Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-05
Judge Douglas, speech.

douglas, delivered In Raleigh on Thursday last-
We do this beeansewe presume our readers desire
TO see and peruse it Moreover it is but justice to
the distinguished gentleman that be should be heard
by all classes and parties We do not agree with
him in all his positions. The platform on which
Mr. Breckenridge stands contains the true doctrine
We republlsh it and ask for it careful perusal:
Resolced, Thatthe Platform adopted BY the Demo-
cratic party at Cincinnati be affirmed with the fol-
lowing explanatory resolution. q
First, That the government of Territory or
ganized by an act of Congress is provisional and
temporary and during its existence all citizens Of
the United States have equal right to settle with
their property in the Territory without their rights
either of person property, being destroyed or i'm
paired by Congressional or Territorial legislation.
Second That it is the duty of the Federal govern
ment in all its departments, to protect when neces-
sary the rights of persons and property in the Ter
ritories, and wherever else its constitutional author
ty extends.
Third, That when the settlers in a Territory
have an adequate population to form State Con-
stituton, the right of sovereignty commences, and
being contaminated by admission into the Union,
they stand on equal footing with the people of
other States and the State thus organized ought to
be admitted into the Federal Union whether its Con-
stituton prohibits or recognizes the institution of
slavery.
ResOlred, That the Democratic party are in favor
of the acquisition of the island of Cuba on such
terms shall be honorable to ourselves and Just to
Spain, at the earliest practicable moment
Resotred, That the enactments of State Legisla-
lures to defeat the faithful execution Of the Fugitive
Slave Law are hostile in character subversive of
the Constitution and revolutionary in their effect
ResOlred That the Democracy of the United
States recognize it as the imperative duty Of this
government to protect the naturalized citizen in all
his rights, whether at home or in foreign lands, TO
the same extent its native-born citizens
WHEREAS, One of the greatest necessities Of the
age in political, commercial, postal and military
point of view, is speedy communication between
the Pacific and Atlantic coasts: Therefore be it
Resolred, That the National Democratic party do
hereby pledge themselves to every means in
their power to secure the passage of some bill, to
the extent Of the constitutional authority of Con-
gress for the construction of Pacific Railroad from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, at the
earliest practicable moment. =
This platform protests against Territorial sover-
eighty, and asserts protection only to carry out the
DEGREES of the Supreme Court 1t was so under
stood and voted for at Charleston by the entire
South We also object to the force" policy of Mr..
Douglas This Union can never be maintained by
force. Fire and sword can never make US a united
people. The only efficient remedy in case of a
threatened dissolution is a Convention of all the
States. When tina: fails, all is gone. Force can
hold us together and the sooner it is resorted
to, the sooner will disruption take place. We are
for the Union, and we will not follow Yancey and
other disunionsts; but it will be time enough to
talk about force when force is necessary and when
it becomes necessary it will be unavaling. A re-
sort to it. under any circumstances nsures dissolu
ton. If the great Northwest would preserve the
Union let it exert itself to have the Northern and
Eastern States do justice. With this the South will
be content, but with nothing less.
I We have no inclination to say harsh things of
Mr.. Douglas or his friends They are honorable
men and patriots, we doubt not Douglas has
fought many brave and manly battle for the
South-he has stood by us in many dark and try
ing time-he has stood in the deadly breech'
against the Abolition boards, and with giants
might hurled them back or scattered them with
fallen crests, to the right and to the left May
tongue be palsied and our arm powerless before we
write or speak against such man! We admire
him for his holiness and honor him for his pa
triotism and do not believe the Presidency could
add laurel to the garland of deathless fame already
wreathed for his brow. But our true policy now
is to stand by Breckenridge and Lane and adhere 20
the platform on which they stand, supporting the
electors their ticket according to the suggestions
under our editorial head. Men and their deeds
must yield to justice and to principle; and some
times to expediency. Mr.. Dorglas cannot be lowered
by defeat-he could not be elevated by success.
In North Carolina he stands no chance Every vote
for him weakens the Democratic party in the State,
and strengthens the 0pposition-that strength the
result of our division, and not inherent" by any
means. Let all rally, them to the ticket of
Breckenridge and Lane with the understanding that
the electors are to do the best they can to defeat
Lincoln and Hanlin. These electors are patriots
and honest men, well worthy of our confidence and
let us trust them, confident they will do the best
they can.