The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-08-22


The National Convention was substituted in
cratic or not, were equally to send delegates
to this convention according 10 the number
of their Senators and Representatives in
Congress.
A difficulty at once arose which never
could have risen under the Congressional
convention system. If a bare majority oil
the National convention thus composed
could nominate candidate, he might be
nominated mainly by the anti-Democratic
States against the will of large majority of
the Democratic States. Thus the nominating
power would be separated from the electing
power, which could no: fail to be destruc-
tive 10 the strength and harmony of the
Democratic party.
To obviate this serious difficulty in the
organization of National convention, and
at the same time 10 leave all the States their
full vote, the two thirds rule was adopted.
1t was believed that under this rule no can
didale could ever be nominated without
embracing within the two thirds the votes
of decided majority of the Democratic
States. This was the substitute adopted 10
retain, at least in great degree, the power
to the Democratic States which they would
have lost by abandoning the Congressional
convention system. This rule was main
| pillar in the edifice of National conventions
Remove il, and the whole mus: become a
ruin. This sustaining pillar was broken TO
pieces at Baltimore, by the convention
which nominated MIR. Douglas. Alter this
the body vas no longer National conven-
ton; and no Democrat, however devoted TO
regular nominations, was 5ouud to give the
nominee his support; he was left free TO
act according TO the dictates of his own
Judgment and conscience. And here, in
passing, l may observe that the wisdom of
the two-thirds rule is justified by the events
passing around us Had it been faithfully
observed no candidate could have been
! nominated agaicst the will and wishes OF
| almost every cerrain Democratic State in
tue Union, against nearly all the Democratic
! Senators and more than three-fourths of the
Democratic representatives n Congress-
! [Cheers.1
! purposely avoid entering upon any dis
cussion respecting the exclusion from the
Convention of regularly delegates
from the different Democratic States If the
convention which nominated Mr.. Douglas
was not regular Democratic convention.
/ it must be confessed that Breckinri dge is in
| the same co ndilion ih that respect. The
! convention that nominated him, although il
was composed of nearly all the certain
Democratic States, did not contain the two
thirds and therefore every Democrat is at
! perfect liberty TO vote as he thinks proper,
! without running counter 10 any regular
nomination of the party [AppIause, and
cries of ''three cheers for Breckenridge and
! Lane."] Holding this position, shall pre-.
sent some of the reasons why prefer Mr.
/ Breckinridge 10 Mr.. Douglas. THIS shall
do without attempting TO interfere with any
individual Democrat or any State Demo
cratic organization holding different opin-
ions from myself The main object of all
good Democrats, whether belonging TO the
one or the other wing of our unfortunate
division, is to defeat the election OF the Re-
: publican candidates and shall never op-
pose any honest and honorable course cal
cuiated to accomplish this object.
To return TO the point from which have
digressed, am in favor of Mr.. Breckinridge,
because he sanctions and sustains the per.
feet equality of all the States within theiI
common Territories, and the opinion of the
/ r H.
fishing this equality. The sovereign States
of this Union are one vast partnership
! The Territories we're acquired by the com
mon blood and common treasure of them
all. Each Slate, and each citizen of eacf
State, has the same right in the TerrItorie.
as any other State and The citizens of any
other State possess. Now, what is sought
for the present is, that portion of these
States should turn around to their siste
States and say, owe are holer than you are
and while we take our properly 10 the Ter
rito1ies and have it protected there, yol
shall not place your property IL the same
| position" That is precisely what is con
tended for. What the Democratic part,
| maintain, and what is the true principle o
Democracy, is, that ali shall enjoy the sam,
right, and that all shall be subject TO tht
same duties. Propery-this Government
was framed for the protection of life, liberty
and property. They are the objects for th'
protection (which all enlightened govern
ments were established. But it is sough
now TO place the property of the citizen
under what is called the principle of sqnat
ter sovereignty, in the power of the Terrific
rial Legislature to confisicate it at their viii
and pleasure. That is the principle sough
TO be established at present; and ther'
seems to be an entire mistake and misun
derstanding among a portion of the public