The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-02
NO. 44S.
THE LATE CONVENTION IN OHIO.
COLUMBUS, Ono, July IA, 1855.

Il
Of Freedom feel in the Convention of yester-
day. l would gladly furnish you with details,
hut they cannot be compressed into letter.
On Wednesday evening, there were great
many delegates from various parts of the State
assembled to prepare for the approaching Con-
vpntion The crowd increased all day on
Thursday. and until Friday noon, every train
If cars brought additions to the number.
Thursday was occupied in preliminary con-
versstion among the members and the people
assembled Great excitement prevailed during
the entire day. The Know Nothing organiza-
ton presented the greatest, indeed the only
snparent difficulty to the harmonious proceed
mos of the Convention. There were many
daIeuates from the Reserve and from the
northern portions of the State, members of
the Order, sent on purpose to oppose those
who were evidently determined, not only to
rue the Order, but to control the Repub-
icaps also. Those from the northern and
many from the southern portions of the State
syowed their intention to make the Conven-
ton a RepuJlican Convention, and nothing
else They we're originally Anti-Slavery men,
and openly denounced those papers and politi-
clans who had attempted to influence the Re-
publican nominations said they were Repub-
leans: while many of the southwest portions
Of the State insisted that the Convention
should Weld to their views and interests, or they
would defeat the ticket. In short, the Anti
Slavery and the Pro-Slavery elements were
never more directly at war than they were du-
RIM Thursday, among those who have been
members Of the Order. AT evening, they held
= meeting by themselves, but reports of their
proceedings were circulated every half hour.
In this meeting the war ragged, and they became
more widely separated, rather than conclhated.
When it became evident that the Republic
cans would rule the Convention, threats were
thrown out that twenty-five thousand Know
No,bings would array themselves against the
nominations, unless the Republicans would
Weld TO their demands, and nominate some
other man than Mr.. Chase. They were at
once told this is Republican Convention it
will not look to the interests or the feelings OF
sny other party.
The Republicans were disposed to treat them
kindly. but to repudiate their doctrines in dis
tinct language. The Anti-Slavery Know Moth
mrs. however, said they discarded the idea Of
being anything else than Republicans, but were
DESTROYS to let the new Order drop into oblivion
as soon and quietly as possible; and the sooner
it could be forgotten, the better would they be
pleased.
A member of the late National Convention
was asked il he ever again intended to sit in a
Know Nothing Council? To which he answer
3D. that in his county they had been unable to
collect more than seven TO hear his report of
the dongs at Philadelphia, and he never ex
re.led to see another convened for any pur-
pose Others were more reserved, saying they
Fer. present as Republicans, DESTROYS of sus-
tanning Republican doctrines and Republican
nominees, without regard to any other party.
That portion of the Know Nothings who de-
Il
what strengthened by old political preudices
against Mr. Chase, dating back some six or
seven years. Many delegates appeared inca
pabe of forgetting or forgiving what they re-
garied as political errors of Mr.. Chase. Those
things were referred to as an Offset to the fact
that Mr. Chase stood more prominently con-
necte1 with the Anti-Slavery movement than
any other candidate named, or who could be
named.
The malcontents started divers reports con-
cerning Mr.. Chase; but the principal was, that
he was opposed to the Order. They had little
effect and after the excitement of Thursday
and Thursday evening, the friends of Freedom
appeared on Friday morning, confident in their
strength. And when the organization took
place, all appeared conscious that the COnven-
ton, if permitted to proceed quietly, would act
with dignity commensurate with its import
Gnce.
At the meeting Of the Convention in the af-
ternoon, ii was rumored that a movement OF
some kind was to be made, to break it up. 1t
was SAID the malcontents had determined to
ruin the party If they could not control it. just
As they were about to proceed to ballot for a
guhernatOrial candidate, Rev. Edward Smith
'9n- known as an Anti-Slavery man, introduced
aeSoution dscarding the names of Chase and
bTiI-erhoif from the list of candidates. This
cIe''e' great sensation. Questions of order
were ralAd and overruled, and much excite
meii pre'Gled. Mr.. Smith proceeded to re
marx upon tic state of feeling which existed
lie declared TINT the Know Nothings last fal
elected the elecjon of several members OF
congress from our State; that they had sent
wilson to the Senate from Massachusetts, and
Joln 7. Hale from NV Hampshire. and had
done much at Philadelphia for the cause.
Cheers and Kisses were heard over the house,
and great confusion prevailed. Calls were
male on the friends of Mr.. Chase to withdraw
rom the hall, and many, PERHAPS most of the
members, thought the Convention destined ia
break up in confusion. Mr. Smith. however
assumed that the Know Nothings would not
support Mr.. Chase, and, if nominated, b. would
be defeated.
"me Mr.. Smith was speaking, Mr.. Giddi, Us
crew up resolution pledging the members t,
iF'l thelr unanimous support to the candidates
"to should receive the nomination. Mr.. G. OBJ
luhed the floor. and offered his resolution as
substitute for Mr.. Smiths In few words h,
declared the movement of Mr.. Smith most ex
!rloriinary, and insisted that the Know Moth
m9S who had united in the Conversion wer,
I''nd TO support the nominees; that most o
1gn hal 50 declared that they were honora
ana honest men that in their name he re
r',4ea the idea that they would turn rount
'''' '.eat nominee whom they assisted Il
'ol Mr.. Smith that he must be ignoran
"' eaara,ter of those members of the Orde
a., zane from the Reserve, to whom he Mr.
~, would willingly intrust both the entire nom
NATION and election.
az, uldrgs was sustained in a short speech
ar bingham, member of Congress cleo
JEFFERSON county. When he closed, mo
,.iI was made to lay the whole subject on tn,
80 winch was carried. The excitement dieC
~ ana mi thirty minutes Mr.. Chase wa
mated, receiving two hundred and twenty
i. 'Ano's, while all others received one hun
H., anu iorty-two, according to my recollec
~ ne masses outside heartily responded. Mr.
b.5.5 NaS va, sent for, appeared on the stand, wa
- WIN enthusiastic cheers, made shor
81 auu The Convention proceeded to 1t
rIaI Nih great harmony. When a resolution
Ia. 9ing unanimous support to the candidate
N Introduced, Hon. Sampson Mason led Of
Il. %, beautiful speech. Others followed, am
asm "uOP'eu WIN grea' en'nus
i,r Ainu-Slavery friends regard it as a grea
Lbs,. rreedom and believe that the fires o
lr,I,. hghted at this Convention will burr
rsjss's5 and brighter, until our land shall b.
and regenerated from oppression.