The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1860-05-30
ADDRESS TO THE NATIONAL De
MOCRACY


ADDRESS TO THE NATIONAL DE-
MOCRACY
The undersigned, members Of the nation
al democratic party, supporters Of its
principles. and deeply anxious, by pro
noting its harmony,'to preserve unim-
paired the efficiency Of its organization,
desire to join in counsel with there
democratic. brethren throughout the
United States.
The proceedings Of the Convention re-
Gently assembled at Charleston have de
velopcd divergence OF opinion between
the delegations Of the different States in
relation TO the principles which form the
oasis Of our Union. The national demo-
cratic platform adopted at Cincinnati in
1856 met the cordial approval Of all who
believe these United States TO be, what
their very name imports, union Of States
equal. sovereign, and endowed in all re
poets with equal rights. This approval
va based on what seemed to Us to 10 the
plain meaning OF the resolutions embrac-
ed in that platform.
During the four years, however, which
have since interviewed, il has become
painfully apparent that the construction
lecmed by US so manifestly right is con
Toyerted by many members of our party
that other principles are supposed 10
| ind cOuntenance in that platform-prin.
eiples, in our judgment, subversiye Of the
rue theory OF the Government and OF
| he Constitution to which our Union owes
IT'S birth, and on whose preservation it,
| permanent existence depends.
What Is the history of the recent Con.
vention at Charleston?
Seventeen States. forming majority OF
| The whole, adopted with remarkable una
uimity platform of principles so worded
| ~ to avoid the possibility Of misconstruc.
-ion-principles deemed political axioms
~ all who uphold the equal rights Of the
states as the very basis OF the Confederacy
Many delegates from the remaining six
cen States concurred in opinion with
his majority, conspicuous amongst whom
Sere delegates from Pennsylvania and
New Jersey.
The States which adopted this platform
i've electoral votes which can be re-
ned On with absolute certainty in favor
If democratic nominees!aand we'll ground
II confidence IS entertained OF like re-
,ult in Pennsylvania end New Jersey. -
these seventeen States united with Penn
ylvanIa alone comprise a majority of the
ntlre electoral vote of the United States
bic 10 elect the democratic nominees
lgalnst the combined opposition of all the
emaining States.
This platform was deliberately rejected
y d combination composed of small
ractlon Of the delegates from the seven
nteen democratic States and very larg,
majority OF the delegates of the remaining
.lXteen States; end a resolution wa,
dopted ~ its stead. simply reatfTminp
he principles OF the Cincinnati platform
without explanation or Interpretation
Is disputed meaning. This was don.
yith the openly ayowed purpose Of enable
ng the democratic party to wage BATH.
With some chance of success in certain,
northern and Western States bv present
~ TO the people As its doctrines prlncI
les openly and expressly repudiated b,
majority OF the democratic State delega
.uns, and 10y a majority approaching una
unity Of the democratic electoral vote,
1.-THE Union.
The II, Legations of eight States. togetb-
r with portion OF that OF Delaware
dithiul adherents Of our party, ana firm
Importers Of its principles, We're thus, by
ueer force OF votes cast by delegates from
states that will certainly vote for the Re
publican candidates, compelled TO with
| traw form the convention, because in the
anguage OF "A distinguished delegate. they
| cit that it was burning imputation up
N the honor and patriotism of the party,
! nat, claiming to be national, and claiming
| % have principles for its guide, it should
| acknowledge Tor ito declaration of faith Il
| reed upon which are placed two distinct
| Y opposite interpretations by its own adj
| yocates.'
We cannot refrain IRON expressing our
admiration and approval Of this lofty
| manifestation Of adherence 20 principles
| rising superior toall considerations ofexpe
| tiency, to all trammels Of party, and
| cooking with a single eye 10 the defenc,
| Jt the constitutional rights Of the States
The delegations of other democratic
states, however, Including few dele
| ates from the seeding States. not les,
aithiul in devotion TO principles, wer,
| more hopeful OF obtaining from THEN
brethren some satisfactory recognition O.
| .ound principles, and decided on remain
| .ng in the convention after distinctly de
caring, however, their determination al
O to withdraw if their Just expectation.
should be disappointed.
1t was thus apparent that there was al
most entire unanimity Of principle in tn,
delegations OF the only States on which
,hsplute reliance can be placed for dem
| byratlc electoral votes. whilst there exist
ed diversity of opinion as to the line o
policy best calculated to secure the tri
umph OF those principles. Nor is it
matter Of surprise that in conjuucture ;,
unexpected and anomalous, when, in tn,
.nuncIation of democratic principles. tn,
'ulce Of Virginia was overborne by that o
| Blio and LOuisfana afftS- gkas.Ss- ., e.
I OTcea ~ succumb to Vermont and Mich
gan, there should be excited feelings
decided counsels, and discordant action
In the subsequent proceedings of tn
/ convention however. we think that di.
I lnctintlmatiOns may be discerned of
disposition on the part Of the conrentio
90 recede from it, determination and I
iiord, either by amendment OF the pla'
oIm or IN some other manner equal
satisfactory. such recognition of principle
Is would ctfectusllv obviate misconstru,
ION and secure the harmonious action {
he parry. and that il was only because {
,he>e lnilmatlons that the delegations q
he remaining democratic States consen
.ojoin the ballots which took place wit
40 other effect than to induce an aiourr
nent to Baltimore to the 18th of Jun,
whilst the seeding delegates adiourne
o meet in Richmond on the "a Monda
# the same month.
ON this State Of facts the path seem
open for the united action of the part,
md no inSuperable obstacle opposes TIA
restoration OF its harmony. So believin.
sc insist that our position as represent;
ives OF democratic States and constitueI
les, forms no Just bar to our rights, bu
dther imposes on us the duty Of joinin
ur couuscls with those Of our democra
e. brethren. and uniting in their efforts I
rcure the triumph OF our principles
is plain that, If the Convention sha
u Baltimore adopt satisfactory platforr
principles before proceeding to select il
candidates, the reason which dictated til
withdrawal OF the delegations OF the eigl
'iates will have ceased. and no motiv
vii remain for refusing to unite with the
.ster States norfor holding an aiourne
meeting CT Richmond. On the 9th,
Iand. II the Convention on re-assemblin
At Baltimore, shall disappoint the Just Q,
rectauons Of the remaining democrat
states, their delegations cannot fail I
, withdraw and unite with the eight State
which have adjourned to Richmond.
b either event there would be unanimou
action in support Of our principles by a
o the States which can be relied on for cas-
{ ing democratic electoral votes.
Z From this statements of facts, is il N
q evident that the wise and prudent cour'
o now to Ice pursued by the delegations
I the eight States is to defer assembling
Richmond until the necessity for sue
/ meeting shall become imperative? Ougl
u they not, in view of the already altere
: condition ofaffairs, to return to the Coz
o yention at Baltimore and aid their sist,
\ States in the struggle for the recognitiC
) of sound democratic principles? May
\ not be that their votes would now sufh,
/. to turn the scale, to purge the party cree
4 OF all heresies, and to emblazon on Il
e party banner its honored device of fide
:. ty to the Constitution and the Union
/. characters SO clear as to defy misconstru
. ton?
e Suppose for moment that in this Ia
e struggle for the right they should aga
l. be oyerborne Is it not, then, equal