The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-23
Massachusetts Democratic Convention.

10Th instant, and organized by the appointment
of Mr.. N. p. BANKS, jr., the candidate of the
Free-soil wing of the coalition, as President, by
vote of 6S2 to $50 given for the Democratic
candidate proper, OF the candidate of the Boston
Post party, or the old line. 1t is conceded that
the coalitionists were in a decided majority.
There were double delegations from about a
dozen towns. The committee on resolutions
was made up half and half-three coalition
lists and three old liners. They reported reso-
lutions reaffirming the principles of the Balti-
more platform, and endorsing the Compromise
measures of the last session of Congress- From
the various reports of the proceedings of this
convention we have clipped here and there
little memorabilia that seem to us worth string
ing together.
WINTERS DIsC0NTENT-rHE FUGITIVE SLAVE
LAW.
While the baloting was going ON Caleb Cush-
ing addressed the convention at some length. He
said that there was larger representation of the
Democracy than had for many years been seen in
Massachusetts,. 1t not to be disguised that
there existed among them, serious differences OF
opinion especially with regard to national affairs.
AS for himself. he for peace, harmony, and
concord, though he would countenance no sacrifice
of honor or principle. At this moment, Mr. VIM
ter, of Gloucester, evidently one OF the unterrted,
interrupted the speaker, and said he wished to
know whether those differences of opinion related
TO Daniel Webster and his Fugitive Slave law.
This called out n storm of Kisses on the one side
and OF applause on the other, the applause great
ly predomlnatlng.
General Cushing, in conclusion, moved that a
committee of six be appointed by the chair, COM
POSED OF THREE FROM EACH OF THE SECTIONS TO
WHICH HE HAD ALLUDED AS EXISTING IN THE CON-
hiatt all he
ed TO prepare resolutions TO be offered to the con-
venton, and also instructions for the delegates who
shall be sent TO the National Convention at Balti-
more. General Cushing went TO speak Of Ma
tiona Democracy and its principles, when Mr..
Winter, of Gloucester, again broke in, saying that
he did not want to hear any thing about National
Democrats-that was talk for old women What
he wanted TO hear discussion of Daniel Web
ster's and Willard Fillmore's Fugitive Slave law,
and to know whether the Democracy of Massa-
chusetts are to be made to support that or not.
This created considerable uproar, but the majority
evidently sympathized with Mr. Winter in his de-
sire for information on this delicate point
WINTERS PERSEVERANCE.
Mr. b. +. Hallett, of Boston, then rose, and with
much vehemence urged that the committee on
resolutions should report at once before the teer5
announced the result of the balotng for president,
the character of those resolutions depended
the fact tchether tIp0 conventions of the Deoc
racy should SIT that day in Wopcester.
The indomtable Mr.. Winter here interposed
again, and said that the true question to be dis
cussed whether the Democracy of Massachu-
setts to vote for men who in favor of Dan
iel Webeters Fugitive Slave law, who are not in
favor of il.
Mr.. Butler, of Lowell, in reply to Mr. Hallett,
denounced the idea Of two conventions, or of any
boiling whatever, and strongly supported Mr..
Cushing's motion, which. he said, was conceived
in the spirit of harmony, peace, and concord.
Mr.. Hood, the Mayor OF Lynn, also expressed
great pleasure at the course of General Cushing.
He wa N IA q ".
sion. He thought that great triumph awaited
the Democracy, both in the State and the nation.
Mr.. Hallett, in reply, said he cared little for
State afPairs-they were of little consequence. lie
wanted an expression of opinion national affairs.
He wanted to know where he was going before he
would take single step This convention was
not State but National Convention. The most
important step to be taken to-day was the election
of delegates to the Baltimore Convention The
question not of men, of State affairs, but
Of the principles of the National Democracy.
MIR. Winter rose at this, and said that Mr.. Hal
lett had read lecture to the assembled Democracy
of Massachusetts, and therefore he should like to
know ho,o long that gentleman had BEEN Democrat
a question which produced not little sensation.
COALITION COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Cushing's motion was carried Mr.. Hallett
of Boston, Mr.. Lord of Salem, Mr.. Childs of
Springfield, MIR. Butler of Lowell, Mr.. Knowlon
h me last ~ 'ns to Be s n
BoyTwELL's NOMINATION..
1t was then moved that George s. Boutwell, be
nominated by the convention by acclamation as
its candidate for Governor of Massachusetts at the
next election.
Mr.. Chlds, of Dorchester, strongly opposed this,
He wished to know first where Mr.. Boutwell, stood,
and what his principles were upon the great ques-
ton now before the nation. He denounced the CO.
alition in the strongest terms. He wanted to know
there was National Democratic party or
not, or whether it had become only Free soil
party.
1t was finally decided that MIR. Boutwell, should
be nominated by acclamation and he was accord
ingly 80 nominated, with tempest of applause by
the great majority OF the convention though with
considerable opposition on the part of the Hunkers.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. Hallett read string of resolutions, thir-
teen in number, of which the following ID an abb
stract;
l. Declares that each State should be left to man
age its own affairs.
3 Responds to the call for National Conyen-
ton.
g. Refers to the platform upon which delegates
to the convention are to be chosen
a Reatfirms the non interference resolutions
passed by the Democratic Convention at Faneul
Hall in 1916.
g. Approves of the address of the Democratic
State Central Committee.
T. Resolves that the convention reaffirms and
pledges its adherence to the Baltimore platform,
s,res tohole, lchich declared essential 10 The
Of the Union, and to the maintenance
Of the Democratic party a National, and not al
sectional party.
s. dominates c.. G. Greene, H. H. Childs, and
lsaac Davis as delegates at large to the National
Convention.
g. Declares that the redistricting of the State is
Of vital importance to the Democratic party, and
should be effected.
10. Approves of the convention to revise the con-
sGtution.
IL. Approves of the secret ballot and homestead
laws.
-. Approves of all the measures of State reform
passed by the last Legislature, and desires that
hose may be carried out that are in contempla
ton
10. Cordially recommends Boutwell, and Cush
man as candidates to the support of the Demo
cratic party.
now TIE COALITION GOT THROUGH THEIR
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. Branning, of Monterey, member of the
here rose, and said that he could not
agree to some of those resolutions, and that they
had been reported without his concurrence He
was distinctly and unequivocaly opposed to the
intr% iuction of the Fugitive Slave law part of
the Democratic platform You may talk of har.
mony, of peace, and of concord, said Mr. Branning,