The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-20
OHIO DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AND THE
BALTIMORE PLATFORM

the compensation to an indefinite amount
OHIO DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AND THE
BALTIMORE PLATFORM
Since our brief notice of this Convention was
written, we have seen a full report of its pro-
ceedngs, in the Ohio Salesman 1t assembled
on the 9Th, and the attendance was full. c.
L. Vallandngham, of Montgomery, was chosen
President with twenty-one Vice Presidents and
seven Secretaries.
The Convention resolved that the vote of the
majority of all the delegates be necessary to a
choice of candidates, and that the vote be given
uira uoce. The following persons were then
nominated for the Offices named
! For Governor, William Medill, of Fairfield !;
! Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Bliss, of Allen Su-
preme Judge, Thomas w. BARLEY; Treasurer,
John G. Breslin; Secretary of State, William
! Trewtt; Member of the Board of Public
Works Wayne Griswold; Attorney General
| G. w McCaustio.
Mr. Jewett, of Muskingum, then moved that
the Platform of the State Convention of 1852
be affirmed. A member moved a recess-an-
other adjournment sine die
The contest was between the Liberals and
Hunkers, but the Liberals prevailed, and the
Convention took recess till O'Clock P. M.
At the next session, Mr.. Layman, of Wash
ington, from the Committee on Resolutions,
made the following report:
~. RESOLVED, That the delegates, this day in
Convention assembled, congratulate the De-
mocracy OF the Union upon the election of
Franklin Pierce and VIM. r. King, as Presi-
dent and Vice President Of the United States.
so. Resolved, That we adhere to the doc
trines heretofore declared by the Democratic
party of the State, in Convention assembled, by
the resolutions following viz"
Here follow the resolutions of 1850, including
the two resolves relating to Slavery, as fol-
lows:
90. Resolved, That the people of Ohio now,
as they always have done, look upon slavery as
an evil, and unfavorable to the full develop
ment of the spirit and practical benefits of free
institutions ; and that entertaining these senti-
ments, they will at all times feel It to be their
duty to use all power clearly given by the terms
of the national compact, to prevent its increase,
to mitigate, and finally to eradicate the evil
but, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Democracy of Ohio do
at the same time fully recognise the doctrine
held by the early fathers of the Republic, and
stil maintained by the Democratic party in all
the States, that to each State belongs the right
to adopt and modify its own municipal laws to
regulate its own internal affairs, to hold and
maintain an equal and independent sovereignty
with each and every State; and that upon
these rights the National Legislature can
neither legislate nor encroach"
The report was amended by adding the fol-
lowing resolve:
THAT this Convention recommend the Treas
urer of State and the treasurers Of the several
counties to decline receiving in payment Of
taxes, any of the notes of such banks and bank
ing institutions in this State as have heretofore
or may hereafter refuse to pay their taxes"
Agreed to.
The tug of war was now to come. MIR Jew.
ett of Muskingum, moved to amend by adding:
"Resolued, That the Democracy of Ohio en-
dorse and approve the Platform adopted by the
Democratic Baltimore Convention Of 1882"
This, we suppose, was the test question.
Platform His full adherence to it was made
the condition of his election The central organ
had proclaimed that his Administration was to
be conducted in accordance with its principles
The New Hampshire Patriot, printed at the
place of his residence, and supposed to repre-
sent his views, had announced that in the dis.
position of his patronage past differences would
be overlooked, provided the Baltimore Platform
were endorsed. 1t became therefore, the
special interest Of the ofice-seekers of Ohio, and
of those who look to Federal Administration
as the real headship of party, to bring the
Democracy of their State into conformity with
that Platform Hence this movement of Mr.
Jewett
We learn that it gave rise to an animated
contention, which soon revealed 80 plainly the
weakness of the Hunkers, that they were anxious
to avoid decision by Withdrawing the resolu-
ton but this the Liberals would not allow
they desired to show their disapprobation of
the Baltimore Platform, and they did 40 by
laying the resolution on the table This seemed
Mr.. Johnston, of Brown, moved reconsidera-
ton of the vote. Another struggle ensued,
which was terminated at last by laying the
motion TO reconsider on the table, by vote of
1863 to i4s-and SO the Baltimore Platform was
nailed to the counter as base metal!
The original report, with the Anti-Slavery
resolves above quoted, was then adopted.
So the Convention not only put its seal OF
Reproduction on the Baltimore Platform, but re-
affirmed the Anti.Slavery resolutions of former
Conventions, and this, too, on the threshold OF
an Administration brought into power upon
the Baltimore Platform, and pledged to main
tain it!
The Washington Union is requested, by
resolution of the Convention, to publish the
proceedings. We hope it will do 30, with ap-
proprate comments
1t will be highly satisfactory TO Mr. Chase
and DR. Townshend to know that their course
on the Question of Slavery has received the
sanction of so respectable a Convention, author
itatively representing the views Of the Demo-
cratic Party of Ohio The principles OF its
Anti Slavery resolves have been faithfully acted
upon by them; they have done what they could
to give them effect. In refusing their support
to General Pierce, they proved their fidelity to
the Principles theoretically held by the Demo
cratic Party. The Democratic Convention Of
Ohio rejected the Baltimore Platform Messrs.
Chase and Townshend rejected the Platform,
and the nominees selected with an express
view to give il practical force and effect. Their
consistency deserves commendation and imita-
ton.
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