Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-07-14
[From the Reading Journal.l
American State Convention.

An American State Convention composed
of delegates from the various subordinate
| Councils of the Commonwealth, assembled in
the Odd Fellows Hall, in this city on Tuesday
morning last, July I'd, and held regular morn
ing, afternoon and evening sessions until Thurs
day morning last, when the Convention adjourn
ed sine die.
About two hundred delegates were in at
tendance including large representation from
the western part Of the State Col John r.
Edie, of Somerset, presided, assisted by the
usual number Of Vice Presidents and Secreta-
rics The sessions of the Convention were not
open to the public, and we are, therefore unable
to give the full proceedings. The most impor-
tant particulars, however, have transpired,
from which we sum up the following report
The Convention was called for the purpose
of taking acton upon the proceedings of the
National Convention, recently held in Philadel-
phia, and laying down code of principles for
the government of the party in this Common
wealth. The only material difference Of opinion
appeared to be in regard to the endorsement of
the 18th section of the National Platform,
relating to slavery, which was yehementlv
opposed by the western delegates in body,
and large majority Of the members of the
Convention from other parts of the State
The first vote taken was upon a motion to
adopt the 18th section as it stands in the
National programme which was lost by 80 yeas
to lab nays. The report of the majority of the
Committee on platform was next considered
This report was strongly freesoil, and was also
voted down by SO yeas to l04 nays. The
report of the minority of the Platform Com
mittee next came before the Convention, and
was adopted in place of the 18th section 1873
yeas to 50 nays. The new section adopted is
in the following words:
XII That the question of Slavery should
not be introduced into the Platform of the
American Party, being convinced that no such
principles and objects.
| That we believe in, and shall ever defend the
right of freedom of discussions on that and
every other subject, not intended to be embrac-
| cd within the designs of our organization
But inasmuch as the subject has been forced
upon us, we regard the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise as an iufraction of the plighted
faith of the nation, and that it should be re-
stored, and if efforts to that end should fail,
Congress should refuse to admit any State
tolerating Slavery, which shall be formed
out of any portion of the territory from which
that institution was excluded by that Compro-
mise.
OF the 1873 yeas by which this section was
passed, I3 were given by eastern Delegates,
and 60 by western. OF the 53 negative votes
23 only were from the east-30 western men
having opposed the section as not strong enough
As between the section rcpudiated and the
section adopted the real sense of the Convention
may be set down l63 in favor to % against.
On the evening previous to adjournment a
resolution was offered calling another National
Convention on the Sth of January next, to act
on the Pennsylvania platform. The resolution
is as follows
Res0tred, That Committee of Thirteen be
appointed to invite the cooperation of all the
State Councils in the Confederacy, who may
be willing TO concur in the principles and plat
form this day adopted by the State of Penn
sylvania, as and for her National Greed and
that Convention he held at Cincinnati, or
the Sth day of January next, to concert
measures to secure the nomination in the Con
vention called by the National Council Of
candidates for President and Vice President
who are willing to stand upon the Platform
this day established, and transact such othel
matters as may be deemed necessary to secure
the success of the American Party in th,
Union. The representatives of each State il
said Convention to be equal to the number O
members such State is entitled to in thu
National Congress.