Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-09
The Seceders.

The Convention called by those Southern Demo
Gratis who seeded at Charleston will be held at Rich
mond, Va, on Monday next Most of the States
that seeded will be represented both at Baltimore
and Richmond, and in some instances by the same
set of delegates Two Conventions assembled in
Alabama on Monday last-one at Montgomery and
the other at Selma The former was called by the
Yanceyites, who have the advantage of regular Or
ganzation their side; the latter was called by
Gov. Winston and others. The probability is that
the Montgomery Convention will not send delegates
to Baltimore but only to Richmond, as Mr.. Yancey
is understood like Mr.. Rhett to be an out and out
Richmond man.
South Carolina, after an animated struggle, has
determined to send delegates only to Richmond
Her delegation is headed by Hon. R. B. Rhett, and
is understood on all sides TO be dsunion delegation
We make the following extract from letter recent
ly written by Mr. Rhett from which it appears that
he regards the Richmond Convention as sectional
body and is proud of the fact:
But you say, Have we not heretofore opposed
national party conventions, and is not the Richmond
convention national party conventiOnT' | answer
no. national party convention is the convention Of
party which is based on national principles; that
is principles common to all portions cf the United
States. The Richmond convention is not such a
convention. Its declared principles not nation
al, for not single Northern State has dared to
avow them 1t is sectional convention, called by
one section of the Union to support rights and in
tereStS belonging to one section of the Union. 1t
arises out Of the debris of the one great national
party in the Union-the Democratic party-and is
intended to counteract its policy. 1t is true that all
those OF the Democratic party in the United States
who agree with the platform the eight Southern
STATES law down their critnriOn Of aftilia-
ton, are invited to attend the Richmond convention.
This is certainly Objectionable feature in the
ventiOn; but it does not alter its character a
Southern convention, to support Southern rights
and interests The black Republicans invite all in
the United States who agree with them in their abo
ltion designs to join with them in their convention
at Chicago. Suppose delegates should go into that
convention (as they wilD from Southern States,
would that disrobe it of its sectional character
Certainly not. Nor will the fact that from few or
many States in the North delegates may attend the
Richmond convention change its character a sec
tional convention. Nor does that other fact that
we claim that our rights supported by the con-
stituton, alter the matter, for this is denied by
SectionaliZcd North"
So much for the Richmond Convention We
fear no good will result from that body.
We think it more than probable that some Of the
secede-s will go to Baltimore for the purpose of ma
king certain demands of the Convention, and failing
to obtain these demands will bolt again ard attempt
to destroy the party and there may be few others
from the Northern States who will secede with them
and go to Rchmondn the event of the nomination ola
certain candidate for the Presidency. Under these
circumstances grave question arises, whether the
members of the Convention ought not to bind them
selves by resolution in advance, to abide the action
of the body. 1t is worse than idle to go into Con-
ventions, to participate in their deliberations, and
then refuse to support the nominees. Southern del
egates should remember that there is North as
we'll as South; that no Northern delegates, with
the exception of mere handful have even threat
ened to secede in any event; and that if the most
extreme demands of the South should be obtained,
and on the back of it Southern man should he
nominated ior the Presidency, the Northern dele
gates would return to their homes, depressed and
mortified, it is true, and morally certain of defeat,
but at the same time loyal to the platform, to the
ticket and to the national organization 1t would
be alike ungenerous and dangerous to require too
much at the hands of those gallant men. They
have long fought our battles, simply because
right, with reward or hope Of reward. They,
surely, are not the enemies of the South Strike
them down. and the South may have sympathizers,
but she will have no friends in the free States who
can do any thing for her.
We say, then, let the Baltimore Convention de-
termine to respect its own rights and to maintain
its own character as nominating body, leaving con-
sequences to take care of themselves. Let it pro-
coed ciM a stern and untdltering step to the
cork before it, Let it nominate at all hazards, and
then appeal to God and the country against extrem
lists in the North and extremists in the South
There can be no time for hesitation, and no excuse
for hesitation, when the Constitution and the Union
are at stake. If the seceders should return and
agree to abide the action of the Convention, let
them be admitted but if they should return for
the purpose of boiling and of attempting to break
up the Convention, as they did at Charleston, let
them, say we, be promptly excluded.