Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-18
ADDRESS TO THE NATIONAL uE
MOCRACY


cheney of its organization, desire to Join in
counsel with their democratic brethren
throughout the United States.
The proceedings of the Convention recently
assembled at Charleston have deyeIoped a di.
vergence of opinion between the delegations
OF the different States in relation to the prin-
ciples which form the basis of our Union. The
national democratic platform adopted at Gin
clnnati IN 1896 met the cordial approval of all
who believe these United States to be. what
their very name imports, a union of States
equal, sovereign, and endowed in ALI RESPECTS
with equal rights. This approval was based
on what seemed to us to be tho plain meaning
OF the resolutions embraced in that platform.
During the four years, however which have
since intervened, it has become painfully an
parent that the construction deemed by us so
manlfestly right is controverted by many men,
oers OF our party; that other principles are
supposed to find countenance in that platform
principles, in our judgment, subversive of
the true theory of ne Government and of the
Constitution to which our Union owes its birth,
ana on whose preservation its permanent ex-
istence depends.
What is the history of the recent Convention
at Charleston2
seventeen States, forming majority of the
whole, adopted with remarkable unanimity n
platform Of principles so worded as to avoid
the possibility of Observation-Disclosures
deemed political axioms by all who uphold the
equal rights of the States as the yery basis of
the Confederacy. Many delegates from the
remaining sixteen States concurred in opinion
with this majority, conspicuous amongst whom
were delegates from Pennsylvania and New
Jersey.
The States which adopted this platform give
electoral votes which can be relied on with
absolute certainty in favor of democratic
nominees, and we'll l-grounded confidence is en-
81 70 i'll y
New Jersey. These seventeen Stltes united
with pennsylvania alone comprise a majority
OF the entire electoral vote of the United
States, able to elect the democratic nominees
against the combined opposition of all the re.
naming States
This platform was deliberately rejected by a
combination composed of a small fraction Of
the delegates from the seventeen democratic
states and very large majority of the dele
gates or the remaining sixteen States: and a
resolution was adopted in its stead simply re-
af1rmlng the principles of the Cincinnati plat
form, without explanation or Interpretation OF
Its disputed meaning. This was done with the
oPenIy-avowed purpose Of enabling the dem
ocratic party to wage battle with some chance
OF success in certain Northern and Western
states oy presenting to the people as its doc
trlnes principles openly and expressly repu-
dated by majority of the democratic State
delegations. and by a majority approaching
unanlmity of the democratic electoral votes Of
the Union. -
The delegations of eight States tocetber
with portion of that of Delaware, faithful adj
herents OF our party and firm supporters of its
principles, were thus, by sheer force of votes
cast by delegates from States that will GER
tainIy vote for the republican candidates, COM
Psiied to withdraw from the Conventior, be-
cause, In the language of distinguished dele
gate, they felt {" that it was a burning imnnta-
non upon the honor and patriotism of the
party, that, claiming to be national, and claim.
ing to have principles for its guide. it should
acknoWledge for its declaration of faith a creed
upon which are placed two distinctly opposite
interpretations by its OSn advocates -
We cannot refrain from expressing our ad-
mlratlon and approval of this lofty manifesta-
tion OF adherence to principle. rising superior
to all considerations Of expediency, to all tram
mels OF party, and looking with a single eve
to the defense of the constitutional rights of
the States.
The delegations of other democratic States
however, Including few delegates from the
secedlng States,) not less faithful in devotion
10 principles, were more hopeful of obtaining
from their brethren some satisfactory recor
n'tion of sound principles, and decided on re-
naming In the Convention after distinctly de-
clarlng, however, their determination also TO
withdraw II their just expectations should be
disappointed.
IL Is thus apparent that there was almost en-
TIRE unanimlty of principle in the delegations
Oh tne only states on which absolute reliance
can be placed for democratic electoral votes
whilst there existed diversity of opinion as TO
the line OF policy best calculated to secure the
triumph OF those principles. Nor is it mat
Ter Oh surprise that In a cOnjuncture 30 unex-
pected and anomalous, when, in the enuncis-
tion OF democratic principles, the voice of Vir-
glnla was overborne by that Of Ohio, and Lou
islana and Arkansas were forced to succumb
10 vermont and Michigan, there should be ex-
cited feelings divided counsels, and discor
dant action
In the subsequent proceedings of the Conyen-
ton, however, we think that distinct intima-
tlons may be discerned of a disposition on the
part OF the Convention to recede from its de-
termination, and to afford, either by an amend
ment OF the platform or in some other manner d
equally satisfactory, such recognition Of prin
ciples as would effectually obyiate misconstruc-
tion and secure the harmonious action of the
party, and that 1t was only because of these
lntlmations that the delegations of the remain
ing democratic States consented TO Join in the
oallots which took place with no other effect
than to induce an adjournment TO Baltimore to
the. 18th June, whilst the seeding delegations
adJourned to meet at Richmond ON the second
Monday Of the same month.
on this state OF facts the path seems open for
the united action of the party and no insuper-
able obstacle opposes the restoration of its har-
mony SO believing, we insist that our posi-
ton as representatives of democratic States
and constituencies forms no just bar to our
right, but rather imposes on us the duty, of
joining our counsels with those of our demo-
cratic brethren, and uniting in their efforts to
secure the triumph of our principles.
1t is plain that, if the Convention shall at
Baltimore adopt satisfactory platform of prin.
ciples before proceeding to select its candi-
dates, the reason which dictated the with
drawal of the delegations of the -,ght States
will have ceased, and no motive will remain
for refusing to unite with their sister States.
nor for holding an adjourned meeting at Rich.
mond. On the other hand, if the Convention,
on reassembling at Baltimore, shall disappoint
the just expectations of the remaining demo
cratic States. their delegations cannot fail to
withdraw and unite with the eight States
which have adjourned to Richmond In either
event there would be unanimous action in sup
port of our principles by all the States which
can be relied on for casting democratic electo-
raj votes.
From this statement of facts, is it not evident
that the wise and prudent course now to be
pursued by the delegations of thaeight States
is to defer assembling in Richmond until the
necessity for such meeting shall become imper-
auve! ought they not, in view Of the already
a