The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-11
THE DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING
ATT RALEIGH. ---.-------~.


tested by the friends of Breckenridge and Lane
Gentlemen were present from all parts of the State
and they spoke encouragingly of the prospects OF
the democratic nominees for President and Vice
President, Breckenridge and Lane, In North Caro-
lima. But few good democrats have been led of
| by the Douglas movement. The assemblage in
Raleigh on Thursday was at least twice as large as
that in attendance to see Mr. Douglas; so we were
Informed by gentlemen who saw both crowds.
Among the prominent democrats of the State
present, we noticed Gov. Ellis, Hon. Bedford
Brown of Caswell, Hon. Asa Biggs of Martin, Hon.
A. NJ. Scales of Rockingham, Hon. w. s. Ashe Of
New Hanover, Hon. W. W. Avery of Burke, Hon.
Burton Craige of Rowan, Hon. W. N Edwards of
Warren, Hon. T. L. Clingman of Buncombe, Hon.
Thos Bragg and Hon. L. OBJ. Branch of Wake,
Hon. A. W. Venable of Granville, John A. Dick
son. Esq, Of Burke, E. G. Haywood, Esq of Wake,
Paul c. Cameron, Esq, of Orange, J. r. Mclean,
ESQ, of Guilford, Col. L. W. Humphrey of Onsow,
and others that we do not now recollect They
are all determined to use their best exertions to
secure the State for Breckenridge and Lane. A
We heard but three of the speeches deliverefy
those of Messrs Brown, Clingman and Bragg. Mr.
Brown led off, and for an hour elected the pro-
foundest attention of the large audience. He
showed that the friends of Douglas at Charleston
and Baltimore we're not disposed to accept of any
compromise for harmony, but were determined to
have Douglas nominated at the risk of breaking
up the party. He urged the Democracy of the
State to rally to the support of Breckenridge and
Lane, and take bold stand for the rights of all
the citizens of the Union in the Territories. His
plauded frequently during its delivery.
Mr. Clingman spoke next. He said he endorsed
Mr. Browns speech, and declared that he felt it
his duty to give Breckenridge and Lane hearty
support. He warned democrats against allowing
the strength of the party to be divided by the
Douglas movement in this State. Let the con-
sequences be what they might, he intended to
stand by the rights of the South and with his own
people in their efforts to beat back the powers of
Black Republicanism. He declared that he was
for maintaining the Union, but rather than submit
to the practical workings of Black Republican
policy, and the institutions of the South crush
ed out he would go with the Southern people in
determined resistance. He opposed to Mr.
Douglas doctrine of coercing States TO submission
the whippng-in process. No States Rights
man could consistently vote for Mr. Douglas after
he hao enunciateG such policy that, and he
predicted that Douglas would be overwhelmingly
defeated in the Southern States. No doubt about
that.
While Mr. Clngman speaking about the
bad results that would follow the election of Lin
coin, and the probability that Lincoln would put
men in Office in the South unfriendly to inst-
buttons, little sparring took place between him
and d. X. McRae, Esq, the Douglas elector,)
that proved quite interesting.
Mr. McRae rose up in the crowd and addressed
Mr. Clingman, Do [ understand you to say that
no southern man ought to accept Office under
Lincoln.
Mr. Clingman-I will answer your question if
you will answer me question Will you accept
Office under Lincoln?
A voce-Did you ever know McRae to refuse
an office?
Several vOices-No, no!
Mr. McRae, (hesitatng, u would accept office
under Lincoln under protest against his policy,
and would notify him that upon the first aggres-
sion he made upon the rights of the South | should
shoulder my musket in defense of her rights.
Mr. Clingman-Well, [ am not SO eager for an
Office to promise beforehand that would accept
one from Lincoln, like my friend McRae, but [
will not undertake now to say what southern men
ought TO do in case of Lincoln's election-circum-
stances must determine what course is best to pur
sue. No one car tell with certainty what will
transpire, and southern men should hold them
selves in readiness to act exigences may re-
quire.
During this dialogue considerable excitement
prevailed, and we not certain that give the
exact language, though we think give the
questions and answers correctly. Cheer after
cheer went up for Clingman, and after he finished
his speech six cheers called for and heartily
given for Thomas L. Clingman. -
Hon. Thos. Bragg then took the stand and
made most excellent speech. He made power
full and forcible argument for Breckenridge and
Lane, and against the territorial sovereignty doc
trine of Mr. Douglas. We cannot undertake even
a sketch of Gov. Braggs speech-we could not do
him justice. All speak in the highest terms of
it, and many have expressed the hope that it will
be published.
In the afternoon, Hon. A. W. Venable made
speech, and at night Hon W W Avery, Nc
Lean and J. A. Dickson, addressed large audi |
ence at the Capitol We left before either of