The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-21

{. a. Phelps N
After this vote, there was n defining of posi-
tons:
Mr. Richmond, having been called, said.
upon all occasions he should labor to the best
Of his ability to advance the interests of the
American party. lie still adhered, however,
to he principles of the Springfield platform
Mr. f. ID. Stedman, Of Boston, desired To
know the sentiments Of other candidates. He
did not wish to be deceived in this matter as be
had been before. lie would support a man
who placed the American principle at the top,
hut not one who made 1t only an auxiliary 10
other issues. lie caTed not ick:5y a mans riefrs
'rcfe on other political yiseSiiOns if he made
Americanism the main issue.
" The sentiments expressed by Mr.. Baker an
his speech during the early part of the session
were considered sufficient for the information
OF the Council; and motion declariuo Messrs
Baker aud Richmond the persons receiving
the highest number Of votes, delegates at large.
was unanimously carried
Alter some Other business, Mr.. Ely, the dele
gate elect fer the Norfolk district, spoke
"Congratulating them upon the present
healthy condition of the American party in the
State, purged as it recently had been he de-
clared that, as a citizen Of Massachusetts. he
stood upon the Springfield platlorm--that is,
az National Convention he coUid make con
cessionS az matters Of policy and elDediencv.
l0r the sake Of uRjOR anil kayaOHy. but could
not sacrifice one jot of principle. He desired
the American party TO 6erare of that sham re
puJticaHism, which in 1914 voted for Birney
for President, and thus aided in the election Of
Polk, thus bringing in Texas and all the vexa
tous Slavery issues which followed
When the resolution was offered, that the
American party still adheres to the principIes
80 IL, - AZ.
place.
"Mr. Cobb, of New Bedford, spoke at SOM,
length. lie said that, ia regard to State mat
tiers, he was heartily in favor Of the Springfield
platform; J',; IN National matteys, Of a anon
upon tie american principle
Mr.. tarwell, of Boston, favored the passage
OF the resolution, as an expression Of the oDi,t.
IONS Of Massachusetts, as q STATE.
Mr. Roche, of Easton, feared that. If they
departed from the principles OF the Springfield
platform, they should lose their present pre-
dominant position Ia the State. lie had never
been Free Soiler, until made 50 by the out
rageoas proceedings in Kansas.
MIR. u. w. Warren, OF Boston. was in favor
OF the Springfield platform for Massachusetts,
tie had confidence in the delegates from Mas
st'chusetts, and desired that they should 20 to
the National Convention uRtrdmmelled. lie.
did not consider the resolution Of NJ, Tian IN
Tie hight Of instructions 10 tie deie0ates."
SO 1t being pretty well explained that the
Springfield platform was useful for Massachu-
sets, but that Cancellation and harmony was 10
be the order OF the day at Philadelphia and
that the resolution was not to be considered in
she light OF instructions to the delegates it was
allowed to pass,
This is the old Doughface game over again;
Anti-Slavery talk for home use. Pro-Slavery
GctiOB for National use. IL lC0lsf do!