The Placer herald., 1856-03-15

that in the election for delegates to the
National Convention, the name of no person
should be entertained who was not present
to define his position"
Motion to lay the resolution on the table
was lost.
Mr.. Colby, of Sacramento offered the fol-
lowing substitutes:
Resoloed That the county delegation which
may present candidates for nomination as
delegates to the National Convention, shall
publicly before this Convention vouch for the
moral and intellectual capacity and political
fidelity of the candidate so presented.
On this resolution, Col. Zabriskie addressed
the Convention. He believed that a crisis
had arisen in our national affairs which
demanded men of sound morals as well as
intellectual strength and political integrity
to represent us, and that it behooved this
Convention in the choice of representatives
who were to select candidates for the highest
Offices withen the Gift of the Republic, to
place themselves on the platform of moral
integrity. In case they did not, and such
indispensable qualification was disregarded,
they would be doomed to inevitable and
disastrous defeat.
Mr.. Garrett moved to refer the resolution
to the Committee on Resolutions. Adopted.
Mr. Bigler, of Sacramento, introduced the
subioined resolutions:
Resolved, That in common with large
majority of the people of California the
members of this Convention have unbounded
confidence in the integrity, great ability,
sterling Democracy, and ardent devotion to
country of Hon. James Buchanan, of Penn
sylvania-that we have not forgotten the
distinguished services by him rendered as
Secretary Of State under the lamented Polk
during the war with Mexico which resulted
in the acquisition of the territory VIC now
occupy; nor have we failed to appreciate his
fearless bearing and discreet action as our
Minister to Great Britain during the discus
sion of questions highly important to the in
terests as we'll as the honor of his country,
therefore be it
Resolved, That the members of this
Convention in expressing our ardent desire
for the nomination and triumphant election
of Hon. James Buchanan as President of the
United States, do but give utterancc to the
wishes of an immense majority of the Demo
cracy of the State of California.
Resolved, further, That the Delegates
elected by this Convention to represent the
Democratic party of the State of California
in the Democratic National Convention, to
assemble in Cincinnati in June next, be and
they are hereby instructed to vote for and use
all fair and honorable means to secure the
nomination of Hon. James Buchanan for the
Presidency ofthe United States, and continue
their efforts in his favor until he be nomi-
nated or a majority Of all the Delegates
voting for him in the National Convention
shall have in caucus decided that it is cnex-
pedient to longer urge his claims.
Mr.. Graham, of San Francisco, moved the
reference of the resolutions to the Committee
on Platform and Resolutions. Withdrawn.
Mr.. Hof, Of San Francisco, moved the
adoption of the resolutions by the Convention.
(Applause) He wished to see a direct avowal
Of preferences by the immediate representa-
tves from the people.
Mr.. Chapman expressed, in enthusiastic
terms his admiration Of James Buchanan as
statesman and national man, but he was
opposed to the doctrine of instructions. BY
referring these resolutions to the committee
the action of the Convention was sought to
be forestalIed. The speaker, in the course
of his remarks, expressed his preference for
Gen. Cass for the Presidency, and passed an
eulogium upon the character and put lie
services rendered by that distinguished leader
Of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Dudley, of Calaveras, expressed himself
as in favor of the spirit of the resolution, but
was opposed to their references at this time
to the committee
Mr.. Volney E. Howard, of San Francisco,
Il Il ~
pedient and uncalled for. James Buchanan
needed no endorsement OF his; he needed
none from the Democratic party; he needed
not the endorsement OF that Convention,
They had assembled in this place to struggle
for principles, not for individual men. The
speaker admitted that his preferences were
for Mr.. Buchanan over any of the other.
gentlemen whose names had been brought
before the Convention, provided that he was
as he believed him to be, right on all the
momentous issues involved in the present
crisis of our National affairs. But of this they
had as yet no conclusive proof, Mr.. Buchanan
during the agitation of these important
questions having been absent from the country
and given no exposition Of his views upon
these subjects. And what are they? inquired
the speaker' There was first, the great
Pacific railroad, the construction OF which
had been declared by the Secretary of War
to be indispensable to the suitable protection
of our national defences. Has Mr.. Buchanan
avowed openly in favor Of this measures
In this as in all other matters we should
have pledges, and not take men tor such
important positions on trust only. Then there
was the revenue system to be remodeled--
the tariff must be reduced to revenue stand
ard. Is not Mr.. Buchanan, inquired the
speaker, in favor of a tariff on Pennsylvania
iron? Again on the great practical subject
of slavery, how does he stands He (the
speaker) believed Mr.. Buchanan to be in favor
y IL ,,;+ +oI rr;r &c invo1vad in tho Nahras