New-York daily tribune., 1858-03-05
Pennsylvania Democratic State
Convention.

Boti, Houses of tie Logislsturs have ajiourusd
over M MoNday. The Democratic State Convention
accordingly assembled in the Chamber of the Housc
OF Representstir,s. Victor T.. Pivelett was chosen
Chairman. The consideration Of the contested seats
was pcsi poncd
scene OF confusion occurred on a proposition TO
form committee TO seett permanent officers for the
CcnyenitI, and proposition from the Auu-Lecomp'
ttnites was negati' ed by j9 feas to b5 Nays.
MTTRSOos SESSION.
John l.. Dawson was chosen for perrsauent Presi-
dent, and Iusde lengthy speech. After referring 70
the cutles to be performed, and complinehing the
administration Of Gov. Packer, lie urged the prcpriety
Of the Ccnven.ion giving some decided expression OF
sentiment on the Kansas question. He Teviswed the
Affairs connected Herewith, and argued that tue he
compton Constitution was legally formed aud that II
was legal instrume Mt II, he said it embodes only
the views OF the minority, the fault Is with the ma
olty in not attending the elections. The Constitution
ought to be ratified by Congress, and Kansas admitted
nto the Union The Democratic party would sustain
no permanent injury by ndorsing the course Of the
National Administrator for il was the party oil PIih
ciple and would march steadily on to success. Inc
speech was frequently greeted with loud applause.
A Committee on Resolutions was then aPpoiuted,
directing motion that all resoutions regarding tne
policy OF the party should be referred to the Conm!
tee without debate, was adopted.
Mr.. Wright moved that no nomination Oh canui,
dates be made until the resolutions were reported anu
adopted. n. m
Mr.. Cassidy ssked the reason Of ttis: He was op-
posed 10 il on the ground that 1t would De Vola'on
% precedent.
Mr.. Wright pointed to the precedent iu the Cncin.
NJ Crssidy said that he anticipated the reply there
were some who thought the Cincinnati platform had
be en- violated and the many who Thought so wanted
tbe nominations made in the regular way.
MIR. Hughes said that the motion of Mr. Wight was
unprecedented for a State Democratic Convention.
The indication of what the resolutions would be was
plap. The Committee was all on one side One branch
of the party only represented IT, and the other
branch had voice at all. He warned the party to
beware Of what might be a vital matter.
Mr.. Miller objected to such remarks, saying that
they reflected on the Chair
MIR. Hughes-When the action of the Democratic
Convention is such that 1t cannot hear discussion and
honest differences cannot be expressed, God help the
Democracy. He denounced the attempt to apply the
gag and insisted on the right OF ter dscussion and
fair representation. He denounced the movement as
attempt to gag the minority Of the Convention.
Not single representative Of the minority was on the
Committee. Was this done to choke off minority
report Every Democrat who has q regard Tor the
principles of the party should repudate this attempt
to apply the gag, and stand by old landmarks.
Tie President disclaimed any design to pack
the Committee. When lie appointed the members
who compose it, he kne the opinions of but four or
five of them the Kansas question, and II the others
on the Committee were OF the same opinion, his ap'
pointment Of them was entirely accidental.
Mr.. Hughes-If 20, the President is exceedingly
fortunate for his own side
Mr.. Stokes was GLAD to hear the President dlscalm
any design in framing the Committee. He thought
that he THE Presdentl could not have been party
to 20 gross and fragrant legislative fraud the effect
of which was TO gag the Convention, and throw Its
whole power into the hands of thirteen men. lie was
glad still to gard the President as an honorable man,
and he would move that four additional members be
appointed the Committee. If the evil was not cor
reCted the party would be putting the knife to its own
throat He was born a freeman and would never die
slave. He wanted to see the agitation about Kansas
queted but would agree TO sacrifice the cardinal
principles of the Democratic party to question OF
eXpediency.
Mr. McCamont said the gentleman spoke OF two
branches of the party. He wished to know If there
was division and il go, where it comes from There
was 20 attempt to gag. When the COMMITTEE report
if the resolutions do not please members might move
TO amend ard introduce aresolution TO approve tue
Douglas platform. Mr.. Buchanan was right, ana ne
would support the policy ef his administration
Mr. Hughes took the same ground and denied tnht
Mr. Buchar an had violated any principle oi the Ch-
cinnsti Platform.
Mr. Wrigbts motion was then agreed 10.
The motion favOring the eppontmeat OF additional
TT ambers on the Committee was lost.
Mr. Stokes moved to increase the Committee TO
thrty-three.
Mr.. cCalu ont favored and Mr.. Hughes opposed
the motion.
Mr. Stokes said he desired to put on record the ev
dence of the tyranny under winch the minority vi tne
Convention struggled.
The motion Of Mr. Stokes was then disagreed to by
Yeas 30; Nays 102. Adjourned till evening.
EvENING SESSION.
The Committee on Resolutions announced that they
were net ready to report, when the Convention ad-
iCurDed until tomorrow.