The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-18
The Great Fusion Convention.

We had the pleasure of being present at the
great Fusion Convention, in Columbus, on the
18th inst, and seeing the modus operandi OF
fusing elements having no affinity. The Con-
vention was called by the Free Soil Central
Committee, but it was we'll understood that
Know Nothingism, and every other ism and
faction, were to be fully represented; and if
delegates would keep silent upon the points
wherein they differed, ticket might be nomi-
mated, some portion of which would be accept
able to each faction. Although no one faction
or ism, and We might be safe in saying, no one
man, would be satisfied with the entire ticket
yet for the sake of success they must fuse.
The Convention says to the People, "Open
your mouths and shut your eyes, gentlemen,
till we ram this ticket down your throat"
Early on the morning of the 18th, hundreds
Of people were collected in little groups along
the pavements, discussing the merits of their
The Chase men looked very COM
- placent, and talked constantly of the necessity
and Importance of harmony; while the oppos-
s.. ing party could see neither the necessity nor
= the importance of harmony, if man was to
head the ticket who would certainly be badly
beaten. Occasionally you might hear an un-
happy Know Nothing loudly and roundly de-
nouncing Chase, and group of Freesoilers
gathered around him, coaxing and petting him,
and promising something handsome in the way
of candidates for the other Offices, to quiet him
down, and finally, with the look of Gagged
hyena, the Know Nothing would submit.
1t was evident that Chase would be nomi-
mated on the first ballot-no one doubted that
but they must contrive some plan to hold
the Know .Nothings, or they would kick the
q whole Convention to kingdom come,
- When they had done all they could to paci-
fy them by personal appeals, it was announced
that the hour for assembling had arrived
IS Candidates, delegates and spectators, to the
sis number of about 1000, assembled at the new
Methodist Church on Town street A platform,
about twenty feet above the floor, had been
y erected, upon which the officers of the Conven-
ton, and great men generally, were to be sta
toned. After as many as found any place to
cit, we're seated, and quiet TO some degree re-
stored, VIM. R. sapp was called upon to address
the meeting. Mr.. Sapp ascended the platform,
and spoke with some ability on the slavery
81 monise. After he concluded, calls were made
for Ford, Leland, Giddings, Letter, Hammond
ss Campbell, and Wood; all except the last-named
? remained ingloriously silent.
ar Wood ascended the platform, made a
= very graceful bow, and proceeded to say, tina,
he was just a week from Kanzas, where he had
had view of the practical workings of popu-
lar 1fv Ea fad A. 81. Il,
i ofthe actual settlers of Kanzas were Free State
men; that slavery was confined almost exclu
siyely to three districts, and that in anything
like a fair contest, the Free State men would
carry the State by an overwhelming majority
9 The corpulent form of Joshua r. Giddings
covered in very loose and slovenly name
with linen clothing, was seen ascending tn,
g platform. He nominated Mr.. B. s. Cowen, o
Belmont as chairman pro tenn. of the Conven
tion, who was accordingly elected. Mr.. Cover
4 stated the object of the meeting, and assumed
the chair. VIM. B. Allison and w. Herricl
were appointed secretaries.
Some pious old veteran moved that the Con
s yention open with prayer, and that Mr.. Walker
49, of Marshfeld, attend to that-duty. Before
ssr vote could be taken, Mr.. Walker commence
his prayer, and of course the sense of the Cor
q vention was not had upon the question. H
prayed for the success of the party and il
principles, and was exceedingly solicitous thu
81. the Convention should be harmonious.
Three committees were appointed compose
OF twenty-one members, each; one on crede,
tials, one on permanent officers, and one
resolutions. The last-named was composed
- Messrs. J. NJ. Gitchell VIM. Schouler, D. v
Iddings, Justin Hamilton w. A. Hunter,
Pagan, A. Fl. Dunlevy, BENZ. Stanton, C.
Watson, L. Nigh, A. Thompson, J. w. Andrew
+. y. Parish, H. Z. Peck G.. w. True, C.
Tom pkins, Hugh Forsyth, Thos. Earl R.
Sp4laing, j. r.. Giddings, and Jas. Robertso
Ir. Defrees moved that all resolutions in !
ls.Ion to platforms be referred without deba
TO the Committee on Resolutions. This creat
considerable confusion. 1t was evidently
attempt to smuggle something through. Aft
ssR being so amended as to refer all resolution
before the committee reported, it was adopte