The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-25
AMERICAN STATE CONVENTION

OF ashlDgton county, called to the chair and
Mr.. Chaplin HarwoOd, of Annapolis, and James
W. Clayton, of Cecil, appointed Secretaries.
The Chairman then remarked that it was very un-
expected to him to be called to preside over the Con-
vention. He had not made speech for two years.
and had paid but little attention to the political
questions of the day. The body had met to take
the first step towards a State organization
and the condition of the country demanded unity
of action on the part of the American party. When
the Democrats took possession of the National Gov
ernment with Mr.. Pierce at its head, the country
was quiet and blessed. But the pacific measures
which had been adopted by the patriotic Clay and
others were disturbed. The Missouri compromise
was repealed and what has the South gained by it?
Never, even if it is desirable, can a slave State
enter this confederacy. The Democratic party have
by their mismanagement ruined the prosperity Of
the country. They have adopted policy which is
well calculated to reduce the wages of the laborer
TO 10 cents day. Our cotton is shipped abroad and
we are called on to support foreign manufactures
to the exclusion of our own. He understood
that even the iron water pipes for the OF Wash
lngton city had been imported from Scotland. 1t
is time that all true patriots were aroused to
sense OF the condition of the country. The Ameri-
party it is true in some States has become dis
heartened and has orsaken the cause but there are
still some in each State working earnestly for the
public veal In Maryland the party has complete
sway, and should exercise its power for good. The
party IS strong enough throughout the Union to
hold the balance of power, and guard against the
inevitable tendencies of the two great sectional par
ties of the country.
ThoS. H. Gardner, moved that Committee of
one from each county and the city of Baltimore be
appointed to report the credentials of the mem
bers. Adopted
The counties were then requested to hand in the
lists of their delegates.
Col. Anthony Kimmel, of Frederick county, and
Samuel McMaster, of Worcester county, were nom
mated vice-Presdents of the Convention.
Col. kimme said that he felt he would be doing
injustice to himself and also to his friends ir he did
not thank them for the honor extended him-"You
have my thanks"
J. Mortimer Kilgour, of Frederick county, was
called on to address the Convention He said that
the call was an unexpected one, but he was one of
those Americans that could not keep his mouth
shut, even when he had nothing to saw Every
American should feel proud of his position to-day
de should fee proud of the position Of the State 1t
stood so ated from the strife of political corruption
The North and the South had both assumed sectional
positions by their votes at the last election, while
Maryland, wrapped in the embems of purity and
royal robes stood forth as Queen The Locofoco
party had Yllihed the American organization. 1t
had exhausted all epithets in abusing those who
differed with it on political questions The present
administration had disgusted the whole country by
the lmbecility and corruption of its measures and
the President ofthe United States has turned his
back upon the principles adopted by his party, du-
ring the canvass in which he was elected. On the
tariff question he has stolen the policy of Henry
Clay: lCheers Yes, after he had assisted in hunt
graVe-atter
had destroyed the old mamie has appropriated
his poicy-wrapped himself in the skin of the lion.
But would not do. The ears of the ass are too ap
parent. People turn with disgust from his meas
ures, and the time will come when they will repu-
date them. E. Louis Low had stated in a speech
to his Democratic brethren, that the yeomanry of
the counties would overwhem the CITY
OF Baltimore in the coming contest. No
body believes any prophecy which can
come from such a man as E. Louis Lowe. The
counties will do their duty. The Locofoco party
had emptied vials of abuse on Baltimore-the
Queen city of the South had exhausted all its
powers in endeavoring to malign her. Baltimore
"a city which gives monuments to her defenders
and graves to her invaders-has been the object at
which the whole pack have directed their arrows.
But our cause will triumph and we will have more
occasion to be proud than ever His (the speakers)
voice should ring through the valleys in support of
the nominee of the Convention, be he who he nav
john Smith, of Carroll county, was called on and
addressed the Convention, saying that he felt very
much like the great S. S. PrentisS, when about to
address acres Of men. Prentiss said that he was
sorry that he was not Democrat that he might
bow down before the immense throng, and in sack
cloth and ashes recant his political heresv, The
speaker sorry that he did not belong to the
Imposition party, that he might recant and join the
opposition. He felt that the action of this Conven-
tion was looked for with much hope. The patriotic
heart anXiously awaiting the action of its re-
presentatives in this Convention. He felt CON
tident that whoever the nominee might be-
he would be worthy of the support of the honest
men OF the State. The American party of old
Maryland had cause to feel proud and gratifed
She had withStood the assaults which had been
made upon her political integrity, and recently as
surances had came from sister States that the pa
trlouc and conservative are in motion, determined
10 save the Union and the liberties of the people
from the menaces of sectionalsm and the strife of
political corruption. The Democratic party trims
its sails for every breeze Its are changed
to SUIT the aspirations of its demagogues. The
President of the United States has his set of mea-
sures-Douglas his, and every aspirant for Presi-
dental honors has peculiar platform. While the
democracy are thus divided the American party
should unite. Success will crown its exertions
The Committee on Credentials here reported
stating that all the counties were represented
except St. Mary's.
