The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-10
THE HUNKER DEMOCRACY CONVENTION
AND CANDIDATES


report of the proceedings of the National
Democratic Convention, which assembled al
Baltimore on the LIST, and adjourned on the 5tf
of June. 1t was thoroughly Hunker in spirit
principles, and organization. The Slave Power
reigned supreme over its deliberations, and o
the few liberal Democrats present, who in lSlS
sanctioned the Principles, or supported tn,
Candidates of the Buffalo Convention, not ont
by word or vote evinced the slightest DISPOSE
ton to resist the empowering influence o.
/ Slavery The radical Democrats of New York
rallied under the lead of Marcy, an inveterate
Huhker, the enemy of Slas Wright, one of the
pledged Eleven, and the radical Democrats Of
Ohio upon Cass or Douglas, both pledged by
deed and word to the demands of Slavery.
The rules of the House of Representatives
were adopted, by which it was easy to exclude
freedom of debate.
While the free States generally sent only
the number of delegates to which they were
entitled, several of the Slave States were rep
resented by scores of delegates who by the
pressure of numerical force by acclamations
or Kisses as the case might demand, could con-
troll the Convention, except when the vote
could be taken by States. Virginia had more
than hundred representatives while Ohio had
but her voting number, twenty-three. The
whole atmosphere of the Convention was satu-
rated with Hunkerism.
Some weeks ago, Mr.. Polk of Tennessee
in the House announced to Mr. Rantoul Of
Massachusetts,, that he would be thrust out OF
the party. The Convention made good the
prediction Mr. Rantoul, in position, talents
and labors. has been at the head of tho New
England Democracy. BY Democratic Con-
vention regularly called in his district, he was
nominated q delegate to the National Conyen-
ton at Baltimore by an overwhelming major
itv A few dissatisfied Hunkers bolted, held a
kind of conyenticle of some thirty persons OPP
posed to his nomination, and nominated Mr.
Lord. Mr. Rantoul was also nominated for
Congress by regularly authorized Convention
of the Democracy, the Old Line Democracy OF
the district Mr. Lord was nominated by a
lew bunker DOlJtIS' Oh buC ibh bpiii icCi1
the People decided the contest, by giving Ran
toul 1851 votes, and Lord as At the Con-
yention, Mr. Rantoul, of course, claimed his
seat Mr. Lord, on the strength Of his party
of 4s, contested it A committee of the Mas
sachusetts delegation reported that, in its opin-
ion. Robert Rantoul was entitled to the seat
The case was referred TO the Committee on
Credentials, (Hunker) appointed by the Presi-
dent Of the Convention Ia Hupker.l The Com
mittee excepting Mr.. Nye) coolly reported in
favor of MIR Lord Romulus M. Saunders, of
| North Carolina, demanded the previous ques-
ton on the adoption Of the report 40 rs to
prevent the facts of the case from coming t.
the knowledge of the members and the Con
venton, voting by States adopted it--yeas 1876
nays So General Nye of New York moved t
reconsideration made serious appeal in be
half of Justice to Rantoul and the Democracy
of his district ut the close of which, on mo-
ton of Cave Johnson Of Tennessee the motion
to reconsider without further opportunity for
debate, was laid upon the table SO the Con-
vention, without deliberation, instgated by
Hunkerism, voted Rantoul out of his seat, and
the three thousand Democrats of his district
who voted for him, and the thousands of Dem
ocrats in New England who sympathi2e with
him, out of the party. Reason Mr. Rantoul
and they hold to the doctrine of Non-Interyen-
ton by the Federal Government with Slavery
and the Extradition Of SlaveS-which in the
Judgment of Hunkerism and its Master, is
"a damnable heresy"
The Convention then proceeded TO ballot for
Presidential candidate no one received a
vote who had not pledged his veto in advance
upon any act Of Congress for the repeal or
fact shows the complete apostacy of the Radical
Democratic delegates sent by the Radical
Democrats of the North to represent their
views and principles. At last, wearied by un.
successful efforts to choose from this consecra-
ted band it passed them all by, and settled
almost unanimously upon FRANKLIN PIERCE
of New Hampshire, Il bunker of Hunkers
profoundly loyal to Slavery, from whom nj
- NbIu vi NoAt III btihll w hiSitS
ever been recorded, who has avowed his entir,
devotion to the Compromise, but who, in til,
absence of any avowal, could be better truste,
by the Slaveholding Interest than II ma orit
of the candidates for whom it had voted.
Then followed the almost unanimous nomi
nation for the Vice Presidency of William r
E;nx 81 A6,bou,o a borouuh ooino dayo.a.
of Slavery of the Calhoun school, and who
in his letter to Scott, invested the Fugitive Law
with the sacrcdness of the Constitution.
Finally, leaving nothing to uncertainty, !
places the candidates under bonds, by tin
adoption of the old resolution ON Slavery, b,
falsely asserting that that resolution covers tn,
adjustment measures Of the last Congress, b,
adopting the fnality and totality test and BY
passing II special resolution pledging the Dem
ocratc party to resist all attempts Mt renew
ing in Congress and out of it the agitation o.
the Slavery Question, under whatever shape o,
y color the attempt might be made "a high
sspded, atrocious effort on the part Of
pof'sSar Convention TO put down all ireedot
!. OF debsS in Congress-to thrust gag IN to-
throats OF Ne Peoples Representatives.
These resolaSons were reported read twice
amidst deaiening cs,es, the extra delegates apd
outsiders by their clalnsr drowning the voiceVI
dissent the previous question was sustained
a separate vote was denied 90 each resolution
there was not spirit enough among the fair
minded members to demand a vote by States
the whole, cumbrous, abominablc batch wa
bolted at once, and without investigation w,
use the word abominable in sole roierenc,
to the Slavery portion of the resolutions
And now, the Democracy of the United