Washington telegraph., 1855-06-27
Nationa. X. II, CounciI.

The representation appears 10 have been
full as every State and Territory in the
Union is reported TO have had delegates
in attendance. We gather the following
synopsis of the proceedings from the most
reliable te.egraphic reports to Memphis and
New Orleans
The Convention was called TO order by
Mr. BARKER. of New York. and a COM
mi,tcc was appointed to examine and re-
port upon the credentials of delegates. pre-
vious to the election of officers This du-
ty, it appears, was more difficult than was
supposed. and occupied the first four days
OF tie Convention. The case Of the del
egates from Ohio. who. it appeared had
not recognized or acted upon the Third
or Union Degree came up on the Sec
ond day, and upon their profeiing to take
the degree. and giving satisfactory pledges
TO the Convention. it was conferred, aud
they were admitted
The delegation from Mississippi was al
so iuforma!-it appearing that the regular
organization had no legal existence in that
State. but that. under another name, some
thirty thousand natives had enrolled the,u-
selves and appointed delegates. Upon cx-
animation. however, the Mississippi Order
was reported Of the right stripc--.hc or
ganiza;;on was recognized. and the dele
gates were admitted. Although the anti
Slavery interests were greatly opposed to
the admission Of the Mississippi delegates
they were admitted by vote of three to
one.
Trom Louisiana there were two sets of
delegates--onc composed in part of Cath
olics-the other recognizing the exclusive
/ ly Protestant platform. The latter were
admitted the vote to exclude the former
stood, IS to IL
| TIE organization was not completed until
the evening of the S;h. when. on the sixth
ballot, L. BARTLETT, of Kentucky. was
elected President. having received 90 ont
of l5l votes cast c. D. FREEMAN, of
Pennsylvania. was elected Vice President :;
DEsuLER. of New Jersey, Corresponding
Secretary; STEPHENS. of Maryl nd, Record
ing Secretary; and CRAM. of Oaio. Treas
urer.
The following resolutions in reference TO
the Slavery question. were adopted by the
Platform COMMITTEES. by votc Ct II to
| Il -
"Resolred, That the American party, bav-
ing risen on the ruins, and in despite Of the
| opposition Of the Wing and the Democratic
parties. they cannot be held in any manner
responsible for the obnoxious acts or vioIat-
I ed pledges 0: either OF them
! "RcS0krcI That the systematic agitation
Of the slavery question by those parties, has
elevated sectional hostility into positive e.
ement of political power. and brought our
institutions Tito peril 1t has therefore be-
come the imperative duty oe tie American
party to intefposc, :or The purpose of giving
peace to the country, and 10 perpetua;e ;Le
Union
''RcS0lrez. That as experience has shown
that 1t Is impossible to reconcile opinions so
extreme as those which separate the dispu-
| tants. and as there can be no disholior in
submitting to the laws. the National Coun-
eli has deemed ii the best guarantee for COM
MOI, justice and future peace TO abide by
and maintain the existing laws upon the
subject of slavery, as fiual conclusion and
settlement OF that subject in spirit and in
substance.
"ReSolrcd. That regarding it as the high
est duty TO ay0w these opinions upon sub
ject 50 important, il distinct and uneq1ivo-
eating terms, it is hereby declared as the
! sense OF this Council, that Congress posses
Ses no power under the Constitution to leg
isla;c upon the subject of slavery in the
| States, or TO exclude any State from a,imis-
| sion into the Union because its constitution
does Or does net recognise the institution
as part of the social system; and express.
| ly pretermitting any expression Of opinion
upon the power Of Congress to establish or
prohibit slavery in any Territory, it is the
Lsense OF this Council that Congress ought
not TO leeislate on slavery is it exists in the
| District Of Columbia and that any in;erfrr-
I ference of Congress as it exists in the Dis
tIict. would be Il violation of the spirit and
Intention of the compact by which Mary
land ceded it to the United States, and
breach OF national faith
The resolutions were subsequently adopt
ed by tue Convention. and made portion
Of tue platform, ty vote Of so to So
The adoption of these resolutions, as an;;ci-
pa;ed caused IN EXPLOSION IN the Conven.
tion-the abolitionists bol;in. in body
when they found the pro-slavcry platform
established by the passage Of the resolutions.
in spite of their opposition. Fifty-thrce
delegates from the Northern States, headed
by those from Massachusetts. under The lead
of Senator Wilson. Withdrew, repuiiating
The platform Of the national men. The Sc
cederS recommend \ Convention Of tho FREQ