Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-18
Ids Standard.
SPEECH OF
ROBERT r. DICK, Esq,

SPEECH OF
re: ROBERT r. DICK, Esq,
tDel;sered in the National Democratic Coarestiun
at Baltimore, June Esd, 1850.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Before casting the vote o: North
Carolina, claim the Indulgence of the Convention
whileI briefly define my position, and assign some
Of the reasons which have influenced my action IN
this body, AS now stand alone from the old North
State, I think have right to be heard. For SIX
teen days have been patient and ANXIOUS nearer,
hut silent and determined actor in the Important
proceedings 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 ell my personal friends
true and tried Democrats and honorable men. We
have stood side by side in many ercey fought po-
tical contest and am well satisfied that in leaving
this, Convention they have been influenced by hon
orable and patriotic motives. sincerely regret that
We have differed so widely in opinion as to our duty
to our party and our country. as
have remained here because have birthrght
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, so
long as it preserves its nationality and keeps its
pghted 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, as think, after strange
gods, 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 Ny constituents. have imposed upon me the
high and solemn trust of making national platform
and national nomination for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency Of the United States. have hon
est!y and faithfully endeavored to fulfil that trust
andl expect to remain here until my duties arc
completed and then 60 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 fearlessly and faithfully stood by the
constitutional rights of the South. They have been
true to their plighted faith, and I will not permit
myself to be influenced by new born sectional feel
ing to dstrust and desert them now. They have
never made any aggressions upon the rights of the
South but have always firmly withstood the aggres
sons. They have had fierce warfare to wage in
which they had no personal interests and like true
men and patriots, they have not quaed before the
invectives of the FORUM the philippics 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 our common country, am de-
terminsd to stand by them, although may go down
before the Southern sectional storm that has much
disturbed the harmony of this Convention.
Mr.. President I have remained here because
have seen no good cause for secession When l
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
dictatorial demands Of some of the delegates from
the State of Alabama. fully believe tina. the only
safe course for the South is to take the question Of
slavery out Of Congress, and trust the people to
gulate 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 factonists
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 more secure in their
hands than in the Congressional Workshop where
unscrupulous deinagogues are always making capt.
tailor their own selfish purposes. When the Courts
become too corrupt for justice then l am for revo-
luton.
saw no cause for leaving the Convention at
Charleston because the Northern Democrats would
not yield to the new and improper demands of the
Southern secessonists, made in an ungenerous, un-
compromising and dictatorial spirit see no cause
for leaving now, because these seceers and distur-
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 principle is changed
Their application for seats in this Convention might
be construed into an admission that they were wrong
in seeding at Charleston, but they come net back
IN spirit OF harmony-they still wished to dictate
terms to the national Democracy. These sccelers
by their own action now belong to hostile section
party organization, and think they ought not to
claim and they have not the right to seats in this
National Convention
Il thought Mr.. Haett was entitled to his seat, and
$50 voted, but did not think it sufficient cause 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
rom his seat No organized body could long exist
il this rule were adopted by dissatisfied minorites
Many OF the men who have seeded voted at Charles
ton ser the admission Of the Wood delegation from
the State OF New York, who certainly did not have
better right than Mr.. liaetts alternates; and vet
the friends of the Cagger delegation did not COM
pam. Ii the Democratic party can be broken up
oy mere difference of opinion a question of or
gan'sation then it certainly must be held together
ty very feeble ties
Mr. president, have remained here because nv
post Of duty has now become one of danger-and
soislsnot the timeto shrink froma high responsibility
Boon great political battle is to be fought which
may decide the destinies Of this country, and bring
on mercer and more deadly conflict There are
three armies in the field. The old Democratic
most which has so long stood in solid phalanx around
the Constitution is now distracted and divided and
without any great chosen leader to bear its time
nonored flag to victory. But the dearest hopes of
the gS country gather round the old party still
Inc little veteran army, far distant in the rear.
iea on by two very clever and estimable old gen.
tlenen' is not much to be dreaded. The leaders
nave 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 tear-the black Republicans at the North.
Their solid columns forming now, and above the
serried ranks the black banner of treason and dis
unon'is streaming already stained with the blood
OF virginia. They have able captains to gather
round and sustain their popular leader They must
De met in their strong holds, in the deadly breach.
Galfsnt Northwest! you have to lead the head d