Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-03-28
Anerican Conrentlon.

Order and the opponents of the extension
Of slavery generally. The attendance is
stated, by those who know, to have been
quito as large as usual at called Council,
and nearly all the Congressional districts
were represented. We learn there are
1920 Councils in Ohio, and although the
friends of the Philadelphia nominations made
strenuous exertjons to get together delegates
enough to endorse the nominees, the result
taking their own count in organizing new
State Council, shows but 55 of the 1890
Councils as participating in the secession
movement. That the secessionists were
mainly from Hamilton county was admitted
by Cincinnati members, and it is said there
were not more than ten or dozen out oi
the IS, representing Councils outside Of
Hamilton. That the Secessionists intended
to bolt is evinced by the fact that they had
brought with them new State Charter issu.
cd BY the President of the National Council
Mr.. Bartlett, of Kentuckey.
ASS matter Of interes. touching the i'm
portant action Of the State Council, and in
addition to the full report hastily prepared
and sent last night, the speeches of Gov.
Ford, Senator Griswold, and Mr.. Rodgers Of
Lawrence, are apprehended.
When Mr.. Ware and his followers had
left the Hall and order restored the COM
manding form of Mr.. Ford, as he arose to
speak, was greeted with intense enthusiasm.
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT FORD.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: lean
not let hisopportunity pass without express
ing my heartfelt gratitude for the noble
manner in which my course has been sus-
tanned in this Convention. By a combina-
ton of circumstances unsought for by myself
l have been placed in the front rank in this
great fight for freedom and the right, and
it is grateful to me to be thus sustained by
the independent freemen Of Ohio in conven-
ton assembled. Many charges have been
brought against me in this convention, from
which you have gallently defended me, and
for which you have my warmest thanks. l
have been charged with favoring dissolu-
tion of the Union. This charge isuntrue. l
have been educated in sentiments of rever-
ence for the Union. 1 have been taught
TO consider the union of these States assem-
tial to our happiness. This feeling : strong
with me-but I think have yet stronger
feeling. 1t is this, I love Freedom more
than do the UnioU-and would sacrifice
the Union rather than consent that slavery
be the rule and Freedom the exception. 1t
cannot it must not be. l have said and
take occasion now to repeat, that rather
than that the curse of human chattledom
should be taken into Kansas and Nebraska
would prefer to see the political elements
of this country crumble into dissolution
knowing well as do that if the Union
were dissolved to-day it would rise in all its
greatness and glory tomorrow.
I repeat that 1 love this Union. But
with me it must be Union for the preser-
walton not the destruction of liberty-a IN
ion that must be regarded as common bless
ing-not a Union enforced by gag-laws and
pro-slavery threats-but a Union in confor-
nifty with the will of God, and not in utter
contempt of His authority.
From these high and holy purposes am
not to be driven by the fag end of a faction
as exhibited this day before US. In their
secession they have done us a great favor
by relieving US of dead weight. We can
now stand out and inScribe on our banner
the only true doctrine-"No MORE SLAVE
STATES, AND NO MORE SLAVE TERRITORY ~
We will stand before the world in our
true light, declaring, as we have by resolu-
tons this day, that Freedom is the rule, and
Slavery but the exception. Let US thus, my
brethren, 90 into the contest. Let us have
the nerve to maintain this position in def
ance of every threat, of every detection, and
the triumph of the Right is certain. l again
thank you for your kindness, and for the
confidence and the support you have so gen.
generously given me.
The applause during the delivery of this
short speech was very hearty and frequent.
Mr.. Ford spoke under much feeling, and his
words fell with sledge-hammer force, the
audience fully sympathizing with each SEN
tence.
SPEECH OF SENATOR GRIswoLD.
Mr.. Griswold, after offering his resolution
remarkyd that it explained itself We did
not abandon our organization or its princi-
pies, and he rejoiced that zoag, while we ad-
hered TO the one we could carry out the 9TH
or. Since we have rolled off the load of
Cotton that had nearly smothered US, We
were at liberty to act as we thought best,
and all felt a sensation of instaneous relief
We breathed freer and easier and enhaled
a different and moro healthfuI atmosphere
He would-say- but word on tho subject
which had been discussed during the early
part Of the evening. He agreed with the
gentleuan from Cincinnati (Mr. Wright
that platforms were of little value. They
were too often made use of, to deceive, to
1nislead, and to cover up, rather than to
present transparent statement of the party
or of the Convention reporting them. The
character and the principles of the candidate
we're Of much moro importance than the
platform. Such was the opinion of the
South, and hence. enough it would contend
for platform, yet it never failed in the Sc
lection Of canidate.
1t was SO IN the recent convention at Phil
alaly,bia Tn salectinor candidstns f,r Pros