Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-11
Democratic State Convention.


The consideration of the several cases OF con-
tested seats was postponed. A scene OF con-
fusion occurred on proposition to form a
committee to select permanent officers An
anti Lecompton proposition was negatived-
SO to 68.
In the afternoon, John L. Dawson was elec-
ted permanent president. Mr.. Dawson, after
referring to the duties to be performed, and
complimenting the Administration, urged the
propriety of giving decided expression OF SEN
timent on Kansas. He reviewed the affairs
connected Herewith, and argued that the Le-
compton constitution ought to be ratified by
Congress, and Kansas admitted as State
The Democratic party, he said, would sustain
no permanent injury by indorsing the course
of the national administration. 1t was par
ty principle, and would march steadily on to
success The speech was frequently greeted
with applause.
A committee ou resolutions was appointed,
and motion was adopted that all the resolu
tions regarding the policy of the party should
be referred to the said committee without de-
bate
Mr. Wright moved that no nominations be
made until a platform was adopted. This
motion gave rise to spirited debate, and the
motion finally prevailed.
The president of the convention was charg-
a5 With ho vipor ooc od tha oorop;ttaa With oil
Lecompton men. The president replied that
if such was the case, it was accidental A
motion was then made to increase the commit
tee by the appointment of four additional mem
bers This motion was negatived-yeas Al,
nays "S2 A motion to increase the number
to 33 was also rejected, after debate, by vote
Of 20 to l02 and then the convention ad-
journed until the evening, when it assembled
but as the committee were not ready to report,
an adjournment took place until next morn
ing.
On Friday morning Col. H. B. WRIGHT,
Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions
made the following report
L. Resolred, That the principle involved in
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and as
serted in the Kansas Nebraska act, that the
people of the Territories shall have the exclu-
sive control over their domestic Institutions
is the only sure guarantee against the agita-
ton of the nation in regard to the local insti-
tutionS Of particular States and Territories.
g ResOlred, That by the uniform applca-
tion of this Democratic principle of the organ
ization of Territories, and in the admission of
new States with or without domestic slavery,
as they may elect, the equal rights of all the
States will be preserved the original compacts
of the Constitution maintained inyiolate, and
the harmony and perpetuity of the union of the
American States insured.
3. Resolred, That it is right of the people
of any State or Territory to exercise their SOW
ereign power through duly chosen representa-
tiVeS, aud through them enact a constitution
and government or they may delegate to
such representatives the more limited power
to prepare their form of government, reserving
to themselves the right of ratification, ,and that
either mode of given existence to State insti-
tutions, is consistent with the doctrine of pop
uar sovereignty, and the established practice
of the States of the Union
1. ReS0ired, That the Kansas Nebraska act
having asserted and recognized the right of the
people Of the Territories to form their own in
sttutions in their own way, and the duly Or
ganzed Government in Kansas having by reg
uar process provided for Convention and del
egates by the people, with instructions and
power to form Constitution and such del
egates having assembled in Convention and
enacted Constitution under such instructions
and power, such Constitution being republican
in form, and the Territory having the number
of inhabitants to justify it, Kansas should be
promptly admitted into the Union. F..
8. Resolred, That the people of Kansas un-
der the Constitution enacted by their Conven-
ton, may at all times alter, reform or abol-
iSh their form of government in such manner
as they may think proper" that the provision
contained therein, as TO particular mode of
alteration, after 1864, does not forbid any 9TH
er mode the people, by regular process, may
choose to adopt, either before or after that
time, and this construction is warranted by the
practice of Pennsylvania and other States,
and may be regarded as based upon settled
principle of Constitutional law
.. Res0lced, That it is the opinion of this
Convention that the time has come when the
difficulties and troubles in Kansas should cease,
and to determine whether if the schemes of
b9d men are still to agitate that Territory ::
Mat the question should be local not national :;
and that great peril and danger are to be ap-
pretended to the Union and the cause of free
government, by the further delay of her ad-
mission as a State
7. Resolred, That if the Constitution of
Kansas is not acceptable in some of its pro-
visions to the majority of the Free State men
of that Territory, their own obstinate conduct
has produced the result !; they have no cause
to complain, and their mouths should be for
ever closed
8. Resolced, That we have evident reason
to believe that the Abotionists in Kansas
and out of it, have much greater desire to