Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-18


were .nneompromising and defiant VIM L. Yam
cey had len lis Richmond Convention, under the
safe care and guard Of r. Barnwell Rhett, and come
to Baltimore to complete the disruption of the Ma
tonal Democracy. He was boldly met at the thres-
hold of the Convention and told that he might ems
ter as friend, but would not be admitted as an
avowed cnema
The course of the seeeders was carefully consid-
cred. Their, seats were contested by other dele
gates who were misrepresentation of the people of
their States. They had been appointed under the
resolution Of the Convention at Charleston to sup
ply the vacancies occasioned by secession. The
contestants claimed that they had been regularly
appointed and produced their credentials. They
were willing to act IN friendly concert with the ma
tinnal Democracy. The Convention in the exercise
of undoubted right, after considering every case
made its decision. fully concurred in that decis-
ion. with two exceptions It was right and just
Upon the refusal of the national Convention to re-
ceiye the Alabama and Louisiana seceders, fifteen of
the delegates from North Carolina left the Conven-
ton shall not pretend to pass judgment upon
this action. That is a question between them and
their constituents. will do them the justice to
say that they acted from honest and patriotic mo-
tives W. w. Holden, Esq, and j. w. B. Wat
son. ESQ, alone remained with me in the national
Convention. Mr.. Holden took bold and dec
ded stand against the seceders; but when the
party became completely divided, be thought his
duty to his political friends ct home required him to
act no further. He wished to act the part Of a
peace-maker, and he yielded his personal feelings
TO his sense Of public duty the party at home
fully concurred with him to the course he ought
to pursue
may have acted wrong, but / felt was right
and after long and patient deliberation still enter
tain the same opinion. | knew the responsibility
of my position in being opposed by such alarge ma
orty Of my associate delegates but determined to
follow what conceived to be the path of duty, re-
gardless Of personal consequences.
remained in the Convention originally constitu-
ted by the national Democratic party, and which
still contained more than two thirds of the delegates.
I had no authority from my constituents to repre-
sent them in any other Convention. IL had seced-
ed should have returned home, my delegated
powers would have hecn ended, and | would not
have assumed the authority TO represent you in a
Convention to which you had not sent me
assisted in the completion Of the platform and
in the nominations Of Douglas and johnson, accord
ing to the rules and usages of the party. If the
platform contains anything wrong, then have not
understood Democratic principles; and If the candi-
dates are not worthy Of their position, then the
highest intellect the most incorruptible public vir-
tue and constant and selisacricng devotion to the
constitutional ghts Of every section Of the country,
are not sufficient to win the confidence Of The Amer
lean people.
Fellow citizens, my duties as your delegate are
ended. Ny record and defense are before yon.-
Consider them calmly and dispassionately, without
partially or prejudice. Do me the justice which
every one Of you, under similar circumstances,
would claim, and then will cheerfully submit to
the judgment of my constituents and countrymen.
AS one of your feow.citizens. would have n few
words TO say. The national Democratic party, al
though weakened is not yet destroyed. Its friends
have decreased and its foes have multiplied but
still the "oG guards" are on the field Of battle,
ready and determined to make one more brave stand
for fha ifnfi ha ha pavt
Presidential contest is by far the most important
one that has ever occurred in the history Of the
country as upon it depends the destiny Of the ma
ton. Ii will decide whether the. Union shall con-
tinue TO bless our people with peace, happiness
and prosperity, diSuHion curse the land with the
horrd anarchy OF fraternal strife destroy the her
itage Of fathers and blast forever the hopes Of
patriots and the friends Of freedom throughout the
world
The foes we have to meet in this great struggle
are the fanatics at the North and the diRioRiss at
the South. II becomes us now to choose which
party We will follow. As for myself have already
enlisted in the old Democratic party, noe led on by
Douglas and johnson. This is the only party
which can successfully encounter the black Repub
licans. If we only defeat them now their pow
er is forever broken, and the country is saved The
seceSsionists have quit our ranks and thus made
fearful odds against us but still hope that their
places will be supplied by The true national conser-
yative men Of the South, and kind Providence
will guide safely through the terrible crisis that
now threatens the republic
am proud Of the leaders &hom follow. For
ten years Stephen A. Douglas has been the great
champion Of the constitutional rights Of the South.
He has fearlessly defended them while surrounded
by Infatuated mobs, who were kIndling the fires
of his blazing effigieS, and with a sublime moral
and physical courage he has breasted the waves OF
fanaticism and broken their power. In the Senate
and on the stump he has fought more than hun
dred battles for the South, and never struck one
blow against her. He has not been placed in his
present position by any inordinate ambition. Twice
has he yielded his claims to the Presidency to pre-
serve the harmony of his party, and he nobly of.
fered himself again at Baltimore as sacrifice to
preserve its principles. Will republics always be
ungrateful? lie is now the nominee OF the nation
al Democratic party, having received more than
tn0thirds of the votes of the electoral college, and
all the votes cast in the regular convention Can
it be possible that the Democratic party will forget
all Of its well established rules and uSages and suf
fer itself TO be led to ruin by disorganzing faction
cannot and nil not support Breckenridge My
fealty TO the Democratic party for5ds it. He is
ly the regular nominee Of the South Carolina
vention, at Richmond The secederS' convention at
Bait more had no authority from the people tu make
a nomination Breckenridge is only the nominee of
a mere faction and the leader of party with which
/ can never have any sympathy or fellowship. How,
then, can any Democrat who has any regard for
party organization support such unauthorized
and irregular nomination
The secession party is not the Democratic party.
1t is neao born party. 1t sprung from the heated
brain of VIM. L. Yancey, aud the first words it lisped
were discord, revolution, disunion. 1t was Graded
in St Andrews Hall, at Charleston; it was fed upon
notification and sectionalism, and rapid its
growth and professions that in few weeks at Bati-
more it claimed to be the national Democratic party,
supposng that if it had the giants name it would
possess the giants strength. The first trial of its
power was to attempt to surprise and sack the old
Democratic citadel It succeeded in calling off some
of the forces, and in breaking down some of the
walls and bastons but the strong, showers of princi-
pie still are standing and defy its power.
The seceders become indignant at being called the