Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-05-31
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

the United States. Each State in the Union was
represented. Hon. j. S. Bryce, of Louisiana, was
called to the Chair, and S. II. Teat, esq, of Mo-,
appointed Secretary, as temporary organization
Prayer was offered by Rev. Il. Fiske. A resolu-
ton was then adopted, appointing committee Of
one Delegate from each State except New York, TO
examine the validity of the credentials of the Del
ega'es In attendance, and to report what Delegates
were entitled to seats in the Convention. The |
Convention then adjourned until o'clock, p. M.
The Convention was called to order at five o.
clock a committee Of one from each State was ap-
pointed to report permanent organization for the
Convention. Hon. Andrew Stevenson, of Virgin |
ia, was appointed President, one Vice President |
from each State, except New York, and number
OF Secretaries. After some discussion, the Conven-
tion adjourned to meet on Tuesday morning at nine
o'clock
On Tuesday the Convention assembled a, the |
appointed hour, and was opened with prayer by the |
Rev. DIR. Plummer, of Baltimore. After some re- |
marks from the President, urging upon the men,
bers the Importance of union and harmony in their
deliberations, resolution was offered, and, after |
much discussion, adopted by majority of 81, re-
curing that f,co-thirds of the whole number of
votes should be necessary to the nomination of
iSoiu0hI dtlu lC6 IIeSluent. Line COWInlttPe on
Credentials reported in favor of the right of the
"Hunkers," and against that of the "BaTnburners''
to take their seats Much discussion ensued, and
many angry and harsh words were used, some of
the delegates swearing vengeance against New
York In general for leaving the Democratic fold,
and the "Barnburners" for their agency in produ-
cling dissatisfaction. Pending the discussion the
Convention adjourned to Wednesday morning at
nine o'clock.
The whole of "Wednesday was occupied in an
exciting debate upon the question Of the admission
OF the New York Delegates, and no decision was
arrived at up TO O'Clock, p. NJ. when an adjourn
ment took place.
The Convention met at 9 O'Clock on Thursday
morning, and after discussing the subject of the ad
mission Of the Delegates from New York, il was
decided TO admit both sets, by vote of one hun
dred and thirty 10 one hundred and eighteen
Mr.. Chamberlng asked leave for the "BaTnburn-
er" delegation to retire, and they accordingly re-
tired
AT four O'Clock the Convention agreed to 90 into
ballot for President, and the States being called
In order. the vote stood as follows:
First Baltot.--Cass, l25 Buchanan, SIS Wood
bury, So; Dallas. 5; Calhoun, 9; Worth, 6 the
Delegates from New York ard Florida refusing to
vote.
Second Ballot-Cass, 1888; Woodbury., Sc +;
Buchanan, 3; Worth, 5; Delegates from New
York not voting.
Third Ballot-Cass, l56; Woodbury., 81; Blu
chanan, 40; Worth, s.; the New York Delegates
not voting.
motion was made to ADJOURN which failed.-
fourth ballot was then ordered-when the tel
lers having compared counts it was announced that
LEWIS CASS had received one hundred and Sc
venty-nlne votes, and that consequently he was the
nominee for President of the Democratic National
Convention.
Fourth Ballot-Cass, l79; Woodbury., So; Blu
chanan, So; Worth 3 ; Butler /.
The New York Delegates did not vote on any of
the ballots.
Mr.. Foreman, of Georgia, submitted set of re-
solutions that as the "Barnburner" Delegation had
refused to accept OF seats, and had withdrawn from
the Convention, that the "Hunker" Delegation be
permitted to cast the eof New York in this Con-
vention; and that the Convention repudiate the
| Wilmot Proyiso
The Introduction of these resolutions caused con.
siderable conmotion throughout the Convention
and gave rise to a desultory debate which was par
ticipated in by various members, when Mr.. Fore
man withdrew them.
call of the States was next gone into for the
| purpose OF voting for a Democratic candidate for
Vice President of the United States, the result of
which was follows:
First BatLot-Bu,ler, ia; Qutman, "a; Ma
son, "a; King, 20; Mckay, Is; Jefferson Davis .
Two hundred and ifty-lwo votes being cast,
/
choice, the Convention proceeded to a second
ballot, which resulted as follows:
Butler, 10y Quitman, 81 Mason, S; King, Q
Mckay, IL.
On the above ballot, the Virginia Delegation
having retired, was the last to vote When they
came In they stated that it being understood that
| the name Of John Y. Mason, of Virginia. was with
drawn, they would cast her vote for Gen. Butler
After this vote had been announced, it was as
ceralned that Gen. Butler had received, within a
small fraction, vote of two ihirds of all the Dele
gates Pennsylvania then changed her vote and
cast 1t unanimously for Gen. Butler, which secur-
ed his election candidate for the Vice Presden-
cy. number of other States desiring to change
their votes, the names of the whole were called
over, and each one as called then cast an undivided
vote in favor of General Butler, of Kentucky, as
the Democratic candidate for the Vice Presidency
OF the United States, making him the choice of
the Convention
The ''Hunker" Delegation pledged themselves
10 the support Of the nominees, after which mo
ton to adjourn until 0 O'Clock Friday morning pre-
vailed
On Friday, the Convention showed consider
able thinning out, not more than One-haf OF the
whole number of Delegates being in Attendance
Ii is supposed that for the purpose of escaping from
the difficult position in which many would have
been placed in adopting ga platform of principles :"
Il which 1t was understood would be brought before
the Convention, or from urgent business, many had
left the city. motion to enter the Protest of the
Syracuse (Hunker) Delegation on the journal of
the Convention was adopted and an amendment
to include the Protest of the Herkimer (Barnburn-
cry Delegation rejected.
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