davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Delegate Conventions VS.. Popular
Vote Conventions.

There is in this county very large
number of Democrats who believe that
return to the delegate system for nomi-
mating candidates, would be better for the
county, and better for the party These
are not faction of discontented men
who would be satisfied with nothing; but
are intelligent men, faithful to the party,
and whose opinions are entitled to re-
spect.
The arguments on this question are GER
tainly not all on either side. In behalf
of the popular vote system it is urged
with much plausibility that it is demo-
cratic--that the candidates are the choice
of the masses of the party, and not of
the representatives of the masses--that
the opportunities are not SO great for
scheming and designing aspirants to i'm,
pose upon large body of men as small
ler number.
These arguments, as we believe, are
more specious than sound. Whether the
popular vote system is more democratic
or not depends very much upon its re-
sults-or, in the language of Washing
toms motto, ";he result tests the means" F"
Many systems which seem eminently
democratic in theory, when reduced 10
practice are found to be far otherwise.
1t might be urged that itwould be more
democratic for the people to meet in q
grand convention, and pass the laws them
selves, than to have them passed by rep
resentatives; but this has been tried, and
found not only pernicious. but impraeti-
cable. Those who prefer the popular
vote system, on the grounds of its appa-
rent democracy cannot consistently op-
pose any other system that the majority
of the party might adopt The very es-
sence of their argument is, that the voice
of the majority should govern; and why
should not that voice be respected as
much in regard to the method of nominal
ing candidates, as in the choice Of candi-
dates?
But are the candidates selected by pop.
ular vote conventions in all cases the
choice of the majority of the party? Blu,
two or three times since the adoption oi
this system has majority of the Demo.
Gratis voted in them; and we doubt very
much whether any candidate ever received
majority of the whole Democratic vote
of the county in convention, except in
few instances when they have been chosen
unanimously. In these instances Of course
the same candidates would have been Sc
lected by delegates, as they had no oppo-
sition.
1t is said the nominee receives a major
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
The election of Pennington is a moral

= The election of Pennington is moral
triumph for the Democrats. He not only
does not endorse Helpers book, but re-
oudiates it. Although Corwin declared
he would vote for Sherman until Gabriel
biowed his last trump, and other Republi-
cans said they would vote for him until
"the crack o. DOOM" they have been COM
PEELED to abandon him and vote for o COM
paratively conservative man who has "a
heart embracing all parts of our Union. F"
The following is his speech on taking
the chair:
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representa-.
t1ves:--I return you my grateful acknowl-
edgments for the distinguished honor you
have been pleased to confer upon me in
electing me Speaker of this House.
Coming here for the Erst time at the
present session, to be associated with you
as member, no event could have been
more unlocked for than that l should be
called upon to preside over your deliber-
ations, and my friends will do me the JUS
tice to say that nave not sought the po-
sition, as certainly never desired it. l
am nevertheless conscious of the dignity
and importance of this high Office as any
gentleman can be, but should have been
far better pleased could its duties have
been intrusted to abler and more expert
enced hands.
After almost unsurmouniable obstacles
in the way of an organization of this
House, camo to the conclusion that any
gentleman of any party who could COM
mand q majority Of the votes for Speak
er, was bound in Difference to public exi-
gencies to accept the responsibility as an
act of patriotic duty, whether it was
agreeable to his personal feelings or not.
As that choice has Unexpectedly fallen on
me, have not hesitated to accept it. In
the execution of this high trust my object
will be to do my duty with impartlali,y
and justice to all l shall have great
necessity, gentlemen, for your indulgence
in the new position in which am placed,
and feel entire confidence that l shall
receive it as your hands. A Repre-
sentative from the State of New Jersey,
upon whose soil so many gallant achiev-
ments were accomplished in the Revolu-
tionary War, and whose people have ever
been distinguished for their devotion to
the Union and Constitution, l pray to the
Great Arbiter Of our destinies that l may
do no act to impair the integrity of either,
but that, by wise and prudent councils.
peace and order may yet remain in our
midst, and our free Institutions may be
perpetuated to our descendants. ] feel
that have national heart embracing all
parts Of our Union. Again, thanking
you for your kindness, 1 now enter upon
the duties of that arduous and complica.
ted station.
Mr.. Phelps, being the oldest conserva-
tive member, administered the oath to the
Speaker, by request Of the Clerk.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Invasion of Mexico.

