The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-27
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From the N. O. True Delta.
CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.

The Convention met in the hall Of the House
of Representatives, at exactly IL o'clock ut
which hour, Gen. Carter of East Felicana,
President of the first Convention, held on the
18th Of May last, asked Mr.. W. S. Parham
Of Madison, whether he did not consider this
an adjourned Convention, and whether it was
his idea that the officers of the first Convention
should act at this meeting. Mr. Parham an.
swered certainly" and thereupon Gen. G ar
ter took the chair, and COL Edward Phillips,
Of Point Coupce, acted as Secretary.
The President addressed few remarks to
the Convention, counsellng harmony, wisdom,
and moderation in its deliberations. 1t was
necessary to the success of the glorious princi-
pies Of Democracy that President Buchanan
should be aided in the administration of the
Government by fair working majority of
Democrats. In this District, no Know Moth
ing can be elected, If the Democracy are uni.
ted With one voice and one will the Democ-
racy will elect their candidate by very large
majority. Loud applause
Mr.. Parham then moved that committee
on credentials be appointed, one Of the com
mlttee to be selected by the delegation from
each parish.
Mr.. Simms, Of Point Coupce, who had al
ready acquired so much unenvabe notorety
in the late State Convention, asked that the
roll Of Parishes be first called, to which Mr..
Parham had no objection.
Every parish in the District having answer
ed the CALL Mr.. Parham renewed his motion.
Mr.. Slmms moved to amend the motion by
substituting five members" instead of one
from each parish, to avoid delay
Mr.. Parham-We have plenty of time before
u.s. Besides, if less number will be produc-
ductivc OF greater dispatch. why not at once
propose to make the committee consist of two,
or even one. If the gentleman's position is
good, then committee of one would be the
best. Since the adjournment of this Conven-
ton new meetings huve been held and new
delegations elected in some parishes. We
therefore wish persons on the committee from
every parish to apprize us of the changes -
The delay to which the gentleman alludes is
no good reason for the position he takes. The
fight, when it does come on, will be quick
one. You may beat us in the fight, but if you
do, we will submit manfnlly. Loud applause
Mr.. Simms-I do not understand the object
Of the motion. / cannot believe that there is
any thing under the surface which the geate-
man is afraid to bring to the top.
Mr.. Parham-Tho gentleman fears something
unfair. He talks Of thiags under the surface in
a manner that would indicate to some minds
not my own, for know him too wcll-that he
is familiar with things under the surface. :
Great Laughter. We want every parish to
be represented Oh the committee The gen.
tleman's amendment if carried, will produce
discord. All we want is justice fair play, and
al honorable mode Of doing things If the
gentleman will lift up what is under the sur
face" and show us what is unfair, we will
abandon orr position. We want a full inves.
tigation, so that there will be no complaint
against the acts Of the Convention.
Mr. Van Wickle, of Point Ooupee, moved
to lay Simms amendment on the table.
The parishes were then called for their votes
on the question to lay the amendment on the
table When the name of Concorda was cal
led, it appeared that the delegation consisted
Of two persons, although the parish had but
one vote, and those delegates were on differ
ent sides.
Mr.. Smms contcnded that the vote should
be divided into halves.
Mr.. Parham-Whcna delegation is equally
divided it cannot VOTE unless the delegates
agree among themselves previously as to how
they should do in such case. Louisiana, in
the National Convention voted as unit, al
tnough her delegates were divided, because
six can control four, and because the majority
had decided to cast the entire vote. Tennes
see allowed each of her delegates to vote; con-
scquently her vote was given in three different
ways.
The President stated that Mr.. Parham was
correct, and that Concordia could not vote.
When st. Tammany was reached, Mr. Bow
ic, on behalf Of one delegation, offered to cast
its vote for laying on the table, and another
person on behalf of another delegation, offered
to vote mo"
Mr.. Bowie stated that he and his friends had
been regularly elected and admitted to seats
ia the original Convention, although opposition
had been made. That this being an adjourned
Convention, he and his friends were still dele.
gates, and would remain such until they were
regularly mseated.
The President decided in favor of the "Bow.
lie delegation"
The motion to lay Simm's amendment on
the table was carried by the following vote:
Ayes:-Carroll, 4; Madison, 9; Tensas, q;
st. Tammany 2; Liyngton, 4; Point Conpce,