Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-15

standing and fitness of the distinguished
statesmen who have been mentioned in con-
nectien with the nomination. What further
do we want to know of that distinguished
man. John Bell. of Tennessee? lCheeTs.1
He has been before the country for a quarter
of century We all know him. and the
country knows him. He has been tried in
high positions, both by his State and the
Union-his record is clear and unmistakable,
without stain or blernish to be discovered
by his bitterest political opponent. With
such g man want no platform. he has
stood through life a defender of the CoDsti-
tntion as it is. and of the Union as one and
indivisible. lie therefore could see no rea-
sen for delay, and no possible reason for the
appointment of Committee on Nominations.
NJ. TT mble, Of Ohio. offered the follow
ing amendment to tue resolution, striking
out all after the word resolve. and Inserting
RtsoLued That the delegation from each
State he requested to appoint one OF their
number to constitute Central Committee,
and that each person thus nominated shall
bring 10 that Committee the general opinion
of bis delegation.
Mr.. Grayson, of Pennsylvania, said: Mr..
President and gentlemen of the Convention
II wish to speak my individual opinion, and
not utter one word the mOuth-piece OF the
delegation FROM Pennsylvania When i
came here, came with the expectation that
do than to nominate candidate for the
Presidency Of the United States. take it,
sir that we are about to initiate great con-
servative national party. CAppIause. And,
sir whether we are successful to-day or next
year, or in the next quarter OF century,
tor one wish it TO be understood, that when
this party of ours shall triumph, it shall tri-
umph, not upon men, but upon principle.
IAppiause.l | am here not for any nouiina-
Iion. / know, sir, that the Constitutional
Union party embraces within its ranks host
of men, either one of whom would dignity and :
do honor 10 the high Office of chief magiS-
trate ofthe United States. [Applause,l But,
sir, in these political days upon which we
have fallen (and they are days of trouble
and distTust,) tell yOu that whatever may
be the antecedents fany statesman, L would
not. looking to the doubtful future, trust
him. unless he puts himself on a definite plat
form. IApplause.l / am here, sir, with my
whole heart swelling within me with but one
feeling, and that is a feeling for the Consti-
tuition and the Union. [Applause.l
| am not here, sir, to disturb with one
single word that may utter that harmonious
sentiment which should wish to see peryade
and animate the councils of this most patri-
otto Convention. But, sir, we are standing
in very peculiar position. We are arrayed
"a party of peace-as party whose mis-
sion it is to save the country FROM the rash
strife of the enemies of the Union and the
Constitution on the North and on the South.
TApplause.1 Now, sir, in order that we go
into this contest, (Which is TO be most STIR
ring and important one for the destigies OF
this nation in all time to Gomez we should
define oar position as party, and, in order
to do that, we should ascertain and under
stand most precisely, sir, the attitude which
is occupied by the two great and formidable
organizations which'it is our duty and destiny
to oppose in the coming campaign. What
is the position occupied to-day by the Re
publican aud the Democratic party on the
other side? 1t is useless for us to shut our
eyes to the fact that the only issue that has
engrosscd the whole attention of the people
of the United States in so far they have
acted through their Legislatures and their
National Convention at Washington, IS one
single question which involves nothing more
nor less than the Interpretation and mean
ing of the Constitution of the United States;
aud that question is this: Whether or not the
Congress of the United States, under the
Constitution, has or has not right to iegis-
late in regard to the subject of slavery in the
Territories? [Hisses.l | am not going to
introduce this at all. [Laughter.l What |
IN an by that, Mr.. Chairman. is this, that we
may avoid this whole difficulty simply by
enunciating, before we go into nomination
of candidates, plain platform of principles
which shall leave totally out of view this
dstracting question. [Applause.1 l want
to shut that question entirely out OF this |
coming CONSIST, in So far as the Constitution
al Union party is concerned; and trust that |
before we appoint committee for the pur-
pose of going into nomination of candi- |
date for the Presidency and Vice Presidency, |
we should. either in general Convention, or |
by Select Committee appointed for the pur- |
pose declare that we are for the Union and |
tod fhn SuR-
preme Court of the United States, and the |
of the laws. (APplause.l
General Leslie Combs said: Mr.. President |
and gentlemen-I have given much thought !
to the question now presented Tor the con- |
sideration of this Convention. So deeply |
have | been impressed with the Importance |
Of platform to a great political party that |
have taken upon myself the labor OF pre- |
pairing three--[ iaughterl; one for the harmo- |
Nous DemOcracy-[ aughter] who have |
late agreed together So beautifully at Charles |
toni laug hter1; one for the ''irrepreSsbie |
conflict" gentlemen, who are about 10 assem- |
BILE at Chcago-[laugh and another |
for the National Unionists now before and |
around us. [Applause.l First, then, for |
the. harmonious Democracy, L propose the
Virginia and Kentucky resolutions OF Us
80; one in favor OF excluding slavery from |
The Territories. and the other in favor OF fore |
adopted unanimously, without debate, under |
the previous question, and no question asked |
afterwards. Laughter For the ''irre- |
gressible Conflicts about to assemble at |
l suggest the Blue Laws of Con- |
lectcut; first, in reference TO the right OF |
nan 10 kiss his wife on Sunday-llaughter.] |
and the second, in reference to the burning |
Of witches; provided, that wives shall have |
he privilege TO be kissed, and old witches to |
De burned [Laughter.l The third is the |
of the United States as 1t Is, |
and the Union under it, now and forever. !
Immense applause.l will not speak with |
reference to the first, at large, but Will ven
ture to say that It will be a. Ineligible here
after TO the wide spread Democracy as 1t has
been heretofore laughterl; and. being as
] venture TO state, on all that l |
am worth, that not one out Of five hundred !
ever read these resolutions; and of those who |
did, not one in five hundred understood them. |
Laughter and appiause.1 In reference TO |
our platform, the legislative, Judicial and ex- |
ecutiye departments shall be independent
and supreme. | think that will be platform |
enough for Union party To stand upon.
[Appiause. The Congress OF the UnltedStates
10 INDICATE the laws; The judicial department
10 interpret them, and the executive to execute
them. That is all we need. Why, SIR, If L
were in an assemblsge OF Christians about TO
establish a platform, do you think | would
take "rpriHklingsp or dipping for its
pianks? mol 1 would take nothing out the
Bible as 1t il, and leave all To eoust:ue 1t,
and be responsible 10 God for tie coustruc-
tion- lApplause.l
Mr. Harris, OF Missouri, desired not to be
as desirous 10 obstruct the
action o! the Convention by the proposition
he had introduced for the appointment of
Committee. / desire such
Committee with no view Of having plat
form reported. as do not desire a platform
There are delegates from four or five States.
1 would further remark. not now represent
ed, who are now route, and will be here
tomorrow. For this reason. also, think We
should not now proceed to ballot, so that they
may have the opportunity VI joining Ia the