Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-04-28
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BY HAGNRTIC TELEGRAPH.
National psmocratic Convention.

/
claim seats on the ground that that State Will
be admitted into the Union before the next
Presidential election.
1t was referred to the Committee on the
National Convention.
The announcement was made at lu4 . CLOCK
that the Committee on Platform would not
be ready to report for an hour and 1t was
proposed to have recess until that time,
which was adopted,
The members then went to promenadlng.
and the floor being crowded with ladies, as
well rs the West galleries, there was now
clatter of tongues and merry laughter, III
strong contrast with the excitement so recent
| ly suspended
After some time the committee on plat
form submitted though Mr.. Avery the FOL
lowing platform.
Resolved That the platform adopted At Cincn-
natl be affirmed with the following resolution
That the national democracy of the United
States hold these cardinal principles on the sub
iect of slavery in the Tcrrories:-First that Con-
gress has no power to abolish slavery in the Terri
tories Second that the Territorial Legislature
has . power to abolish slavery in the Territories,
nor 10 prohibit the introduction of slaves therein,
nor any power to destroy or impair the right OF
property in slaves by amy Legislation whatever.
Resolved, That the enactments OF State Legs
latures TO defeat the faithful execution ot the ~
gitiye Slave law hostile in character sunyer-
sive of the Constitution, and revolutionary IN their
character.
Resolved That is the duty Of the federal 60
vernnent to protect the rights of person and pro-
perly on the high seas, in the Territories, Or
wherever else its jurisdiction extends.
Resolved That il is the duty OF the government
OF the United States to acquire Cuba at the EARL
est practicable moment
Resolved. That it is the duty of the govern
ment of the United States to offer protection to
| natllraized citizens in foreign countries.
! Mr.. Avery made strong speech III pre-
sentng the majority resolutions, and conten-
ded, if squatter sovereignty was incorporated
with the platform no STAKEHOLDER would
venture to remove his property into any ne"
southern territory, and that democracy could
not advance beyond Its ancient landmarks
nor abandon its principles.
The principal minority report was pre-.
sented by Mr. Payne, of Ohio, and IS signed
by the delegates from Maine, New Hamp-
| shire. Vermont. Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mich-
gan. Wisconsin, Iowa. Minnesota, New YORK,
and Pennsylvania, and is nearly as follows
LIST. The report reafirmS the Cincinnati
| Platform.
ID Declares that all rights Of property
are judicial in character, and that the De-
mocracy pledge themselves to carry out all
the decisions of the Supreme Court on such
| subject
I'd. Declares it the duty Of the govern
ment to give protection to cltlzenS hauVo
and naturalized. at home and abroad.
4th. Pledges the Democracy to enlist g"N-
ernmental aid IN the construction OF the "a
| ctc Railroad.
5th. Favors the acquisition Of Cuba on
| terms honorable to ourselves and Just u
| Spain.
9th. Declares that all State resistance T.
the Fugitive Slave law is revolutionary and
subyersive of the Constitution.
A second minority report was also pre-
sented. Ii is signed only by 3. {. Butler,
of Massachusetts, on behalf Of small minor
ity.
The report merely re-aiRrms the Cincin
natl platform, declaring Democratic prnci-
pies Interchangeable in their nature when ap-
| piled to the same subject matter, and only
recommends in addition resolution Tor the
protection of all American citizens whether
foreign or native.
! Mr.. Payne on presenting the report quo
| ted from the speeches OF the most eminent
| living Southern statesmen 70 show that they
recognized squatter sovereignty.
! lie said that the South would lose nj
sympathy and support from the Northern
| Democracy il the platform reported by hlm
was rejected, and concluded his remarks hy
saving, $50 help us God, we Will never de-
sert this principle. If the majority report
is adopted, you cannot expect one Noftheri
Electoral vote or one sympathizing member
of Congress from the free states"
The Chairman of the majority OF the Com
mittee Mr.. Avery, said that although rep
resentlng fifteen slave States, and two free
States. he denied that any feeling Of sect'on-
alism influenced the majority.
MIR. Clark, of Missouri, stated that al
though he signed the majority report he
did not and would not vote for the third re-
solution, which is;
Resolved. That it is the duty Of the Federal
Government to protect, when necessary the rights
of persons and property on the high seas and ~
the Territories or wherever else It's constitutional
| authority extends
Mr.. Avery called attention to the fact that
the majority report represents one hundred
and twenty-seven certain Democratic Flee
toral votes Whilst the minority do not rep
resent one electoral vote that can be claimed
as certain. Heregarded Squatter Sovereign
ty as as subyersive of the rights Of the South
as Congressional intervention would be. lie
classed it with the Wilmot provlso
The discussion was continued Mt some
length, and pending the consideration Of the
subject, the convention took recess until
4 O'Clock
EVENING SESSION.
CHARLESTON. April 21,-At I o'clock, the
Convention re-assembled, when Mr.. Bay
ard of Delaware, presented a series OF reso-
buttons as a substitute for the platform pro
posed by the majority of the committee.
The substitute takes ground that the SOY
ereignty of Territory commences when It
has a population adequate TO entitle It to al
mission into the Union rs State AMI that
it is consummated when the State IS admit
ted into the Union, and that it should be 81
admitted with or without slavery, as the
people may determine.
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