The Shasta courier., 1860-06-23
stephen A. Douglas on the Charleston
Convention.

Convention.
While replying to the speech Of JEFF. Davis, in
the Senate, on the 9th of May last, Judge Doug
las said
He should not and did not recognize the right
Of caucus of the Senate or House TO prescribe
new tests for the Democratic party. Senators are
not chosen for the purpose of making party
platforms. Under our political system there has
grown up nm organization known the National
Convention. composed of delegates elected fresh
from the people, who once in four years estab-
ish a platform and select nominees for the
party. The Cincinnati platform was the only
authoritative platform of the party until the
Charleston Convention met. He had stood firmly
and faithfully by the Cincinnati PLATFORM look
ing confidently to see it re-atfirmed at Charles
ton. They had all agreed to appeal TO Charles
ton as the council to settle differences. The
representatives of the party assembled at
Charleston, and after three DAYS debate the par
ty determined by an overwhelming majority in
favor of a re-adoption of the Cincinnati plat
form. Now, he was no longera hereto ; he was
no longer an outlaw from the Democratic party;
he was no longer rebel against Democratic
power. The Charleston Convention repudiated
the new test contained in the caucus resolutions,
by a vote of 27 majority to affirm the Cincinnati
platform so that he was sustained by the party
so far as the platform was concerned. The
question is whether the Senator from Mis-
siSsippi will again acquiesce in the decision OF
his party, or is he going to retire from the par
ty, and bolt its nomination to break it up, be-
cause the party has concluded not to change
from its position of 1856? Were his friends
around him going to desert the party because
the party has not changed suddenly as they
have? The country has often been told that he
and his friends in Illinois were not acting in
harmony with the Democratic organization
They had replied that they would appeal to the
National Convention to ascertain who constitute
the Democratic party of lllinoiS-whether the
| organization that sustained him. the Federal
| otfice-holders that acted with the Republicans
against him? These office holders sent their
delegates to Charleston, and the regular organi-
cation sent theirs. The Convention proceeded
with great carefulness and integrity, to decide
and they decided, by unanimous vote, that the
Federal office holders OF Illinois did not belong
to the Democratic party. Laughter and ap-
| plause in the galleries. So far, then, MS these
National Democrats of Illinois concerned
the party has unanimously decided at Charles
ton that they do not belong to it. The party
also decided, said Mr.. Douglas, by majority o.
the whole electoral college, that WAS the choice
of the Democratic party for President of the
United States. giving me fifty votes over all tht
| other candidates combined, and yet my Oemoc-
racy is questioned. so far as | am Individually
concerned, want no further or higher endorse
ment.
have arraigned no man, have intended tt
prescribe no man for differing with me. have
at all times said was willing to appeal to the
great council of the party when they assembled
in National Convention to decide these ques
tions They have decided them in my favor or
all points, platform, organization, and least o
all, the individual. | say least of all, for ml
| friends who know me best know that had NJ
personal design or personal desire or wish fo
the nomination They know | would prefer
seat in the Senate for the next six years to being
President They know my name would neve
have been rendered at Charleston except tor tn,
attempt to prescribe me as hereto too unsount
to be Chairman of Committee in the bod,
where sat. was forced to allow my name tt
go there. will now say that had any gentle
man, friend or foe, received majority of th
votes in that Convention over me, the lightning
would have carried-the message withdrawing nj,
name before the Convention. | have not lus
| enough for Office to be the nominee against tn,
known wishes and first choice Of n majority 0
my party. In the instant that Franklin Pierce
had a majority of votes, the telegraph carried III,
message congratulating him the first choc,
of the party and it read in the Convention
| before the vote was announced. In 1856, Mr.
Douglas said, when Mr.. Buchanan received :
majority he sent message to his friends tc
withdraw his name and make the nomination
unanimous. He would scorn to be the standard
bearer of any party fse was not the choice q
the party; but he diarejoce that the old Dem
ocratic Party determined to adhere to the gIea
principle of non-intervention by the Fedora
| Government with the domestic affairs of distan
Territories. 1t was pleasant duty to defent
this glorious old party against those who woult
destroy it, because the party will not change ii
platform to suit their purposes.