dispatch from Washington says there can
be no question thatin very short time Juares
will he supplied with large force of Ameri-
cans, ready and anxious to aid in the establish
ment of the so-called Liberal Government of
Mexico, and of course to receive a fair share
of the spoils for their services. These adven-
turers are chiefly from the Southern States,
and number several thousand, The mysteri-
Gus order of the X. G.. c. is supposed to be
connected, with the movement now going on,
and in a short time we may expect to hear
stirring accounts. 1t is apprehended political
schemes are at the bottom of the whole move
mont. fi1 avaE fiuesf
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Mas. LYDIA CnlLp Nor TuEnE.

Mgs. LYDIA CHILD Nor THERE. The
Worcester Bay State says: Some hum
dreds of people lie bleeding, crushed, dy-
ing in the market places under the roof
of the City Hall ct Lawrence. Writhing
in torture, they need the kind Offices of
that sex which has been vouchsafed to
soolhe our hours of anguish. Why is it,
then, that we do not hear of the presence
of Lydia Maria Child at this scene of
woe? 1t is true that she would fnd no
horse thieves there upon whom to lavish
her maternal fondness. Nor could she
clasp in chas,e, sisterly embrace the cold
blooded murderers of gray haired and
defenceless mcu.n FGf5a OK
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

GOV. DENNISONS MES.
SAGE TO THE LEG
IsLATURE, DATED
JAN. 81, 1860.
To the General As.
sembly
I have received
information that the
Legislatures of Ken
ucky and Tennessee
will visit Cincinnati
On the 26th inst,
and / take great
pleasure in respect
fully suggesting the
propriety of the Gen
'ral Assembly ten
ler!ng them a cord
al invitation to Wis
t this city prior to
heir return to their
espective States
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

aIssoS's TRrAL.--Yesterday VIM. H. Glib
son was required to enter into recognizances
10 the amount of $4,000 in each of the two
cases of embezzlement for which he was in
dicted, to appear at the next term of Court,
commencing on the 2lst of February. r. NJ.
Wright and R. C. Pennington appeared as his
securities.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. diabolcal scoundrel
made an unsuccessful attempt to fire our
Court House, last Thursday night. Paper
was stuffed into hole where the plastering
was knocked off at the top of the stairs, and
lit with match. Fortunately the paper burnt
oat, without doing any damage, excepting the
burning and charring of few lath. The es-
cape of the building is truly wonderful. No
motive is known, likely to lead any one to at
tempt such a cowardly and internal scheme
GueYnsey Times.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
IMPORTANT pEc1s1oN.-..In the Su

IMPORTANT DECISION LIN tho Su.
preme Court at Pittsburgh. Pa, it has
just been decided that loser by the steal.
ing of goods that are insured, at fire in
the city, is recoverable against the insu-
rance company as q loss occasioned by
fire. A fire policy, therefore. not only
covers losses by the removal of goods
from a building actually on fire, although
the goods may not have been burnt. but
in fact are injured by water; or by break
age in the act of saving, but also all
goods lost or stolen in consequence Of
such removal Ns
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

), E Gov Morgan, of New York
invited the Legislatures of Ohio, Tennes-
see ard Kentucky to visit Albany. The
Invitation was received too late to be ac-
cepted during>the late tour, but will be
considered by the respective Legislatures,
and probably accepted hereafter.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
.rhe Contest for Speaker.

