The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06
F. P. BLAIR AND THE MERCHANTS OF BAL
TIM0RE

The meeting called to dispute Mr.. Blairs
right to represent the merchants of Baltimore
in the Pittsburgh Convention, met at the Ex.
change at one o'clock on the 9th.
DIR. j. Hanson Thomas called the meeting
to order, and nominated the following gentle.
men as officers of the meeting, who were cho.
sen by acclamation:
PesMent-John C. Bruno.
Vice Presidents-George Brown, G. C.. JAM
son, w. L. Young, John B. Morris, d. S. VII
son, Thomas Whitridge, William Woodville,
William McKim, John S. Cuttings, Thomas
Swami, G. S. Oldfeld, Robert Garrett, William
f. Murdoch, A. Schumacher, Andrew Aldridge,
John Q. Hewlett, William Devries, Columbus
O'Donnell, Jos. c. Wilson, Johr H. Duva,
William G. Harrison, Alexander Kirkland, vii
liam Cooke, Francis Neale.
Secretdries-P. II. Sullivan. b. +. Newcomer,
William Wilson, jun, G. U. Porter.
A committee appointed for this purpose re-.
ported the following resolutions
Whereas we, the merchants, traders. and
business men generally, of the city of Bati-
more, in public meeting, assembled at our Elk.
change, having learned through the public
prints that the President of political Conven-
ton, styling itself the Republican Conven-
tion," held recently at Pittsburgh, announced
that he represented "the merchants of wealth
and standing in Baltimore :" and
Whereas this meeting comprises members
of all political parties recognised in this city
and State and whereas we desire to vindicate
our commercial and industrial classes from the
imputation of tendencies either Abolition or
Free Soil: Be it therefore
Resolued, That We, the merchants, traders,
business men, of the city of Baltimore, take
this the earliest opportunity Indignantly to
disavow having conferred authority on any one
to represent us in said Convention, and to de-
clare that we have no sympathy with it or its
principles.
Resolped, That the State of Maryland and the
city of Baltimore hold the strongest attachment
to the Union and the Constitution of the United
States-among the very first to adopt, Mary
land will be one of the last to abandon, these
sacred ties.
ResolUed That we have that affection for the
State of Maryland, its honor, and its institutions,
that we shall ever cling to and preserve them,
without spot or blemish, as they have been be.
queathed to us.
ResotDed, That whilst our loyalty to the South
cannot be doubted, we, the merchants of the
city of Baltimore, gladly avail of this occasion
to declare our affinities with our friends in all
sections of the country, In their Reproduction Of
all unnecessary and hurtful political agitation.
Resoloed, That these proceedings, signed by
the President and Secretaries, be published in
the daily papers of this city, with the request
that their exchanges copy.
The preamble and resolutions were adopted
by reclamation, and on motion the meeting ad-
journed.
As soon as the meeting was declared adjourn
ed, various calls were made for Mr.. Corkran
and that gentleman being present, seemed to be
in the act of commencing some remarks, when
shouts went up of "Turn him out, Ride him
on a rail )" awe want no negro orators here,
&c. Mr.. Corkran came forward, and wished to
explain the part he had taken in the nomination
of Mr.. Blair, but was prevented from speaking.
We fancy meeting that dared not allow an
explanation to be made of what was the special
object of complaint, must have represented
very small segment of public opinion, or else
the merchants of Baltimore have much less
maghsnimity than they enjoy the credit OF pos
sessing.
The resolutions are founded upon the aver
ment in the preamble, that Mr.. Blair announced
at Pittsburgh that he represented "the mer-
chants of wealth and standing in Baltimore"
This is false; and the meeting, had it seen
proper to wait, or ask Mr.. Blair what he did
say, or permit Mr.. Corkran to be heard, might
have known it was false. His address, printed
in our paper last week, contained this state
ment:
That Z received call to represent the Bal
timore Republican association, composed Of
men of character and ertensire scealM :" and
in the paper submitted by me, explaining the
views Of my constituents, / characterized them
as Z" body Of business men Of Baltimore"
We hope our Western friends will take no
lice of the men who are so anxious for South
srn trade, that they strike before they hear, and