Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-05-15
The National Constitutional Union Conven-

LUIS UOu1 oooOiuOA0u3 oOOOiulu6 W SdC SoA W
the National Committee, in Baltimore, on We'd
nesday last, the 9th inst The main hall was
filed by the Delegates to the Convention, whilst
the galleries were crowded by an eager throDg
of spectators. The greatest enthusiasm prevail
ed, and the delegations as they entered the hall
were greeted with applause. w
Shortly after 70 o'clock, the Hon. j. Crit
tenden took his seat at the Presidents DESK and
was received with deafening applause. As soon
as it subsidized, he called the meeting to order,
which was opened with prayer by the Rev. Jas.
D. McCabe. M oiaaa s IS
On motion of Mr. Crittenden, the Hon. Wash
ington Hnnt, of New York, was then called to
the chair. W. I. Switzer, of Missouri, was
elected temporary Secretary. Gov. Hunt, on
taking the chair, delivered q spirited and ad-
mirable address, which was received with en-
thusiastic applause.
At the conclusion of the Presidents address,
General Leslie Ooombs, of Kentucky, moved
that committee be appointed to nominate per-
manent officers for the Convention, and that the
several State Delegations each nominate from its
respective delegation q member to serve on the
committee. H9 ass .gaseaase.a a
The motion prevailed, and the Secretary pro-
ceeded to call the States, at the conclusion of
WHICH the Committee was announced When
the names of William i. Goggin, Thos. SWAIN,
A. j. Donelson and others (membeEs of the com
mittee) were announced, they were received
with cheers. s So 1885
The committee retired, when the chair stated
that by telegraphic despatch just received,
dated from Grafton on the Baltimore and o.
bio RAILROAD, there were some twenty dele
gates, represent ting six States, detained on ac-
count of an accident on the road, and that they
would be present tomorrow Thursday morn
| ing. @ $3.50 slt
A list of delegates was then made, and the
following States were found to be represented !:
Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, In
diana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts,
Missouri, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Texas, Virginia Vermont. b
At half past one o'clock recess was taken
| till four o'clock. qsa ~ l la
When the Convention -e-assembled, the crowd
of visitors was even greater than at the morning
session. and many left unable to obtain admit
lance. 1872 ~ fA3 ta A h%@ go q
+ Mr.. Doneson, OF tennessee, from the Com
mittee on Organization, made q report, nomi
mating Mr. Hunt for permanent President, one
Vice President from each State (among them A..
H. H. Stuart of Va.,) and alist of Secretaries
The report was adopted, and the officers took
their places on the platform amid the widest en-
thusiasm. The President addressed the Con-
vention at considerable length His remarks
were excellent in sentiment and called forth re
peated expressions Of approval.
A motion was made to proceed Immediately
to the nomination of candidates for President
and Vice President of the United States.
Mr.. Shipper, OF Pennsylvania, offered an a
mendment that each State nominate one person
for each Office, and that the election be made
from such nominations.
Mr.. Randolph, of N. j., here interrupted the
proceedings to introduce the venerable Lewis
ocondit, Of that State, who was received with
great enthusiasm
Mr.. Grayson, OF Pa, took the floor and advo-
Gated the adoption of platform.
i Mr.. Littell, of Pa, wanted no platform, and
in the course of his remarks avOwed preference
for John Bell, of Tennessee, as the Presidential
4 candidate.
Mr.. Pendleton, of Ohio, moved an amendment,
THAT central committee be appointed. He
wanted no platform.
\ Mr. Harris, of Missouri, thought that no bal
lot shonld be taken till delegates known to be
on the way had arrived.
| Mr. Watson, of Mississippi, thought it was best
ito make haste slowly" He hadpaid special
visit to the Massachusetts delegates, and found
that he agreed with them and they with him on
all points.
Gen. Leslie Ooombs, of KY, spoke against the
adoption of platform. ,E.ss (.
Mr. Switzer, of Missouri, said the people oil
his State wanted no better platform than the
Constitution and the Union.
Mr.. Gwsnn, of Maryland, and Mr.. Hopkins,
of Georgia, advocated the same side. The latter
declared himself in favor Of the nomination o.
Gen. Houston.
| II. ~
could say for the seventy men delegates and al
ternates) from his State, that with one heart and
voice they have resolved to ask this Convention
to present no Platform to the couqtry save the
Constitution Of the United States. [Applause.
A union of the States and the enforcement Of
the laws. [Applause.] And on that platform,
interpreted by the constituted authorities of the
land, we feel that we can NEE. our brethren,
lSouth and North, East and West, with proper
Esprit. Party platforms are meant to deceive
the country, for they have two faces, one for the
North and another for the South. Mr. Brooks
moved that the rules Of the House of Represent
atives be adopted for the government of the
IConvention. -
Mr.. Harris, of Missouri, said be was in favor
of the nomination of Willard Fillmore
The several resolutions were then withdrawn,
and Mr.. Brooks motion was agreed to.
A committee of one from each State was next
ordered to prepare business for the Convention,
and Robert b. Scott was selected by the vlr-
gaia delegation as the member from this State.
The Convention then adjourned till 10 O'CLOCK
Thursday, KS. s.@ i..s..4 $50 aa
/ SEeoap DAB. sFeB M ST
/ The Convention met at 10 O'Clock. As on
yesterday, the building was crowded, and the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed. ~ t4as -
After prayer, the President laid before the
I Convention letters from several distinguished
gentlemen gol0 BIB SIR aoa l @eas
It. vas announced that the Business Commit
tee were ready to report, and Mr.. Joseph r. In
gersol, of Pa, arose, and after some appropriate
remarks, presented a. .aa5s
i THE PLATFORM.
/ Wbereas, Experience has demonstrated that
platforms adopted by the partisan Conventions
of the country haye had the effect to mislead and
deceive the people, and at the same time to
widen the political divisions of the country, by
the creation and encouragement of geographical
and sectional parties; therefore
ResolUed That it is both the part Of patriot
ism and of duty to recognize no political princi-
pies, other than s;,sa,
4 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNTRY,
4 The UNION OF THE STATES, AND s
! THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS; ,-
/ loud and prolonged cheering.]
and that, as tbs representatives of the Consti-
tutional Union men of the country in National
Convention assembled, we here pledge ourselves
to maintain, protect and defend, separately and
,n;+odl, +ho,o rroof Of mn h1ic Ehortv