The Grand Haven news., 1862-03-12

Here Stood our DOuglas, IN the noon-
tide of his living greatness, and in bis ex-
piring moments, when, all unmindful of
The pangs Of accute disease, and the sweat
of mortal agony then gathering in bead
cd drops upon his pain corrugated brow,
he sent forth that thrilling appeal to I'm
ion-loving men everywhere, to forego their
party platforms and party organizations;
10 rally around tho altar Of patriotism
and save the constitution and the Union
from the hands Of parricidal violence
This the democracy were willing to do,
and have held their party action and par
ty organization for months in allegiance,
and would still remain in quietude, but
for the recent fearful disclosures of abo-
lition plans and the distracted condition
of the republican party, paralyzed by its
affiliation with dsunionists, and powerless
to reconstruct the Union with its ancient
bonds of mutual kindness and fraternal
sympathy.
The reorganization Of the democratic
party, upon the platform of the constitn-
tion and the Union, is necessity. 1t
should command the hearty cooperation
of all patriotic men, irrespective of by
gone political issues; and especially shod
the conservative friends of a restoration OF
the Union as il was, with State equality
and State sovereignty unimpaired, and
State laws and institutions untouched,
rally to the support Of that party whose
cardinal principles, the right of the peo-
pie 10 govern themselves" must ever re-
main the sole rational basis of individual
freedom, State independence, and nation
al Union; and which has still the creative
energy for imparting harmony and frater-
nal vigor again to the arterial tides of life
now feebly pulsatiug from the great heart
of this Republic to its extremities.
And when this country shall again
stand forth disenthralled of treason South,
and disunion North; when peace shall
again dwell in our midst, and prosperity
revisit our borders; this principle for
which Madison labored, a Jefferson lived,
and Douglas died, will still remain from
ocean TO ocean, and from the lakes TO the
gulf, a symbol of amity and the pledge
of fraternity.
The speech was received throughout
with the most vociferous applause, mem
bers frequently rising to their feet and
swinging their hats with enthusiastic
cheers. AT the conclusion, three cheers
were given for the speaker.
The following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted by the convention:
Rcsolved That in this fearful crisis,
which involves the destiny of the Union,
il is the duty of every citizen to do all in
his power to relieve the whole country,
and to restore it to its former proud and
elevated position at home and abroad; !;
and that the democratic party Of Mchi
gan stands now, rs it ever has stood, SOL
emnly pledged to the support of the con-
stitution and the laws, and the mainte-
nance of the Union; that it will, as it ev-
er has done, defend, with all its power,
the rights and interests of all the States,
and cordially support and sustain the gov
ernment of the United States in all con-
stitutional measures designed to suppress
the rebellion, and promote the union Of
States.
ResoIOed, That, believing as we do,
that, without any sacrifice Of principle,
concord and harmony can be restored TO
the whole country, we are for preserving
the Union in its integrity, and shall cease
lessly oppose dismemberment, and there
fore we solemnly declare that we will not
consent TO the termination of tho war un-
til all resistance TO the government under
the constitution shall everywhere cease.
Resolved, That the personal liberty
laws, so called, of Michigan and Other
Northern States, are unconstitutional il
their spirit, are based upon the the same
principles as southern secession, and, there
fore, ought to be repealed.
Resolved, That political abolitionisn
is as Justly chargeable with this war as
secessionism; and that we hope for the
speedy extinguishment of both, for re
turn of peace, and the restoration of The
old cordial and friendly union of the
States.
ReSolOed, That in no emergency shoe
wo forget our duty to our common coun
try; that our object should be TO uphold
aud support the general government, anC
the rights of the States under the consti
tuition, and not TO wage war with view
to sectional revenge, or for sectional pur
poses.
ResolUed, That the Union can neve
be restored 10 its full measure of peace
and prosperity without the hearty aid anC
cooperation of all Union men at the
south, and it is therefore the duty of The
north, by its example and teachings, anc
in every practicable mode, to strengthen
their arms, TO encourage and fire thei
patriotism, and gradually cultivate and
raise up in their midst such sentiments o
love and devotion to the Union, as shal
everywhere shame treason back into il:
hiding place and compel traitors to flee
from the public sight.
ResolUed, That we hail with unfeigned
delight the modification Of Fremont:
proclamation and Cameron's report, and