The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-28


The Platforms Reported 20 the Charleston
COnventf0n.
After three and half days Of discussion, the
Committee on the Platform has reported to the
Convention at Charleston, and the debate has
begun.
No one will be led away by the process of
platform manufacture from the evident fact
that the whole debate on that subject is the real
contest between the candidates, and not con.
test ON principles. The platform of political
party is nothing more than coat Of many
colors made to deck the Joseph that is to wear
1t, and he only wears 1t for short time, while
being presented to the people. In the Com.
mittee this contest has been going on, and has
at last resulted in the presentation of three
reports to the Convention. The majority re,
port is signed by the fifteen Southern States
and the two Pacific States, California and Ore.
gon. In the minority there is division
of opinion which has some Significance in it.
Massachusetts, does not join with the other
fifteen free States in the construction of the
minority platform, but presents the wedge of
division, which discussion will probably drive
home, and bring about the compromise plat
form that will be eventually adopted. 1t must
not be forgotten that the adoption Of the plat
form depends on majority only, and does not
require two thirds vote, as is the case with
the candidate.
There is contradiction in the meagre re.
ports received up to the present hour Of writ
ing which we cannot reconcile. Mr.. Avery,
the spokesman on behalf of the majority of the
Committee on Platform, refers in his speech to
the principle of squatter sovereignty contained
in the principal minority report, while in the
synopsis of that report, which has been sent by
telegraph, we do not find that principle laid
the opening of the debate, it seems evident
that the Convention itself is inclined not to
split, and the argument that the majority report
is sustained by 12S certain electoral votes for
the Charleston nominee, while the supporters
of the minority cannot pledge one sure vote to
him, has great force. On the other hand, the
South, which desires to win as much as do the
Northern and Central delegates, can afford to
make some concessions on the platform, if they
do not involve the nomination of an objec-
tionable candidate.
We believe, from these Indications that there
is no reason to alter the opinion we have pre-.
viously expressed-that the democracy are
settling their quarrels, in view of the vast
stake of the public spoils, which, for the COM
ing four years, will not be less than four hun
dred millions of dollars. The several reports
agree on the subjects of our foreign policy, and
all questions of domestic interest except that
of popular sovereignty. This is in fact the
question Of the acceptance or rejection of Mr..
Douglas as the candidate If his friends could
nominate him by majority vote, the fight
might be worth making against the majority
report; but the gain Of sufficient votes to give
him two. thirds looks like desperate attempt
that can only result in compromise. Pru-
dence, the vast spoile, and the necessity of
making winning fight, all combine towards
this end