The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-27
SPEECH OF GOV. ELLIS
Delirered bctore the Democratic State Correction,
an Raleigh, March 9, 1860:
Mr.. PRESIDENT, AND
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:

our committee mas ~ (hCHN
ton of the Convention, and am here to express to
YOU nv profound obligations for the high confidence
you are pleased to repOse In me. nomination
for the office of Governor of the State by this IN
telligent body of gentlemen, is a compliment OF
which any man might justly feel proud; but when
it is recollected that you the representatives OF
a great political party-expressing their senti-
ments and speaking their wishes-yOur action ex-
cites in me emotions of gratitude and pleasure to
which / can give adequate expression
The cordial approval of my administration Of
the affairs of the State as expressed by this Con-
venton and by my fellow citizens in their primary
meetings is esteemed by me as the most valuable
reward of office, and, as such, shall be gratefully
cherished and remembered.
And, Mr. President, will take this occasion to
acquit myself of debt of gratitude towards my
felloWctizens of all parties in ever part of the
State, by thanking them most sincerely for the
generous ndulgenc received at their hands while
in the discharge of my official duties. 1t is true
my action has at times ! been misunderstood, and
occasionally misrepresented, but of these things
make no complaint, we'll knowing that they al
most inseparabe from that rigid scrutiny to which
the conduct of all public servants is ghtuy sub
iected at the bar of public opinion.
L accept, gentlemen, your nomination, and with
it the responsibilities and burhcns it imposes; and
/ shall undertake the duties of this position with
a deep and solemn conviction that they never
more vitality responsible than in the present juno
turc of public affairs.
Sixteen years ago, in this Hall, participated in
the first political meeting of my fe and, like this,
it was a Democratic Convention; butt every other
respect, how widely different the circumstances
that now surround US. Then we had two great
national parties, each with organization extend
ing to every State in the Union; now, We have
but one national party,-the other great polictial
organization of the country being exclusively
sectional not to be able to procure single vote
in one entire section of country embracing area
of $50 thousand square miles Then, the subjects
of controversy between the two parties were mere
ly questions of domestic policy, important it is true
but not vital; questions affecting liberties
as people, and 1t may be, our existence as ma
ton, are under discussion.
Upon these questions the parties arraycd,
and the contest approaches. Upon the side
the Democratic party, buoyant with the recollection
of many victories gained in the cause Of the coun-
try; the other Freesoiers, Black Republicans
and Abolitionists, consolidated and combined
These, sir, the two great contending political
forces that divide the country. All others are
mere political atoms, that cannot and will not be
felt, except so far they may affect the contest
between the two main organizations
Such gentlemen, are the parties to the contest.
The issue between them should be clearly under
stood, especially here at the South | assert, and
shall maintain it with proofs, that this issue is,
whether African slavery shall be abolished here in
the States, where it now exists? Let not be
deceived upon this point. Men may talk about
our rights in the territories, but depend upon it
they are not the questions now in issue. The abo-
lllon of slavery here at home is the des On of
opponents. This is the bond that cements all
the an-slavery elements in solid column against
What says VIM ii. Seward, above all others,
the true exponent of the sentiments of the abolition
party:-"1h he party of freedom seeks complete
and universal enanc patton. X x x 1t
(savery) can be and must be abolished, and YOU
and L can and must do it, * 1t re-
quires only to follow this simple rule of action:
10 do everywhere and on every occasion what we
can, and not to neglect or refuse to do what
can at any time, because at that time and on that
precise time and that particular occasion, we
cannot do more" Everywhere and upon all ocea-
slOns, IN power and out of power, this and his
party seek, in his own language, 'complete and
universal emancipation" Can proof be clearer OF
evidence more convincing!
Of the tenor is the notorious Rochester
speech of this man, delivered ten years after the
sentiment quoted: at is irrerreSsible conflict
between opposing forces; and it means that the
United States, must and WILL sooner or later, be-
come either entirely slavehOlding nation or en-
tlrely free labor nation y Here, sir is the bold
announcement that state of hostilites exists be-
tween the North and the South, which shall not
cease until the PARTY the other be conquered
and trOddcn under the feet of the victor 1t is
declaration of war against the South hy this man
and his partiZans. Give them power aud it will be
used in the prosecution ofthat war. Your Army
Navy, and hundreds of millions of revenue annual
ly, and as much more as they may choose to extort
from the people, will all be directed against this
devoted people.
But is it perfectly certain that Seward speaks
the sentiments of his party? The proof upon this
point too, is clear and conclusive In Il book of
infamous notoriety, which has received the full
and complete approval of the black Republican
party, and is now circulated by them as a campaign
document, Is this sentiment, among Others equally
reasonable: "Our purpose is az firmly fixed as
the eternal pillars Of Heavier. We have deternlin-
ed to abolish slavery, and help us God abolish
it We will"
\ Senator of the Empire State of the Union.
under his own hand, endorses this book, after
careful perusal; Governor of the same State con-
tributes 500 towards its circulation here among
the best customers of his people. This shame
brought upon the Empire State by unworthy sons
and falthleSS public officers Is destined trust to
be glorlously wiped ont by the Democracy in the
coming contest, when the land of Silas Wright will
once more stand proudly forth among the States Of
the Union, without spot or stain upon her es-
eutcheOn.
Is further proof wanted of the designs of these
men? Does the tragedy of Harper's Ferry teach
us nothing? when traitors and assassins found men
to lament their failure and mourn their discomfure
when tho of faIoDS Irnrv f,rtb