Frederick Schley, of Frederick, moved the ap-
polntment of a Committee of one from each county
and the city of Baltimore to draft series of reso-
lutons expressing the principles of the American
party.
W. L. W. Seabrook offered as substitute
the resolutions recently adopted by the State
Council.
Mr.. Schley accepted the substitute but as those
resolutions did not refer to the tariff or the opening
OF the slave trade he thought resolutions expressing
the sense OF the Convention those two questions
should be added. The resolutions of the State
Council were adopted
}. G. Henning, of Montgomery, moved that the
Convention go into a nomination for Comptroller,
ana nominated Wm H. Purnell, the present in
cumbent.
Mr.. Kilgour said that the Frederick county dele
alton had intended to have presented a name for
the office, but for the unanimity exhibited for Mr..
Purnell, they would not set their friend up merely
to have him Knocked down.
James w. Clayton moved that Wm H.. Purnell
be declared the nominee by accamation, which
was carried with but three dissenting voices.
Col. himmel said that it would come with more
grace from him than from any other member of the
Convention, to congratulate the party on the nom
mation. The Western Shore greets the Eastern
Shore.
Major Edward Wilkins, of Kent, asked for the
floor, for the purpose of moving the appointment
of Committee to inform Mr.. Purnell of his nomi-
nation.
Col. Kimmel.-"The gentleman from Kent has
stolen my thunder. That is the purpose for which
l rose. move the appointment of that Commit
tee, Mr. chairman
The motion carried, and the following gen.
tlemen were appointed:
Col. A Kimmel, of Frederick; D. G. Henning,
of Montgomery; Jos. II. Edwards of Baltimore
city: Major Edw. Wilkins, of Kent; VIM. Il.
Steuart, of Baltimore city, and W. N. Pindel, of
Talbot.
The Committee discharged their duty and re-
turned with Mr.. Purnell. As soon as they entered
the Hall, one of the Committee, Joseph H. Edwards,
of this city, proposed "three cheers and Tiger
for the nominee, which were given Justify.
Col. kimmel then introduced Mr.. Purne to the
President and the Convention, which three
cheers more were given.
Mr.. Purnell walked to the platform and said
that he regarded it as no slight honor to receive
this renewed evidence of the confidence of his par
ty, and it should be his constant study to merit it.
BY the action of this Convention he again
candidate for an office which he had filled for
era years. and he could say that during his terms
he had endeavored to discharge the duties faithful
ly. He could lay his hand on his heart and say
that he had discharged the duties honestly, Impair
TALLY, without fear or favor, and to the best
of his abilities. The great Writ had said
that the finances of a State the State,
and the remark was true. 1t is the handspring
that sets the machinery of government in motion,
and if msdirected the most runous results follow.
To guard carefully, therefore this great trust, was
the duty of all patriots For if the finances of the
Commonwealth become destroyed, the ploughshare
will rust in the furrow the anvil cease to ring
forth its music; the broken thread hang idle the
loom, and the white wings of commerce fold them
selves to the spars while the vessels will rot in the
stagnant and untroubed waters. Maryland went
through the recent crisis scarcely feeling
1t. She is in a most healthy
condition. Her wealth is being fast developed,
while all the means of her prosperity have taken
new life and vigor. Much of this is due to the
American party which has been decried, slandered,
and not to put too fine a point on the expression
lied upon. But their works show for themselves.
Taxes have been reduced one-third and more than
81, 100000 of debt have been paid. Men may talk
they may theorize, make astute calculations, but
what the people want facts, and these the
American party present. 1t is not the finely de-
veloped trunk-the regular and symmetrical limbs,
nor the beautiful and variegated leaves which make
the tree valuable 1t is the fruit. The State stocks
cannot be purchased. They not in the market.
This Convention is convened as the Opposition,
and he was heartily with them. The principles of