Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-16
GEN. GIDEON J. PILLOW FOR DOUGLAS

GEN Pillow has written an able letter in favor Of
the nomination Of Judge Douglas for the Presiden-
CIV. We make the following extracts: @
Can we not better and more safely trust them
1.-THE Northern Democrats) than we can the Republic
can party? What light have We ever demanded oil
the Northern Democracy that they have not recog-
pized? What act Of injustice have they imposed
upon usl Away, them with the folly, the madness
of destroying the great national party and in doing
so of falling into the hands of the Republican party,
rather than for The present withhold the demand for
the assertion of right in platform, which we do
not waive, or compromise, or surrender, without
which We have lived and prospered for nearly CEN
tury and which is not likely soon to be OF any prac-
tical value to US (f now granted.) Should we not
rather aid our friends to victory? Should we not
assist them in getting the power to enable them to
meet our demand? ..... ,r....4
Let it not be said that the chosen leader presented
by the Northern Democracy denies our rights and
is not good Democrat. Some have said that he
was no better than Republican. Mr.. Douglas, on
all questions involving the powers of the federal
government and the rights reserved to the States,
occupies the strctest State rights grounds. lie re-
cognizes all the provisions Of the Constitution guar
anteeing slavery. He denies the power Of Congress
to intervene with slavery in the Territories. lie
claims for the people of the Territories the right to
settle the question of slavery for themselves-sub-
ject only to the Constitution Of the United States.
In the exercise Of this right, he claims that they
may by unfriendly legislation, exclude it from the
Territories. The Republican party, on the contra
~, profess to be governed by higher law than the
Constitution; they deny the constitutional guaran-
ties of the stakeholder and disregard their oaths to
support that instrument and claim for Congress the
power totally to prohibit slavery in the Territories
Mr. Douglas error (if it be one,) is on the side of
popular rights lie is therefore, as far removed as
possible from Republicanism. That he is sound
National Democrat according to all the ancient tests
oc 3hok &c &c
altogether trustworthy that he is bold and fearless
in avowing and possessed of unsurpassed ability in
maintaining his convictions, is proven by his whole
public life.
As bis opinions are generally understood, in re-
gard to the powers Of the people Of the Territories
] differ with him, is shown in the course Of this
letter. But that he will sanction law to punish as
felony the theft Of a slave, his seduction from his
MASTER and all combinations for such injuries TO the
rights Of the owner in the States Territories, was
distinctly avowed in his speech on the Brown raid
resolutions. In his recent speech in the Senate he
says all men are bound by the decisions Of the Su-
preme Court and that is the duty Of government to
carry these decisions into effect with all its powers.
This is tantamount to saying that If the Supreme
Court shall decide that the people of the Territories
have no such power as that claimed for them by
him, that he will acquiesce in the demand of the
protection claimed by the South.
What more can the South reasonably ask ? II
will thus be seen that l concur with the South in
the opinion that it is entitled to protection Of slavery
in the Territories. That while am positive that
this right exists, yet do not think the present
proper time for the demand Of the passage Of the
law nor do think the South should insist upon the
recognition Of the principle in party platform,
at the cost Of the rupture Of party organization
thereby increasing the risk of Republican tri-
umph; but that we should strengthen rather than
weaken friends in the coming contest; that
while we do not abandon our rights we should for
the present defer the demand for its recognition;
that though think the question Of duty in the gov
eminent to protect every species of property which
is known TO the Constitution, in the Territories and
everywhere within its jurisdiction, IS clear, and do
not regard this question as embraced in or touched
by the Kansas and Nebraska act-yet that under
standing his recent speech in the Senate tdRta-
mount TO admitting the principle Of protection as
claimed by the South, therefore in favor OF his
nom ination for the Presidency; that | believe
with him our leader crush out Repub
cansm and that then, with patriotic Congress and
President we can demand and obtain the passage Of
such laws as will satisfy the South; that entertain
ing these opinions, ! am opposed to the withdrawal
OF the Southern States from the Charleston conven
ton, likely to preciptate, by its consequences
upon the South the very dangers it was intended to
avert and that If that movement is persisted in, it
must ultimately endanger the Union of the States"