, 1857-05-29


and of course failed to ratify either the
nomination or the resolutions
Several speeches were made after the
resolutions were read. Our notice is al
ready too long, and therefore they will not
be reported.
Mr.. Evans took up the legal question
involved in the resolutions, and proved two
points to his own satisfaction, and made
them as clear as mud" to the conven-
ton. The first was that the decision in
the Dred Scott case reduces all the people
Of the Territories to the level of free me-
groes and the second was, that if slavery
is admitted into Territory, it cannot be
abolished when that Territory becomes
State, not even if the people so desire.
His first difficulty will be obviated when
he and his party succeed in elevating the
free negroes to the same social and political
level with the white race, and his second
has no practical interest in this Territory,
and probably never will have.
He was followed by one whom his neigh
bors delight to designate by the pleasing
cognomen of Cush" "Cush pitched in
promiscuously. He took all sides of all
the questions discussed, and really made a
very laughable, seriO-comical, absurd, clever
and ridiculous speech.
He was followed by Mr.. Brown, who, it
was said, moved re.reading of the second
resolution in order TO be called up for a
speech. He spoke hut short time, and
said nothing worth repeating.
The candidate was called up, and very
appropriately said that if the convention
expected o speech from him, they would be
mistaken He felt confident Of success,
provided the people all voted for him.
This evidence of confidence and pluck was
received with storms of applause.
The scene was closed by Mr.. Ward-a
gentleman notorious for his misfortunes in
public speaking. He did not escape with
impunity this time His gesticulation is
peculiar. When he desires to enforce an
idea, he draws up his right arm close to
his body, like viper coiled for the blow.
Then shutting three fingers of his hand, he
points the dexter at the unfortunate audi
tor who has caught his eye, and as the
idea rushes from his mouth, he straightens
his arm with force almost sufficient to
dslocate his elbow. Woe to tight clothing
on such occasions as this. Mr.. Ward is
excited, and is perfectly oblivious of refrac-
tory coats, breeches or shirts. He is big
with an idea which must be delivered, cost
what it may. He strains, he grunts, he
grows red in the face, his eyes project, be
is in great danger of strangulation, for the
idea has lodged in his throat. Gathering
for q desperate effort, he draws up his
right arm, points his fore finger at an audi
tor close by, and lets fly. Out comes the
idea-the orators linen is ruptured in the
back by the violent motion Of the aforesaid
right arm, and q suspeuder button, shot
with unerring aim, takes good and atten
tive brother spat in the eye, which brings
him to his feet, and sets him whirling or
his toe like top Mr.. Ward, however, is
relieved, and takes his seat. conscious oI
the immense impression he has produced
The convention adjourned itself about
half past seven, and the large delegations
gradually scattered to their respective
homes, leaving the town as quiet and as
pleasant as if the hurricane of fanatcsm
had never swept over it.
m II