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

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The National Convention was substituted in
lis Stead All the States, whether Demo-
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 OF
the National convention thus composed
could nominate a candidate, he might be
nominated mainly by the anti-Democratic
States against the will of large majority of
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
didate 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 edifce OF National conventions
Remove it, and the whole mus: become a
ruin This sustaining pillar was broken 10
no Poll H. 81
which nominated Mr. Douglas. After this
the body vas no longer National conven-
ton and no Democrat, however devoted TO
regular nominations, was bound 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, may observe that the wisdom of
the two-thrds 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
the Union, against nearly allthe Democratic
Senators and more than three-fourths of the
Democratic representatives. n Congress-
CCheers1
| purposely avoid entering upon any dis
cussion respecting the exclusion from the
Convention of regularly elected 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 condition ia that respect. The
1: 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. CApplause, and
cries of ''three cheers for Breckenridge and
Lane.Hl Holding this position, shall pre-
sent some of the reasons why prefer Mr..
Breckenridge 10 Mr.. Douglas. This shall
do without attempting 10 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.. Breckinrldge,
because be sanctions and sustains the per-
feet equality of all the States within their
common Territories, and the opinion of the
Supreme Court of the United States estab.
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 each
State, has the same right in the Territories
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 sistel
/ States and say, owe are holier than you are
and while we take our properly to the Ter
ritories and have it protected there, yor
/ shall not place your property IL: the same
position" That is precisely what is con
/ tended for. What the Democratic party
maintain, and what is the true principle o.
Democracy, is, that all shall enjoy the same
right, and that all shall be subject to the
same duties. Property--.his Government
was framed for the protection of life, liberty
and property They are the objects for tie
protection of which all enlightened govern
meats 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 confsica,e it at their viii
and pleasure. That is the principle sough
TO be established at present; and there