Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-01


mittee to whom. in conjunction with those at
Washington shall be left the power to choose
time and place.
As TO Kansas, said Mr. Greeley, there are
different views as to its problble fac as free
State My apprehensions are dark. know
that Jefferson Davis, an implacable hater of
the Free State party, is at the head OF the War
Department. know that Gen. Harney, by
no means our friend commands troops upon
the frontiers. | hope that some counsel will
20 forth from us to our friends in Kansas as
to the course they should pursue. L know
that if they be slaughtered that event
may bappen-that the North will rise mp TO
ayenpe them But do nat wish such terri
BILE crisis. Let us give them such counsel as
will keep them within the bounds OF the laws
The administration, | am aware, says they
must obey the laws Of the bogus Kansas leg
isIature or be wiped from the face OF the earth
Men said when the Kansas Bill passed, .th
the people should be left to their own election in
regard to Slavery but what are the facts?
A legislature composed Of Missourians, in
great part, had made it a felony to oppose
slavery, and had set up the endorsement OF
the Kansas Nebraska iniquity as test to the
exercise of the elective franchise. This is the
position in which our Kansas friends are plac-
cd Unless those laws are abrogated our
brothers will fall The President calls upon
them to support those laws, and is ready to
enforce them with the two regiments raised
last year at an expense of S2, 100000. If the
people of Kansas come together to make their
own laws they are treated as rebels / wish
that some of our wiSest men could be sent out
in this extremity to counsel with Gen. Robin
sou and the territorial authorities to main
tain their rights, and yet not throw themselves
into the jaws of rebellion and death Gap
plause)
lie hoped the Convention would not ad-
journ in hurry. Some or the delegates had
come a Thousand miles. Let us deliberate
without haste The future welfare of This
Union depends on the action Of this body
Mr.. Greeley was loudly applauded.
preston King !" Preston King :" resoun-
dcd from every part of the Hall
Mr.. King arose and desired to be excused
Hon. Joshua r. Giddings was next called
upon The stalwart Congressman arose and
was loudly greeted.
Mr. -Giddings congratulated the Convention
in having so noble man for Chairman lie
saw before him the son Of Rufus King (Ap-
plause.)
Referring to the remarks of Mr.. Greeley,
Mr.. Giddmgs said My friend has brought
advice to you from Washington city. Gentle
men, | tell You that is the last place on earth
| for YOU to look for advice daughter and
applause.) 1t is for you to dictate and me iu
Washington to follow. | say to you do as
your judgement dictates not as others say
The supreme power rests in you. But an
| anecdote apropos of this.
There was a great work progressing once
at place in the west. The hearts of the peo
pie were stirred. An old deacon had two
sons, Joseph and John. Joseph was one of
your timid sort and he prayed" 0 Lord,
thou hast commenced a good work do it
quickly let it move along calmly, &C." But
Johns whole heart was in it, and he prayed
with an JUNCTION. Said he go Lord, thou
hast begun good work here, and we pray
that thou wilt carry it On in thine own way,
and don't mind what Joseph says about it ~
This happy hit was received with a storm of
| laughter, which lasted several minutes
Mr. Giddings concluded by introducing the
Rev. Owen Loveoy, of Illinois He is not
Joseph" said Gddings, He is john
| loud laughter
Mr. Lovejoy's remarks were of very eX-
citablc character He took the strongest
ground in regard to the Kansas difficulties
He was not particularly noted for pluck, but
| he was ready to become captain of company
to aid his free State brethren and if he couldn't
get captaincy, he would go as a private =
Loud applause. He thought this no time for
moderate counsels We are in the midst of
revolution We must fight, and if the present
administration permitted the free men Of Kan
sas to be butchered by his troops or by South
ern uffians, he was for war-war to the knife,
and knife to the ht Excitement and applaud
Mr.. Gibson of Ohio, made Sdelng speech
MIR. Calling, of Illinois, next addressed the
Convention at some length.
Simeon Draper, of New York, from the
committee on Permanent Organization, re-
ported the nomination of Hon. FRANCIS Z.
BLAIR, of Maryland, as President
This nomination was received with such
| applause and enthusiasm as we have never be
fore seen in deliberative body. On motion
the nomination was unanimously accepted
The Chair appointed Preston King, of New
York, and Jacob Brinkerhoff, of Ohio, as q
committee to conduct Mr.. Blair to the Chair.
On ascending the platform, Mr. Blair was
received with three loud cheers.
On taking the chair, Mr.. Blair said that he
was no orator, and that it was a remarkable
fact that this was the first speech he was ever
called upon to make. He felt very much
affected by their kindness in calling him to the
chair, not at any personal consideration to
himself so much as out of respect to his con-
stituency. He had been connected with men
whom the north and south both delighted to
honor.
The people of the Sonth had been made to
believe that the object of the Republican par
ty was solely the abolition of slavery but
when they understood its real design-to pre-
vent the notification of the rights of the
North-we will fnd different feeling in the
South, aud a response from that section that
will astonish the North itself. In accounting
for his presence at the Convention, he said
that he had received call to represent the