The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-12


/ to cast her vote for that statesman who repre-
sented the present Administration. He meant
the choice of Illinois" Stephen A. Douglas.
[Applause.]
North Carolina led off on the same tack, and
was followed by South Carolina, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, Florida, and Texas volta oai TsIr
Tennessee cast her IL votes for Buchanan.
Pierce ran down to three votes.
SIXTEENTH BALLOT. .a. 90
Buchanan l68 Cass $685. 6
Douglas III
The New York Softs went over to Douglas on
the sixteenth ballot. Maine concentrated her
votes on Buchanan. Ohio gave him two more
Kentucky cast all her votes for Douglas, having
previously given him but seven.
The half votes were rejected by the Chair,
point OF order being raised on them, in con-
sequence Of Ohio casting half vote for Cass.
After the announcement of the result on the
sixteenth ballot, Mr.. Preston, of Kentucky, said
he had stood firmly by Douglas to this point,
but he now felt confident that the Convention
demanded the nomination Of James Buchanan.
Tumutuous disorder ensued, and cries re-
sounded all over the hal, No, ""N No." "No;"
Douglas has sufficient friends" &c.
Mr.. Preston continued: He thought the
friends of Mr.. Douglas would best consult his
wishes by yielding at once and cheerfully to the
wishes OF the Convention.
Loud cries were now heard for Illinois to
speak.
Mr.. Richardson rose and said Without ad-
vising any gentleman what it was his duty 60
do to his constituents, he felt that he had a duty
to perform to his constituents and the State he
represented. Cries of "Don't withdraw him.
Don't withdraw him. He felt that he could
not contribute to the success of the party, or
carry out the views of Mr.. Douglas, by continu.
ing him longer in the contest. Immense ap-
plause. He had just received despatch from
Mr.. Douglas, which he desired to have read.
After that, he would withdraw the name of Mr..
Douglas. Mr.. Richardson then read the tele-
graphic despatch from Mr.. Douglas, which said,
that from Geographic accounts, he Douglas felt
confident that longer continuance of his name
before the Convention would tend to disturb It's
harmony, and that therefore he desired to with,
draw, believing that the Democracy would do
well to unite and vote On either of the other
candidates before the Convention, Mr.. Pierce
or MIR. Buchanan. Immense cheering
The 18th ballot was then taken.
New Hampshire cast her vote for Buchanan
Mr. Hubbard making a speech in explanation
and every delegate who rose had something t.
say.
w. w. Avery, of North Carolina said thai
North Carolina loved Buchanan, and reminded
the Convention that, four years ago, he haG
been its first choice.
South Carolina said she came here with the
desire to support those candidates who had
proved themselves truest to the Union and the
Constitution. To this end, she had cast her
votes first for Pierce and then for Douglas,
She would now give her entire vote for Blu,
chanan.
Mr.. Medary pledged the State of Ohio for the
favorite of Pennsylvania
Col. Richardson said: Every member of the
Convention has endorsed the political course of
Mr.. Douglas, which any man might be proud
of. He could assure the Convention, that while
the choice of Illinois was, of course, for her
favorite son, yet she yielded to no State in APP
probation of the political character of James
Buchanan.
Arkansas pledged herself for the largest COM
parative majority in the Union for the nominee,
particularly if her choice for Vice President
should be satisfed-General Quitman, of Mis-
sissippi.
MIR. Inge, of California, said that the delega-
ton came here with the choice of every mem
Der liked on the present nominee, but they came
also with instructions to set the expression of
the Convention in favor of securing some easy
means of communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts.
MIR. Inge, having received permission, then
proceeded to comment ably and eloquently on
the Importance and necessity of such commu-
nication. He thanked the Convention for their
kindness in hearing those who had come SO far,
and who had brayed the malaria of the tropics
and the dangers of the ocean to meet their
Democratic brethren here He believed Mr..
Buchanan did not concur in opposition to the
exercise OF all constitutional power to secure
easy postal communication between the two
oceans. California cast her four votes for Blu
chanan.
John l.. Dawson, in a happy speech, express
ed the thanks of Pennsylvania for the honor
done her, through these endorsements of her
favorite son. After he had taken his seat, be
rose again, saying that, in reviewing the claims
OF candidates, he had forgotten to mention the
name of Franklin Pierce. Laughter and
cheers. He then declared his approval of tie
course of the Administration, which would re-
| ceive from the people, on its retirement, tie
endorsement, swell done, thou good and faith
| full servant"
The vote was then announced as being zoe
| for Mr.. Buchanan, upon which the cheering wss
| immense.
Three tremendous cheers were then given for
Buchanan, three equally enthusiastic ones for
Douglas, and three moderate ones for Pierce
A motion to nominate candidates for Vice
President, and then adjourn till P. NJ, was
now made, but was withdrawn.
A resolution endorsing the present Admins.
| tration was then introduced by Mr.. Hallett, of
Massachusetts, which was declared to be adopt.
ed unanimously by the Chair, although some
noes responded.
Mr.. Pratt protested against such q decision.
He would never consent that the great North
west should be slsndered and stultified by the
superstition that she endorsed the Administra-
ton of Franklin Pierce
afternoon SessiOn.-The Convention being
called to order, Mr.. Shields, of Missouri, offer
ed resolution, declaring it to be the duty of
the General Government, so far as the Consti-
tuition will permit to aid in the construction of
a safe overland route between the Atlantic and
the Pacific coasts.
A motion to lay the resolution on the table
was lost-yeas 76, nays 22O.
Several delegates from Missouri rose, and de-
manded suspension of the rules.
Mr.. Petit, of Indiana, endeavored to speak
on the propriety of an amendment, declaring
it the duty of the General Government to use
all proper constitutional power for the object
named, but was not heard.
The motion to suspend the rules for the pur-
pose of entertaining the resolution was carried,
by yeas 208, nays SO.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Petit, the word
"proper" was placed before constitutional
power;" and, the main question being order
ed, the resolution was adopted, by yeas 205,
nays 81.
On motion, the Convention resolved to pro-
coed to ballot for a candidate for Vice Presi-
dent.
The Convention then proceeded to vote for
q candidate for Vice President, with the fol-
lowing result:
FIRST BALLOT.