Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-29
G9s Stanbarb,4
RALEIGH: SATURDAY. FEB. Is. 1860.
Opposition state Convention.

RALEIGH: SATURDAY, FEB. 25, 1860.
Opposition State Convention.
This body assembled in the Commons Hall, in
this City, on Wednesday the 22d, and adjourned on
Thursday evening sine die. The Hon. R. c. Pur-
year, of Yadkin, was President.
On Thursday the platform of resolutions was re-
ported by Henry K Nash, Esq., of Orange who ad-
dressed the Convention at some length The plat
form is unusually large and heavy, Notwithstanding
the well known aversion of the Oppositonists to all
platforms We heard it read but once and cannot,
therefore, state with accuracy all that it contains.
That portion of it relating to federal affairs is in the
nature Of an indictment against the Democratic par
ty consisting for the most part Of general charges
unsustaIned by proofs The tone the resolutions,
as it seems to us, is rather Union than Constitu-
tion and is quite as bitter against the national De-
mocracy North and South as against the black Re-
publicans As citizen of the State, and as de-
voted friend of a Constitutional Union, we lament
that this is so but as psrty man, if We were dis
posed to make capital out of this great question Of
slavery, we would rejoice.
The Convention also adopted resolution in favor
of an ad ralorem system Of taxation and in favor
Of Convention of the people of the State, to be
called the federal basis to carry out this system.
The object of this is to tax slaves according to value
instead of per capita as at present.
The Convention was addressed on Thursday fore
noon by the Hon. George E. Badger. Mr.. Badger
held the national Democratic party responsible for
all the strife and agitation on the slavery question,
and avowed his inAexible opposition to the Demo-
cracy and the Abolitionists" He also spoke at
some length in favor in of change in the Constitu-
ton which will enable the Legislature to tax prop
erty. slaves included according to its value It
well considered and rather telling party speech,
but by no means as able and eloquent might have
been expected from a gentleman of his reputation
as orator.
During the forenoon session Mr.. Smith, of Hall
fax, introduced resolution returning thanks to
Messrs. Smith, Vance, Leach and Gilmer for their
course in the House in the election Of Speaker.
Mr.. Rayner objected, and gave his reasons why he
could not vote for the resolution He said that
while he had confidence in these gentlemen. and be-
leved they thought they were acting for the best in
the course they have pursued, yet for his part he
would not have voted for any Democrat for Speaker
He said further, in speaking Of the national Demo.
cratic and black Republican organizations, that he
would feel as safe under the rule of the latter as
under that Of the former! Mr.. Smith replied warm
y to Mr. Rayner, declaring among other things that
if compelled to choose between black Republican
and Southern national Democrat for President he
would not hesitate to vote for the latter.
In the afternoon session the subject came up
again. and was disposed of after much confusion, the
result of deep feeling on both sides. Mr. Rayne,
offered an amendment, which was voted down by 9
large majority In the course Of his remarks in the
evening Mr. Rayner spoke in highly complimentary
terms of Henry Winter Davis, of Maryland. III
said he ,oas an honor to any party or any State
He did not Mr.. Davis for voting for Penning
ton for Speaker. He said Mr.. Pennington was not
black Republican, but an old line Whig and that HI
considered him sound on the question of slavery
as Mr.. Hunt Of New York, the nominee ofthe Con
vention for Vice President
Mr. Smith insisted on his resolution, and replied
to Mr.. Rayner. He appeared to differ out and ou
with that gentleman. Our neighbor of the Regis
ter, Mr.; Syme, then took the floor in reply to Mr.
Rayner, deprecatng the course of that gentlemen ant
disapproving in strong terms of the conduct @
Winter Davis. He insisted that Pennington was
renegade Wing and black Republican Gov. Mani
then essayed to throw oil on the troubled waves
but failed. The Hon. S. Fl. Rogers then spoke wit
animation in reply to Mr.. Rayner, sustainin
and commencing the Opposition delegation in Cor
gress from this State.
Mr.. Rayner's amendment was then rejected an
Mr. Smiths resolution was adopted by large ma
jority. But how is this Are Messrs Smith
Vance, and Leach thanked for voting, and Mr.. Gil
mer thanked for not voting for q Democrat 70
Speaker? -st-sF q. st,- s"f POI
We must not omit to state that our cotemporar
of the Elizabeth City State, Mr.. Hinton, addresse
the Convention on Thursday evening, in response t
the honor done bis county by the nomination
Mr.. Pool for Governor. Mr.. Walser, of Davidson
also spoke, closing with some remarkably chast
anecdotes. Constitutional liberty will suffer whe
Walser retires to private life. -s~, r
John Pool, Esq., of Pasquotank, was nominate
for Governor. Mr.. Pool voted in the last Legisls
ture against changing the Constitution so as to ta
slaves as property. He will now of course noun
the platform and go for the change. ,r a.sa
Gov. Graham, Of Orange, was nominated for Pres
dent and Washington Hunt Of New York, for Vic
President ~ :. ilF- ~g-a<k ,..s --y..
1t appears to be understood that Gov. Graham
to be President Mr.. Badger Senator in place Of MI
Clingman, while Mr. Rayner, who has fought MOI
hard battles for the Opposition cause than both
these gentlemen, is 70 have nothing Truly !. r.
publicans are unGatsful" 'af@ ~ s'''ir5 80
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