Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-06-11
The democratic National Convention.

L. uc
This body met in Cincinnati, on Monday, the
End inst, at II o'clock, and was called to order
by r. McLane, of Maryland. Mr.. Richardson
of illinois, nominated Samuel Medary, of Ohio
for temporary Chairman and the question being
put, was carried unanimously. MIR. English, Of
Indiana, commenced reading the call for the
Convention, but was interrupted by a sudden
uproar at the door, and o crowd rushed into
the hall, fighting and amidst the direst contu-
sion. Tt was discovered that the difficulty
was made by the Benton delegates, from
Missouri; they having resolved to enter by
violence, knocked down the door-keeper and
rushed in, headed by Ex-Governor Price. For
a few minutes the confusion was indescribible-
the members jumping upon chairs-andi it seem
ed rs though there was about to be a serious
riot. Quiet was soon restored, however, and
the reading of the call proceeded.
Mr.. McLane stated that when the credentials
of the Missouri delegates were presented, the
committee of arrangements gave tickets of ad-
mission to the delegation which presented pri-
ma .tfacie evidence of election, and refused the
others. New York also appeared with two sets
of delegates; but as the committee could not de-
eide which was entitled to seats, they declined
to give tickets to either, unless they could ar
range III tiuOuR lilclIlSclfto, IL . uOHC III
the case of the Mississippi delegation. Both of
the delegations from New York now await ad-
mission. M
Mr.. Medary, on taking the chair, addressed
the Convention. Prayer was then offered by
Rev. DIR. Nicholson of Cincinnati.
Alexander B. Cletheral of Alabama, and VIM.
F. Richie of Virginia, were elected temporary
Secretaries.
On motion of Mr.. Harris, of Illinois, a COM
mittee on credentials was appointed, one from
each uncontested State, each delegation choos-
ing for itself. NJ. r. II. Garnett was appointed
by the Virginia delegates.
AS soon as the committee was announced,
Mr.. Richardson, of Illinois, arose and said that
he had no desire to interfere in the quarrels of
States, but the Convention owed it to itself, to
its dignity and propriety, that no person should
be allowed to force an entrance into the hall by
overpowering the doorkeeper. 1t should pro-
tect itself from violence and insult.
Mr.. Hall, of Missouri, one of the delegates
who forced the doors arose to speak, but the
chairman refused to recognize him, saying
that the gentleman must present his grievance
to the committee on credentials. Mr.. Hall made
another effort to speak, but was interrupted
with cries of 'order!l"
Mr.. Price, of Missouri, then said the delega-
ton submitted to the decision of the chair, and
at once withdrew from the hall.
A committee on organization was appointed one
from each uncontested State, including Paulus
Powell from Virginia. A committee to draw upa
platform was also appointed, one from each I'M
contested State, with A. A. Chapman from Vir-
ginia, and the meeting adjourned till Tuesday.
TUEsDAY.-There was but little of interest in
the proceedings on the second day. The body
was organized by the appointment of permanent
officers. John E. Ward, of Georgia, was APP
pointed President, and R. X. Banks, of Virgin
ia, was one of the Vice Presidents.
Mr.. Bayard from the committee or creden-
tials, reported the Missouri credentials admit
ting the anti Benton delegates, which was receiv-
ed with cheers and adopted.
A motion to admit the District of Columbia
delegates to the floor was made, and agreed to
after some debate. A long debate on the
admission of outsiders ensued, and several reso-
lutions having that object in view were ia
bled amidst great confusion.
The rules of the last National Convention-in-
Guiding the two-tlirds rule-were adopted to
govern the body.
Upon the re.assembling of the Convention III
the evening, Mr.. Salisbury, of Delaware, moved
that the Senators and members of Congress
at present in the city be invited to occupy
places on the platform and on the floor. (Cries
of mo no-don't want them.'O Mr.. Chapman,
of Alabama, moved to amend by inviting all the
State Legislatures present in the city. Mr.. Pet
tit moved further to amend by admitting also all
the United States office-holders. Mr.. McMul-
len advocated the proposition to admit Con-
gressmen, but it was finally laid on the table,
The Convention then adjourned.
WEDyEspAY.-Mr. Hallett, Of Massachusetts,,
announced that the Committee on Resolutions
was ready to report. He said there was perfect
unanimity in the Committee on every part
of the Platform, except that relating to the for
eign policy of the government. The Platform is
very long. 1t re-atirms the Baltimore Platform
and has in addition, resolutions denouncing the
American party, approving and sustaining the
Kansas Nebraska Act, advocating the exercise
of all the Constitutional powers of the Govern
ment in aid of the construction of q railroad to
the Pacific; and finally q declaration in favor of
maintaining the Union as it was, is and shall be.
To this definition Of the home policy OF the par
ty, q series of resolutions are added setting forth
its foreign policy, The Monroe doctrine is af-
firned, and enforced and the policy OF the Ad-
ministration in reference to Central American
affairs fully endorsed. The first portion OF the
Platform, defining the domestic policy of the
party, was paopted unanimously; the resolu-
tions relative to its foreign policy gave rise to
debate which continued until the close of the
morning session.
These resolutions We're not agreeable to the
Virginia delegates, who withdrew to take them
into consideration.
At the afternoon session, the Convention was
occupied with that portion of the Platform de-
filming the foreign policy of the party. The
whole of the resolutions on this subject were fl
nally adopted, but not without q strongly mani
tested opposition. The first resolution in "favor
of free seas and progressive free trade" was a
dopted by o vote Of ayes al, nays 40. The
second resolution, endorsing the Monroe doc
trine, by a vote of ayes 239, nays %. The third
asserting the preponderance of this government
in all questions touching tie adjustment of o
free communication between the Pacific and At
lantic across the Isthmus, by d vote ayes 1919,
nays Sc. The fourth, expressing sympathy
with the efforts being made by the people of
Central America to regenerate that portion OF
the continent which covers the passage across
the oceanic isthmus," was adopted, ayes 221,
NAYS 86-Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware,
South Carolina, and Kentucky voting against it.
The fifth resolution, declaring that the party
twill expect, from the next administration every
proper effort to be made to insure our ascendan.
cy in the Gulf of Mexico," was passed by a vote
of ayes 225, nays 80.
Mr.. Meade, of Virginia, presented from that
Delegation the following resolution, on which
he called the previous question:
Resolced. That the resolutions Just passed on
the subject of foreign policy are but the opinions
of this Convention, and are not to be considered
articles of the party faith. ssa s
Mr.. Peck, of Michigan, raised the point of or
der that the resolution under the rule must go
to the committee on resolutions, Mr.. Hubbard,
of Texas, moved to suspend the rules.-ayes IA,
nays 1873. The Maryland delegation then enter
ed a protest apagainst the adoption of the reso-