The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-07
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL AMERICAN NO JE
MATING CONVENTION


mating Convention of the Third Congressional Dis
trict, met at the Smedley House, Towsontown. A
considerable number of persons others than dele
gates, attracted from the city, no doubt feeling
an interest in the success of the two gentlemen
prominently named for the position. At twelve
O'Clock the delegates assembled in the ladies dining
room of the Smedley House, and j. March Nc
COmas, Of Baltimore county, moved that the Con-
vention organize by calling Frederick Harrison
Esq, to the Chair temporarily, which was adopted
Col. VIM. Chestnut, of this city, moved that a
Committee composed of one delegate from each
ward and district, be appointed to select permanent
officers for the Convention. Adopted
1t was here found that the Convention was pro-
ceeding to tran sact business without providing it
self Secretary, and, on motion, VIM u. Powell
of this city, was nominated to fill that position.
Asa c. Williams said that he desired that the of
cers who to preside over the deliberations of
the Convention should be elected by vote of the
Voce.-"I second that motion"
The President.-"The Convention has already
decided to select the officers through Committed
a. G. Williams said he wanted that reconsid-
cred; he belonged to the minority and he wanted
to have say in the selection of the officers and
if committee selected them, he would not.
Capt Thos. James, of the city, said that the mode
adopted by the Convention was the proper one 1t
was one Of the usages of the party, and no good
would result by departing from it in this instance
The gentleman who had just spoken was endeavor-
action
already exhibited by a number of the members of
the Convention manifested a factious spirit, and
clearly proved that they did not desire the unity of
the American party. He hoped the proposition to
reconsider would not be sustained.
Asa Williams said that he did not come there as
factionist, nor was he acting as such. Here he
was interrupted by some remarks from a member
of the Convention. He said he was not in the habit
OF allowing himself to be interrupted by any mans
cursing member of the Convention was swear
ing at his side. and he did not want to hear any
more of it. He in the minority but he in
tended to support the nominee of the Convention
and all he desired was to see the opinions of the
minority respected, if they did not prevail
James L. Parr moved to lay the entire subject on
the table. Carried.
Mr., Parr then moved the appointment of a COM
mittee to examine credentials and report the names
of those entitled to seats in the Convention Car
ried
The wards were then called, and the following
gentlemen appointed as the committee:-lst ward,
Emanuel Irons, I'd do, James Brown; Sd do, A.
G. Williams; 4th do, Jas. L. Parr; 5th do. Louis
RaymO; 9th do, Alexander 0wings; 7th do. J.
Patterson; Sth do. I. W. Hannigan; Sth district,
Robert S. Smith, 9th do, George II. Strand; 10th
do, Jackson Wilson, llth do, Charles I. Hall;
18th do, William Butler.
The Committee retired and the Convention took
a recess.
The Convention was again called to order and
the Committee reported the names of the members
of the Convention, stating that all the credentials
were correct.
Mr.. Parr moved that the resolution appointing a
Committee to select permanent officers for the Con-
vention be adopted. Carried
The delegates were requested to name one of
their number to constitute the Committee, which
was composed as follows:
lst. James J. Barrett, End James Manly, 3rd
George r. Thompson, 4th Alexander S. Stewart,
5th Lewis Raymo 9Th J. F, Cook, 7th VIM Patter-
son, Sth VIM. Sleeger, Sth dist Robert Smith, 9th
George Billson, 10th jackson Wilson; llth Robert
Z. Wilson, 18th William Button.
TbaT ~ f+aa
reported the following the perman ent officers of
the Convention: President, DR.. Andrew Hart
man; Vice Presidents, Robert E. Wilson, and Fred
erick Harrison; Secretaries James Cozne and N.
Parker
On motion of Jas. l.. Parr the report of the COM
mittee accepted.
Jas. L. Parr moved that the convention go into
nominations for a candidate for congress. Adopt
ed.
Jas. L. Parr nominated J. Morrison Harris
Jas Patterson nominated VIM. Alexander
Both nominations were received with cheers.
Capt. James moved that the vote be cast by
wards and districts, UiUd Adopted.
Jas. l.. Parr moved that the districts be called
before the wards Adopted.
The convention then proceeded to ballot for
nominee with the following result u Morrison
Harris received 80 votes; VIM. Alexander received
Is votes.
The President declared j. Morrison Harris the
n omnee of the Convention.
Asa c. Williams said that as one of the friends of
Mr.. Alexander, he moved that the nomination be
declared unanimous Adopted, with cheers
Alex. Stuart moved that a committee be ap-
pointed to inform Mr.. Harris of his nomination.
Adopted.
The chair appointed as the committee Alex.
Stuart, Capt. 7. James, A. c. Williams of the city,
and Fred. Harrison and j. March McComas of the
county.
A. c. Williams said that he represented the 3rd
ward, the largest in the district and he would
pledge it for a majority of 300 for the nominee
He moved that VIM. Alexander be requested to en-
dorse the nomination in a speech after Mr. Harris
acceptance. Carried.
The Convention then adjourned, with the under.
standing that Mr.. Harris would accept the nomina-
tion at three O'Clock, in a speech from the balcony
of the Smedley House.
At O'Clock Mr.. Harris, who was visiting in the
neighborhood, arrived at the Smedley House, and
was escorted to the balcony by Asa G. Williams
He commenced his speech by thanking tx e Conven-
tion for the renewed evidence of their confidence
Five years ago he had come to Baltimore county,
comparative stranger, and soon after he had been
selected as the nominee for Congress. Two years
later he was re-nominated and triumphantly elected
He again receives the nomination, and he felt that
he would assuredly be returned to Congress. These
repeated evidences of the confidence reposed in
him were gratifying in the highest degree In some
sections of the city another gentleman prefer
red by portion of his American fellow citizens
He was glad to the generosity exhibited by the
friends of his competitor and he was sure that
they in the coming campaign would demon
strate the truth, that while they can be one
supporters of the standard bearer of the party be
he who he may. 1t was highly necessary that the
American party should be a unit in the coming po-
litica contest. They did not know as yet who they
were to contend with, but it was immaterial what
organization the opposition might form, it would
meet with disastrous defeat, and the American
party be triumphant as in the past. The old demo-
cratic party-the old foe of the American organiza
ton, which was once so boastu so proud and so in
solent, had skulked from the field, and is now
hiding behind an Independent Reform movement
1t no longer bears its flags and banners
aloft, but it is trailing them in the dust,
and sheltering under what is called Reform
But it would not do. The same fate waited
it under whatever guise it might assume
Much had been said of the present condition of the
city of Baltimore. He would confess that evils did
exist in the city, but greater extent than they
did in any other city of the same population
There was one truth that could not be denied.
Never was there city more grossly slandered than
Baltimore. Never were stories so exaggerated-so
destitute of truth, sent abroad in any community
as were those disseminated by the Press of Baltf-
more IL was true, scenes of violence and outrage