The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-28
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
FIFTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Report of the Platform Commiftee--A Major
ity and Minority Report.
The COMMITTEE RECOMMEND THE ADOPTION OF THE
CINCINNATI PLATFORM WITH THE ADDITION
OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS.
INTERESTING DEBATE.
SPECULATIONS.
FIFTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
THE CINCINNATI PLATFORM IN FULL

slavery in the Territories Second that the Territorial
Legislature has to abolish slavery the Terri
tories, nor to prohibit the introduction slaves therein
nor any power to destroy impair the right of
in slaves by any legislation whatever
Resored That it the duty of the Federal Governm
10 protect when necessary the rights of persons pro-
pery on the high in the territories wherever else
Its constitutional jurisdiction enters.
eSotred That the enactments of State Legislatures to
oeeat ne faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave law
are hostile in character subversve of the Constitution
anu revolutionary in their character
heSooed That it is the duty of the Federal Government
70 protect the rights of persons and property the high
extends
Resored, That the duty of the government of the
moment.
Resored, That the duty of the government of the
from foreign power'
These resolutions were adopted by a vote of
eighteen to fifteen, New York, Oregon and Califor-
MIA voting with the South.
CHARLEsroN, April 27.-The Convention met at
10 o'clock.
Mr.. King, of Missouri, presented series of reso.
ulons favoriDg the admission of delegates from
Kansas, who claim seats on the ground that that
State will be admitted into the Union before the
next Presidential election
1t was referred to the Committee on the National
Committee.
The announcement was made at l01% O'Clock
that the Committee on the Platform would not
be ready to report for an hour, and it was pro-
posed to have recess until that time, which was
adopted.
The members then went to promenading, and the
floor as well as the west galleries. being crowded
with ladies', there was clatter of tongues and
merry laughter in strong contrast with the excite
ment so recently suspended.
DEBATE ON THE PLATFORM.
SECOND DESPA TCH.
CHARLESTON, April 27.-At half-past II o'clock
the Convention re-assembled, when the majority
report of the Platform Committee was read by MI
Avery, who said he was instructed to say that en-
tire unanimity did not prevail on a portion of the
resolutions. The first and third, in relation to
slavery in the Territories and the duty of tho
General Government to protect the rights of per-
sons and property, are adopted by large majority
of the Committee. The second resolution in re!a-
ton to the fugitive slave law, and the fourth, in
relation to naturazed citizens were adnptpd
unanimously by the Committee. The fifth, rea-
tive to the acquisition of Cuba, was adopted with
out discussion.
There were two minority reports then presented
by Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts, and Mr. Payne of
OHIO, the latter stating that his report although
that OF minority, represented 172 electoral votes
whilst the majority report only represented 127
electoral votes.
Mr. Johnson of Maryland, inquired how MANY
oi the electoral votes represented in the minority
report could be depended upon for the Democratic
nominee Laughter and applause.
Mr. Payne could not say, could he speak for
Maryland, which goes with the majority. He said
he offered his platform substitute for the whole:
and Massachusetts delegate proposed another
series of resolutions.
Printed copies the majority report of the Plat
form Committee were scattered through the Con-
ventiOn.
One Of the minority reports is signed by B. F.
Butler in behalf of the minority, which merely
makes reference to the Cincinnati Platform de-
claring that Democratic principles are uuchanoe-
able In their nature when applied to the same sub
Ject matter; and only recommended in addition to
the Cincinnati Platform resolution for the pro-
lection of all its citizens, whether native or natu
ralized
The principal minority report, however, is
signed by the delegates from Maine New Hamp-
shire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut New
Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan Wiscon-
sin, Iowa, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylva-
MIA.
The points presented in this report are, first:-
Affirming the Cincinnati Platform; second that all
the rights ofprOperty judicial in character and
the Democracy pledge themselves to carry out all
decisions of the Supreme Court on such subject:
third, ample protection to citizens, native or natu-
razed at rome or abroad fourth gives a pledge
of governmental aid to the Pacific Railroad; fifth
advocates the acquisition of Cuba on terms honora-
BILE to ourselves and Just to Spain; sixth that all
State resistance to the fugitive slave law is revou-
tl"nnry and subversive of the Constitution.
All the reports being presented, Mr. Avery arose
to address the Convention claiming that he repre-
sented the seventeen Democratic States of the
Union.
Mr.. Avery said that, although representing fifteen
slave States and two free States, he denied that
any feeling of sectiOnalism has influenced the ma
jority.
