The Placer herald., 1856-03-15

great uOCtrlneS by tne nerOlSn OF tne rev
olution, and established by the wisdom and pa
triotism of the founders of the Republics and yet,
hypocritically profess attachment 'to the purer
days of the Republic. and invoke the spirit of
heroism, patriotism and virtue that precipitated
the Revolution" and declare that "Americans
shall rule America"
We are opposed to all sectional organiZations-
the formation of parties upon geographical dvi-
sions, and the agitation of the question of slavery.
Resolred, That we approve of the principles
and policy of the Administration of President
Pierce. and urge their adoption and enforcement
upon all succeeding Administrations.
Rss0lred, That we in favor of the most lib
eral appropriation by the General Government. Of
the public lands in California. for the benefit Of
actual settlers in limited quantities; and that we
in favor of protecting the actual settler in all
| his just, equitable and legal rights.
Resolped That in common with large maO
| ity of the people of California, the members of
! this Convention have unbounded confidence in the
| integrity, great ability, sterling Democracy and
ardent devotion to country Of the Hon. JAMES
| BUCHANAN, of Pennsylvania: that we have not
! forgotten the distinguished services by him rem
dered as Secretary of State, under the lamented
Polk during the with Mexico. which resulted
in the acquisition of the territory we now occupy
nor have we failed to appreciate his fearless bear
ing and discreet action as our Minister to Great
Britain during the discussion of questions highly
important to the interests as we'll the honor OF
/ his country, therefore be it
Resoiued. That the members of this Convention
| in expressing ardent desire for the nomination
aud triumphant election of the Hon. James Bu-
chanan as President of the United States do but
| give uttcTance to the wishes of an immense ma
! orty of the Democracy of the State of California
Resolred, That the delegates elected by this
Convention to the Democratic National Conven-
tion be- and they are hereby instructed that it is
the earnest and unanimous desire of the Democ-
racy of the State of California that the nomina-
ton for President of the United States shall be
given to the Hon. James Buchanan, of Pennsyl-
vania.
Resolved. That the Democratic party still ad-
heres to that policy which has already filled our
mountains with hardy and prosperous miners and
built up for State that prosperity which has so
wonderfully marked her brief history-To the
miners belongs the regulation Of the mines.
An exciting and prolonged discussion en-
sued on next to the last resolution. Mr.. W.
L. Dudley, of Calayeras maintained that del
egates should 90 to the National Convention
perfectly free and untrammelled-he was in
favor of the other resolutions, and awarded
to them his hearty support. Mr.. McCorlle
supported the resolution, alluded to the temp
tations that surrounded unpledged delegates,
| and animadverted upon the wiles practlced
/ by oily politicians on the peoples represen-
tatives.
Mr. Ryland suggested that the vote on the
platform be first taken, and that the resou
ton under discussion be considered after
wards.
Mr.. Ferguson, of Sacramento, offered the
following substitute:
ResolUed. That it is the unanimous wish Of
this Convention to express their approval Of
the elevation of the Hon. James Buchanan
to the highest Office within the nations Gift,
it, upon interrogating him on the great ma
tiona issues which now divide the country,
he expresses himself truly national, as defined
by the tenets of Democratic organization and
Democratic faith
And that it be left to the choice and dis
cretion of our delegates in the National Con
venton to settle the same in that patriotic
manner which we have a right to expect
while coniiding in their trust.
The Convention was ably addressed by
Messrs. Van VOORHEES, Of Alameda, and A. 2.
Dudley, of Calaveras, in opposition to the
instruction resolution, and by Mr. RyIand III
/ favor of the same.
Mr.. Evans, of Tuolumne, introduced the
/ following substitute to the substitute:
WHEREAS, it is in the opinion of this Con-
yention, ineXpedient, and will, in measure,
cast reflection upon our delegates elected to
the National Convention to instruct them
directly for whom to cast their votes; and,
whereas, we have perfect confidence in the
sound judgment, political honesty and ster-
ling Democracy of our members elect to said
Convection, therefore be it
Resolped, That we, composing the Demo
cratic State Convention elected directly by
the Democracy of the State of California,
and thereby representing the will and wishes
of said Democracy, do hereby recommend
as our first choice the nomination Of James
| Buchanan for President of the United States.
Mr.. Volney E. Howard, of San Francisco,
| having obtained the floor, gave his reasons
/ for opposing the resolution appended to the
/ platform, and which was then under discus
sion. In his opinion, this substitute was far
! inferior to the original resolution introduced
by Mr.. Bigler in the earlier part of the day,
for that was frank and above board, and had
the merit of sincerity But it was impossi-
bic to determine from the speech of the gen
tleman who submitted the platform and ac-
companving resolutions, what were the views
entertained by Mr. Buchanan on the great
national questions Of the day. You manu-
tacture a platform of principles, continued
the speaker, and adopt it, and then instruct
your delegates to support particular man
without knowing whether or not he stands
on that platform. Sensation. He, the
speaker, cordially gave in his adherence to
the princi pies enunciated in all of the resolu-
tions, with the exception of that under con
sideration, but he was opposed to being
forced to support any man who had made no
full exposition of his political principles.
Mr.. Graham, of San Bernadino, called for
the previous question, which was sustained.
On the substitute to the substitute the ayes
and noes were demanded, with the following
result-ayes, 1874; noes, l5l. The vote was
next taken on the substitute to the resolu-