The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-11
DISCUSSION IN CHARLOTTE.

On Saturday last according to appointment, Messrs
Dick and McRae Douglas State Electors addressed the
people Charlotte in behalf of Mr. Douglas claims to
the Presidency. At the Invitation of the friends OF
Breckenridge and Lane, and in accordance with the
published notice of free discussion, Hon. w. W.
Avery, of Burke, for the purpose of making a
reply. We have space and time only to make limited
notice of discussion this week The audience was
large composed mainly of Breckenridge and Bell
meu-the Douglas few ia number.
Mr. Dick opened the discussion in speech of an hour
and forty minutes. He devoted most of his time in an
effort to prove that Douglas fairly nominated and
that the Breckenridge and Lane party was dsunion
party. He argued that it dsunion party because
such men as Yancey Rhett and jeff. Davis supported
it. but entirely failed show that either Breckenridge
or Lane entertained dsunion sentiments, that the
platform upon which they stood enuncated any such
doctrine. He did not charge the democratic
didates with being disunionists. Considering the bad
cause which Mr. Dick has espoused and excepting the
arguments presented to sustain that cause
think he made a good speech, and certainly con-
Quoted himself in a fair and gentlemany manner. We
esteem Mr. Dick personal friend, and know him to
be heightened gentleman; and we regret to find him
occupying his present position of antagonism to the
best interest of the democratic party No doubt ne
following the convictions of his judgment in taking the
stand he hasbut it is very erroneous nevertheless.
Mr. Avery replied and occupied the time in
of the ablest efforts we have listened He
PEELED and refuted the dsunon charge, and declared
that neither he nor those whom he represented were
dlsunionists-he doing nothing than standing
up the rights of the South in the Unionif he
a dsunionist on that account then Franklin Pierce
Danl 5. Dickinson, James Buchanan, and other North
crp patriots disunioniss also, for they all
standing the same platform. No one pretended to
charge those gentlemen with being dsunionsts; but be-
southern cOntendng for their rights in
the Territories this dSunOn raised against
them. The charge not true Mr. Johnson, the
Douglas candidate for Vice President had advocated
the doctrine of protection for slave property and why
did they charge him with being a disunionist One
of the Douglas State Electors Mr. McRae had been a
dsunonist, and why was he not charged with being
dSunionist.
Mr. Avery then took up the platform of the demo-
cratic party, and showed that i: demanded nothing
than every national man ought to be willing to
yield The Supreme Court had already decided that
territorial Legislature could not prohibit slavery; but
Mr. Douglas still conened that ii had the right do
He appealed to democrats staad by and sustain
Breckenridge and Lane and not suffer the party to be
divided at a time when it should be united.
During Mr. Avery's speech he was frequently APP
plauded and Cheered, and democrats expressed much
qualification with the efforts of their gallant standard
bearer.
Mr. McRae replied He took the bold ground that
the people of Territory had right, through their
territorial legislature to prohibit establish slavery
and abored show that the doctrine of Mr. Douglas
right. He argued the question at length, but
failed entirely, think, to make convert. Mr.
AcRae is man of decided talents, but his political
course has been such to prevent him from
cisug any influence political audience in North
Carolina Without Boosting, merely say that the
Breckinrdge and Lane party Host nothing by the dis
Cusson on Saturday.
Mr. AcRae mis-stated Mr. CIingmans position at Rail
egh, add corrected by Mr. Avery. In our account
of the speeches at Raleigh the reader will find cor
rect statement of what took place between Mr. Cling
and Mr. McRae.