The Shasta courier., 1860-07-21
The National Democratic Convention.


with the resolution of adjournment adopted at
Charleston. After three days spent in efforts to
settle the claims ito seats in the Convention) OF
the various contesting delegates from the States
which seeded at Charleston, on the 22d the
whole question was brought to finale, by the
adoption of the majority report-which admitted
the anti Douglas delegates from Mississippi; the
Douglas delegation from Louisiana, headed by
ex-senator Soule; tro anti-Douglas delegates
from Arkansas and one for him the entire anti
Douglas delegation from Texas t,oo dnti-Doug
las delegates (Bayard and Whitley from Della
ware; one Douglas man from Massachusetts, in
place of bolter; the entire Douglas delegation
from Alabama one Douglas man from Mis-
souri, in place of a boter; and the original DEL
egation from Georgia. From this it will be OBJ
served that the Douglas majority in the Conven-
tion absolutely Disseminated in fdror OF, rather
than against the seceders.
A motion was, then made to proceed TO ballot
for President and Vice President, when bois
ferrous scene occurred. Russell, of Virginia.
said the adoption of the majority report made it
the duty of Virginia delegation to withdraw,
andaccordingly twenty -four delegates withdrew,
leaving six. But fifteen of the twentv-four.
however, afterwards went into the seceders'
Convention, the remainder refusing to partici-
pate in the proceedings of either Convention.
Mr.. Moffatt, of Virginia, stated the reasons
why he did not withdraw from the Convention.
lie was appointed by District Convention, to
which he owed allegiance. They elected him 10
come here not to 60 elsewhere. He was elected
to the National Democratic Convention, and no
other. He was elected to represent his constit-
uents in the Convention, but not to withdraw
to carry out the wishes of the people who are
national, not sectional-to promote the inter-
ests of the Unon not risk disunion. (Applause)
Mr.. Glass had not agreed with his colleagues
in their secession, but declined further action
with the Convention, without joining any sece-
ding bodies.
Eight of the North Carolina delegation then
retired.
The Tennessee and Kentucky delegations had
leave to withdraw for consultation.
Six delegates from Maryland then withdrew.
Mr. Walker, of Tennessee, was a member of
the Baltimore Convention twenty years ago, and
since that time he has voted for every Demo-
cratic candidate for President and every Demo-
cratic candidate in his precinct. He should be
the last to leave the ship, and having stood firm
for twenty years, he announced to the Conyen-
tion that if he lived TIL the next Presidential
election he should vote for the nominee of this
Convention. Loud applause.l
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, followed charging
that while the Southern States had originally
intended to bolt on the platform, they had no
sooner gone out than they offered to unite on a
candidate provided one was not nominated. 1t
was no fight for principle, but a proscriptive
tight against an individual man. He boasted
in the course OF his remarks, that he had been
Democrat from the time he drew milk from
his mothers breast. He shoald never desert the
Democratic party.
Austin E. Smith, of California, took the floor
While he could not say his Democracy dated
back to time of which he has no recollection,
he could boast that it was clear as the canopy
of California. He stood here with able and
strong hearts to see the downfall of the Demo-
cratic party. Laughter Yes, he repeated,
the downfall of the Democratic party, for it has
been stabbed by an assassin, and was groaning
On this floor.
Loud cries of Orderi" and much excitement
during which Mr. Smith continued standing on
a settee, from which he speaking. Several
delegates rose in different parts of the hall, and
Mr.. Smith, with his arms folded, stood surveying
them and sneering contemptuously.
After much confusion, the President stated
that the remarks by the gentleman were only
made by the indulgence of the Convention, and
the chair hoped he would proceed in order
Mr.. Smith resumed his remarks, which grad
ually assumed the same character and pro-
nounced this Convention irregular, which was
received with derisive laughter. He said i" ire
gular Convention, because every resolution
had been carried by rule which one of the H.
lnois delegates had confessed to him was
trick" [Cries of " order"1
Mr. Taylor, of Rhode Island, rose to a point
of order. The gentleman who is speaking by
the indulgence of the Convention has no right
to indulge in offensive remarks.
Mr.. Merrick desired to know the name of the
delegate from Illinois against whom the charge
had been made by the delegate from Califor-
mia.
Mr.. Smith-We shall get at that in time.
Mr.. Merrick-I demand to know the name
now.
There was great excitement and confusion,
during which Mr.. Smith endeayored to speak
he kept the floor, however and grew more Of
fensive in manner as the Convention refused to
hear him.
The President after rapping for order, re-
quested Mr.. Smith to proceed in order.
Mr.. Claiborne, of Missouri-If the President
OF the Convention will not protect US from the
insults of this delegate, desire that he shall not
prevent us from holding him to account our
selves. Loud applause.
Mr.. Merrick, of Missouri appealed to all par
ties to remember that they were in a National
Convention, and in the presence of ladies. He
hoped all would preserve order ard decorum in
debate [Applause.1
Mr. Smith persisted in his remarks, without
explaining his illusions, and finally desisted, |
upon the President insisting that his time had
expired He then withdrew from the Conven-
ton.
Oregon next withdrew, soon after which the
Convention adjourned for the day.
On the 23d, ten of the Kentucky and nineteen
of the Tennessee delegations Withdrew, followed
by but tiro from Missouri.
The President, Caleb Cushing. (who never
should have been President of National DEM
ocratic Convention, because of the unrelentinc
and vindictive warfare which, for wears. and
almost until the day of the old veterans death.
he waged upon Gen. Jackson) now resigned the
chair TO Mr. Todd, an old-line Democrat of
Ohio, and took his place on the floor to await
A. r.f.