The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-19
FREE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
FIRST DAY,

FIRST DAY,
Pursuant to notice, this body met at Pitts
burgh, on Wednesday, the It'll instant. The
Masonic Hall was crowded to excess, at least
1000 persons being present, and many others
were unable to gain admittance.
Samuel Lewis, Chairman of the National
Committee, called the Convention to order. and
explained that the call for the Convention was
intended to include all the friends of freedom
under whatever name they should be known
In abiding to the fact that Gerrit Smith, Lee
moyne, Tappan, Giddings and several other
distinguished men. were present, with delegates
from four slave States, the announcement of
each name was received with enthusiastic
cheering.
Mr. Tappan, of New York, explained that
the objection of himself and other anti-slavery
men who at first declined to attend this Con-
ventOn, was because the call was for those
that approved of the platform, which he did
not oppose. That matter having been explained
satisfactorily, he withdrew his objections, and
hoped that they would be able to form plat
form from which no man could jump without
breaking his neck
Judge Spalding, of Ohio, was then called to
the .chair and Mr. Booth, of Wisconsin, APP
pointed temporary Secretary
| Judge Spalding, on taking the chair, briefly
returned his thanks, accepting the post as one
both of duty and honor.
Rev. Mr. Nevins addressed the throne of
Grace.
A resolution was then offered by Mr. Wood.
man, of Maine, for the appointment of Com
mittee on Organization which was adopted
| At this moment banner was brought into
the Hall, with the following inscription {" No
| Ioll "a
| by the delegation from Ohio; which was re-
ceiyed with great cheering
| The list of States was then called, and the
following gentlemen named az the Committee
on Organization
man, Maine Francis w Burr, Massachusetts,
| Rhode Island; Nicholas Windham, Vermont
Charles o. Sheppard New York Alexander
Platt, Delaware: Dr. j. f. Snodgrass, Mary
land Charles c. Jackson, Pennsylvania; VIM
| G. W. Lewis, Ohio A. A. Copeland Michi-
gan James H. Paine, Wisconsin Isaac Kin
ley Indiana; Abraham Smith, Illinois J. R
Whitman, Iowa; John Parkinson Virginia J.
H. Rollins Kentucky.
| Missouri will be represented but the dele
gates have not yet arrived A despatch re-
/
dred delegates, representing eight States, will
arrive this evening.
Mr.. Lewis, of Ohio, moved the appointment
of Committee on the Platform, Of one from
each State. An amendment was offered, to
give each State three representatives, in order
to allow the representation of the different
shades of refOrmers on the committee.
Mr. Tappan, of New York, proposed that the
| mi toe Ist pI IA
States might desire.
On motion, the Convention adjourned till IL
o'clock, to give the delegations time to consult
AT IL O'Clock, the Convention resumed it,
session at Lafayette Hall, an immense mass
meeting being in possession of the Masonic
Hall. Judge Spalding took the chair. Fred
Douglass was present moving about shaking
hands with delegates, and finally took his seat
among the New Workers.
The resolution appointing the Platform Com
mittee was taken up.
Mr.. Young, of New York, urged that it con.
sst of three members from each State, to req
resent the three great sentiments here repre-
scented on the committee. He wanted land re-
form which would uproot white as we'll as
black slavery, fully represented.
The committee was finally restricted to one
from each State The following members were
appointed;
Maine, Austing Wiley New Hampshire G
G. Fogg; Massachusetts, Charles +, Adams
Connecticut Joseph r. Holley; Rhode Island
ID. b. Harris; Vermont, M. NJ. Davis New
York, Gerrit Smith New Jersey, Alex. Plat
Delaware, J. M. Pussy; Maryland, DR.. J. f.
Snodgrass Ohio, Joshua r. Giddings; Michi'
gan, w. s. Elliott; Wisconsin, d. M, Booth
Illinois, David Nj. Hough Iowa, Joseph Whit
ham Virginia, s. NJ Bell Kentucky, J. B.
Grips; Pennsylvania, DIR. Lemoyne.
The Convention then adjourned till o'clock
this afternoon.
afternoon Session.
Judge Spalding in the chair.
The Organization Committee reported unani.
mously, for President HENRY WILSON; for
Vice Presidents, Stephen Patrick, of Maine
James Poverty Of New Hampshire; Titus
Hutchinson, of Vermont A. B. Burdick, Of
Rhode Island; Josiah Brewer, of Connecticut
A. B, Brown, Alexander Black Jr, Of New
Jersey; J. M. Pursey, of Delaware; David
Gamble, of Maryland s. M Bell Of Pennsyl-
vania A. W. Blinn, of New York Thomas
l Ereomau oc Ohio, Rawaon Vail of Indiana .