Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-05-09

sipr river to the Pacific ocean, at the earliest prac-
ticable moment"
Mr.. Avery spoke briefly sustaining this report,
and arguing that it was simply just to the South
Mr.. Samucls, of Iowa, on behalf Of the minority,
then submitted the following:
al. Resolred, That we, the Democracy of the
Union, in Convention assembled hereby declare our
affirmance of the resolutions unanimously adopted
and declared as Platform of Principles by the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, IN the year
1856, believing that Democratic principles are un-
changable in their nature when applied to the same
subject matters; and We recommend as the only
further resolutions the following:
g. Inasmuch as differences Of opinion exist IN the
Democratic party as to the nature and extent OF the
powers of Territorial Legislature, and as to the
mowers and duties of Congress- under the Constitu-
ton of the United States, over the institution OF
slavery within the Territories:
Resolred, That the Democratic party will abide
by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United
States upon these questions of Constitutional Law
8. Resolred, That it is the duty of the United
States to afford ample and complete protection TO all
its citizens whether at home abroad and whether
native or foreign born.
4. Rtsolred, That one of the necessities OF the
age in military, commercial and postal point OF
view is speedy communication between the Atiant'c
and Pacific States and the Democratic party pledge
such Constitutional Government aid as will insure
the construction of railroad to the racine COAST Ut
the earliest practicable period.
s. Resolred, That the Democratic party are IN
favor o: the acquisition of the Island of Cuba, on
such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and
just to Spain .-.r
6. Resolred, That the enactments Of State Leg
isatures to defeat the faithful execution OF the ugl-
tive slave law hostile in character, suoversivc
of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their
effect"
After debate the previous question was called and
put, and the Convention adjourned until Monday
morning.
On Monday morning the question came up as fol-
lows: Mr.. Samues moved to amend the majority re-
por: submitted by Mr.. Avery, by substituting his
minority report. Mr.. Butler moved to amend the
minority report by substituting his report re-afirm-
ing the Cincinnati platform. The first question was,
therefore, upon the amendment of Mr.. Butler, then
upon that of Mr.. Samuels then, if both failed, upon
the adoption Of the majority report. MIR. Buffers
amendment was lost by yeas 1O5, nays 1913, North
Carolina voting in the affirmative. The next vote
was on the minority resolutions reported by Mr.
Samues. They adopted yeas l65, nays 1873,
North Carolina voting in the negative The ques-
ton recurring on agreeing 20 the majority report as
amended,
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts, called for division
of the question: so as to take the vote first upon that
portion of the first resolution ending with the words
"subicct matter" and which was as follows:
"Resolred, That We, the Democracy Of the Union,
in Convention assembled, hereby declare our affirm
ance of the resolutions unanimously adopted and de-
clared as platform fpr!ncipes by the Democratic
Convention at Cincinnati, in the year 1856, 5eev-
ing that Democratic principles are Interchangeable in
their nature, when applied to the same subject mat
ters." y
= We quote from the Mercury, as follows " \
"Mr Ashe, of North Carolina rose to make a
personal explanation and to define his position with
reference to the matter which created dissenson in
the Democratic party.
Mr.. Seward would not object if it was to be a
purely personal explanation, something affecting the
gentleman personally.
= Mr. Ashe said that it was purely an explanation
in relation to his position, and he could assure
the gentleman from Georgia that he made it under
profound sense of responsibility to the Democratic
party Of North Carolina He belonged to that party.
As Southern man, and son of North Carolina, he
regarded the vote which the Convention was now
about to take as one of vital importance to the Dem
ocratic party He spoke only for himself as one Of
the delegates at large from the State of North Caro-
lima. From his childhood up he had been taught to
love- respect and support the principles of the Dem
ocratic party which lie at the foundation of the gov
eminent He wished his friends from the North to
stop and pause before forcing this platform upon the
South. Let each Northern Democrat look into his
own heart and say whether he could call upon
Southern men, in the present aspect Of AFFAIRS, to
stand upon such a platform, and to support the
nominee who might be placed on that platform.
The President felt bound to suggest to the gentle
man from North Carolina that he was now going in
to an argument and beyond the range of personal
explanation. $780,.
Mr. Ashe would then close by saying that he
should be compelled as one of the representatives
from NorthCarolina, to withdraw from the Conven
ton if this platform was forced upon them. Loud
cheers.)
The first branch of the resolutions, above given
was then adopted, being re-afirmarce of the Gin
cinnati platform The vote was, yeas 1871, nays 65
North Carolina voted in the affirmative Before thu
vote was taken on the preamble and resolution
commencing with "inasmuch," and ending with
Constitutional law" the Hon. Bedford Brown, o
North Carolina, 1--WE quote from the Mercury ros
and said:
Permit me- in sincerity, candor, and the spirit o
adoption of this preamble. Devoted as am, to tn
perpetuty of this Federal Union, and the continu
ance Of the great Democratic party and its organ,za
ton, l warn them, if they adopt this resolution
which consider sweeps off every barrier to the re
served rights Of the States that the destiny of tn
Democratic party is decided" (Cries of order
order)
The Convention then voted on the preamble an
resolution above referred TO- and it was rejected
yeas 81, nays 23s-all the non-slaveholding States
with the exception of one from New Hampshire
four from Rhode Island, and eight from Pennsy
vania, voting against it. The Northern Democrat
thus rejected their platform, under the appeal
made to them by Messrs. Ashc and Brown, and thu
afforded additional evidence of their willingness t
unite, as far as they could, with their Souther
brethren =
The vote was thpp fakep IN tho remaipder of IN