Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-15
The National Council.


ing report of the proceedings Of the National
Council
PHILADELPHIA, june Is, 1865.
Mr.. Jennings, of Illinois, opened the discussion
| Ia speech Of half an hour His views were ultra
abolition his manner "Bombastes Furioso," and
his effort 'sound and fury, signifying nothing"
| He was followed by Mr.. Burwel of Virginia,
| who advocated the majority report, because it
pledged the order 10 quit agitation upon the sub
| ject of slavery. II offended none by contemning
their opinions, but bound the order TO maintain
the laws. This was no dishonor, but duty. He
could not consent to pretermit some expression of
opinion upon the question of slavery. 1t was the
main purpose of the order to maintain the Union,
and this was the only question which threatened IL.
| The convention had harmonized upon every other
subject. The foreigner was bound by limitation
Of his political rights, The Catholic was restricted
in the abuse of his religious doctrines; but pro-
| position to quiet domestic discord amongst the
States and people was to be ignored, draped I'M
der empty generaites, or left open for local agita-
| tons.
| He could consent to no compromise which dis.
| turbed existing legislation. With others, he had
entered the order hoping to find patriotism which
neither OF the old parties possessed. To the inter-
ests which he represented the questions Of Amer
| icanism and Catholicism were comparatively unim-
portant The professions of regard for the Union,
the pledges not 10 permit the agitation of any
question which should disturb it, had attracted his
support. He came into it not seeking power but
peace. If he was told that by re-opening the agi-
tation the party could acquire the control Of the
government, he must reply for those for whom he
acted, that Offices and honors had not sufficient
charms to induce them to abandon their country
aud rights A few men might be rewarded, but
this would bring no compensation to those whose
property and rights were made TO constitute the
price paid for those honors. He concluded by re-
peatng his determination to consent to no other
concession than to maintain existing legislation,
as embodied in the report Of the majority. Mr. b.
spoke for two hours, and elaborated the views
presented in speech of ability and power
He was followed by Mr. Poe, of Georgia, who
conceded fully in every doctrine advanced by Mr..
Burwell, and endorsed every sentiment and feeling
uttered by him.
Mr.. Rayner, of North Carolina, next succeeded
He presented series of resolutions embodying
and asserting that the representations OF the South
that the order was abolition and the abolitionists
of the North that it was pro-slavery, had no war
rant in fact--that it was neither the one nor the
other that it ignores the whole question; that it
recognised the Union and the laws under it, and
that it left where it properly belonged-to the To-
calities where 1t existedthe entire legislation
the whole question. These distinguished propo-
sitions were elaborated with great eloquence and
temper addressed themselves ifnot to the general
appreciation, at least to the general attention
Hewas followed by Mr.. Summons, of New York,
who proered series of similar resolutions, one Of
which interdicted the legislation of Congress on
the "vexed question" in the District of Columbia
These last were indicated in speech of great
vehemence and some power.
Mr., Williams, of Kentucky, next obtained the
floor, and pending various propositions, gave place
to adjournment, to meet again at p NJ
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The debate was continued by Mr.. Williams, of
Kentucky, who favored the majority report; by
Mr.. johnson, Of Pennsylvania, who was against
both the majority and minority reports, and in
favor Of the restoration of the Missouri Compro-
mise; by Mr.. Pitcher, of Kentucky, opp ,sed to
both, and in favor Of the re-afrmation Of the
promise measures Of 1880; by Mr.. Peck, of Maine,
in favor Of the minority report; by Mr. Mccall, Of
Texas, In favor of the majority report, provided
Massachusetts,, in her present delegation, was OPP
posed to it. as Texas could stand on no platform
whatever with them; by Mr.. Iooth, of Connecti-
cut, against the majority report, and, as the mat
ter now stood, would vote but was willing to con-
ccde the right of the several States to their pecu
liar institutions, and even the peculiar institu-
ton" ITSELF to the District Of Columbia, and was
opposed to the interference by Congress to the
admission of new slave States provided their form
Of government was republican, &C.; by Mr.. Desh-
Ter, of New Jersey, against both the majority and
minority reports, and In favor OF the programme
advocated by Mr.. Rayner, in fact he denied the
right Of the National Council to erect any PLATFORM
&c. by Mr.. Barker, of New York, in defence of
the right Of the National Council to erect plat
form, and the necessity Of the erection, &c.
The speeches were generally animated, and In
the case Of Booth and some Others, worthy of more
extended remark than my space win permit.
Att o'clock the Convention adjourned, to meet
at 5 p. NJ
PHILADELPHIA, June l4--12.S0 A. NJ.
An intense excitement has prevailed throughout