Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-27
The philadeiphia Conventions.

Het IN hfiddeipnla on MONDAY, Inc iOln' Hsl.-
! There was quite large and intelligent body o
delegates present. and Charles d. Freeman. o
Philadelphia, one of the Vice Presidents, presided
The proceedings on the first day were merel,
preliminary.
4 On tuesday the Convention proceeded to or
game by calling Of the roll. All who were dele
gates In June were first admitted. Then The
States were called and alternates were admitted
When Louisiana was called, the delegation pre-
sented their credentials, when objections were
made that they Were not under the jurisdiction o.
this National Council.
1t was moved, great sensation being evident
throughout the spacious room, that the matter be
referred TO committee. The motion was Sc
amended that the delegates be admitted on then
credentials. The previous question was called
and sustained. Ayes 6S, nays 5o. 30 the dele
Cation was admitted The Virginia delegates
Messrs. P. A. Boiling, g. w. Moore, and John
h. McCue-voed in the affirmative.
The difficulty about the admission Of the dele
gates was because the Louisiana Councils have
never acknowledged the Catholic test. The CUES
ton of the admission or rejection OF the delegates
from this State gave rise to long and warm de-
bate, during which much sparring took place
among members.
The afternoon session was devoted TO the exam
ination of the claims of the opposing "Ede" and
"Hunsecker" delegations from Pennsylvania. =
The "Edie" delegates are those appointed by the
regular appointing power, which, however, fepu.
dates the 18th section Of the Platform. Alter
some excitement the vote Tas taken, and resulted
for .he Edie delegates "a, Hunsecker45. The
latter vote was given by the delegates from the
States of Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina,
Florida, Louisiana, California, Arkansas, Tennes-
see, and Kentucky, together with one delegate
from Ohio, Mr.. Ayres, two from Pennsylvania,
Messrs. Freeman and Van Cleve, and seven from
| New York.
The announcement Of the result was followed
| by much confusion and excitement, the Northern
| delegates displaying every manifestation of re-
| ioicinp, in the midst Of which the Council ad-
lourned, to meet at 10 o'clock the next morning.
On Wednesday the Council met at 10 o'clock,
and President Bartlett, of Kentucky, having ar
rived, took the chair. A resolution to admit the
Reporters for the press was adopted with but a
single dissenting vote.
Mr.. ChaunceY G. Burr, of New York, moved
for the appointment of a Committee of one from
each State 10 report business for the Council.
Mr. Brewster, Of Massachusetts, submitted the
| following as a substitute proposition
| Whereas, The Twelfth Section of the Platform
adopted by the National Council in June, 1855,
was neither proposed by the South nor sanctioned
by the North, therefore said Section is hereby
stricken out.
Mr.. Ely, of Massachusetts proposed to add, and
Mr.. Brewster accepted, the words:
"That as regards the support of Slavery, we
abide by the principles and provisions of the Con-
s,itution Of the United States, yielding no more,
and claiming no less"
Mr. Underwood spoke of the importance of
specifying how the final vote should be taken, and
moved that each State should cast the vote to
which it is entitled in full representa- on
MIR. Brewster argued in favor of repeating the 18th
). section. Brewsler's resolution was then passed
| by informaly-ayes ga, noes 72-and resolution
offered by MIR. Stephens, of New York, in refer
ence to the number of votes to be cast, was read.
! Without coming 10 vote on the resolution, the
1 Council adjourned The following States were
not represented in the Council Alabama, Texas,
South Carolina, Georgia, Maine, Vermont and
Mississippi.
Immediately after the re assembling of the
| Council, at o'clock, Mr.. Stephens withdrew his
resolution MI White, of Ohio. renewed it.
Mr.. Ford, of Ohio, made flaming freesoil speech.
Mr.. Parsons, of New York, replied.
The previous question was called upon the sub
stitute offered for MIR. Burr's resolution by Mr..
Brewster. Here various motions were made to
adjourn sine die, and to adjourn until January,
1860, and much excitement and confusion prevail
ed among the Southern delegates. The call for
the previous question was sustained, and the mo-
ton to take up Mr.. Brewsier's amendment was
agreed to. Yeas 93, nays rs
| Mr.. Ely, of Mass, advocated Brewster's amend
ment. Mr.. Burr spoke on the other side. and
made strong speech against the freesoil gtaors.
Mr.. Andrews, of n. Y, replied.
the yeas and nays were then called upon Mr..
Brewsler's substitute, amid much excitement, and
they resulted-yeas l04, nays 65.
Mr.. Boeler, of Va, took the floor and spoke
warmly on behalf of Southern rights. He was
satisfied that the American party of the North
was composed of Abolitionsls, and could hope for
no union with such men. Gov. Mccall. OF FlOri-
da, next spoke in favor of union and harmony
Without further action the Council adjourned un-
til Il o'clock Thursday.
On Thursday, the Council re-considered the
Ely and Brt Sster proposition, by vote of 81 to
81. 1t was then moved to strike out the old plat
form, and after good deal of debate the motion
was agreed to-yeas 1873, nays 81. The follow
inc was proposed as substitute platform:
1 /. An humble acknowledgement to the Su-
preme being who rules the universe for His pro-
tecting care vouchsaied to our fathers in their
successful rsvoluntary struggle land hitherto mani
tested 10 US, their descendants in tine preservation
of the liberties, the independence and the union OF
these States.
2. The perpetuation of the Federal Union. as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the unly sure bulwark of American indepen-
dence.
3. americans must rule .america and to this
end natirs born citizens should be selected for all
State Federal and municipal offices Or government
employment, in preference to naturalized citizens;
nevertheless,
q. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled 10 all the
rights of native born citizens; but
5. No person should be selected for political
station whether of native or foreign birth,) who
recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scription to any foreign prince, potentate or power
ar who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
Constitutions leach within its sphere) as par
amount to all other laws, as rules of politica
acton.
g. The unqualified recognition and maintenance
of the reserved rights of the several States, and
the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good viii
between the citizens of the several States, and Il
this end non Interference by Congress with ques.
tions apperaining solely to the individual States
and non Intervention by each State with the affairs
of any other State.
7. The recognition of the right Of the native
born and naturalized citizens OF the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, te
frame their constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs in their own mode
subject only to the provisions of the Federal Con
stitution, with the right of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popuia
ton for one Representative in Congress, Pr0uidee
al,caus that none but those who are citizens of The
f United States, under the Constitution and laws
, thereof. and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the fnrma