The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-04

Mr.. HALL, of Missouri, raised the point OF
order that the resolution took the priority OF
business, and was not debatable
Mr. COHEN, of Georgia, said that Georgia
occupied anomalous position on this floor
From feelings OF dellcacy, she cannot be repre-
scented on any committee until after the report
from the committee on credentials shall nave
been received and acted upon. Hence, gentle
men would see that the delegates from that
State were sitting here as mere cphers, and mol
as representatives from sovereign State. lie
therefore moved that the committee on creden-
lials be called for their report.
The PRESIDENT said he had already called
for the report, and no one answered. The Char
would again call for the report.
Mr.. COHEN, as an act OF justice, asked the
Convention to suspend all action till after the
committee shall have made their report.
The PRESIDENT alluded to the point OF
order raised by Mr.. HALL, and decided that the
question was not debatable
Mr. SOULE was still standing on settee,
wishing to speak and there were cries OF
E" Leave !" Leavem
Mr. NABERS moved to postpone the further
consideration of his resolution until tomorrow,
A motion was made that the gentleman from
Louisiana, Mr.. SoULE be permttedto proceed
with his remarks.
This was carried by two-thirds vote; ana
was followed by long continued applause.
Mr.. SOULE proceeded | was going to re-
mark when the floor was accorded TO me, that
the question presented to this Convention was
one of high moment indeed, and on which de-
pended in all probability, the success and uti-
mate harmony of the Democratic party. This
being my impression, !, for one, Rm not willing
TO endAuger our harmony by preeepitate action.
n Applause
What will be the effect of the resolution now
upon your table, ii il be carried ! Why, sir the
effect is obvious. Every man in this Conven-
lion, every individual member on the committee
on resolutions, will strain his last nerve to pre-
pare platform to suit the parpose of the ind
/ siiual candidate for whom he may entertain a
prediction. And in this struggle and great
sea of opinion, see but an abyss for the Dig
nifty and harmony of the Democratic party.
| want to warn you of the dangers of that
abyss. When you come to conclusion is TO
the harmony of the Democratic party--when you
| shall have heard of the burnings created by the
troubles of conflicting interests, then, and then
alone, shall this Convention be prepared to act
for the good of the country and the good of the
party. APPLAUSE The struggle no longer
will be between individual and individual The
object will be no longer to promote the views
of this man or the ambition of the other, but
the object, | hope, will be to promote the sta
bility of our institutions and the triumph of the
Democratic party. Applause
| oppose with all the strength of my heart,
the adoption of the resolution now pending
Mr.. HOOKER, of Mississippi, said that the
resolution offered by Mr.. NABERs, proposing to
construct platform before the candidates are
named, met not the sanction of the delegation
from that State. He believed that the majority
of the delegation were violently opposed to it,
They have appointed a spokesman, who will
express their views by authority.
Mr. NABERS said he was not aware that, in
becoming a member of the Convention, he lost
his individuality. Before the gentleman from
Louisiana addressed the Convention, he Ma.
BERs proposed to move postponement of the
consideration of the resolution, in order that the
Mississippi delegation might have time to con-
suit The distinguished gentleman deprecated
the Introduction of the resolution, and for what
reason! He claims, said Mr.. NABgRs, and it is
true claim, that he wishes to see the Demo
cratic party united, prosperous and victorious in
the coming contest. What is the Democratic
party!
What hns it e er been proud to be predcated
upon? Principles, and nothing else. What is
the proud and high claim which has always dis
tinguished the Democratic party, and to sustain
which they have been prepared to make sacri-
fees? Everything for principles, and nothing
for men," Applause The difference between
the views of the gentleman and mine is this
he desires to make candidate, and platform
through the candidate. desire first to make
platform, and put the candidate upon it. We
are obliged to make a platform. Renewed APP
plause
Erect your platform before you get your can
didate. will therefore simply say in conclu-
sion, that, so far as any ralying point in Misss-
sippi is concerned, the minds of her delegates
are made up. There is not a particle of differ
ence between the members from my own State.
Long continued appause.] We were divided
10 Mississippi, but are now merged into one !;
and hence have nothing to accomplish further
than this, and trust every gentleman will hear
the remark. 1t is this | think the time has now
come when both of the great parties of this
nation ought to be purified or annihilated do
not care where the resolution comes from
North, East, South or West-but | wish to 90
before my people with clean hands.
| Ia conclusion, he asked leave temporarily to
withdraw the resolution, in order that the Mis-
sssippi delegation may have time to reflect
| This was agreed to.
Mr. WISE asked whether the question on the
adoption of the resolution proposing theerec-
ton of platform was now pending.
The PRESIDENT replied in the negative.
Mr. WISE renewed the resolution.
| The PRESIDENT informed him that it was
not debatable under the rules.
Mr.. WISE said he had no speech to make
He, however, regretted very deeply that he was
not able to concur with the distinguished gentle
man from Louisiana
The PRESIDENT again reminded the gen.
tleman the proposition was not debatabe.
There were cries of $50 on" "Leave!"
" Leave!" $50 on
Mr.. WISE proceeded concur not with the
positions of the gentleman from Louisiana, and
much less with the reasons which he assigns.
What is the test of principles? Principles OF
the different delegations of the different States
have preceded the nomination for delegates OF
every State. Is it SC, sir, that if we undertake
to establish a platform Of principles that the
| Democratic partv will sutr,r God forbid IT,