Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-09-05
FOr the Standard.
REMARKS OF DR.. C. ]. FOX,
On taking the Chair as President Of the Douglas
Contention


On taking the Chair as President Of the Douglas
Contention.
FEILow-CITIzENs: cannot express the gratitude
feel at the manifestation of confidence which you
have exhibited to-day in calling me to preside over
the deliberations of the national Democratic Conven-
ton of North Carolina. Nor can express the want
of ability feel in the attempt to discharge the high
functions which you have imposed upon me.
Hoping, however, that wisdom, patriotism, and
harmony will prevail in this Convention, fiatter
myself that your good conduct will relieve me from
that embarrassment in which, under other circum-
stances would necessarily be involved.
We meet to-day, fellow-citizens, under circum-
stances of peculiar interest, and may He who pre-
sides over the destiny of nations preside this
Convention, and lead us in the way in which we
should 90.
We witness to-day an anomaly in the history of
the Democratic party of North Carolina, viz: d.
vision of its ranks-each party no doubt equally
sincere in the course which it is pursuing. This is
much to be regretted, for are brethren and have
one common heritage. We have however, the con-
ISOLATION to believe that however much may differ
inopinion to measures of safety, have but one
common object-the common good.
We believe, conscientiously, that the course we
are pursuing is the only safe one and that to adopt
any other would be compromising the great object
Which We as patriots, ! o nearest our hearts.
cunstances is patriotism; but there are others un-
der which it is treason. He who compromises his
worldly interest for the sake of his country pa
triot; but he who compromises the safety of his
country to preserve party organization, yea to pre-
his life is traitor and should share traitors
fate
We believe, fellow citizens. that the great issue
before the people of the United States to-day is,
whether this Union is to be preserved or whether it
is to be dssolved and believing that the principles
advocated by the great apostle of the Democratic
party-the nominee of the national Democratic Con-
vention at to the perpetuity Of
this Union we feel that we have alternative left
US but that of giving them confidence and hear
ty support. And in doing we feel that We are
not disturbers of the peace, that are not dsor-
ganizers but good citizens No, fellow.ctizens, we
believe that we are the true Democracy, the old line
Democracy; that we have the true succession and
that our apostle has the only true appointment
Fellow citizens, we are not seceders,-majorities
never secede; and as the majority who maintain
their position and place only be regarded the
original body, we claim that we alone are right and
our nominee the only true one.
The matter of difference, fellow-ctizens, is that
which has reference to the institution of African
slavery and its protection The Douglas wing of
the Democracy hold that the principles embodied in
the compromise of 1860, these which were first set
forth by Gen. Cass, and which secured to him the
nomination Of the Democratic party in 1848; those
upon which Gen. Pierce received the nomination in
1852, and Mr.. Buchanan in 1866, and embraced in
the Nebraska act Of 1854 to be the true doc
trine of the South and We believe that to discard
that compromise, drawn up presented and sup
ported by the South would be in bad faith impoli-
tic and unwise. And we believe that, having dis
carded it. and applying to the national Congress for
protection, would be to kinde afresh that fire of dis
cord which has so far separated the North and South