The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-21
VOL. TX.
KNOW SOMETHING NATIONAL CONVENTION

This Convention met on the 18th, in Cleye.
land, Ohio. Every free State fully represented
G. w. Slack, Ex-Governor Boutwell,, and thir.
ty delegates, from Massachusetts. ORGANIZED
by the election of Mr.. Stebbins, of New York
President Committee of nine appointed on
platform.
June l4.-Great enthusiasm Discussion ON
platform interrupted by telegraphic despatch
from Philadelphia, announcing result there
and the withdrawal Of the Northern member.
Cheers, three times three. Platform adopted
as follows:
The preamble asserts that the seryility ~
the Slave Power, the characteristic of exisiipo
political parties, is perious to manhood. 10 the
best interests Of the North and to the libertje.
of the Republic.
"The first resolution declares that the isspa
before the American Public is, whether Freedom
IS to be limited to Free States, or Slavery n
Slave States.
{" Second: That the issue has been forc.l
upon the country by Slave Power aggressious
Third: That these aggressions and espe.
cially the Nebraska outrage and the assam,
upon the elective franchise of Kansas. bava
aroused the freemen of the Republic, and that
they will maintain their rights and resist the
additions of slave territory
" Fourth: That they will maintain the M.
tionality of Freedom.
Fifth: That the friends of Freedom sbopD
make principles, not birthplace, the test of AL.
mission to citizenship.
" Strth: That we will repel every ecclesia,t;.
cal interference in political affairs. by potertae
pontlit, or priest, rs destructive of the riobt -
worship God according to the dictates of con.
science and of liberty.
" Serenth: Recommends action in several
States for the promotion of Temperance.
"Eighh: Agreeing to support free schools
free labor, and harbor Improvements.
Ninth To strive for the election of men Of
integrity, and with nerve to resist aggression
of any kind.
=" Tenth: For these objects we are ready +,
unite with all men, under any name or organiza.
ton, to and IN carrying into operation these
principles
June 10. A telegraphic despatch in the Tri5.
une says
They have exhibited back bone in all Their
action, by the adoption of line of policy tina,
precludes them from acting as an independer,
party, but uniting with the great Anti-Nebraska
and Republican party.
" The ritual as adopted is simple and upob.
Jectionable, no oaths being required. a simple
pledge OF honor being the test of initiation
The following are the main points of the nlat.
form, to be read first: A pledge of the honor Of
the candidate required person to be twenty
one years of age, and citizen of the United
States, and not Roman Catholic. They pro.
scribe no man, you will perceive, on account of
his birthplace.
" The following Committee was appointed On
Public Information: c. W. Slack of Massacbu-
sets, Edgar McMullen of New York. and james
M. Ashley of Ohio.
" The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: Hiram Grswold of Cleveland
National President; Ex Governor Boutwell, of
Groton, Massachusetts, Vice-P President; William
Richardson of Albany New York, National
Secretary; Joshua Robinson of Pittsburgh. Pa.
National Treasurer. Mr.. Griswold was the
candidate of the Wing party for Governor in
lS45. Ex-Governor Boutwell, is well known as
prominent Democrat. Mr.. Richardson is Am
Englishman by birth he came to this country
when twelve years of age. Mr.. Robinson is also
an EDglishman by birth he has always been
Wing of the Anti-Slavery school.
"Buffalo was selected as the next place for
meeting, on the second Wednesday of June,
IS56v