Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-05
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

ihSh hoOP tue ne dib us gut Us you CaH'
NATIONAL CONVENTION
We give below from the Baltimore Sun the
proceedings of the Democratic Convention on
"Wednesday, on the proposition to lay down a
Platform before going into the nomination of a
candidate:
Mr.. Nabers, to test the sense of the Convention
offered the following resolutions
That this Convention will not go into a NOM
ination for President and Vice President, until
the Platform of the party is laid down. ZAP
plause.)
The President said that under the resolution
providing for the committee on the Democratic
creed, this resolution wonld go to it without de-
bate.
This decision was succeeded by applause.
There being much confusion, the President
loudly called and raped loudly to order.
Mr. Nabers-Do | understand that resolutions,
whatever their character, 60 to that committee,
precluding all debate. .-..
The President remarked tn at the subject was
not debatabIe.
Mr.. Nabers replied that he did not wish to de-
bate it.
After some conversation between several gen
tlemen, the President reversed his decision, and
said the resolution of Mr.. Nabers did not come
under the resolution adopted this morning.
A delegate from Ohio demanded, in the name
OF that State, that vote on that resolution be
taken by States.
Mr.. Soule, of Louisiana, arose and said it
should be understood what was likely to be the
bearing of the resolution. He had some few re-
marks to submit to the Convection, which he con-
sidered would induce them to vote down the res
olution.
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 occu.
pied an anomalous position on this floor. From
feelings of delicacy, she cannot be represented
any committee until after the report from the
committee on credentials shall have been received
and acted upon. Hence, gentlemen would see
that the delegates from that State were sitting
here as mere ciphers, and not as representatives
from sovereign State. He therefore moved
that the committee on credentials be called for
their report.
The President said he had already called for the
report and no one answered. The Chair would
again call for the report.
Mr. Cohen, as an act Of justice, asked the Con-
yention to suspend all action till after the commit
tee 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 a settee, wish
ing to speak, and there were cries of ''leave,"
'.leave.''
Mr.. Nabers moved to postpone the further
consideration of his resolution until to- morrow.
A motion was made that the gentleman from
Louisiana, (Mr. Soule) be permitted to proceed
with his remarks.
This was carried by two thirds vote; and was
followed by long continued applause.
Mr.. Soue proceeded. I was going to remark
when the floor accorded to me, that the
question presented to this Convention was one of
high moment indeed, and one on which depen-
ded, in all probability, the success and ultimate
harmony of the democratic party. This being
my impression, l, for one am not willing to en-
danger our harmony by precipitate action APP
plause. j4
What will be the effect of the resolution now
upon your table, if it oe carried! Why, sir, the
effect is obvious. Every man in this Convention
every individual member on the committee on
resolutions, will strain his last nerve to prepare
platform to suit the purpose of the individual can
didate for whom he may entertain prediction.
And in this struggle and great of opinion, see
but nm abyss for the dignity and harmony of the
democratic party.
Iwant to warn you of the danger of that abyss
When you come to aconclusion as to the harmo-
ny 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. APP
plause. The struggle no longer will be between
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 topromote the stability of our institutions and
the triumph of the democratic party. Applause
loppose with all the strength of my heart, the
adoption of the resolution now pending.
Mr.. Hooker, of Mississippi, said that the reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Nabers proposing to con-
struct platform before the candidates named,
met not the sanction of the delegation from that
State. He believed that the majority of the dele
CATION were violently opposed to it. They have
appointed spokesman, who will express their
views by authority.
Mr.. Nabers said he was not aware that in be-
coming member of the convention, he lost his
Before the gentleman from Lou
isiana addressed the convention, he (Nabers) pro-
posed to move postponement of the consideration
of the resolution, in order that the Mississippi
delegation might have time to consult. The dis
tinguished gentleman deprecated the Introduction
of the resolution, and for what reason! He
Gains, said MIR. Nabers, and it is a true claim,
that he wishes to see the Democratic party united
prosperous and victorious in the coming contest,
What is the Democratic party
What has it ever been proud to be predicated
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 sacrif-
,es! "Everything for principles nothing for
men," Applause. The difference between
he views of the gentleman and mine is this; he
lesires to make candidate and a platform
through the candidate. l desire to make
irst platform, and put the candidate upon it.
We are obliged to make platform. Renewed
applause. .H
Erect your platform before you get your can
lidate. l will therefore simply say, in concu-
zion, that so far as any rallying point in missile