Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-05

Court and agree to abide by any decision that may
be made by that tribunal between the citizens of
Territory upon the subject Why gentlemen Of the
minority you cannot help yourselves. That no
concession to US There is no necessity for putting
that in the platform, because take it for granted
that you are all law-abiding citizens Every gentle
man here from a non-slaveholding State is law
abiding citizen; and if he be so. why we know that
when there is decision of the Supreme Court, even
adverse to bis views, he will submit to it. q
There is no solution of the question. That does
not settle the uncertainty, anxiety that exists in
the popular mind of the Soath for tell You it does
exist there; | tell you whether you believe it or
not that among the whole masses Of the people of
the South there is a widespread distrust of the
soundness even Of our Democratic brethren of the
Northern States. do not entertain it, but tell
you that this popular sovereignty doctrine has led
to distrust Of Northern allies 1t does not exist
with me. 1t does not exist with those Of us who
know them But this popular sovereignty doctrine,
which think leads to the same result as the Will
mot Proviso has engendered dstrust in the popular
mind. We ask you, therefore, if there has to be
any surrender of what you regard principle to
make that concession to us?
You say that this is judicial question. We say
that it is not But if it be judicial question, it is
immaterial to YOU how :he platform is made because
all you will have to say is, "Ths is judicial ques-
ton; the majority of the Convention were of one
opinion; / may entertain my own opinion upon the
question; let the Supreme Court settle it."
And now, gentlemen of the convention, in closing
what have to say, we have been actively engaged
for three days-day and night-in investigating the
question. The precise nature Of the platform agreed
upon. ], as Chairman Of the Committee, could not
know until the final vote taken this morning.
have had no time, Therefore, to prepare address
to this Convention, because knew not what was
to report; but like every true Democrat am al
ways ready to say something in behalf Of the prin-
cpleS which maintain. These remarks have been
deSul:ory, unconnected and undigeSted because,
from the nature Of the rase they could not be 9TH
erwise. But have endeavored to present to you
the views which took upon this question. 1t
has been done in no captious spirit We have no
other purpose but to have vexed question settled,
and to put the Democratic party, where it always
stands, on a clear, unclouded PLATFORM so that he
who runs may read its principles, and not double
faced one-onc face to the North and face to the
South. We know that you of the North have been
called "Doughiaces," and we sympathize with you.
Now, | say do not let your opponents have any eX-
cuse for it. Let us make platform about which
there can be doubt, so that every man, North
and South, may stand side by side on all issues
nected with slavery, and advocate the same princi
pies. That is all We ask. All we demand at your
hands is that there shall he no equvocation and
doubt in the popular mind as to what our principles
are. | do not como from the Southwestern States,
where there is more feeling upon this subject; but
give US mere n clear patiorm-a platform oil prlnc
piles, according TO this report-and every Democrat
North and South, will rally beneath the Democratic
flag if they stand upon principle and not nhu-
enced by considerations of men. In closing gentle
men, beg leave to tender you my respectful and
grateful Acknowledgements for the patience and kind
ness with which you have listened TO me, and shall
bear it in remembrance to the latest hour of my
life.
Mr.. Avery was frequently interrupted by the
loudest demonstration of applause-the President
appealing to the members Of the convention to pre-
serve silence, and threatening to have the galleries
cleared.
Mr.. Payne, of Ohio, followed in support Of the
minority report offered by him. He argued that
the doctrine of nonntervention and of popular
sovereignty were fully endorsed by the whole De-
mocracy of the country; that the Northern Demo-
crazy could not sustain themselves if the doctrine
of popular sovereignty repudiated, but they
would stand by the decision of the Supreme Court
whatever it might be.
Mr.. Butler, of Mass, spoke in support of his
amendment lie was satisfied with the old plat
form. Our space will not admit of these speeches.
The convention adjourned till p. m.