Washington sentinel., 1856-03-29
THE BALL IN MOTION IN MICHIGAN.
Democratic Meeting.

the Democrats of Grand Rapids assembled
at Perce's Hall, on Friday evening. When
the meeting was organized there were about
l3O persons present, but during the course Of
the evening, the number increased to from $50
to 3OO Indeed, some estimated that there
were over 400 present. The meeting was called
to order by DR.. Bowman, when
John Ball was called to the chair, and F. w.
Worden appointed Secretary.
On motion of Thompson Sinclair com.
mittee of FIVE were appointed to report to the
meeting the names of six delegates to the
county convention. The following composed
the committee:
w. ii. Godfrey, lst Ward Judge Almy, I'd;
Il. z. Sinclair, Sd James Scribner, 4th; DR..
Bowman, 5th.
The committee retired, and afterwards re-
ported the names Of the following as the dele.
gates to the county convention, viz:
Leonard Snyder, w. S. Fl. Welton, T. B.
Church, Thompson Sinclair, James Scribner,
and John Clancy.
The names OF these gentlemen were called
s# E. a ~ n
On motion of w. A. Richmond, committee
of five were appointed for the purpose of re-
porting plan for the better organization of
the Democratic party of Grand Rapids. The
following were appointed said committee:
DR.. George K. Johnson, lst Ward; G. Christ.
I'd; w. A. Richmond, Sd Curtus Porter, 4th
N p Roberts, 5th.
!. " - MS.
Previous to the appointment of the com
mittee, ]. B. Church desired to know some.
thing in relation to the proposed organization.
W. A. Richmond explained; but as the sub
stance OF his explanation appears hereafter, we
do not give an abstract of his speech.
W. A. Richmond read some resolutions,
affirming the policy and right of the people at
their primary meetings to express their views
on the Presidential question; naming James
Buchanan as the choice of the convention,
and instructing the delegates to the county
preston in that body.
that tribute should be rendered to the ser
vices and position Of General Cass, in the
preamble Whereupon, Messrs Sinclair and
Taylor we're appointed committee to insert
the amendment suggested.
During the absence of this committee, John
Ball being called upon, expressed himself in
reference to the policy of the Democratic party
of the present day. contrasting it with the policy
of the Federal, Wing, and Republican parties.
The resolutions, as follows were then re-
ported, and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, We hold it to be the right and duty
of the people to express, at their primary meet
ings, their views in regard to the measures and
the policy of the Government, and to indicate
their preference for men to represent and carry
out the same, And, entertaining these sent-
ments, We feel called upon and authorized, by
the near approach of the time when the Con-
vention for the nomination of Democratic
candidate for the Presidency will be held, to
express our choice in relation thereto. And
whereas, Gen. LEWIS CAss, who, by his, past
services and exalted character, has endeared
himself TO the people of this State, has publicly
declined to be considered a candidate there
fore,
Resolped, That JAMES BUCHANAN, of
Pennsylvania, is entitled to the admiration and
confidence of the American people. AS a
citizen, statesman, and diplomatist, he ranks
among the first of the great men of our coun-
try; and we would on this occasion declare our
preference for him as the Democratic candi-
date for President of the United States; fitted
by his age and experience, by his acknowledg.
ed ability, and conservative bearing, by his
great personal popularity and moral worth, by
his well known correct political principles, and
by his craftsmanship and frmness, qualified to
a full discharge of the duties of that high po.
sition, and competent to any emergency that
may arise, whether it be to calm the waves of
domestic agitation, or meet the threatened
wbirlwind of foreign aggression.
Resolued, That the delegates to the county
convention are hereby instructed to use their
efforts to procure like expression by the
members of that convention, and the selection
Of delegates to attend the, State convention to
carry their views into effect.
Chas. ii. Taylor made brief but effective
speech. he alluded to the Nebraska question.
Said the Black Republicans" had announced
the death and burial of the Democracy. he
thought a resurrection had taken place. iudg.
ing from the large numbers present He also
read letter from II. F. Barstow, recently con-
nected with the Wings, giving in his adhesion
TO the Democratic party.
w. A. Richmond here reported the following
plan for the future organization of the Demo.
cratic party Of this city, which was adopted:
lst. A City Committee Of FIVE, to be COM
posed of the Chairman Of the different Ward
Committees, with power to appoint the time
and place Of holding, and issuing calls for, city
meetings and conventions.
I'd. The Democrats Of each Ward to nomi.
nate their own Aldermen and Ward officers,
and appoint delegation Of Five to nominate,
in connection with similar delegations from
other wards, the Mayor and other general city
officers. Also, to elect Ward Committee OF
three, the chairman Of which shall be er o6icio
n member Of the City Committee Meetings
to be held at the same day and hour in the
different wards, for the election Of committees
or delegates, or the nomination OF municipal
officers.
Sd. Delegates to county and district conven.
tions to be distributed through the city, so as
to allow each ward TO have at least one dele
gate.
A recommendation was made by the Com
mittee for the organization of Democratic
Club, and papers we're prepared FOR signatures.
On Friday evening, 2lst inst, meetings are
to be held at the following places, for the
election Of Ward Committee Of three, and
delegation Of FIVE from each ward TO elect the
city ticket viz;
First Ward Rathbun House