The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-01
Tennessee Platform.

We confess to an agreeable surprise at the
spirit and tenor of the following resolutions
that were adopted by the convention of the
Tennessee Democracy, which was held in
Nashville on the 18th inst, to appoint dele
gates to Charleston.
1t will be seen that without ambiguity these
resolutions meet the paramount issue of the
day, by affirming that it is the duty Of the
Federal Government to protect the slavehold-
er in the enjoyment of his property in the
territories--and that the Government cannot
withhold such protecton without violating
the Constitution.
Holding doctrines so directly antagonizGc
to the theory Of the sqsaattsr sesersientJ 8
ton, the Tennessee Democracy, so far from
giving them aid and comfort at Charleston,
cannot under any circumstances, support their
file leader for the Presidency, without a de-
grading abandonment Of principle and hu-
militing surrender of rights which rise supe-
rior to the DEGREES of conventions, or party
tribunals.
The platform of territorial protection which
the Mississippi Democracy planted themselves
upon with so much enthusiasm and unanimi-
ty in June last, and which was rejected by
the dough-faced followers of the Illinois de-
serter, is becoming the cornerstone of the
temple. The Southern Democracy in every
State are accepting it; and the Northern De-
mocracy must range themselves upon it or
choose the alternative of separation at Charles
ton, which will leave them to the tender mer-
cies of the intolerant Black Republican major
tiles in the free States.
Be 1t resozUed That we hereby re-afirm
the principles announced in the platform Of the
Democratic party adopted in Convention at
Cincinnati, in june, 1856, and that wa hold
them to be true exposition of our doctrines
on the subjects embraced.
Resolrsa, That the views expressed by the
Supreme Court of the United States in the
decision of the case of "Dred Scott" are, in
our opinion, true and clear exposition of the
powers reposed in Congress upon the subject
OF the Territories of the United States, and
the rights guaranteed to the residents in the
Territories.
Resolved That the States of the Confedera-
cy are equals in political rights; each State has
the right to settle for itself all questions of in
ternal polity: the right to have or not to have
slavery, is one of the prerogatives OF selEgov-
States did not surrender this
right in the Federal Constitution, and Tennes-
see will not now do so.
Resolved, That the Federal Government.
Y1oht n int cio ~, he
States; nor to introduce or exclude it from the
territories, and no duty to perform in relation
thereto, but to protect the rights Of the ol0ger
from torong and to restore fugitives from labor;
these duties It cannot a0iiliold aoithout viola
ton Of the Constitution.
RESOLVED, That the organization of the Re-
publican party upon strictly sectional princi-
pies, and its hostility to the institution Of sla
very, which is recognized by the Constitution,
and which is inseparably connected with the
social and industrial pursuits of the Southern
States of the Confederacy, is at war upon the
principles of the Constitution and upon the
rights of the States.
Resolved, That the late reasonable invasion
Of Virginia, by an organized band of Republi-
cans, was the necessary result of the doctrire,
teachings and principles oil that party; was the
Of the "irrepressibke COZ. fict" of Mr..
Seward was blow aimed at the institution
Of slavery, by an effort TO excite a servile in
was war upon the South, and as
such, it is the duty Of the South to prepare to
its rights under the Constitution.
ResoEref That if this war upon the consti-
tutional rights of the South is persisted in, it
must soon cease to be war of words. II
he Republican party would prevent a conflict
# arms, let them stand by the Constitution
md fulfil its oblgations-we ask nothing
more, we will submit to nothing less.