Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-11-30
The American Convention at invinnati

The National Convention % lh. Nmthern
section OF the American Party met ut Gin
cnnati on the > It inst About one hundred
delegates were in Attendance Thomas b.
Ford OF Ohio presided.
The reporters for the Pros, were excluded
from the Convention by an almost unanimous
vote. There were two extremes in the Con-
ycntiOn-one, OF those who were anxious to
ignore the slavery question and thus close
up again the split nude at Phiadelph
the other. desiring Platform on which they
can act together with the Republicans Of the
North. The majority favored "A middle course
between the two, apparently inclinirg, how
ever, towards a junction again with the
Southern wing. The proceedings Us re-
ported by telegraph were as follows
j. W Dawson, Of Indiana, Of red resp
lutinn TO eXpunse the twelfth section OF the
Phil ,delphil platform, and substitute in its
stead II declaration that slavery is not a ma
'innal but sectional issue, and must he set.
tied as such by the states. This resolution,
WIS referred to a committee. Sheets. of In
diana Spoon"r, of Ohio Gecr. OF Illinois
Maddox. OF Vermont Knight, Of Rhodes Is
land Keith, Of Massachusetts Sewa' of
Pennsylvania. and Wood Of Michigan.
Mr.. Gossier. of Pennsy lvanit, offered re-
solution recommending delegates of States
represented here. u advocate, in place Of the
Twelfth section he resolution offered at the
Philadelphia Grand Council by Kenneth
Rrynor, at North Carolina, excluding slavery
altogether from the platform
Governor johnson. OF Pennsylyunia. and
4
ton to get rid of tho slavery issue
Mr. Moody, of Indiana offered Il rcsolu-
tion, recommending the abolition OF all
rituals tests, &c., and allowing each State
Council to regulate irs own matters. without
regard to the National Council
Mr.. &. Knapp. of Michigan, offered Il res0-
tuition ignoring tho famous twelfth section
altogether, and declaring that it WAS not
proper for the American party 70 trouble
itself about sectional issues.
There vas some debate ON this propositions
several Of the delegates being rather indig-
nant. 1t was closed by IL strong national
speech from Governor Johnson ut the con
clusion Of which the Convention adjourned
On the second day, the Committee on
Resolutions reported a conservative platform
Mr. Allen Of Massachusetts offered a reso-
luton, asking the Grand Council h. blot out
tho twelfth section and make platform.
upon which the North and South could both
stand, without violence To the principles Of
the MINORITY Of the people in either Mr.
Allen thought the Grand Council next
February might fl up plan Tor truly m
tional Organization, leaving each State 10
hold ito peculiar views On the slavery ques-
ton.
Thnre were iva reports for platform, and
lots of amendments. The afternoon and even
ing sessions were devoted to the discussion
OF the majority report, which was finally
adopted in u vote by States, of 90 to IL.
The report characteristics the Missouri Com
promise rs an iniraction of plightod faith it
should he restored, and if the efforts to that
end fail IN Congress, admission into the
Union should 30 refused to any new State
tulerating Slavery. and formed out Of the ter
ritory from which that institution was ex-
cludcd by the Compromise protests against
coalcScing with any party that demands the
/ Abandonment of the American principles or
a Reorganization OF the American partv, and
recommends II meeting Of the delegates at
Philadelphia on the 10Th of February next.
The minority report was sustained chiefly
by the Ohio and Michigan delegations, but
was rejected, 1t insisted on the exclusion of
slavery from the National territory and de
clared that prescription ON account of birth
place Was unwarrlnted. 1t recommended the
/ party to act openly, regarded the slavery
question as the paramount issue, recon-
mended River ana iidrbor Improvements, and
generous foreign policy.
The Convention adjourned SINE de at mid
night Of the 22d