The Van Buren press., 1860-05-11
Charleston Convention.
CHARLESTON, April ~.
90 FIFTH DAY.

Charleston Convention.
CHARLESTON. April ~.
FIFTH DAY.
The convention was called to order shortly
after 10 O'Clock. .
The galleries were completely filled. and
Fthe atseadsn~e ef laslies larger thsn on any
former occasion. ~
The opening prayer was delivered by the
Rev. Mr.. Smythe.
Mr. Butterworth. of New York, moved
to suspend the reading of tho journal
Agreed to.
The President gave notice to the mem
bers OF the committee to report rules for
the government of the national executive
committee, to assemble after the adjourn
ment for business.
Mr. Stuart, of Michigan, was advised that
the committee on resolutions would be
unable to report for one hour, and he moved
to take q recess for that space of time.
The convention was again called to order
at twenty minutes past IL o'clock.
Mr.. Avery. of North Carolina, present.
ed the following from majority of the COM
mittee on resolutions
MAJORITY REPORT.
Rssoloed. That the platform adopted at Cnciu-
natl be affirmed with the following resolutions.
Resoioed, That the Democracy of the United
states hold these cardinal principles the subject
Of slavery in the Territories: First That Congress
has no power to abolish slavery in the Territories
Second, That the Territorial Legislature has no
power to abolish slavery in any Territory, nor to
prohibit the introduction of slaves therein any
power to exclude slavery therefrom, any right
to destroy impair the right of property in slaves
by any legislation whatever.
Resoloed. That the enactments of State legisla-
lures to defeat the faithful execution of the fugitive
slave law are hostile in character subversye Of the
Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect.
Resolced. That it Is the duty of the Federal
Government to protect, when necessary, the rights
Of persons and property in the high seas, in the
Territories, wherever else its Constitutional au
thority extends.
Resotred. That the Democracy Of the nation rec
ognize it as the imperative duty Of this Govern
ment to protect the naturalized citizen in all his
rights, whether at home in foreign lands, to the
| same extent its native born citizens.
Resolced. That the National Democracy earnest
ly recommend the acquisition Of the island Of Cuba
at the earliest practicable period.
Whereas, that one of the greatest necessities ol
the age. in political commercial. postal and mill
tary point Of view, is a speedy communication
between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Therefore
| be it
ResolDed, That the national Democratic party dc
their power to secur the passage 81 some ri III
construction of Pacific railroad, from the west
ern line of the Mississippi river to the Pacific
ocean, at the earliest practicable moment.
! Mr.. Avery was instructed, as chairman
Of the committee to report this platform
He was further instructed to say that entire
unanimity did not prevail on portion OF
the resolutions.
The first and third resolutions in relation
to slavery in the Territories, and the duty
of the general government to protect the
right of person and property, were adopted
by bare majority of the committee. Th,
second resolution in relation to the acquisi-
ton of Cuba, was adopted without a divis-
ion. The last resolution of the series, in
reference to the Pacific railroad. was adopted
by majority vote.
He desired, in introducing the report. to
address the convention briefly on the ques
tions involved, aud, If in order, he would
proceed to explain, rs briefly as he could
the views that had operated upon q majo
:ty of the committee, and induced them to
sign the report which he had presented.
The President.-The gentleman is now
in order and will proceed.
| Mr. Avery.-He would state further that
there would be minority report, and as he
might desire to allude to the matter embodied
in that report, he suggested that the report
be presented at that time and read to thu
convention. If mot, he hoped that he might
be allowed to refer to it in the course of hi:
remarks.
Mr.. Payne. of Ohio, was charged with
the presentation of minority report. and
if he should be allowed three or four min
utes to make an explanation, he would pre-
sent it at that time.
Mr.. Avery simply desired to be allowed
to allude to the report of the minority
without being deemed out of order.
j Mi. b. F. Butler, OF Massachusetts, hat
a second minority report which he wished
to send to the chair, in order that it nigh
be embodied in the argument.
u The Prcsident.-The gentleman from
North Carolina is in possession of the floor
Mr.. Avery.-I give way for the intro
duction of the minority reports.
The President.-The chair will under
, stand that Mr.. Avery is entitled to the foo
but will receive the minority reports at thi
time.
Mr.. Rynders presumed it would be salts
factory to the convention to hear the name
of the States attached to the several re
ports.
MIR. Wright. of Pennsylvania. suggeste'
that the minority report should be present
ed as an amendment.
Mr.. B. F. Butler would desire to NOV
the adoption of a report he had sent to tn
, chair as an amendment to the amendment
, The President explained that the parlia
, mentsry course would be to receive all tn
reports. The adoption Of the majority re
port being before the house. the other re
5 ports would be moved as amendments i
their order.
Mr.. Payne desired the indulgenoe of
few minutes, in order to bring to the knowl
5 edge of the house the exact points in issu
between the majority and the minority {
, the committee. The majority report
presented in the name of seventeen State'
q fifteen of which are slave holding State,
| with the addition Of California and Oregon
I The minority report. including that of Mas
sachusetts. would represent sixteen nor
/ slave holding States. having l76 slsctor,
Z votes against 127 electoral votes represent
ed By tie report Of the majority.