Weekly standard., 1860-09-12
WARREN COUNTY BRECKENRIDGE AND
=. LANE RATIFICATION MEETING.

WARREN COUNTY BRECKENRIDGE AND
LANE RATIFICATION MEETING.
On Tuesday, the 2sth instant according to public
notice. the Democracy of Warren county assembled
to ratify the nominations made by the National
Demoratic Convention at Baltimore. The spacious
Court House was filled to its utmost capacity, and
the greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevailed
throughout the assemblage The majority of those
present were grey y-headed Democrats who had spent
their lives defending and maintaining the doctrines
of Nat Macon, and had now rallied at the call of
their country. determined to maintain with their
last breath, the true principles of Constitutional
liberty, avowed by the Democratic Party. Nor
were the youth of the County absent, but eagerly
Joined with their experienced seniors in rallying
around the banner of Breckenridge and Lane.
On motion of DR.. Thos J. Pitchford, the Hon.
Weldon N. Edwards was called to the Chair, and
WIN. A. Walsh was appointed Secretary.
Mr. Edwards returned thanks for the proof OF
their partiality, evinced by calling him to preside
over such an intelligent assembly. He alluded to
his age, which ought to exempt him from partici-
patng in the political struggles of the day but the
times were such as compelled every man to come
forward, to rescue their beloved country from de-
struction. The people of Warren knew him from
his boyhood to the present day, and had ever given
him cheerful and steady support throughout
long public fe and hence he felt bound to respond
to their call He gave brief sketch of the purpose
for which they were assembled. For 70 years this
country had enjoyed prosperity unexampled in
the world, and which no history could portray
But we are fallen on evil days; war was waging
against the principles Of Democracy, and the great
cause of the Union-the People-and the Constitu-
ton at stake not only at present. but for the
future. Four tickets before the people. The
Black Republican, conceived in scctonalism, and
matured in gross treason. lie strongly denounced
their doctrines which could not he permitted to ride
triumphant through the Union. Bell and Everett
were highly respectable gentlemen. more conserva-
tive than the others, but they only represent the
fragment Of party, that had gone through all kind
of phases. from federalism down to Know Nothing
ism, and now call themselves Union Constitutional
men. He considered Douglas and johnson as much
a higher law" party as that Of Lincoln and Ham,
lin He explained the Douglas doctrine relative to
the Territories and in the course of his lucid re.
marks on the Douglasites appeal to the Cincinnati
PLATFORM he gave graphic showing up of the ab-
surdlty Of their contending that a mere voluntary
assemblage called Convention, could release Con-
gress from their obligations to enforce the provisions
of the Constitution. He explained and pointed out
the protection which the Constitution would give
them under Lincoln. but Douglas erects Terrific
rial Legislature Congress- and leaves the latter
powerless Douglas might and would collect around
him the disatfected and corrupt but he never would
attain the diadem of power lie would go for Bell,
if he thought he could the country, but he only
represents a chip Of party, that merely depends
for success upon the divisions caused by Douglas in
the Democratic party Mr.. Edwards spoke with
great energy and vigor, and was warmly applauded
throughout It was highly gratifying to the friends
of the venerable patriot to much of his youth
fl fire yet remaining, to be used if necessary in
rallying the people to the defence of the Union and
Constitution.
On motion of Thomas j. Foote Esq, the follow
ing were appointed as Committee to prepare reso-
lutions to be submitted to the meeting Messrs. L.
J. Foote, T. j. Pitchford, T. j. Green, W. 7. Aston,
n. Milan, W. X. Kearney, j. I. RUSSELL j. S.
Jones and E. D. Drake
The Committee having retired
Gen. Green moved that the Hon. Abram Venablc,
Eecor for this District be requested to address the
meeting which adopted by acclamation.
Mr. Venable, in response to the CALL said he had
once hoped his political life had closed and that az
ter 40 years public service he would be allowed to
retire to the quiet of private le and that he would
have died with the hope of leaving his country safe
and prosperous But he was disappointed; he was
called upon and came willingly forward to protect
the rights of himself and his descendants. and he
would die in his tracks than surrender them.
He had fought for Democracy in North Carolina
when Democracy was by-word. He compliment
ed the old Wing party before it was tainted with
know-Nothingism, but he denied that il had any
connection with the present Union Constitutional
Conservative party, which made up in length Of
name for its paucty in numbers. (Applause. y
Before the election in the presence of Gen Lane, at
kttrelrs, he had stated as Ellis had declared for
Brecknrldse, and Pool for Bell that if the latter
was elected on that issue, he would feel bound to
vote for Pool. As the decision was the other way,
he called upon the Bell men to follow his example
and vote for Breckenridge. We cannot follow the
eloquent speaker through the various topics which
he discussed. He gave graphic description Of the
results which would follow Black Republican rule.
As Eector, he came to ask their votes, for Breck-
inridge and Lane He discussed the claims of Doug
las and johnson, and exposed the irregular nomna-
ton of the latter who, in support Of Squatter Sow
creignty, was equally involved with Douglas. He
entered into an able analysis of Douglas doctrine.
lie demonstrated that the same protection should
be extended to slave property, as given to all
other descriptions Of property brought into the Ter
rltories. The right to protect and create does not
include the right to destroy, and quoted Webster to
support his position. lie exposed the absurdity of
allowing the power. as claimed by Mr.. Douglas, to
be lodged in Territorial Legislature.
Mr.. Venab!c gave sketch of the public services
Of Breckenridge and Lane. He scornfully hurled
back the malignant fa!sehood that they were dis
unionsts, appealing to their past life the best re-
futat:on. 1--WE are fallen on evil tines" exclaimed
he, "when Presidential candidates tramp through
the country, like Constables canvassing Captains
beat, (cheersj but We have, unfortunately, got
breed of politicians, and lost that of statesmen,
(cheers,) and as consider Mr.. Douglas the candi-
date Of the politicians support Breckinridge and
Lane as the candidates Of the people" (Applause.)
He had unbounded confidence in the people; they
may occasionally waver about in ordinary times,
but when once aroused by the approach of danger,
they will arise and sweep all before them. He
eoquenty apostbophized the spirit of Macon, and
called upon his countrymen to protect the Union,
Constitution, and the equality Of the States with
in it. (Applause) lie would stand by the
Union, and pointed out the evils Of civil dscord,
and drew a most happily conceived illustration
from the destruction OF Jerusalem, of the present
state Of public affairs. When Titus army assailed
the city, voice was heard from the nmost sanctu.
ary exclaiming, "Let us go hence" He hoped that
ne should not 1--we to see the day when The spirit Of
our Constitution would make the same exclamation,
VyhSv