Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-02-22
THE KNOw-NOTHING NATIONAL COUNCIL

| III T. hSUW-NOlHlNG NAllONAL COUNClL
The preliminary proceedings of this body, which
met in Philadelphia on Monday, were not, from all
accounts, Of a very harmonious character At the
morning session, VIM. Sheets, Esq, of Idiana, was
elected President pro tem in consequence of the ab
sence of President Bartlett, of KY After appointing
committee to select another hall for the place OF
| meeting, recess was taken until the aftcrnoon.-
About 80 delegates. it is said were present. The
afternoons proceedings reported by the Phlladel
phia Times "a Know-Nothins puper) of Tuesday, as
follows:
Towards three o'clock the delegates began to gath.
er in the hall, aud before the meeting had been organ
lied the excitement on all sides had attained fever
heat. The American delegates and the Natona
American delegates from Pennsylvania lnduSed III
the most ardent and dtnunclatory conduct and con
versation and at times, It feared tha. the con
duct for supremacy between the two would end IN
nm open and personal conflict. Those from other
Suites looked the wraugliug with aInazcnent and
without understanding. in the smallest particular, the
exact cause or meaning OF the bciiIgerahcy ot ,ne
syvanians, and some ventured' to assuage tue
bitterness of feeling and stay the dlscord between The
two.
In the midst of the noise and confusion the Presi
den, protein. Mr. Sheets, ascended the platform, and
called the Convention to- order.
Hereupon, scene OF the utmost confusion pre-.
vailed. Mr. Charles d. Freeman, Vice President ci
the National Council, came forward and claimed Ia
be- in the absence of the President the presiding Of
(lcer of the Council. He urged his clans ut some
length and contendcd that the Council had no right
| to select Mr.. Sheet. for that platform.
Mr. Sheets said he willing To retire u II was thr
wish of the Council, cres OF keep where You are
| -"hoG on'-''don't give up'--"wo'l stand by you
- nDisr, turbulence and applau-e.l
During The whole of this scene OF disorder, excite
| meu, personal and partZau feeling. aud miscelane
Gus cries, motion was made I" adjourn which pre-
vailed with great unaumi;y and amid shouts of ap
plause.
| In a short time afterwards the members from
abroad left the Hall i'll charge of the Pcnhsyvanl'
delegates of both sections, 4 portion Of whom ln-
dulged in the most dis.race!al seencs ,
The members of the National Council from the
Southern States held caucus nj Seventh and Snnsom
streets last evening. Quite la:S- number oi gen
tlemen were present, and took part III the pr"creu-
ings, which were Of the most animated end resou'c
character.
! THO Hon. Thomis Hart Clmy. the eldest son o!
Henry CInyl presided on the oceSo"' a''u eo'. AZ
III nh;sc, nj the caucu: being 10 decide upon .he
movements Of the Southern members III ie N"'i"m"'
Council, during ts session. qn'e general e"p'ess'''
of feeling took place among those present.
After considerable dsCdssinn, resolution 10 sahc
h.. rho Twer;h Sgcton oi the National Platform. adopt
ed in Inn. last at all hazards. was agreed to WIN
great unaniniity. ,....-o.,,d
tbcir hostility to tie Introduction Of :hat section INT"
~
the South is concerned, not 10 renfu:sh il, be the
consequences what they may.
FROM the tone and character of The speeches, con-
versaton and purposes vf the Southern delegation,
ren,.:res no prophet Of prophet 10 .oresee
mos, intense and exciting debate upon the propos
ton to abrogate :!,e obnoxious section when II sha!
have been presented
despatch from Philadelphia says:
The Nortirern delegates in caucus decided that is
Twelfth Section must come out If they remain ILL.,
They will not go into the canvass with pros!a"eTy
ula,;orm under any circumstances.
The difficulty in relation 10 the Pennsyvania dee
cation. is thus explained. There are two State conh
els, one reDudiating the twelfth section IN Inc Ma
,iona platform the other embracing II and making .
.,,er chief corner stone Both have sent tnl! sess o
deIepa,as and the selection between them oy s.ir
council presents ugly question. Inc o,a,e I'D la
repudaiing the twelfth section Is the resua hon.
o;fir,at. one. The other was formed ny pt;,
DOZEN seceders from il last summer hio'''' ''''1 "
adelphia ., .h. Kror.-
The Philadelphia IOqairer, speaking Of the huow-
ro,birg nominating Convention, which meets on Fri
day, says: :s;o,.o .,,o, ,,rord Eli
imo ai't Ceores Law viii be the most prominent
J;daas for the Presidency The delegates tor
pannsvIvapia will probably go for Miilard Fillmore
Th r.sult in New York l. stated {" Us Tn Very re-
T.h,. authority To he as follows Favorable i,-Nl-
Lard Fillmore 10; George Law, Is; Sanue! Huston, l.
Whole number OF delegates 50.