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

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by the Convention held in Cincinnati, in 1856, and
the foregoing resolution are hereby declared to be
the Platform Of the Democratic party.
Mr. Whitney, of Mass, gave notice that he would
call for vote each of the majority resolutions
separately
MR.. AvERYs SPEECH.
The platform and the proposed amendments oeihg
now before the Convention
Mr.. Avery said On behalf Of the majority OF the
Committee on Resolutions am instructed 10 say
that is with profound regret we have appeareu oe
fore this Convention 10 present report tat mas not
met the sanction of the entire committee Whom
have the honor to represent upon this occasion.
But Mr.. President the report which have pre-
scented to the Convention has received the sanction
of the majority of the Committee. | stand here
representing the great banner States OF the Democ
racy of this Union. stand here representing what
is regarded by seventeen of the Democratic States
of this Union, as great, vital and fundamental
principle. That principle is the perfect unqualified
equality Of every State and of the citizens oil every
State, in the Territories which have been acquired
by the blood and treasure Of the whole people OF
the United States. Applause
Here the speaker was interrupted by burst OF
applause, which was speedily checked by the preSi-
dent pro tenn (Mr. Scott, of Ala.)
Mr.. Avery. have stated to the Convention that
the difference in the Committee has been source
of regret with me. l would state that we have no
apology to make for the report we present, because
we represent majority Of the States of this Union
representing 1871 electoral votes every one OF which
will be cast for the nominee of the Democratic par
ty We plant ourselves upon this principle, and we
appeal to that devotion of principle which has ever
characterized the party whom we represented in the
Committee to stand by its eternal and imperishable
principles Seventeen States of this Union have re
commended the adoption of that report. 1t was re-
marked that in the adoption of that report, there
fifteen slaves States represented to two North
ern States. Mr.. President know that the gentle
man from Ohio intended to make no sectional allus
ion for, far as know the feeling and sentiments
which animated the boSoms of those whom repre-
sent here there existed no sectional feeling in the
bosom of any one man who endorsed that majority
report But come here, representing, as | re-
marked great principle We come here backed
by the Democratic State of Virginia, that has never
faltercd in the hour of her darkest peril Applause
We come hOre backed by the Southwestern States,
that never cast, in any instance where principle
was invOlved-a great and vital Democratic truth
any other than Democratic vote. We come mere
representing the central Southern States, from
whose political lives the deluson of years have been
removed, and who come here and have taken their
position within the fold of Democracy, there to re-
main forever.
Here Mr. Avery was interrupted by Mr.. Clark, OF
Missouri, to make an explanation.
Mr.. Avery. was remarking, at the time of the
interruption of the gentleman from Missouri, that
the principles embodied in this report sustained
by the Southwestern States that had always stood
firm and mistaken against the hosts of the common
enemy, and which had never cast any other but
Democratic vote. | was proceeding TO say that the
Central States that have taken their position
beneath the Democratic banner have rallied around
the principles embodied in that report. was about
to state that the ardistan State of California, that
was baptized at the font of Democracy at her BIRTH
and which, in her growing manhood, has still adj
hered with mistaken firmness to the principles
which marked her baptism, stands now upon the
principles emboQied in this report Aye, and the
farof Oregon, still younger, but not less pure in
the principles she processes, sanctions this report
All these States combined can give l27 electoral
votes for the Democratic candidate for the PreSden
cy, and / ask if those who represent a great and
cherished principle to which l27 electoral votes
devoted should not and ought not TO receive at the
hands OF this Convention, respectful consideration?
L say to those who represent the States whose
names affixed to the minority report, to bear
mnd-and | say it IN no sectional or invIdious
sense-that the States they represent according to
the votes last taken upon political questions between
the Opposition and the Democracy represent not
one single Democratic electoral vote. appeal to
them, them if respectful consideration should not
be paid to those who represent the effective voting
Democracy of the United States. | say then, Mr..
President and Gentlemen of the Convention, that
this report embodes great principle of the equality
of the respective States Of the Union in the Terri
tories Of the United States. | say that the commit
eeregarding this principle of vital importance
to the States which they repreSent-regardng it as
great and cherished principle which way effect
ed the rights Of the Free States of this Union,
whose material interests were not to be effected by
having this princi pie carried out-thought if this
Convention was TO settle the questions upon which
the party in the Convention was divided that the
settlement should be made favorable to those most
deeply interested in the preservation and perpetual
ton of that principle.
Mr.. Lowrie, of Ind, desired to make an enquiry
for information (Cries of no, no.
Mr.. Avery. cannot surrender the floor, for am
speaking not for myself but imperfectly it may be-
| am speaking in behalf of others who have right
to be heard without interruption. | have stated
that we demand at the hands of our Northern breth-
rem upon this floor that the great principle which
we cherish should be recognized and in that view
speak the sentiments of our constituents at
home; and intend no reflection upon those who
entertain different opinion, when say that the re-
| suits and ultimate consequences to the Southern
States of this confederacy if the Popular Sovereign
ty doctrine be adopted the doctrine of the Demo-
cratic party, would be as dangerous and subyersve
OF their rights as the adoption of the principle of
| Congressional intervention or prohibition. We say
that in contest for the occupation Of the Territories
| of the United States the Southern men encountered
with slaves cannot compete with the Emgrant Aid
Society at the North. We say that the Emigrant
Aid Society send voter TO one of the territories
of the United States to determine question relating
to slavery for the sum of $780, while it would cost
the Southern man $780, We say, then, that wher-
ever there is competition between the South and
North, that the North can and will, at less expense
| and difficulty, secure power, control and dominion
over the Territories of the Federal Government
and if then, you establish the doctrine that Terri
toral Legislature which may be established by Con-
gress in any Territory has the right directly or in
directly to affect the institution Of slavery then you
that the Legislature by its action either d.
rectly or indirectly, may finally exclude every man
from the slaveholding States eectually if you
had adopted the Wilmot Proviso out and out
This is the view of the question that we take
Mark you, there is no proposed invasion in that re