Red Wing sentinel., 1860-05-30
". W. PHELPS, Editor.
:uEssi:s. EDe:ERToN x FRtDLEy.


The course pursued by these gentlemen
1t the late Charleston Convention, has been,
AMI still is, the subject Of much severe cri'i'
cism. 1t is discussion in which we have
no desire to participate; but as one Of the
delegates at Charleston, our silence would
10 misinterprstcd by both sides. The dele
gates to the Charleston Convention, eight in
aumber, were elected by the Safe ConVen-
ton, in Janrory last, they thereby be-
camo the Representatives OF the Democracy
of the State, and as such it was their duty,
each and all alike, as honorable men, to give
EXPIRE sion to the WILL Of their constituents,
il such will could be directly ascertaincd,
and only when unable to be asccrtained was
it proper to follow individual and personal
preference. The will Of the Democracy
Of Minnesota, by the following resolution
unanimously passed by ayes and noes-not
a dissenting vo:ce-expressed the wish o!
the Convention:
Resolved, That SrErHIN A. DoUGLAs, ol
Illinois, Is tho FIRST choice Of the Democrat
ic party OF the State Of Minnesota for the
Presidency in 1860,
As to the duty Of delegate under such
unanimous expression Of preference BY a
constituency, there can, be no chance for a
doubt. lie should 50 for Stephen A. Doug
las; and had the Convention stopped here,
the obligation Of the delegate was most
plain and imperative. No obligation could
be more binding. But in addition, the Con
vention took the farther precaution to re-
solve, "that our delegates to Charleston arc
expected, as an expression Of the will of the
Democracy Of Minnesota, to support him as
such SO long as such support may prove
available to him and for the general interests
of the Democratic party"
This resolution is by no means addressed
to the discretion Of delegates, and if it was,
Mr.. Douglas vote was constantly the larg,
est, and increasing-never diminishing-i
was large majority of the delegates voting;
being 15ll:: votes out Of 252 votes cast ;
and on the last vote cast, being a majority Of
the elect, ,ral colIegss--152l: Ger My then
the support Of Mess. Edgerton and Fridley
was available to Mr. Douglas, and for the
general interests Of the Dem ocracy, because
!at all times he had majority Of votes cast,
and finally majority Of the entire electoral
colleges. The majority Of tho party know
best what Is for the best interests Of the
party
I've need not follow this train Of argu-
mcnt further. It is very apparent that at
$40 time was. there any just cause for any
one favorable to Mr.. Douglas. to abandon
that preference, and under the positive ac-
ljoo Of our State Convention, such abandon
mont was in opposition to expressed instruc-
tions. 81"
1t is not necessary, therefore, to find 9th
er reasons which exist in such sverwhelm-
ing numbers, urging and commanding North
crn Democrats, without dissent, to support
Judge Douglas At this grave political crisis
II any party can prevent the dismember-
su,cnt Of the Union, it is the Democratic
party. If any principle is tho keystone Of
the arch Of our national safety, it is the
principle Of Congressional non-intervention.
dn government like ours, parties, like citi-
zens, must obey the rule Of ".mindiug their
own business" The inte:ventionists op.
posed Judge Douglas, and the non -intervcn-
tionis's supported him, and they compose
the great masses Of the Democratic party.
We believe, then, it was the imperative
duty Of these gentlemen to support Judge
Douglas, ard that they misrepresented the
State in not doing it. As one Of the dele
gates, the writer Of this either misrepre.
sontcd the Convention, or they did. 'To
that extern! the issue is personal between
them and the balance Of the delegation.
We will not harshly abuse these men,
In our judgment they greatly erred, but asus>
is no way to corrsc: those things. We arc
intimate with these gentlemen and VIC
frankly say that We do not believe they
were bought. Judge Edgerton is our neigh
bor-socially gentleman, and morally an
honest man, and although he might unler
solicitation and for friendship err, he would
not and did not, we must believe, accept a
bribs. That they were friendly to other
candidates is doubtless true, but it is no;
fair to mako their acts worse than they are
In regard to Mr.. Becker-we ask any
on. to point out tho act as delegate he can
object to. He voted with the majority 70.
Douglas during tho entire fifty seven bal
lots. Is it fair to say that although he
did so, lie did not want to do SO, and there
fore he must be called to account !or his un.
expressed preference. More to his credit
then, If true lie voted as instituted against
III, iuciina,,on>. But he signed hat circula,
address, says The ob;oc'.;r: villa. is in tina,
circular but simpv historical st t.tcu'cnts
True. infevcnceS are drawn !.e .e,,,n .lAa,
miSrcpesert the facts, In; still II is by no
mcu.l> al, onias IA ar,p:I'. 'Y"L very man
b. .j,s':'d by hi, .c :. Il " ridge a
,nAn by i:is thoughts we may CIR. ..,..r.