Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-10-05
For the Enquirer.

Sincerely desiring the harmonious co.opera.
ton Of the Democratic party Of Virginia. | ap-
peal to your reason and patriotism, and re.
spectfully invoke n reconsideration Of the
course which you have indicated. While
disanprore and deplore your conduct, shall
sedulouSlv endeavor to avoid any remark which
would tend to increase alienation and d!Scord.
The prominent reason ASST snrd by you for
your support Of Douglas. is, that he is the ''rc
gular Romince' Of the Baltimore Convention.
When this position is examined calmly, with
out passion or prejudice, do you not conscien-
tiousy regard it as entirely untenable; Vun
Buren,. Polk, Cass, Pierce and Buchanan. were
severally, at different periods, the regular
nominees Of National Convention Of the De.
mocratlc party, and, as such. commanded and
received the support Of that party throughout
the Union
Had Judge Douglas been nominated in the
same manner, and By Convention rejecting
the Democratic sentiment Of the Union as fully
as preceding National Conventions, then YOU
might correctly maintain that he WIS the "re.
gular nominee Of the party, and therefore en-
titled to its support. You are aware. however,
that such was not the fact. You know that he
was nominated by n Convention which con-
tanned O small minority Of delegates from those
States which are reliable as Democratic States,
and that 2 large majority Of the delegates Of
that Convention which nominated Douglas, re-
presented States which are not recognized as
Democratic States. The strength Of the Drno.
cratic party is in the Southern States, ani
among the delegates from these States Douglas
had but few advocates. Nearly all Of the dele
gates from the sIaveholdipg States were absent,
and Intentionally absent, from the Convention
which nominated Douglas.
With what. propricty, then, can he be :c.
garded as the "rtgniar momintc' OF the De-
nocratic party: Instead Of receiving regular
nomination, his nomination was irregular and
in disregard Of the established u>ages OF tie
party There was no precedent for such
nomination. and no considerations of party OBJ.
legation require you to support him upon the
ground Of his being the regular nominee -
lie is no more the regular nominee" Of the De-
mocratic party than Breckenridge. Neither Of
them can be accurately ard logically consider
ed rs the regular nominee OF the Democratic
party, and If Democrats are so infatuated AS 10
sacrifice all independence Of action and all re-
gard for political principles because Of the
want Of what is called a regular nomination,
then they cannot vote for either Douglas or
Breckenridge
\ division Of the Democratic party having
taken place, aud Douglas receiving the norni-
nation OF one portion of the party, and Brcck-
inridge the nomination Of the other the Demo
cratic voters of the Union are 1T liberty TO vote
for either IOu are advocating the election ol
Douglas, whose views YOU do not approve. and
opposing Breckenridge, with whom you agree.
Judge Douglas now maintains, that Terrific.
rial Legislature has the right TO exclude slave.
| hot 4 of tI,n
Of the Kansas and Nebraska bill. it WAS agreed
that the question of slavery in the Territories,
should be left to the Judiciary, and that all
parties shonld abide by the decision. In 1876.
Judge Douglas, in speaking upon this question
in the Senate, said I'VE agreed 10 differ; we
agreed to refer it to the Judiciary; we agreed
to abide by their decision Again he said
"If the Constitution carries slavery there, Onto
the Territories, let it 60 and no power on curth
can take It away In Isl. the Supreme Cour;
decided the Drcd Scott case, and seven out Of
the nlne Judges concnrrcl in the opinion. The
Court decided that Territorial Legislature
had no right to exclude slavery.
The South had right TO expect acquies
ccnce peace and tranquility after this decision
of IN important constitutional question Doug.
las had solcmny pledged himself to abide the
decision of the court. In 1868. he was can.
didate for reelection to the Senate and IN
discussion with his competitor, Lincoln. Judge
Douglas publicly declared that mo matter
what the decision OF the Supreme Court may
be on the abstract question. still the right Of
the people to make slave Territory or free
Territory is perfect and complete under tho
Nebraska bill"
How can you reconcile these contradictory
views? How can you, with clear conscience,
support for the Presidency politician who,
finding that the Supreme Court had decided a
constitutional question against his opinions and
wishes, violates his pledge and maintains that
your constitutional right can be destroy
cd by non-action or unfrendly legislation
on the part Iof 4 subordinate Territorial Legs.
laturc: What confidence can you repose in
any public man, who, upon great question:: Gf
constitutional construction proclams. no ma:.
ter how the Supreme Court may decitic, il the
decision is against me- will find means TO
cvade the decision 81
Upon this great question Of slavery J'ii-e
Douglas has avowed sentiments adverse to HE
Constitutional rights and the interests ot th'
slaveholding States-senlimcnts which the
Southern people have rcpudiated with re.Iiars-
able unanitnity. By voting for him, you will
give an implied endorsement Of his doctrines
and encourage the enemies OF slavery and the
South. The moral and political influence Of
Virginia will be impaired 10y such an act, and
her enemies be emboldcned by our divisions -
1t does not become pltriotic and sensible men
TO separate from their political associates and
friends for light and transient causes.
If you deem 4 regular nomination essential,
then consistency forhids You from supporting
the election OF Johnson as Vice President. He
!. ought to be highly obnoxious. because he was
nominated by neither Convention. Why should
the nomination of Breckenridge be dccue'l
such IN outrage that you cannot support him?
Unlike Douglas, he did not electioneer for OF
seek the nomination rs a candidate for the
Presidency. 4 short time back you voted
cheertully for Breckinrldsc as Vice President
} and in his official conduct you have Seen no.
thing to condemn and much to approve. You
arc aware that his abilities are OF u high order;
that his moral character Is elevated, and that
his political principles arc sound and Orthodox.
, In vain have his enemies sought to blast his
prospects BY representing him as friend "i
t disunion. Your good sense and your regard
, for Justice cannot be influenced By that puere
Iorir winch attempts to conv:ct him OF indiiter-
cnce to the Union because . few OF his adro
Gates in the South favor lis dissolution. Ar.
: B. cannot be held responsible Tor the indlscre-
ton of any OF his friends, or the MALICE Of his
foes, but must be judged by his past conduct
and his arowed sentiments His veracltv has
never been questioned, and he can triumphant
ly defr his slanderers to bring forward any
proof thu, he desires dissolution Of the Union
An overwhelming majority Of his political sup
porters are as warmly attached TO the Co"oii'
tuition and the Union as any other uen ~ the
. United States. While such a,e the feelings
which they cherish, they scorn hypocrisy ana
:, do not claim to be the exclusive guardians "'
the Union and the Constitution, IhsF kn9"
: yery well that many corrupt politicians are 40"
riding the Union hobhE for the accomplishment
of their own selfish ends. "AAN!S''