Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-08
spEEcH or ROBERT P. DICK. ESQ

AuaHst 80, 1850.
FEIIow -CIr1zExs A member of the National
Executive COMMITTEES of the Democratic party, | is
sued cali for the Democratic people OF North Car
olina-ths friends Of Douglas and johnson, the
regular non1inees-to meet in Convention at this
place today, to prepare for the Presidential
paisn In obedience to that CALL you have left your
homes and assembled here to discharge high and
solemn duty to your country. With all my heart
greet and congratulate you. Your presence here
must satisfy the people that the old Democratic par
ty still lives for the thro5bings of its mighty heart
now thrill this assembly. Again has Il reused it.
self to action and is ready more to enter the
free conflict for the Union Of our fathers. Let US,
therefore form ourselves into Convention, and do
what duty and patriotism require at our hands. We
may have some difficulties to encounter, but sim
cerely hope that spirit Of generous Cancellation
may preside over our councils, and We may have the
wisdom and firmpess to discharge duties to the
satisfaction of the Democracy of the Union.
honestly believe that we represent the true ma
tional Democracy Of rth-Carolina- believe so
because we endorse the principles enunciated by the
regular Convention of that party We abide by the
rules and usages which have always governed its
organization, and cordially support the nominees
whom it has placed before the American people
The national Convention which met at Charles
ton and adjourned to Baltimore, was the only one
that had any authority from the people to act as
their representative The secession of some of the
delegates could not destroy its organization long
as there remained sufficient number who could le-
gally discharge its appropriate duties. When the
seceders left the regular Convention their delegated
authority was ended, and the power which they as
stunned in forming themselves into another Conven-
ton was entirely unwarranted and their individual
action can bind no one but themselves
The first great lessons which learned in the
Democratic school of politics was "the majority
shall rule" the rules and usages of the party shall
SIrf,,
fort" shaH be gireg to boilers and dsorganizcra =
In the midst of trials and conflicts from my youth,
have learned those lessons well, and always
pect to be governed by them, as my judgment con-
vinces me that they are just and experience has
shown them to be wise.
As good and loyal Democrat am therefore de-
termined to sustain the principles and nominees OF
the regular Convention Of my party, with all the
energy and zeal which may possess, and make no
concession or compromise with those who oppose
them.
/ have always been Democrat have true and
faithful allegiance borne to my party, and have new
or yet shrunk from any duty or responsibility which
it imposed have followed its fortunes through
days OF sunshine and darkness. have rejoiced in
its triumphs and while have regretted its defeats
have never yet been dispirited or lost confidence
in its ultimate success. sincerely believe that it
is yet the destiny Of the Democratic party to pre-
the union of the States and thus carry out the
2
purest and happiest nation that ever existed And
although that party has been weakened now by de-
sertion and disorganization still hope that the
people will put forth their mighty power and enable
it to fulfil its glorious destiny.
The great question Of union or disunion is now
before the country, and We have to meet il. The
question is involved in Congressional Intervention
or nonintervention. For more than quarter Of a
century the question Of slavery has disturbed the
councils of the nation, and has frequently seriously
threatened the dissolution Of the Union 1t has be-
come dangerous by its constant agitation in Con-
gress It has been used and is still used by unscru-
pulous politicians means of eleyating themselves
to power and place. by infaming the worst passions
and prejudices of the people Its discussion in Con-
gress has absorbed all other questions which ought
! to- engage the attention Of that body, and thus
weakened the power of the government to foster
and promote the great commercial financial and in
dustrial interests of the nation and to check the
enormous expenditures which have made the treas
ury bankrupt. 1t has engendered the vilest fanati-
clsm and kindled the fires of sectional hate which,
not arrested, viii plunge this country into q vor-
tex Of anarchy and deluge this land with fraterna
blood
How is this direful catastrophe to be averteda
Ire National democracy have answered by saying,
Toneue tie question from Congress and remand IL to
the people to regulate 1T for temselres under the
Ooastsfstieaa, as erponnded BY the Supreme Court
If this is done, peace. harmony, and prosperity will
be restored and the Union be saved. But establish
the doctrine Of Intervention and you keep continu-
ally burning at the capitol the fires of secionalsm
which viii consume every feeling of brotherhood
and soon light up the funeral pyre of the nation
with flames Of discord and civil war
The great leading object of my political life is to
aid in the preservation Of the Union, and the great
cardinal principle Of my political faith is the doc
trne OF Nonintercention, and will claim fellowship
with no party which does not secure homage and
n M nd xrr,n
has not the other blazoned forth upon his banner
The national Democratic party at Baltimore re-
asserted the doctrine of nonintervention which was
contained in the platforms Of ls4s, 1852, 1885, and
agreed upon in the Compromise measures and the
Aansas-Nebraska bill It is the bond of union, and
fer twelve years has been the sb5ole Of the North.
Gro and Southern Democracy It has carried us in
triumph through two Presidential campaigns, and
would again have insured Us victory but for deser.
ton IN the feld Of battle in front Of the enemy
This doctrine has long been maintained by the
Democracy of North Carolina. All Of our leading
public men are fully committed to it and if we de.
sert It now we will certainly be defeated in this
state BY the opposition, and we will deserve to be-
Eof what's the Democratic party without national.
consistency Of principle and regularity Of &C.
IIen zig Is like Samson shorn Of his locks, and Il
WI 9eRs is uncertain way amidst confusion, dark.
aess md blindness TO terrible overthrow.
C1mon honesty and Justice REQUIRE MS to keer
cur plIghted faith with our Northern friends and al
hes They have observed their covenant even a,
tho lest personal and political sacrifices Thew
u new demands upon us, but only REQUIRE n
% to the bargain made and so often solenuly
ge-adrmed and ratified. II the Democracy Of TN
South yiolste fbeir slcred agreement and under ~,
lead OF Yaneey, Davis Rhett and Others. bccom,
purely sectiohdi the same result must occur AZ IL,
north, and chen disunion is inevitable. Men q
Mortn-Cardiinas are you prepaFed to act thus wher
= me co9sequences will be 50 disastrousi Honesty
4is~- = : - So.