Year: 1859

MASSACHUSETTS DEMocRATIc STATE CoNvEN
TIoN.-The Anti Douglas organs of this State
have been trying to prove that the Massa-
chusetts Democratic State Convention wa.
not Douglas organization. Well, the fol.
lowing is portion of the regularly reported
proceedings:


In the Massachusetts Democratic State
Convention, George B. Loring douglas can
didate) was elected permanent president. re-
ceiving 900 votes out Of 1900.


1t will be seen that the following resolu-
ton, adopted, distinctly and decidedly an.
proves the doctrine of popular sovereignty:


heSoLved, That we find no necessity for
any addition or change in the great doctrine
OF popular sovereignty as declared by the
Massachusetts Democratic resolves in 1858.
that we are Opposed to the exercise of any
jurisdiction by Congress over the matter OF
slavery in the Territories, but are in favor of
leaving to the people who inhabit them the
right to establish and regulate their own do
nestle institutions under the general prinei.
Piles of the Constitution"


Hon. B. F. Hallet in his address to the
convention, spoke like patriot. He said:


We must go into that convention, and.
carrying our honest preferences with us.
avow them frankly; but, if we cannot Sc.
cure the man of our choice, we must then
agree upon fair compromise, and secure the
man who will be the choice of the Union
And tell you we shall elect that man. fan.
plause. And say further, that if Stephen
A. Douglas should be that candidate he will
sweep the country in triumph On the 9th.
er hand, (and | think l may pledge Mr..
Douglas to this position, honorable as he is
loving as he does the Democratic party) saw
to you, that if the result of that convention
shall be the nomination of anv other man
than Stephen A. Douglas, he will be at the
head of the champions who will support that
nomination ; and in the election of that NOM
luce, the party may owe more to his individ-
ual and powerful influence than to any other
ten men in the Union. Therefore. | saw
that such Democrat is not the man we want
to throw overheard, or want to be in con-
tiict with while, at the same time, he is not
man we would force to act against his own
wishes, his own convictions. | once heard
that distinguished statesman say, when he was
advocating measure which it was thought
was endangering the Democratic party:
Great God do want to destroy the Dem
ocratic party What would be my heritage,
II IL Is not there L should be like the pro-
dgal who spent his heritage. If | have
anything, or can expect anything, it is from
the Democratic party; and am l to weaken
that party, so that neither 1 nor any other
man can receive its successful support ?"


Therefore, we stand on the great principle
of non-interference and fidelity to the Con-
stitution and laws of the Union. and on these
issues We shall be brought directly in conflict
with this Republican party, that undertakes
to maintain its sectional, geographical policy,
and that declares, as its fundamental prnc-
pie, that the two sections of the country
slavery and anti slavery-cannotl live together
in union, although they know they have
lived so long and prospered gloriously Y over
seventy years under the Constitution our
fathers adopted, and therefore we repel that
attempt at open war upon the integrity of
the nation; and while we claim all the
Northern rights, yielding nothing unjust to
the So1th, putting irto the national platform
no ph.nk in reference to the re-openng of
the African slave trade, and no slave code for
the Territories, we take our stand upon the
doctrine of aon-interUention, constitutional
popular sovereignty, and the triumph Of the
people. Loud applause.