Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-09-05
Judge Douglas, Speech.

We give in our paper to-day the speech of Judge
Douglas, delivered in Raleigh on Thursday last
We DO this because we presume our readers desire
to see and peruse it Moreover, it is but justice to
the distinguished gentleman that he should be heard
by all classes and parties. We do not agree with
him in all his positions. The platform on which
Mr. Breckenridge stands contains the true doctrine
We republish it. and ask for it careful perusal:
Resolced, That the Platform adopted by the Demo-
cratic party at Cincinnati be affirmed with the fol-
lowing explanatory resolution. 3
First That the government of Territory or
gan!zed by an act of Congress is provisional and
temporary, and during its existence all citizens of
the United States have an equal right to settle with
their property in the Territory without their rights
either OF person or property being destroyed i'm
paired by Congressional or Territorial legislation.
Second, That it is the duty of the Federal govern
ment in all its departments, to protect, when neces
sary the rights of persons and property in the Ter
ritorles and wherever else its constitutional author
ty extends. ~--~r
Third, That when the settlers in a Territory
have an adequate population to form State Con-
stitution, the right of sovereignty commences and
being consummated by admission into the Union,
they stand on an equal footing with the people of
other States, and the State thus organized ought to
be admitted into the Federal Union, whether its Con-
stutton prohibits or recognizes the institution of
slavery.
Resolred, That the Democratic party are in favor
of the acquisition of the island of Cuba on such
terms shall be honorable to ourselves and just to
Spain, at the earliest practicable moment
Res0tCed, That the enactments of State LegiSla-
lures to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugitive
Slave Law are hostile in character, subvcrsive of
the Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect
Resolred, That the Democracy of the United
k,4n H. l,,<,, &c
government to protect the naturaized citizen in all
his rights whether at home or in foreign lands to
the same extent as its native-born citizens.
| WHEREAS, One of the greatest necessities of the
| age, in POLITICAL commercial, postal and military
| point Of view, is speedy communication between
the Pacific and Atlantic coasts: Therefore be it
Resolred, That the National Democratic party do
hereby pledge themselves to use every means in
their power to secure the passage of some bill, to
the extent Of the constitutional authority of Con-
gresS for the construction of Pacific Railroad from
| the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, at the
earliest practicable moment.
This platform protests against Territorial sover-
eighty, and asserts protection only to carry out the
DEGREES of the Supreme Court 1t was so under
stood and voted for at Charleston by the entire
South. We also object to the force" policy of Mr..
Douglas This Union can never be maintained by
force. Fire and sword can never make us united
people. The only efficient remedy in case of a
threatened dissolution is Convention of all the
States When tina. fails, all is gone Force can
never hold together and the it is resorted
to, the sooner will disruption take place. We arc
for the Union, and we will not follow Yancey and
other disunionsts; but it will be time enough to
talk about force when force is necessary and when
| II ho A
sort to it. under any circumstances insures dissou
ton. If the great Northwest would preserve the
Union let it exert itself to have the Northern and
Eastern States do justice. With this the South will
be content but with nothing less.
We have no inclination to say harsh things Of
Mr. Douglas or his friends. They are honorable
men and patriots we doubt not. Douglas has
fought many brave and manly battle for the
South-be has stood by us in many dark and try
ing time-he has stood in the deadly breech
against the Abolition boards, and with giants
might hurled them back or scattered them, with
fallen crests to the right and to the left May oul
tongue be palsied and powcress before w
write or speak against such a man! We admire
him for his bodness and we honor him for his pa
triotism and we do not believe the Presidency coult
add laurel to the garland of deathess fame already
wreathed for his brow. But our true policy nov
is to stand by Breckenridge and Lane and adhere 4
the platform on which they stand, supporting tn
electors their ticket according to the suggestions
under our editorial head. Men and their deed
must yield to justice and to principle; and some
times to expedency. Mr.. Douglas cannot be lowered
by defeat-he could not be elevated by success
In North Carolina he stands no chance. Every vot
for HIM weakens the Democratic party in the State
and strengthens the Opposition-that strength tn
result of our division, and not inherent" by an,
means. Let US all rally, then, to the ticket o
Breckenridge and Lane, with the understanding tina
the electors are to do the best they can to defea
Lincoln and Hamln. These electors are patriot
and honest men, we'll worthy of our confidence, ant
let US trust them, confident they will do the hes
they can
~ Our friend of the Goldsboro' Rough Notes
and our contemporary of the Wilmington Journa
find fault with us for designating the members Q
the Douglas Convention as delegates" We use
the word usually used as courtesy due to the gen
tlemen composing the Convention, and without think
ing of any exceptions being taken to it. We pre-
sumo but few of them had delegated powers from
the people, but even selfdelegated powers rendere