The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-13
FOR TIE BEDFORD GAZETTE.
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF
BEDFORD COUNTY.

The late National Convention al Charleston ana
Baltimore, nominated Stephen A. Douglas of
Illinois, for President, aud Fl. V. Johnson, of
Georgia, for Vice President 1t is also, known
that portion of the Convention seeded aud
nominated John c. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
for President aud Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for
Vice President. Having been present al both
sessions OF the Convention, and spectator of
al that transpfed, | propose to give lew OF
the reasons why | regard the nomination Of
Douglas and johnson as the regular nomination
OF The party, entitled 10 its universal support,
anC that of Breckenridge and Lane as irregular
and disorganIzing, meriting no favor al the hands
of any Democrat, bat, on the contrary, as Justly
deserving tie hearty condemnation oil the whole
party.
Under the regular call of the National Com
mIitee, acknowledged by every Democrat in
the United States, and in conformity with the
universal custom OF the party, the Convention
assembled al Charleston, en- the 23d of Apri,
1860. Alter preliminary organization, made
without objection from any quarter, it was
found that there was one contested seat fiom
the State Of Massachusetts, one from Maryland
eleven from Illinois and thirty FIVE from New
York. These cases were referred to a Com
miiIee OF thirty three members, oelng one from
each stale.
Alter careful and patient investigation BY
the Committee, a report was made to the Con-
vention. This was unanimous in every case,
except that Of New York. Six members Of the
Committee made z minority report recommen-
ding the admission of ope half Of each delega-
ton from that State. The report Of the Com
.mlttee was adopted by the convention after a
full discussion. The vote in every case, ex-
cept New York, was unanimous. That part of
the report relating 10 the New York Delega-
iion, was adopted by a vote of 2l04 10 55
This completed the organization OF the Con-
vention. The Rules OF he House of Represen-
tatlves oi the United States were adonted for
the government of the Convention. This was
done by the entire vote OF the Convention
The rule requiring two thirds of TIE votes giusn,
to make nomination., was also unanimously a.
Gopted, as was rule requiring two third vote
OF the Convention TO alter or amend The Rules
OF the Convention. Every Congressional Dis
trIct IL the United States and every state at
large, was now fully represented. There was
not single vacancy. The Convention consls-
ted Ok 303 members, and continued 10 session
Tor several days, every member participating
IN the proceedings.
Two principles Of Legislative, or Parliamen-
tary Law, may be here stated, as they have I'M
portant bearings upon the regularity Of the
nomination now being considered.
First: EUery LegtsIatipe Body shall judge
Of the qualifications Of its own members.
Second Il majority shaH coasiHafs q Quo
rum for The transaction Of business
It is confidently asserted that both OF these
propositions are clearly established by the com
non law on the subject, in all civilized coun-
tries, unless some statute should provide other
wise. But in this case We are not oGly lett 10
The common law, but have also the stctute.
The Conv ventIon, as we have seen. adnniAA -,
EsGrs----4--LI- LI-----sr representatives. By
these both OF the propositions above stated, are
clearly maintained. Indeed, it could not be
otherwise, as the Constitution OF the United
States declares the same rules IN the fifth sec
ton of the first Article thereof.
With the first OF these propositions every
member of the Convention was fully satisfied.
! because every one acquiesced in the declslon Of
/ the Convention and renamed to participate IN
| the further proceedings thereof. The second
proposition embraces two parts; 10 wit, that
majority shall constitute Quorum and that
less than a majority shall not constitute such
/ Quorum.
Here It will be we'll TO remember that every
member oi the whole Convention, including the
/ subsequent SecedeTs, or Boilers, voted for the
adoption OF these rules
Ihe Convention continued in session with its
303 members, until the seventh and plrlh days
At thus time, some of the delegates became dis
satisfied with the Platform adopted by the Con-
/ Yantion, and for this reason and for thus alone
/ hfty one members withdrew from the Conven-
ton, separated finally and entirely from il met
| IA another part of the city and attempted to
| organize another Convention in opposition 10
the one they had left. This they adjourned TO
Richmond. Most, it not all of you, have ALWAYS
held that every gentleman who agrees to enter
Convention, is in honor bound to abide by IFS
decisions and support its nominees. These gen.
tlemen, however, seemed 10 have adopted
different course.
As already stated, the ground and the only
ground, OF this secession was the Platform a.
doPted by the ConventIon. You will, doubtless,
fsei anxious 10 know the character of the
Platform which could th0s drive off one-slxth
OF the members OF the Convention. think you
wall credit me when | assure you that it was
the identical creed of the party in l844-lS4S
the compromise measures of l850-the Platform
OF Fierce, in 1852, the Kansas Nebraska Act
OF 1894, and the Cincinnati Platform, of 1856
The Convention re-afirmed the Cincinnati
Platform, upon which James Buchanan was
elected, and Cpon which the great battle of
1896 was fought and won and this was DEEM
ed suiicirnt 10 justify 81 members in boiling
The Convention 1852 members remainingY
continued in session and proceeded to ballot for
a candidate. Fitty-seVen votes were taken.
On several OF these, Judge Douglas received
majority of The whole electoral olIege-
The vote standing 1924 for Douglas, TO 99a for
all ntha-e