The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-28
The Democratic National Convention.


A Washington correspondents Of the Mobile
Register says: - E
The universal wish and expectation of the
Democracy of the United States is that the whites
of the South shall be represented by delegates in
the National Convention. | have taken good
deal of pains to learn what are the sentiments OF
leading Democrats to the action Of the party,
should it win the administration in the Novem-
Der contest in reference to Federal policy toward
the South. 1t was question OF the largest
practical interest whether, should the Democracy
come into power, it would leave the whites of the
South to struggle as best they could out OF the
| mire of radical reconstruction, or whether it
| would at once lift them out by the strong hand
of Federal power. [ get but answer to the
inquiry, and that is the Democracy will be swift
to sweep from the statute book the whole system
| of military reconstruction as utterly null and
| void, and OF no effect, and at once to recognize
! the existing white Constitutions of the Southern
| States, and re-admit the latter to their full
equality into the Union. [ must confess that
did not personally need such assurances, for
when policy and good faith both point to one
course, the result is seldom doubtful. But some
Southern friends did deem them necessary L
think that, before Congress adjourns, the Demo
Gratis in that bUdy will make fnrthar declaration
and pledge to this effect. f-ss
| Infuentially the Southern delegates viii have
| to play very important part in the July National
! Convention I am sure the feeling OF the men
of the South is to bear themselves with moderate
reticence in that body upon whose action so
much depends. But position of great influence
will be forced upon them, as to advice upon, if
not absolute determination of, a very important
and delicate question. This relates not to the
platform-for happily there will not be unman-
ageable diversity Of opinion here-but to the
choice Of the available candidate. Gen. Grant
being the opposing candidate, the soldier vote OF
the late great armies, now scattered III every
State, will be large clement In settling the re-
suit. And the question is, can that be counted
on for a Democratic candidate, taken from the
wing of the peace Democracy" To take an
extreme case hardly any will be found to deny
that it would be extremely hazardous to make
| Mr. Vaandingham the standard-bearer, for not
only would his peace principles and his copper
| hcad!sn, be vocaIizcd from every stump, but his
actual hostility to the war 1t won't Go to I'M
dertake to say million of men who were IN arms
in that war, even by implication that they fought
and riskcd life and limb on the Wrong side. No
! one knows this better than Mr. Vallandingham
t himself. He felt and patrotica1ly acted upon It
at the August, 1860 Philadelphia Convention,
when, to avoid conflict of opinion, he refrained
from pressing Ills uDuOuDtcU CidiEtS " Stdt ol
its floor. Had he done so no conscientious South
ern man. grateful for sacrifices to his people,
could have voted against his right to sit and yet
the political effect Of so just vote would have
been unfortunate at the time. Mr. Y. yielded
his rights to the cause Of harmony. Mr. Pendle-
ton, Of Ohio, will 90 into the New York Conven-
ton with greater number Of and mere enthu-
sastic friends, than any other Everybody
admits his high qualifications for the Presidential
Office. Independent in private fortune, he has
turned his leisure for years past to account in
studying the science CT politics and government,
and he stands before the country ripe states
man, equal to the duties Of the highest offices of
craftsmanship. Added to this, his character as
man and gentleman is lofty unimpeachable and
spotess. If he could be elected say even those
who question the expediency Of his nomination,
he is all that the party could want and the coun-
try demand in President Of the United States.
But the cutlery against Vallandingham, it is
argued, would be raised in lower key against
Pendeton. The idea Of this class of Democrats
is that the Democratic candidate must go to the
soldier vote with an unstaincd war record, or
Grant will win in such soldier States Illinois
and others in the West which we cannot afford
, to lose And what is little singular, this clnss
, of Democrats look to the Southern influence in
the Convention to settle the question Of expe
dlency and policy. The Southern stake IN the
result is 50 unspeakably great that these gentle.
,, men believe the South in the Convention will
decide the question with the maturest eonsidera
ton, and under the gravest responsibilities of
sound Judgment. I submit the case for rehec
, ton to our people at home.
Ny own feeling about it needs no concealmcnt
While I believe Pendeton is the trained states
man who would best fill the office, and while he
is my first choice the fact that the man who has
lately made his mark so friendly to freedom as
commander Of the Fifth Military District, was
the best fighting corps commander in the Fedora
army, would not cause me to hesitate one instant
iii giving him my most cordial support. So, too
r of President johnson. il escaping impeachment
and he should be eligible, and by chance the
Democrats should nominate him. This is a grea
question, involving nothing less than the ;'de
liverance and liberty Of ten States, and to b,
!, most carefully popdered.
, On MARRYING.-1h he Home Journal, which
, is deemed good authority in fashionable circles
gives few rules for selecting wife list she
should be well bred of good extraction; I'd
r she should be at least ten years younger than he