The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26
I02

on the platform, and said propose to make
such a modification of this resolution-ILou
cheers, " No, no" Hear him, hear him VI
j propose simply to change a word, and trust,
then, The resolution will satisfy every delegate.
do it at the suggestion of the Chairman of
the Committee. "Good, good" cheers /
propose to strike out the word "proscriptive, -
and the word "efecting," and insert in their
place the word ''impairing," SO that the resolu.
lion shall be read in this way. Gov Bingham
read the resolution as it stands in the series
"Good, good, That's it" "Question, aues-
tion," That's it."
Another gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA had
a single word to say upon this question, which
had created an unnecessary amount of excite
ment here. He was sure that the meaning of
his colleague must have been misunderstood.
There was no party in the United States that
placed itself against liberty of conscience and
perfect security to the life and property of every
citizen. Applause. He simply meant to cali
The attention of the President to the language
which might have been made use of to the det-
rment of the cause that we are here to advo-
Vate. Now, sir, the amendment which was
made by the gentleman from Michigan re-
moves all objection. Loud applause.
would simply suggest to him a single altera.
Question" Gentlemen, / mean to be heard
Loud applause
The alteration which the gentleman proceed
ed to propose, which was to change the final
words OF the resolution, "ther security" TO
the security of either" was so manifestly
against the sense of the house that it was not
pressed.
The amendment was adopted, with dozen
dissenting voices, and the resolutions were car
ried with tremendous cheers. When the ap
plause had somewhat subsidized, a gentleman
from Illinois, who had been vociferating for
several minutes in q vain attempt to catch the
ear Of the President, was recognised. He ex-
planned that all he had desired was the reading
Of the resolution; but, as he was up, be said
What are we about here, sir? Have you in
vited people of all kinds to come in here and
Join with you in this crusade against Slavery
Have you asked the foreigner as well as the
Native American? You certainly have. Yes,
yes" loud cheering. II is not wrong but it
may be misconstrued. Every man will say that
the principle, as reported, is right in itself
ICheers. Mr.. President, would ask you il
there is one word in that platform that is not
susceptible of misconstruction? What are we
here for? 1t is to overthrow misconstruction.
No; every man in the Convention comedies that
the principle is right. Sir, Illinois is TO be re-
IL.
Mr.. Loyejoy and other gentlemen rose.
Mr.. Wilmot. If the gentleman will yield the
floor for moment, and allow me to be heard,
will be under obligation to him. That reso-
Luton was drawn in committee with much care,
and after very full deliberation. Some of us
thought the word "proscriptive rather limited,
and narrowed the clause than gave it force.
Therefore, did not suppose that any gentleman
would object TO striking il out. 1t enlarges the
the resolution, and avoids the use of word to
which some gentlemen object. Mr.. Wilmot
read the resolution in its present state. The
reading was followed by tumultuous cheers.
A delegate from New York offered the follow.
ing resolution;
ResolUed, That this Convention proceed i'm
medistely to take an informal vote for the candi-
date for President of the United States, to be
supported by the Republican party of the Uni
ted States. Loud cheers.
Gen. Webb, OF New York, mounted the plat
form and said: Mr.. President, / rise for the
purpose of opposing the resolution that has just
been introduced, simply because | think it is
premature, and that once having acted inform
ally and produced a committal, it will be very
difficult for any of us to do that which we have
assembled TO do. An informal ballot now is
virtually doing work for the rest of this ses-
SION; and in order that we may not be called
upon to do that work so hastily, so inconsider-
ately, and fear so injudiciously to our country,
ask of you what it is that assemblies Conven-
ton here the like of which has never been seen
in our country since the days when that instru-
ment which declared us free people was signed
In yonder hall. The work which they did, we
are sent here by the people to perpetuate. And
when they came to do their work, did they lis
ten to those about them who said, I" Do it hasti-
lyw Take the solitary instance Of the Com
mander-inchief of the forces of the Revolution
airy army. 1t is matter of history, that for
three long weeks after George Washington had
been selected in the hearts and the feelings of
the Convention, they dispatched men to various
parts Of the country soliciting communications,
and asking of everybody, care we right? Is he
the man? Can we, with the banner in his hand,
achieve that for which we have assembled ?'
And are We wiser than our fathers? Laughter.
No, no." " Yes, yes" mo, no. Applause.
Gentlemen, do not envy the complacency of
those who think themselves better men than
those who gave us the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. Why we here? We are here
because the country il in danger. We are here
because solemn compact, limiting Slavery 10
360 3O> has been violently disrupted. Our peo-
pie, loving order and loving law, and willing to
abide by the ballot-box, come together from all
parts OF the Union, and ask US to give them
name which, when fairly put before the public,
will guide public sentiment, and through the
ballot-box drive back the Slavery extension
and this ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the slaveocracy of
the country. They say, if we fail at the ballot
box, We will drive them back sword in hand :;
and, 80 help me God, / will go with them. If
we present name upon which we may rally
all the elements which are opposed to the Ad-
mlnlstratlon, civil war is avoided; but present
ing name upon which we may not rally, then
civil war is the consequence. | say, gentle
men, what is our first duty? If gentlemen's
minds are made up. would still say, gentle.
men, as you love your country, as you love its
peace, do not act hastily. That which is good
to-day is equally good tomorrow and the next
day; and that which you want to-day is not worth
having II VIII not keep till tomorrow. | have
no earthly Object know that there are peo-
pie here who think that / have been actino
against a man because have been acting for
a man. 1t is well known that have onnosed
the nomination of one whom / believe at this
moment to be the choice of most men in the
Convention. Applause. Why have done so
Not from personal motives; / never saw the
gentleman; L am happy to stand here and sa,
i never heard one word against him-one soil
tary word. Cheering. Nominate him, and
Am the man to get up here and move that W,
unanimously take him as our standard bearer
Loud applause. All l ask gentlemen, is t
do what are sent here for-to interchang
opinions. We have nothing to give this time
Before, we have always had something to give
and we thought we were comforting somethin,
upon a msn. Now are looking for maj
who will give us, and give the country, some
thing-and that something is success. VIII
is il that the name Of William H. Seward
Loud applause drowned while it expressed
the remainder of the sentence. 1t is becaus