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, stated that although
he signed the majority report, he did not
and would not vote for the third resolution, which
Resolved That it is the duty of the Federal Govern
ment to protect when necessary the rights of persons
and property on the high and in the territories
wherever else its constitutional authority extends.
Mr.. Avery called attention to the fact that the
majority report represents one hundred and
twenty-seven certain Democratic electoral votes
whilst the minority does not represent one elec-
toral vote that can be claimed as certain He re-
garded squatter sovereignty as subversye of the
rights of the South Congressional intervention
would be. He classed it with the Wilmot pro-
viso, as being equally subversive OF Southern
rights.
Mr.. Avery alluded to the fact that Mexico and
Cuba would inevitably, with Central America
form part of the Union, and with the popular
sovereignty doctrine as proclaimed in the minority
report, no slave holder would dare enter any of
this new territory with his slaves. 1t was said
that Northern men did not like to be thrown into
association with slave holders, and he appealed to
gentlemen to correct that error. To prove to the
South that the Democratic party of the North en-
tertain no such sentiments, there is no distrust
among the masses of the people of their Northern
allies. We sympathiZe with YOU when YOU are
called dough-taces at the North, and we ask YOU to
give us the evidence that our sympathy is we'll
placed.
Mr.. Payne, of Ohio, then addressed the Conven-
ton IN behalf OF the minority. He did not desire,
he said any personal victory, but those he repre-
SenLeu De1eVtu tnaC on a harmonious settlement of
these difficulties, depends the existence of the
Democratic party and the prosperity and perpe-
tuity of the Union. The Democracy of the North
have stood by the South in good faith. There
never had been but one construction put upon the
slavery clauses OF the Cincinnati platforms and, he
challenged any man to show that it had ever been
differently construed, even on the floors of Con-
gress.
Mr. Payne read to the Convention the opinion
of Secretary Toucey, and vice-President Breckn-
ridge against any measure to legislate slavery into
the Territories, and arguing that the people
of each Territory shall settle the matter for them
selves and be admitted into the Union with or with
out slavery, as they may determine. And he said
he could show that every distinguished Southern
statesman since 1850, has planted himself on the
Squatter-Sovereignty platform of non-intervention
by Congress.
He quoted also from Messrs. Hunter, Toombs
Mason and other Southern Democratic statesmen,
maintaining the same ground of non-interventiGn
and concluded by saying: Z" We cannot recede from
hs doctrine 1othout personal dishonor and, heIp
as God, ace nercr 'oW abandon This principle [Sen-
sation If the majority report is adopted, you
cannot expect one Northern electoral vote, or one
sympathizing member of Congress from the Free
States
Mr.. Payne's concluding appeal to the South was
very powerful, and was listened to with great at
tention. He urged them not to destroy the Demo
cratic party for a mere abstraction.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, who reported the
Cincinnati platform pure and simple, addressed the
Convention in view of his position, and his inability
to agree with either the minority or majority-
That clause relative to the protection of slave prop
erty on the seas, he cautioned them, would be re-
garded by their opponents as attempt to reopen
the slave trade.
Abiding to the remarks of Mr.. johnson, of Ma
ryland, with regard to the non Democratic States
Mr.. Butler said it like the kettle calling the pot
black.
Mr.. johnson replied that Maryland had never
countenanced and encouraged resistance to the
Fugitive slave law, and maintained national posi-
tion in the Union.
Mr.. Butler would say that Massachusetts, had
never been under rule that prevented man from
voting his sentiments without fear of the bludgeon
or bullet. loud and prolonged applause
Mr.. johnson desired to reply, but Mr.. Butler
would not yield anything. However, he said he
did not blame the Democratic party for this condi-
tion of affairs. He knew they did all they could
to resist it.
Mr. Butler concluded with an appeal to let swell
enough alone.
The Convention here took a recess until 4 o'clock
The following resolution by Mr.. Cochrane, of
New York, has just been circulated, which he pro-
posed to offer as substitute for all other PROPOSE
tions in addition to the Cincinnati platform:
Resolved That the States of the Union are un
der the Constitution equal and that the people thereof
are entitled to free and undsturbed possession enjoy
ment OF their rights of person and property in
with the Territories and that every attempt by Congress
or Territorial Legislature to annul abrdge dscrim
nate against such equality rights would be unwise
is the duty of the Federal Government whenever such
rights are violated to afford the necessary proper and
Constitutional remedies for such violation
AFTERNOON SESSION.