Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-06-17
American Convention. AZ Boston, june

At half past twelve o'clock, about one hum
bred and fifty persons were present, and the
Convention was called to order by Nathaniel
Potter, Jr., of Dartmouth, who stated the OBJ
jects Of the Convention by reading the call.
On motion OF Mr.. Arlington of Boston, it
was voted to proceed to the choice of a tenn
porary Chairman, and Hon. James NJ. Usher
of Medford, was chosen. Mr.. George S. Mer-
rill of Lawrence, was appointed Secretary pro
tenn.
On motion of Mr.. Arlington of Boston, a
committee of seven was appointed by the
Chair for the purpose of nominating list of
permanent officers of the Convention.
On motion of Mr. Morrill, of Fall River, it
was voted that committee of one from each
county be appointed to receive and report
upon the credentials of delegates. Mr.. Rogers
of Worcester, moved that in all cases where
there were gentlemen present who agreed with
the principles of the Spring field platform, but
whose towns were not represented, that such
gentlemen be allowed to take seats in the Con-
yention, to the number to which such towns
would be entitled, upon handing their names
to the Committee on Credentials.
Mr.. Glover of Wllbraham, was opposed to
the motion. He said the impression very
generally prevailed in the country towns that
this Convention was thing arranged before
hand, by a few politicians, where everything
was cut and dried. and he hoped the Conven-
ton would keep up the appearance of fairness
by rejecting outsiders, even if they did not in
tend it.
Mr.. Pangborn of Boston, favored the mo-
ton, as did also Mr. White of Midway. Sew
eral amendments were offered by different in.
dividuals, with view to increase the size of
the Convention, by allowing delegates from
towns only partially represented to poll the
whole vote Of tie town but all were reject
ed, and Mr. Rogers's motion was adopted.
The committee appointed to report list of
permanent officers reported as follows =
For PreSidsnt-Hon. George w. Messenger
of Boston.
Vtce PYesidents- Hon. Charles H. Stedman
of Suffolk, Hon. Timothy Davis Of Essex,
Hon. A. P. Bonney of Middlesex, Hon. E.
r. Sawin of Bristol, Hon. Sylvester Baxter of
Barnstable, T. S. White, Esq. of Norfolk, ].
E. Crane, Esq. Of Plymouth, Frederick Par
ker, Esq. of Worcester, Hon. 2. l.. Raymond
OF Franklin, S. g. Shaw, Esq. of Hampshire,
Hon. e. F. jerks OF Berkshire, Hon. q. D.
Bliss of Hampden, Hon. David Davis of
Dukes and Nantucket.
SecretarieS-A. l.. Rogers Esq. of Worces-
ter, ID. w. Harrington of Boston, Thomas
Chubbuck Of Springfield.
The nominations were adopted, and the
President was conducted to the chair, upon
taking which he briefly addressed the Con-.
yention, as follows -
g thank you heartily for this proof of
your confidence, and for the honor you have
conferred on me in calling me to preside over
your Convention. am free 10 confess that
did not sign the call for this Convention, and
did not oppose it; but circumstances which
have since TRANSFERRED have altered my mind,
and do now think thai this is an important
movement, and if we stand upon the princi-
pies OF the Springfield platform, and in favor
of Americanisnl, land for freedom, (applause)
and If the candidates we shall nominate here
are firm in support of those principles, there
can be no doubt of the success of our ticket.
l trust we shall proceed in a spirit of har-
mony. The American party will be found to
be still alive. notwithstanding the predictions
to the contrary, and for myself l have to say
thatif any candidate shall be nominated here
who shall attempt hereaiter to ignore the prin-
ciples of Americanism, shall repudiate them
lGFeat appause.j But believe there will be
no cause for such action. The Convention is
now ready to proceed to business
On motion of Mr.. Stedman of Boston, it
was voted that committee of seven be APP
pointed by the Chair, to report resolutions,
and that all resolutions that shall be offered
shall be referred to the committee.
Mr.. Glover of Wilbraham opposed the mo-
ton, and Mr.. Usher of Medford spoke ear
nestly in its favor, and the motion was carried
and the following gentlemen were chosen =
F. D. Stedman OF Boston, 2. K. Pangborn of
do, II. w. Rugg of Barnstabe, H. B. Wheel
wright of Taunton, S. c. Maine of Chelsea
Alfred Gilman of Lowell, and Eliphalet
Trask Of Springfield.
Mr.. Usher moved that the Convention re-
adopt and re. affirm the Springfield platform.
Mr.. Glover of Wlbraham moved that the
Platform be read, and commenced a speech
stgmatizing it as the black flag of disunion.
He was frequently interrupted, and one gem
tleman OIL the platform replied that if the
Springfield platform was the black flag CT dis
union, then he was a disuniouist.
Mr.. Glover moved, as an amendment to
Mr. TTsher's mntion that tho Convan,;.,, -
cept and adopt the platform Of the National
Convention, recently laid down at Louisville,
Ky. The motion was negatiyed by unani.
nous vote, and Mr.. Usher's resolution was
adopted.
In response to numerous calls from the
Convention, the Springfield platform was read
by Mr.. Rogers of Worcester.
The Committee on Credentials then report
ed that 50 towns were represented by 876
delegates.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the
following series of
RESOLVES
ResoiUed That this Convention representa- te Ar,er
lean party OF Nasachusets renews the decaration of
It's unwayerng adherence The principles enuncia "a IN
the springhed platform, and will nominate and sup
port as candidates for office those only who
these principles.
Resoiued, That we have observed with deep rov,ot
and condemn mschieyous and wrong tue III ,rts
made during the past inter- aud at the pr time by
ceain pare TO create division among the friends AZ
Freedom and Ameri' anism in Massachusetts and place
portion Of them IL false position aud that We will
tner countenAnc take part in, bear the res pons
billy OF any action Dding to that result
ResoiUd That the DEF at In the last LeViature Ct the
proposed anne Moment TO the State constitution requiring
Of residence