The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-18

answer it. A voice-"Tel 'em it's a le.'
The whole stock in trade of these anonymous
writer's and wandering orators over the country,
seems to be the cry of disunion. ''Thls man and
union of States" We reply: How can principles
be sectional, or tend to disunion, which are based
upon the Constitution And yet, the large num-
Der of young gentlemen that are engaged in ring
ing bells, with tongues as long and heads empty
as the bells which they ring, still cry disunon.
From sources yet more eminent comes the infor-
nation that l, and the political organization with
which l am connected, are laboring for disrup-
ton of the confedracy. l do not reply now to
what Mr. Douglas says all over New England in
Virginia, and wherever he goes, because it is quite
natural for gentleman as much interested as he
is, to think that any who approves of my
principles must be disunionist Indeed, by his
declaration we must all be disunionists in Ken
lucky for he declares that those who assert that
the Territorial Legislature has power to exclude
slavery and that Congress should interfere for its
protection, are disunionists; and that is what the
whole Legislature of Kentucky said last year.
In my own State, where certainly thought nay
character and antecedents were known, one of the
oldest and most eminent of public men has not said
that | was d disunionist, but intimated that am
connected with organization whose bone aud
body is disunion. [ refer to MIR Crittenden, III
speech made in Louisville have known and ad-
mred him. and he has known me. Towards him
have cherished, and expect to cherish, relations
of cordial and respectful esteem. These are rea-
sons which, even if had ground for it, would
prevent any but perfect courtesy in reply. After
speaking of Mr. Lincoln in terms as complimentary
as his principles merit, and Mr. Douglas in terms
of eulogy, he speaks Of his felIow-eitizens in this
language:
Mr. Breckenridge here quoted the reference to
himself and closed as follows:
l thank my venerable and distinguished friend
for the hope he yet entertained that L am not
dsunionist. Like a humane lawyer, he gives me
the benefit of a doubt, and for this | thank him.
AS to my connection with party whose principles
tend that way, may speak of that presently. My
object now is to relieve myself from the impata-
ton of being a disunionist and in this I would
prefer to receive a direct blow, than to have it
sound like the reluctant confession of sorrowful
friend
MIR b., in passing paid an elegant tribute to
Gen Lane, and continued to speak of The charge
against himself of being dsunionist.
Born within sight of this spot, known to you
for forty years, your representative in the
Legislature, in Congress, and having held other
situations of trust, invite any to point to any
thing in my character antecedents which would
sanction such charge such an imputation. |
will not degrade the dignity of my declaration by
epthets; but proudly challenge my bitte,est enc
my to point to an act, to disclose uttemnce, or
to reveal thought of mine hostile to the Consti-
tuition or the Union of the States
The man does not live who has the power to
couple my name successfully with the slightest
faint of disloyaty to the Constitution and the
Union
But if there be nothing in my character TO jus
tify this accusation, what is there in the platform
and principles upon which I stand? AS it must,
ha in no lutio 70
in the Territories, l will read them, and you
Judge whether they will accord with the position
of the Supreme Court and the Government as |
have shown it to-day. r -.
After reading the resolutions he continued
That is the platform aud these are the principles
averred. If they are constitutional they are not
sectional for the Constitution is broad enough to
cover the whole Union. He who stands upon the
Constitution neither be sectional nor disun-
ionist. These principles taken almost verba-
tim from the opinion of the Supreme Court
They supported by the precedents and prac-
tice Of the Government They are adapted to the
princi piles upon which may we'll live, and by
which We may we'll be willing to die.
They vital, important, and concern the
rights of persons and property; and they cannot be
abstract and unimportant, for they concern the
honor and equality of the States? What has been
the position of Kentucky upon this platform? The
VI CIaLC laSC year DOlN
held that Territorial Legislatures have no power
to exclude our property, and each eontended that
every department of the Government must protect
it when it becomes necessary.
Mr. John Bell believe went step further by
expressing the opinion that the time Trad now arri-
we'd when the government should interfere. Your
conventions endorsed these principles, and the
Senate and Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky, by the unanimous vote of both parties
endorsed them as being constitutional and true by
the following resolution, which | must read 1t
is SO apt, so pertinent, so conclusive TThe reso-
luton of the last legislature was here read. Fl
That is word for word the opinion of the Supreme
Court, and the platform of the National Democrat
ic Convention, On which I stand to-day
Both parties in Kentucky, at the polls and by the
unanimous votes of their representatives in the
Legislature. have declared that these principles
are those of the Constitution. | might pause
here; but in support of these principles l want
the authority of MIR Crittenden himself What
ever doubts he may have as to my fidelity to the
Constitution and the Union, l do not hesitate to
say that eminent gentleman is devoted to the
Union.
do not believe he would advocate principles
which he believed were unconstitutional or calcu-
lated to destroy the union of this country; and If
| could have his sanction, and endorsement
for the principles advocate, it will go a great
way in proving that they Constitutional, and |
not tending to disunion
Mr. b. here read the 3rd 4th, and 9th of Sena- |
tor Davis resolutions, and referred to Mr. Crtten-