Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-05-10
constitutional Democrats Convention. :
CHARLESTON, May 1st, 1860.

CHARLESTON, may LIST, 1860.
Jas. A. Bayard, of Delaware, was selected as perma
nent President The following the Vice Presidents
james Simons, South Carolina L. r. Irwin, Georgia
Robert G. Scott, Alabama James Drane Mississippi
Emile LeSere Louisiana John Milton, Florida Johr
A. Jordan, Arkansas Fl. R. Runnels, Texas William
u. Whitley, Delaware NJ w. Fisher, Virginia.
Mr. Bayard on taking the chair, addressed the con-
vention as follows
accept with great and unegned reluctance the post
ing its responsibilities We who constitute the actors in
this movement seceders from the Convention which
we were elected by constituents We must that
question 1t bold step to take, and rely upon
Consciousness Of right and the fact that rep
resent principles not men, justification for the
have taken. When principle is rampled upon, there
room for pause Ipropose briefly consider to
come before and the extent of authority We have
longer the authority to bind constituents but being
thrown into the hands of those who would have oveed
In principle, would certainly be wrong action
part if we do not await the action of that body. If they
ran IN what we desire let us not undertake to control
dictate to our constituents but recommend what should be
their action on that occasion 1t involves of two events
en- In the construction of the Cincinnati Platform should ac
cept OF plain distinct principle which lies at the ounda
ton OF the structure of the Federal Government and
vital IN us construction to large portion of the States of
the Union On that question there an evident division
in the different States Of this Union. The majority of the
delegates required it, they said ambiguous. We were
cited to the declaration that Democratic principles were
changeabe Unless Democratic principles are announced
WIN certainty in their specifcness, apt
to be mised. We announced to them the principle for
which we contend We claimed the adoption of the Plat
form reported by the majority of the Committee or the
adoptlon OF such Platform that would not be ambiguous
nor having many different constructions. We presented
TO them two distinct enunciatOns of principles The
majority Platform, containing principles, voted
down by the majority, and they substituted precisely the
Platform which the ambiguity exists, and from
which many different constructions have been gwen
The necessary result that that Convention nominate on
the ambiguous Platform, candidate who is the known ex-
FOUNDER OF doctrines contrary to the States this Union
they MAINTAIN the principle of Squater Sovereignty. Mr.
then referred to the protracted discussions
and arguments that had filled the newspapers and perod
GALS and to the long debates in the halls of Congress-
IL the Convention dominates for President whose
opinions are IN direct concurrence with then
them TO reconcile differences as may seem best But if
they refuse to adopt Platform of principles sound it.
self, then we must take responsibility in hands
We may take the nomination if it is sound and tangible
what we demand is the supervision and if Territorial
Legislature abuse its power say Congress should
pose. ~
The President dwelt some length on the differences e
lSg between the two Conventions He expressed his
hdence In the capacity of the distinguish for them
he trusted in the assembage when formal
y organized question of rules be necessary no
those from whom they severed and with regret
And when their action is known with their own minds
made up they would take such action would rebound TO
the honor of their country.
Mr.. YanCey offered the resolutions reported by the
Majority Committee of the Charleston Convention and
which were rejected by that body on Saturday last as
he platform of this Convention which WERE on his mo-
on referred to the Committee on Resolutions TSee
Daily Journal LIST inst. N {