Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-15
G9e Stanoarb.
RALEIGH: SATURDAY. FEB. IL. 1860.
Mr.. Senator Douglas


The Editor of the Fayetteville Carolinian, in his
issue Of the 7th, says:
ave have lately received three letters from Wash
ingtou from friends of Mr. Douglas two of them
for the purpose of admonshing US to advocate
his claims for the nomination at Charleston TO
this we would declare most emphatic no! His
friends little know who they have fallen upon in
this modest request"
The Editor then goes on to give his reasons why
he cannot advocate the claims of Judge Douglas.
He dapproves both the doctrine of squatter or ter
rtoria sovereignty and the doctrine of Congression
al protection to slavery. IN
Our position in relation to Judge Douglas is we'll
known to our readers. We are in favor of the Gin
cinnat platform, word for word and letter for letter.
There is no squatter or territorial sovereignty IN
that platform We will not 60 with the Alabama
Democrats, who demand Congressional protection
to slavery in the territories; nor with the Illinois
Democrats, who hold the doctrine of squatter sove
reignty. Even if the Charleston Convention shall
do what is extremely improbable-that is, interpo
late the doctrine of squatter sovereignty in the Gin
cinnat platform, We will not be bound in that par
ticular by the Charleston Convention We will not
be bound, because the question Of slarery is sial
question to North Carolina and paramount to all
/ party considerations
But we will support the nominee of that Conven-
ton, whoever he may be, against the candidate of
the black Republican party. Judge Douglas, though
we are not unmindfu of his services to the party in
times past, though respect him for his abilities,
and though we regard him as sound on the issue
of the "irrepressibe conflict" as between the
States-is nevertheless not our first choice for the
Presidency But if nominated and even if the pres
ent platform should be re-adopted, he would 60 be-
fore the people as the wellknown advocate Of ter
ritorial or squatter sovereignty; and We would be
bound by principle from which we will never de-
part, while supporting and voting for him, to do SO
with protest against his views on that subject -
But We do not propose to discuss the question Of
slavery in the territories or the subject of the Pre-
sidency. We have simply reiterated our opin-
ions on one two points, and the article of our
friend of the CarOlinian has furnished occa-
sion for doing. We entertain the firm belief that
the Charleston Convention will act wisely. We be-
leve that body will nominate some national man,
whose views will accord with those of the great body
of the party in all portions of the country and that
IN the final effort which will be made with the plat
form and the nominee of the Convention to save the
Constitution and the Union the chances Of success
will be on the side of the national Democracy. AZ
ter the nomination shall have been made it will be
the duty of all good Democrats, whoever the nomi-
nee may be- to look to the main issue of Se,oarl
against the Constitution and the Cnion and to act
accordingly. Other views, other considerations,
other objects important in themselves, and paramount
in other contests other occasions, will be for
gotten or postponed in the great common effort
which all true men will make to defeat the black
Republicans No soldier, who expects to conquer
will Ealter when the troops put in motion, and
the word of command is given by the chief chosen
for the OCCASION; and it will be too late to complain
or to hesitate after the chief has been selected