Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-06-12
DEMOCRATIC
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
flflH DAYS PROCEEDINGS



Pie Convention was called to order pre-
eisely at nine o'clock. The President said
that they would now proceed % the fifteenth
ballot
Mr. Preston, Of Kentucky-As one Of the
friends Of Fir. Douglas, have become suffi
Glen tly satisfied BY the evidences presented
here, that it is the wish Of this Convention
that James Buchanan should be the n0mi
nee for President of the United States.
believe chat Judge Douglas himself, and the
ftlends OF Judge Douglas-and when | say
this, speak with some degree of knowledge
on the subject believe that the friends OF
Mr.. Douglas viii he among the first 10 come
forward and in a spirit of liberality put an
end TO the useless contest | will now give
&uayto the gentleman from Illinois, the friend
20 ~, Douglas.
= During Rb.-Preston's remarks thers was
loud cxpressions Of dissatisfaction and cries
of ''No, no :" Don't withdraw" "Don't
withdraw"
Mr.. Preston, in a loud tone, al am Of the
friends Of Douglas, and insist that his friends
from Illinois shall be heard"
Here VIM A. Richardson, Of Illinois.
arose, and waving his hand, there was an
Immediate and general silence. In a solemn
and impressive manner that gentleman pro-
ceeded TO address the Convention as follows:
: Mr.. Richardson-Mr. President and gen.
: llemeu of The Convention Before undertak-
ing To advise any gentleman on this floor
what he ought TO do, | consider that havea
duty which L owe to my constituents, and
which, since it is now imposed on me, l feel
that it is due to the Democratic party and
L.. g A al L L. 4
discharge. Whatever may be the opinion of
gentlemen as to The contest, | an satisfied
that cannot advance his interests or the
interests OF the common cause, or the princi-
pies Of the Democratic party by continuing
him in this contest. | will therefore state
that have a dispatch from Judge Douglas,
which, desire, may be permitted TO be read,
and | shall then withdraw his name from be-
fore the Convention. | desire gentlemen, af-
ter that, 10 decide on what course they may
deem it proper TO pursue. Tremendous ap-
plause-pTofound sensation.
The dispatch was sent to the Chair to be
read, and is as follows:
LETTER OF STEPHEN A.. DOUGLAS TO W. A. RICHARD
soN. Of ILLINOIS.
WASHINGTON, June 4, 1856.
Dear SIR From the Geographic reports in
the newspapers, | fear that an embittered state
Of feeling is being engenderel in the Conyen.
tion, which may endanges the harmony and
success Of our party. | wish you and all my
friends TO bear in mind that have thousand
fold more anxiety Tor the trir mPh of our prinei-
pies than for my own personal elevation.
II the withdrawal Of my name will contrib
ute to the harmony OF our party OF the success
Of our cause, 7 hope you will not hesitate to
take the step. Especially 1t Is my desire that
the action OF the convention will embody and
express the wishes. feelings and principles of
the Democracy Of the Republic and hence, If
Mr.. Pierce or Mr.. Buchanan, or anv other states.
man who is faithful to the great issues involved
IN the contest, shall receive a majority of the
Convention, earnestly hope that all nv friends
Will unite in insuring him two thirds and then
in making his nomination unanimoas Let
. no personal considerations disturb the harmo.
~ 81 or endanger the triumph OF our principles.
>. A. DOUGLAS.
To Hon W A. RICHARDSON, Burnet House,
Cincinnati. Ohio
The reading Of this dispatch was inter-
ruptsd by frequent and tremendous applause.
II was some time before order could be re-
stored. When the Convention had subsidized
into something like order, the President an
noanced that they would proceed with the
seventeenth ballot.
Mr.. Preston-l move that James Buchanan
be nominated As the candidate of the Demo-
cratic party, for President Of the United
States by acclamation.
Voicee-go on with the call--go on with
the call
Mr.. Seymour, Of New York-the State OF
New York, in many respects divided, has at
last become united on one point, the moral
necessity OF combining the nomination within
the circle Of the three distinguished gentle
tlemen whose names were first presented TO
the people as candidates for the Presidency.
Speaking, 10 this Convention, for one section
Of the Democratic party of the State Of New
York, have felt il to be my duty stated
that We have felt it our duty to cast our
selves for franklin Pierce. So long as lis
name continued before the Convention, we
unfalteringly adhered to him. When his
nomination became impossible, we felt il our
duty to give our support to the nomination OF
Stephen A. Douglas, Of Illinois. His name
is now formally withdrawn by the person au.
thorized to speak for him indeed he has
spoken for himself. While we have the
strongest desire to continue our support foI
him, we feel that we should be recreant to
ourselves and to those whom we represent, il
the State Of New York should 90 beyond the
limits of the three names originally present
ed to the people of the United States for hi.
nomination. At this stage Of the proceed
ings, In view of this statement, in view o
the exiSencies Of the case, in view Of the po
sition in which we are now placed, | ask tha
we may be permitted to retire and consult
in order that this nomination may 60 forth
with that moral force and influence which
we have so much at hsart
This ballot is The unanimous vote of al
the delegations for James buchanan. A
each delegation was called, the Chairman
addressed the Convention.
SEVENTEENTH BALLOT.