Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-05-09
The- XationaI convention.


of the proceedings of the Convention, up to
the 2sth ult., The majority of the commit
tee on the Platform. reported follows:
Resolved That the platform adopted at
Cincinnati be affirmed. with the following ad-
ditional resolutions: That the National De-
mocraey of the United States hold these car
dinal principles on the subject of slavery In
the Territories: 1st, That Congress has no
power to abolish slavery iu the Territories.
I'd. That the Terri torial Legislature has no
power to abolish slavery in the Territories,
nor the introduction of slaves therein; nor
any power to destroy by any legislation what
ever.
Two minority reports were presented. After an |
exciting debate the majority reported was reec-
ted aud the following adopted.
Resolced, That it is the duty of the Fed
eral Government to protect, when necessary
the rights Of persons or property on the high
seas, in the Territories, or wherever else its
constitutional jurisdiction extends.
1. Resolved, That We, the Democracy of
the Union in Convention assembled, hereby
declare our affirmation of the resolutions
unanimously adopted and declared plat
form Of principles by the Democratic Conven-
ton in Cincinatti, in the year 1856, believing
that Democratic principles Interchangeable
ip their nature, when applied to the same sub
ject matters; and We recommend. as the only
further resolutions, the following
2. Inasmuch differences of opinion ex
ist il the Democratic party as to the nature
and extent of tho powers of Territorial
Legislature, and as to the powers and duties
of Congress under the Constitution of the
United States, over the institution of slavery
within the Territories, Therefore,
ResolUed, That the Democratic party will
abide by the decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States over the institution of
slavery within the Territories.
3. Resolved, That it is the duty of the Uni
ted States to afford ample and complete pro-
lection to all its citizens, whetheFat home or
abroad and whether native or foreign born
4. Resolued, That one of the necessities of
the age in a military and civil point ofview.
is speedy communication between the Allan
tic and Pacific States, and the Democratic
Party pledge such constitutional government
as will secure the construction of q railroad
to the Pacific coast at the earliest practica-
bic period.
3 Resolved, That the Democratic party is
IN favor of the acquisition of Cuba. on such
terms as shall be favorable to ourselves and
just to Spain.
6. Resolred, That the enactments of State
Legislatures to defeat the faithful execution
of Fugitive Slave Law are hostile In their
character, subvcrsiVe of the constitution, anC
revolutionary in their effect.
Immediately after the adoption of the
Platform, the Delegates from Alabama, Miss
issippi, South Carolina, Florida, Texas. Ar
kansas and Deleware Withdrew. and the Del
egates from Virginia and Georgia retired t.
consult. The Delegates from the Southern
States ccntended that the Convention in re
fusing to adopt the majority report, had re
fused to reaffirm and endorse a cardinal prin
cipie of the Democratic party-the right @
every American citizen to emigrate to an
of the Territories, with his property. an
hold it unmolestcd there until the territor
in which he resided should be admitted int
the Union as State. The Democratic Pal
ty was party of principles, and they wer
not principles which 1t ought either to b
ashamed of or afraid to avow. The conver
tion had no right to reject principles an
adopt a platform which would suit Stephe
A. Douglas. 1t was true he was unwillin
to stand on the majority platform, but man
distinguished statesmen were; statesman
every way his equal if not his superior. Q
Tuesday the Delegates from Georgia Will
drew. The Convention then proceeded
ballot for President. The first ballot ",
as follows; Douglas 1851. Guthrie sc
Dickinson Z, Lane 6, Davis l, Hunter 4:
Toucey D, Pierce I, johnson 1. A res
luton was adopted before proceeding to ballo
that 202 votes OF two thirds of full CONVEX
ton should be necessary to nominate. I'll
Pennsylvania delegation voted as follows {
the first ballot. Douglass 9, Guthrie IL;
Hunter 4, Lane q, Douglas received on
81 votes from the slave States. On the 35i
ballot Douglas received 1917 votes, Guthr
65S, Hunter 16, Lane 16, Dickinson 2, D.
Wis 1. The subsequent ballots did rot val
materially from the above. On Thursds
the convention adjourned to meet in Bait
more on the 18th of June. A convention
delegates from the seeding States, will
held in Richmond, Virginia on the 11th
June. In the meantime it does not becon
Us as Democrats to despair, although tt
aspect of the political horizon is dark an
lowering indeed. We trust that all the de
ezatss viii attend the Convection at Baltlmor,
and that compromise will be effected
Without this, defeat will be certain. This
no time for intemperate audS angry discu
.ioue. Above all our Southern brethre
should not be denounced for the course the