The Portland daily press., 1868-07-31

There may be few incredulous people left
who do not believe that the Democratic party
means to bring about a revolution in the
Southern States in case of the success of Sey-
mour and Blair. If Blair's letter, promptly
followed by his nomination, if the internal ev-
idence of the Democratic platform and the
construction everywhere given it by the party
is not enough, surely all doubt will be re-
moved by the following extract from the
speech of Wade Hampton, delivered short
time since in Charleston, S. c., where he was
received with almost un exampled enthusiasm: :
When the Democratic convention was called
together and the Southern States were invited
to participate in its deliberations, my opinion
was decided that we should accept the invita-
ton promptly; and my conviction is clear that
by doing so we have not only acted wisely, but
have done some good to the South and to the
Democratic party. After a free and full con-
sutation with delegates in the convention,
representing all the northern States, L am
thoroughly convinced that the great heart of
the Democracy is fully aroused, that it beats
IN profound sympathy with the sui erinS
South: And, gentlemen, L believe they are
honest and sincere in the professions they
make. believe they will be true to us if we
are but true to ourselves. L believe they not
only have the will, but the power to relieve us
from this odlous tyranny under which we
yield to none in devotion to that "Lost
Cause" for which we fought. Never shall l
admit that the cause itself failed, and that the
principles, which gave it life were therefore
wrong. Never shall brand the men who up
held it so nobly as "rebels or ORATORS" New
er shall ANONYMOUSLY seek safety or base
promotion by adastardly denial or treacherous
betrayal of it; but still can accord to those
who conscientiously differ with me what 1
claim for myself-perfect and enCire sincerity
m fpl nWi no fho lintof Of I,,tr,
intercourse with many Federal soldiers has
convinced me that there are thousands and
tens of thousands of them who occupy this
ground-who are fully determined that the
rights OF all the States shall be preserved in
violate, and who are prepared to defend the
Constitution and its guarantees at all hazards.
-. The grand army of democracy as
sembled in Tammany Hall, have offered us
honorable terms and lasting peace. The rad
icals insist ON our dishonor They make a des-
olation and call it peace. Can we hesitate be-
tween the two parties? Is there one true man
in the South who would not prefer to meet de-
feat on the democratic platform rather than to
secure success by placing himself on the plat
form of the radicals? No southern man can
stand on the latter without dshonoring HIM
self and disgracing the country which gave
him BIRTH Look at the other, and see how
broad, and just, and comprehensive are its
principles, and say if it is not such platform
as we can all stand upon with safety and honor.
As it was my good fortune to be on the COM
mittee which framed the platform it may be
interesting to you, perhaps, to learn the details
by which it was perfected, and the views OF
those who made it. As you are aware the
committee on resolutions consisted of one
member from each State. On assembling it
was found that very great difference of opin-
ion existed. Among other resolutions offered
were some declaring that the right of suffrage
belonged to the States, and this was announc-
ed to be good Democratic doctrine. I agreed
to the DrODOSIflOn. hIIt fhp m tir,o gold
that 1T seemed to me they had omitted one
very vital point, which was to declare to what
States the doctrine applied I thought it was
necessary to guard and limit that declaration,
and to the end that we might know at what
time we could go back and say who were the
citizens Of the States, asked that they would
declare that these questions belonged to the
states under their constitutions up to the year
iSoo Gentlemen were there from North
South, East and West, and by all we were met
with extreme cordiality. They said they ,pere
WaIing to giye as everything zoe desired but zoe
Of the South must remember that thea had q
great fight to make, and it1o0uld not be pollen to
place upon that platform that auhich acould en-
pledged themselves TO do all IN their po,oer to re-
tie0e the Southern States and restore to as the
Constitution as ii had e1iSted. AS we were met
in such kindly spirit, could not but reeip-
rocate it. knew that l was representing the
feelings of my people when did so and told
them would withdraw all the resolutions /
had offered, and no doubt other Southern DEL
egates would do the same, and would accent
the resolutions offered by Hon. Mr.. Bayard.
the Senator from Delaware, which declared
that the right of suffrage belonged to the
States. said would take the resolutions if
they would allow me to add but three words,
which you will find embodied in the platform
added this: And we declare that the recon-
struction acts are revolutionary, unconstitu-
1lonal and void" Immense cheering.] When
proposed that, every single member Of the COM
naattee-dfad the EARNEST IN it arere the men of
me North-cdme foraodrd and said they acOuld
carry II out to the end. Having thus pledged
themselves, feel assured that when the Dem
ocratlc party come to triumph thew will show
us remedy for our misiortunes in their own
good time, for which am perfectly willing to
wait Such is the history of our platform. and
such were the motives which governed the
committee in its formation AS the renresen.
tative of South Carolina on that committees T
present that platform to you in the earnest
nope that 1t will meet your cordial approval
As to my own share of the work performed in
the committee, can assure my fellow-citizens
that the only objects for which l labored were
to maze it strong and honest platform, one
that would secure the rights of the Soutb and
protect the honor of my State 1t is for Won to
say how these objects have been fulfilled.