The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-10-02
Discussions TN DAI.T.As

We learn that W. R. Myers, ESQ, Douglas
Elector, and David Schenck, Esq, of CASTOR, had
discussion at Dallas on Tuesday last
Mr. Myers opened the debate and charged that
the Breckenridge party had forsaken the doctrine
of non-interyention-that the Cincinnati platform
was non-intervention, and when made its coustruc-
ton was that given by Douglas-that the N. c..
delegates had misrepresented their constituents,
and were led out of the Convention, as he was in
formed, by Yancey himself He stated that the
cry of insurrection in the South was gotten up for
him Mr. Myers eulogized Douglas and labored
hard to make the people believe that he was the
man for whom they ought to vote
Mr. Schenck replied. As for the charge that
the N. c. delegation was led out of the Convention
by Yancey, he was authorized by Mr Lander to
say that it was not true, and had no foundation in
fact or in the circumstances of the occasion. The
n c. delegation was composed of men who had
sense enough to act for themselves-such men as
Bedford Brown, Avery, Ashe, Walker, and other
old line demoerats-and it was preposterous and
unfair to say that they could be led by Yancey or
any other from what was right. He denied
Ifat tue IFlehuS oI DreckiHFluSe Hau IorSakeu the
doctrine of non-intervention as contained in the
Kansas Nebraska act or the Cincinnati platform,
and asserted that they were still for non-interven-
ton both by Congress and the Territories-that
the Cincinnati platform and the Kansas act meant
that neither Congress Territorial Legislature
had the right or power to prohibit or establish
slavery in a territory, but that the people of the
territories were to be left free to settle the matter
to suit themselves uhen they formed their State
Constitutions and applied for admission into the
Union.
Mr. Schenck asked Mr. Myers if he believed
Territorial Legislature could abolish slavery. Mr.
Myers said No, he did not ! Mr. Schenck then
called particular attention to the fact that while
prominent friend of Douglas in CASTOR county had
been asserting that Territorial legislature did
possess such power--that while one of the Doug
las electors for the State at large, Mr. McRae, had
such power for the territories, and
while Mr. Douglas himself had time after time as
Electors (Mr Myers denied it, and admitted that
the Supreme Court had already decided that the
Territorial Legislature could not prohibit slavery.
Mr. Myers ought to drop Douglas now, for he
certainly does not entertain his principles accord
US lO HIS own uSCldIdtoilSj
Mr. Schenck also asked Mr. Myers if he believed
in the doctrine of secession He answered, No,
and said when the time came for action he was
for revolution. TSo Mr. Myers is for resistance,
anyhow, whenever circumstances justify it.
Mr. Schenck in an able manner defended Brock
nridge and Lane from the misrepresentation of
The opposition parties and showed that the Doug
las movement was only calculated to divide the
democratic party and give the State to Belize
appealed to democrats not to suffer themselves to
be sold to their enemies in that way. The whig
party was urging the Douglas men on, and the
Bell men hoped by that to carry the State,
but they would be Disappointed as the true demo
cracy understood the game and intended to rally
to tie support of Breckenridge and Lane. -.
We make this notice of the discussion from
few notes furnished us by two gentlemen who were
we're highly pleased with Mr. Schenck's speech,
md that the few Douglas men present were disap-
pointed both in regard to their strength and the
course of the argument. ........ .- /
In regard to Mr. Myers statement that the re-
ports about the disturbances in Texas were gotten
up for political effect, and that his overseer had so
written to him, we will merely remark that it is
not likely the 'soverseer' knows better than per-
IONS living in the neighborhood of the disturbances
,r is better informed than the editors of Texas
They all say that there cause for
he reports, and even give the particulars, which
nave been published from time to time.
"Why, let us ask, was an ex-Know Nothing
Nogul called upon to preside at one of the Seee-