Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-08
MASSACHUSETTS, American Convention

Meeting of the State Council of the american
Party of Massach asetts--Electio of Delegates
to the National Comcil de-, dc.
In compliance with the call issued by the State
officers, the regular quarterly meeting of the State
Council convened in the Lecture Room of the Mu-
sic Hall at Boston on 9th instant, the President,
Hon. Henry w. Benchley, called the meeting to
order, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr.. Ar
mold, of Rockport. In the absence Of Hon. f. o.
Baker, Secretary, Geo. T. Stearns of Boston was
chosen Secretary pro tenn. The proceedings of the
last meeting were read and approved.
A committee on credentials was appointed and
subsequently reported that two hundred and fifty
delegates were present, representing one hundred
and sixteen councils.
During the absence Of the committee, Hon. S. G.
Maine was called upon to make some remarks re-
latng to the proceedings of the Cincinnati Conven-
ton, to which he was delegate. He was much
pleased with the good feeling which was manifest
ed by the delegates of the different sections of the
| country who were present on that occasion, and
did not doubt, if the right spirit manifested at
the forthcoming Convention at Philadelphia, that
union and harmony would prevail, and that the
American party would stand united and powerful
against all opposition.
Hon. E. G. Baker, also delegate to Cincinnati,
was called upon, and substantiated the sentiments
advanced by Mr.. Maine.
Mr.. Bryant, of Roxbury, proposed plan for the
reorganization of the merican party in the State,
and moved its reference to committee of seven.
Messrs. Bryant Of Roxbury, Morse of Lowell, Geo.
| w. Warren Of Boston, Mills of Williamstown,
| Gould of Falmouth, Jewett of Wostford and Ar
mold of Rockport, were appointed on the commit
| tee, who subsequently reported ritual and some
| amendments to the constitution.
The report was laid on the table for the time,
until other matters were disposed of
Mr.. Arnold, Of Rockport, offered the following
resolution, and moved its reference to the above
named committee:
RESOLVED, That the State officers appoint depu-
ties to visit every town in the State to effect the
efficient reorganization of the councils, and such
number of them as win accomplish this work
within the period of three months
The proposition embraced in the resolution
above was Afterwards adopted, on motion of Hon.
1 E. @. Baker.
motion was made that the council proceed
to the election of two delegates at large to attend
the National Council at the meeting to be held at
Philadelphia on the 18th instant An informal
ballot was taken, and the gentlemen having the
highest number Of votes were called upon to de-
fine their position.
Hon. A. A. Richmond, of kdams, was called
out, and declared himself firmly upon the Spring
field platform, and sooner than sacrifice the prn-
ciples there advanced he would leave any party.
He did not ask for any mans vote, but if elected
delegate he would do all in his power to promote
the interests of the great American party.
Hon. E. G. Baker had already expressed his SEN
timents, which were warmly approved,
Mr.. Stedman, of Boston, wanted to know the
sentiments Of other gentlemen. He would vote
for men who considered Americansm as para
mount, and he cared not what else they considered
secondary.
Mr. Lee, of birmingham, made few pointed
remarks in reply to the last speaker
Hon. 4. O. Baker and Hon. A. A. Richmond
were on motion declared elected delegates, they
being the two gentlemen having the highest num-
Der of votes.
Hon. Timothy Davis, of Gloucester, ands J. B.
Thaxter, Jr., Esq, of bingham, were elected as
His Excellency, Gov. Gardner, having served as
delegate to the National Council, wished to re
sign that Office his duty to the State would not
admit of his attention to that duty.
Mr. Cary, Mr.. Burlington, Mr.. Richmond, and
Mr.. Rugg also resigned.
The seats of Hon. John w. Foster and Hon.
Henry Wilson, also delegates, were declared va
cant by unanimous vote.
On motion of Governor Gardner
Voted That the delegates to the National Con-
venton, recently elected in the several districts,
be also delegates to the National Council in addi-
ton to the two delegates at large, and that the
substitutes OF those delegates be also authorized to
act as substitutes for the council delegates.
A. b. Ely, ESQ, of Newton, in response TO a call
made some eloquent remarks. He thanked God
and took courage that the representation here to-
day was an evidence Of the healthy condition of
the American party in the State. He congratula-
ted the friends of the principles of our party upon
the iattering prospects before us, &c. His re-
marks were received with appreciation.
Mr.. Daniels of Lowell, offered some resolutions
for the instruction of the delegates to the National
Council, which were laid on the table
Some misunderstanding in relation to the dispo.
sition of Mr.. Danielss resolutions being apparent
from the remarks of several gentlemen, Mr. Taft,
of Uxbridge, offered the following
Resolped, That the American party of Massa-
chusetts still adheres to the principles embraced in
the Springfield platform.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Cobb ofNew Bedford made some excellent
remarks, sustaining the true American principles.
and declared his opposition to all isns in the ma.
tional action Of the party, whatever we may do in
State affairs.
Mr. Farwell, of Boston, expressed similar senti-
ments.
Mr.. Roche, of Easton, favored the Springfield
Platform.
Mr.. George w. Warren, of Boston, was in favor
of the Springfield Platform for Massachusetts, but
desired the delegates to 60 to Philadelphia m-
trammeled
The resolution was not intended to instruct the
delegates, by any means.
Mr.. Eames, of Maiden, Mr.. Keith, of Roxbury,
and others, spoke on the subject
Mr. Brewster requested the delegates 10 the
Convention to be holden in Philadelphia on the
22d and TO the National Council to be held in
Philadelphia on the 18th of the present mouth, 10
meet at the Girard House In that city.
Mr.. Crazy, Of Ipswich, moved to instruct the
Secretary TO procure the printing Of the proposed