Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-05
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

at Baltimore on Tuesday last in the large and com
modious Hall of the Maryland Institute
There were in attendance from eight hundred
to a thousand Delegates, representing every State
in the Union except South Carolina Indeed
the number on the platform assigned to the special
useothe Representatives of the States may have been
even larger than the figures above stated; as
from the manner in which they were crowded toge
ther, sitting and standing as they could best find
room, it impossible to form any certain estimate
of their numbers.
1t soon became evident to every one present that
the masses in attendance too large to allow Of
the transaction of business, and, quarter Of an
hour before the time for opening the Convention,
Mr.. JOHN KETTLEwELL, of Maryland, appealed on
behalf of the Committee of Arrangements to the
Delegations from such Of the States as had sent to
the Convention a greater number of Delegates
than the votes to which they were entitled, to make
such arrangements amongst themselves as would ex-
clude the excess from the floor. This appeal, how.
ever, passed unheeded
At twelve o'clock precisely Mr.. BENZ f. HAL
LETT of Massachusetts,, took the chair prepared for
the President and, addressing the Delegates stated
that the duty had been assigned him, as the chair
man Of the National Executive Committee, to call
the Convention to order, and asked whether it was
the pleasure of those present that the Convention
should be brought to order?
There having been loud cries in the affirmative,
Mr.. H. said that he had been requested by the
Committee of Arrangements to state that they
were compelled so to arrange the seats upon the
platform as to correspond to the number of electoral
votes to which each State is entitled in the Elec-
toral College, and they therefore earnestly re-
quested, as means of promoting the deliberations
Of the Convention and of tremendously arriving at
that result which all so earnestly desired, that those
States whose delegations were present in larger
numbers than their electoral votes would make
such selection from their number to express the
voice of their respective States would leave upon
the platform the number corresponding with their
several electoral votes He further stated that the
excess of Delegates and Alternates would have
comfortable seats In another part of the hail.
Mr. HALLETT then proceeded to read, as mat
ter of form, the proceedings had by the National
Democratic Committee in January last, in pursu'
ance ofwhch the Convention had assembled and in
conclusion, he expressed hope that its members
would maintain the position they now occupy-the
union of the Democratic party throughout the Union
in order to preserve and maintain the union of the
States Loud applause.
Mr.. BRIGHT, of Indiana rose and nominated the
Hon. RoMuLus NJ. SAUNDERS, Of North Carolina,
as President pro tenn, which nomination was APP
proved by the Convention with but few dissenting
voices.
Mr.. SAUNDERS was then conducted to the chair,
but the confusion having increased such degree as
to render it impossible to proceed with any business
Mr.. KETTLEwELL of Maryland, again and appealed
the Convention in behalf Of the Committee Of Arrange
ments. 1t evident he sad that the disorder had be-
come general to prevent the organization of the
body which il would be utterly impossible effect
less the plan proposed BY the committee should be
ried out Loud cries of "Come down from the plat
form."l There gentlemen in the Convention, he
said who did belong it. either delegates
alternate delegates and he hoped that sense Of propre
ty would induce every gentleman thus situated to with
draw at once Applause If any Baltmorean were
thus situated he was that this hint would be su-
Gent to induce him to take proper place. He made
this appeal Democrats with the hope that il would find
response in every true Democratic heart Applause
Mr. FLOYD, OF Virginia. amid much confusion, wished
70 announce fact There provided for thirteen
Vrgnans but hundred delegates from that State
present How possible then designate who Of that
number should be the thirteen to occupy the seats provided
delegation lift was intended make dstnc-
ton? 1t was futile to expect the restoration Of order
der this state Of things by the plan suggested and the
Virginia delegation therefore proposed to retire from the
hall until place should be assigned them sufficient
to accommodate their whole number.
The President pro tenn stated that the delegation could
retire for few moments as time would then be given
make necessary accommodations for them.
Mr. FLOYD said that the delegation had objection 4
be put any where In the world that they could all g
together [Applause.]
Mr. WARD, Of New York, suggested that the delegation
remain in their places. The object now was merely {
organize the Convention and they could do this just
well standing as in any other way.
thanks for the honor which had been conferred upon hin
by the Representatives Of the Democracy Of the Untec
States in selecting him to preside temporarily over thu
Convention. He the more proud Of the honor be
cause those by whom il conferred from every
part Of this Republic and represented the Democra
cy of this Union, extending from Maine to the Capes
Florida and to the rich shores Of Texas and California
He Aaered himself that nothing would could
that harmony order and Of action
mocrac measures. He hoped that the Convention woul
be united that there would be division amongst them
and that they might thus set example to be folore
elsewhere; for union alone necessary for their
cess in the future He was under the impression how
ever that the course he had indicated would be pursued
and that that degree Of order would be preserved whc
was absolutely necessary the success and prosecuto
of the business Of the Convention, feeling well
himself that il he exhibited any deficiency as presidin