The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-05-13
THE'CoNVENTIONs.

"'i vi AShhSyNanla, assembled at the state
capital on the I'd instant, all the delegates
being present except Thomas HASTINGS. of
Jefferson county.
Gen' CUNNINGHAM, of Mercer, was cho-
sen chairman; and ]. G. BrDDLE and CHAs.
A. BARSITz, secretaries pro tenn.
The secretary of the commonwealth
then presented to the convention certified
list of the delegates elected to the conven-
ton; after which the convention proceeded
to elect the presiding officers. The vote
Tor president stood as follows:-
JOHN SERGEANT had sc votes.
JAMES NJ. PORTER go ~
SO that Mr.. SERGEANT was declared du-
ly elected; and after being conducted to the
cheir by Mr.. PORTER, made the following
brief address;
'Gentlemen, Members of this Convention.
The station you have called me to bv
your election, is one which in this common
wealth, and elsewhere in our country, has
occupied by the most eminent citizens.
However unworthy | must feel myself to
be associated with the illustrious names
which form the roll of Presidents of con-
ventiOns, it cannot but be felt as a high
honor to have place in the same list with
them. 1t is deeply felt to be so, and beg
you to accept for it my most sincere ac-
acknowledgements.
The subjects we are to deliberate upon
are of no ordinary character. 1t is not an
exaggeration to say that they are of trans
cendent importance. The commonwealth
oi pennsylvania was one of the first, if
not the very first, to initiate the example of
the whole people of the United States: in
taking down the fabric of government which
had been provided amidst the exigencies of
a new and disturbed state of existence, and
in replacing it by a solid structure, deliber-
ately formed, and intended to give perma-
nent security to all the rights of every men,
Der of the community. AT the end of fifty
years, the system of social order which
was then framed, is committed to our hands
that we may examine it, and if need be,
propose to ourlfellow citizens such improve
ments as this great fundamental law may
seem to require. Such work. it must be
acknowledged, demands the utmost exer-
ton of wisdom and exemption, as far as
possible, from the influence of prejudice
and passion, and every disturbing motive
and. withall, spirit of pure and generous
patriotism which seeks vtirvr grupinUa-
ton than to promote the lasting happiness Of
those who are, and those who are to be in
habitants of this great and favored COM
monwealth.
A constant sense Of the magnitude of the
duty we are called to perform, and Of the
grave accountability we are under for its
faithful performance, cannot fail to produce
,calmness and order in our deliberations;
while at the same time becoming serious
ness, with mutual kindness and respect,
will be an earnest to our fellow citizens of
the-singleness of purpose with which we
follow the path of that great duty; and with
the blessings of gracious Providence up
on our counsels, the best means of accom-
plishing good results.
To the utmost of my humble powers,
promise to cooperate with you in whatever
will tend to give character and efficacy to
our proceedings. With but little aid from
experience, am very sensible of my def
ciencies, and how much / shall stand in
need of your continual indulgence and sup
port My hope, and my belief is, that
they will be literally extended to uninten-
tional error, and further than this you may
be assured there will be no claim.
Pardon me for OBTAINING you moment
longer, to express to you my heartful wish
that all who are here assembled, may, to
thelast day of their lives, have cause to re-
ioice in the acts of this convention, with as
firm conviction that they have done nothing
to weaken the foundations of human free
dom and happiness.
The convention then adjourned, TO meet
again at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning.
"WEDNESDAY, May, 3, 1887.
The convention met at ten o'clock, and
spent the whole morning in electing Sec
retary, and resolving the appointment OF
three assistants. The vote for Secretary
stood as follows:
For Samuel Sh0ch, 81 votes
Francis r. Skunk, 65
Bysthe resolution Francis r. Skunk was
made an additional secretary, and George
L. Fauss and Joseph Williams assistant