. They are all my personal friends
true and tried Democrats, and honorable men. We
have stood side by side in many fercey fought po
litical contest and am we'll satisfied that in leaving
this Convention they have been influenced by hon
orable and patriotic motives. sincerely regret that
we have differed widely in opinion as to our duty
to our party and our country.
have remained here because have birthright
in the National Democratic party, which am deter
mined never TO forfeit have always, and ever will
true and faithful allegiance bear to that party, 50
long as it preserves its nationality and keeps its
plighted faith to every section of the country.
| was reared in the old Democratic hOuSehold and
although many of my gallant Southern brethren
have gone forth to follow, think, after strange
gods, I am still content to remain and bow before
the old Penates which have so long cherished
/ have remained here because it is my post Of
duty My constituents have imposed upon the the
high and solemn trust of making national platform
and national nomination for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency of the United States. have hon.
estly and faithfully endeavored to fulfil that trust
and expect to remain here until my duties
completed, and then go home to my constituents to
receive their appreciation or censure.
have remained here because truth and justice
requires me to stand by my Northern brethren who
have always so earlesSly and faithfully stood by the
constitutional rights of the South. They have been
true to their pligbted faith and will not permit
n he nv q rel
ing to distrust and desert them now. They have
never made any aggressons upon the rights of the
South, but have always firmly withStood the aggrcs
sions They have had fierce warfare to wage in
which they had no personal interests, and like true
men and patriots they have not quailed before the
invectives of the forum, the phppics of the huS
tings and the anathemas of the pulpit. They have
sacrificed themselves at home in defense of the rights
of the South and now in the suspicious time Of their
dawning hopes, when they feel confident of victory
over the enemies of common country, am de-
termined to stand by them, although may 90 down
before the Southern sectional storm that has much
disturbed the harmony Of this Convention.
Mr.. President, | have remained here because
have seen no good cause for secession. When
went to Charleston understood the doctrines of the
Democratic party on the vexed question of slavery
to be well settled and feel confident that we could
easily have made satisfactory platform but for the
dctatorial demands of some of the delegates from
safe for the South is take the question If
slavery out of Congress- and trust the people to re-
guate it for themselves under the Constitution of
the United States and the decisions of the Supreme
Court.
Most of the power of the black Republican party
has been manufactured in the halls of Congress
and so long the question of slavery remains there
it will be source Of agitation by which actioniSts
and fanatics will continually disturb the peace and
harmony of the country. Let the people regulate 1t
for themselves under the control of the Courts and
we of the South have nothing to fear am willing
to trust the Courts and the people, and feel that
the rights of the South arc more secure in their
hands than in the Congressional Workshop where
INSCRIPTIONS denagogucS always making CAPT
tai for their own selfish purposes When The Courts
become too corrupt for justice then am for revo-
luton.
/ saw no caEse for leaving the Convention at
Charleston because the Northern Democrats would
not yield to the new and improper demands of the
Southern secessionsts, made in an ungenerouS un-
compromising and dctatorial spirit. ] see TO cause
for leaving now, because these Seceders and dstur-
bers of the harmony of the Democratic party are not
admitted into this Convention. They left the Con-
vention at Charleston of their own accord saving
that they could not with honor remain and vet they
wish now to come back when no principle is changed
Their application for seats in this Convention might
be construed into admission that they were wrong
in seeding at Charleston. but they come not back
IN spirit of harmony-they still wished to dictate
terms to the national Democracy. These seccdes
by their own action now belong to hostile section
al party organization and think they ought not to
claim and they have not the right to seats in this
National Convention.
thought Mr.. Hallett was entitled to his seat and
so voted but did not think it sufficient ca:se for
me to leave the national Democratic party because
parliamentary body in the exercise of its legitimate
power, IN my opinion, improperly excluded one man
from his seat. No organized body could long exist
If this rule were adopted by dissatisfied minoriteS
Many OF the men who have seeded voted at Charles
ton for the admission of the Wood delegation from
the State of New York, who certainly did not have
better right than Mr. Hallets alternates; and vet
the friends of the CaggeT delegation did not COM
PLAIN. Ii the Democratic party can be broken up
by mere difference of opinion on question Of or
ganlzation then it certainly must be held together
by very feeble ties
Mr.. President have remained here because nv
post of duty has now become one of danger-and
this not the time shrink from responsibility
Soon great political battle is TO be fought. which
may decide the destinies Of this country and bring
on tercer and more deadly conflict There are
three armies in the field. The old Democratic
host which has so long stood in solid phaanx around
tne constitution is now distracted and divided and
without any great chosen leader to bear its time
honored flag to victory. But the dearest hopes of
the country gather round the old party still
The little veteran army, far distant in the rear,
LED on by two very clever and estimable old gen.
uemen, is not much to be dreaded. The leaders
have no confidence in their own success. They
nave no banner fying,-all of their ammunition
has been consumed, and their rusty old guns were
spiked many long years ago. There is foe that |
greatly fear-the black Republicans at the North.
Their solid columns are forming now, and above the
serrled ranks the black banner of treason and dis.
union is streaming, already stained with the blood
OF Virginia They have able captains to gather
be met in their strong holds, in the deadly breach
Gallant Northwest you have to lead the head Of
our columns! You have never yet faltered in the
hour Of danger. You will be sustained by the free
men Of the Empire and Keystone States, and the
Jerseys and thousands upon thousands of patriotic
men VIII rally from the granite hills and green val