The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-26
The Charleston C0nvcAtfOn-The Struxgl,
ON tho Platform

The Charleston COnventfon-Thes STRUGGLE
ON Tho Platform.
The point Of the proceedings in the Conven
ton at Charleston yesterday lies in the discus
sion of the platform in committee.
The proposition to adopt the Cincinnati plat
form, pure and simple, was voted down ir4thst
body by q vote Of II nays to l6 yeas. This
elbows that the Southern elements are deter
mined to have q clear issue on the slavery
question, as distinct as that which the black re-
pnblicans have adopted in their determination
with the rabid abolitionists, and which is, In
fact, the one great issue before the people
The Cincinnati platform was rejected on the
ground that It had been interpreted in two
senses, and this the South deems q highly OBJ
jectionable feature. But the Northern dele,
gates do not desire to go into the campaign on an
absolute issue with the black republican ideas,
aud they are struggling hard to obtain some.
modification that will enable them to
avoid direct conflict with the prejudice.
Of the Northern rural districts. Mr.. Bsyard.
proposes "a q compromise tho adoption of O.,
series of resolutions reaffirming the bred Scots
decision, abjuring legislation by Congress or.
the slavery question, and declaring the duty cei
the Executive to protect slave property in tho.
Territories, in the national forts and arsenap,
and on the high seas.
These proceedings show that the danger ch
an explosion at Charleston is ~ imminent es
ever, and that tie Northern politicians are
strongly adverse to being forced into an une,
quivocal and unccnprOmisipg. Southern stand.
They have fought tho battle in committee, ard
are still fighting it there, and the vote of the
Convention refusisg to restrict the speeches GA
the platform to afte IN minutes, shows that taey
are deter mined 10 continue the tight after. the
committee shall have reported. As the plat
form is to la ad opted by q majority, and not
by q two thirds vote, it 10 not improbable. that
they may suaoeeil in modifying it in the Con-
vention In sac)i q way as to suit their wishes,
even il they should lose the fight in the com
mittee. EMt this can be done only thsough a
fery debate, and in that the Convention may
break up In a row.
Tbus>far the Scath has been firm and uncom-
promising in its course; and whatever may be
the rasuf. In Tia Convention, tho slavery issue
is tse one that is before the people, and on
which the coming battle will be fought
Whether the Charleston Convention succeeds
| in Striking it or not, in words, the democratic
\ party must Meet II In fact, for the black re-
publican Conversion at Chicago will take good
care to present it. The Northern delegates
now In Charleston cannot get rid Of it by a
fsllacious wrapping Of It up in phrases, and the
more fear they show of it. the greater eacou
ragement will they give to the rabid abolition
lists to 60 on with their attack. The propo
sition Of the Pennsylvania delegates TO inser
resolution In the platform favoring the Incl
dental protection of iron has abous as muc
real interest to the people day as would
proposition to build railroad TO the moor
The absorbing issue presented by the blac
republican leaders involves every interest !
the danger of revolution and destruction, an
il ,s that which must be met, fought and d.
teated.