Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-05
Letter from Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH, Feb. "a, 1855.

= anu hotihS hstcHcu 10 al the uciIOeIa'
tons Of the Republican convention, ]
thought, perhaps, a short account O.
E matters and things political, might inter
est some of your readers.
: The Convention was very large, there
being in attendance several thousand,
besides the lockers on from this city
Tw enty-four states and territories were
represented by delegates /; and notWith-
standing the number Of persons present,
the immense section of country represen-
ted, and the wide diversity of political
views heretofore held by the leading
spirits, yetthere a a uuanimity of pur-
pose and action, unprecedented in any
national political body ever before con-
vened in this or any other country
While there was a warm and deep en-
thusiasm ~pervading the whole spirit Of
the convention, yet there was nothing OF
that wild, ephemeral fsnaticism, that so
often accompanies the embryo organiza-
ton Of new political parties. Caution
and forhearancc, but firm and unyield-
ing determination was the spirit breath
ed by all; and while listening to the re-
citals of governmental aggression, the
successive and still continued acts Of ex-
%ecutive tyranny, from the lips of such
men as John A. King, Preston King and
AbJah Mann, of New York; the vener-
able Francis P. Blair, of Baltimore, for
a long time editor of the Globe, and the
bosom companion of Gen. Jackson, du-
ring the whole of his political career ;
Giddings and Gibson of Ohio; Gov.
Bingham, of Michigan, a true-hearted
and strong headed man; John G. Vaughn
OF Illinois, formerly of South Carolina,
and many more who have grown gray
in the service of their country /; 1 say,
while listening TO the r~ecitals and coun-
sells of such men, speaking as they evil
IDENTIFY did, under a feeling sense of their
responsibility TO God, and the future of
our country, n could almost imagine
himselfin old Independence Hall, listen
ing to the patriotic counsels and warn
ings of the great and good of seventy
six.
Horace Greedy was the first man COLI
ed out after the convention was tempor-
arily organized. He spoke of the con-
dition of the Free State men in Kansas,
of the messages and proclamation of
President Pierce, and advised a most
cautions and ccnsiderate action, on tie
part of the convention. He hoped that
nothing would be said or done calcula-
ted to give the President the least shad-
DIV of excuse for spilling the blood of
our Free State brethren, in Kansas. He
hoped the President would see the folly
of his position, retrace his steps, and
countermand his orders /; but he said,
should the President persist in the course
his present conduct indicates, and at
tempt to enforce upon the citizens Of
Kansas the infamous laws, passed by
the Missouri mob, and thereby spill the
blood of defenceless and unoffending cit
liens, he would not and could not noH
recommend what course to persue. He
was willing to trust the patriotism and
spirit of freedom in his countrymen, to
decide what to Go when such time should
come, if it ever does, which God grant
it never may The conservative spirit
manifested by Mr.. Greeley, met with a
warm response from the immense audi
INC present. Mr.. Giddings and Rev.
Owen L~ovejoy, of ILL.,, next followed,
and rather sharply reprimanded the
conservatism of Mr.. Greeley. Mr.. Love
Joy was call fight" and seemed anxieust to
enlist forthwith as captain if he could,
or a private, if he could get no higher
position. and go ''post haste" to Kansas
and declare war against the whole world
and "the rest of mankind" but this
spirit was far from being the spirit of the
convention /; which Nh. Giddings after
wards discovered, and set himself right
by making one of tie speeches of The oc-
casion. After Giddings' second speech,
L heard it whispered, by men of dis
tinction, che is the man for the next
President"
When the committee on permanent or
g~anization reported the selection of
Francis P. Blair, of Maryland, as Pres
of the convention, and when the
old man was conducted to the chair BY
Hon. Preston King. of New York, and
Judge Brinkerhoof, of Ohio. he stood
and trembled in silence for more than a
under the influence of temporary
excitement and extreme old age. The
audience at first seemed paralized with
delight; but a moment after, became so
still, that the ticking of a clock could
have been heard through that immense
hall. Then such a shout Of enthusiasm
went up as 1 never before heard.
There was an eloquence in the old
silence hat moistened every eye
in his presence. After quiet was restor-
ed, he referred to his great surprise al
the honor bestowed on him. He said
he come to the convention to represent
a very influential and very wealthy class
of gentlemen in Maryland, and so far
was he from expecting the honor of the
of the convention, that he
expected a seat in it. He said