The protracted contest for Speake.
four years ago. which terminated in the
election of Mr. BANKS of Massachusetts,
under the plurality rule, lie receiving ono
hundred and three votes to Mr., lAIKRN's
(of South Carolina) pone hundred, was
ended on the Cd Of February, 1855, it
being the eleventh week of the session.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

fgI In describing a spurious bill a
bank note detector says: "In the coun-
terfeit, which can easily be distinguished,
the female in the left lower corn er has a
Key, while in the genuine she has a
.Sickls.n
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Importance of a Few Votes.

There is no doubt that if the Democracy
had done their duty in the last election for
Congressman in this district, the Demo.
Gratis could have elected Smith Of North
Carolina Speaker. Theaker was elected
by less than q hundred, which could have
been overcome in any two townships in
this county. There is lesson in this.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
The Charleston Conventlon-Nameso of

The Charleston ConventIon-Names of
Delegates Presidential Preferences.
Ii is now less than three months to the
meeting of the Charleston Convention,
which convenes on the 23d of April next
The delegates from twelve or thirteen
States have already been appointed.
The Presidential preferences of the
delegates on the first ballot, so far aS they
or annointoj ORC f,IIou,.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

SP0NSE TO THE
SENTIMENT BELOW,
AT THE BANQUET
AT THE ODEoN ON
THE EVENING OF
THE 26TH OF JAN.
1860.
Ohio-To h er
guests, her Repre-
sentatiyes in every
department gladly
welcome to her Cap
itol the Representa-
tives of her sister
States.
Gov. Dennison
was called upon to
respond to this sem
timent. He said
that he did not know
tha: be could add
anything to the in
terest of the occasion
He had once already
hid welcome TO our
guest; and he would
bid them well
come welcome to
our hospitality and
70 our hearts. He
might talk long and
earnestly, but could
not add to the sig
nifcancc of this in
terest and glorious
occasion.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Iowa Delegates.

I TheIowa delegates appointed to the
Republican Half National Convention at
Chicago, for the nomination Of President
and Vice. President of the sohote Union,
e'for WM II. SEWARD, of New York.
for President aiit--' 2e1 1a'ag sat
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

The caucus by a vote of 61 to l l re-
fused to postpone, the election. Accord
ingly on the End Mr.. Chase was elected
the Democrats voting for George E.
Pugh.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

suggest a suspicion
that the League as
suming to establish q
long line of Barbary
powers upon our
southern shores felt
prepared to make a
formidable head a.
gaihst the country
by sea and land
They should be stern.
ly rebuked at once,
and not suffered to
arrest, for q momen,
the onward progress
of the civilization Of
the continent. The
power of the Union
should assure anoth-
er destiny for the
Iuxuriant regions to
which they are look.
ing for their slave.
empire. ..t
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

SPEECH AT THE BAN,
QUIET AT CINCINNA-
TT, ON THE EVENING
OF JAN. 27, 1850.
Gov. Dennison
said:
What Can Ohio
say that has not been
said to day? What
welcome can be Civ
n to our gallan,
riends of Kentucky
tennessee ana lnOD
ma, that has not
neen given by the
distinguished gentle>
nen that have preces
led me? SIR l re.
|;iprocate all the sem
.iments of good will
50 eloquently express
Sed, and in behalf OF
he people of Ohio.
[ say to the people
IF Kentucky. and
Tennessee, and Indi-
ana, that we will
stand upright and
erect always in sup>
Iport Of the Consiitu>
ltion, and each and
lall of its compromis'
es. (Applause.) !
say TO them that, let
he harsh notes of
Idisunion be sounded
where they may, they
shall never be heard
within the limits of
|Ohio. (applause); |
say to them that the
affections of the peo>
Iple Of this State are
not circumscribed by
geographical lir,its:
II say to them that
God forbid the day
shall ever come when
the citizens of Ohio
may not greet as OF
a political brother'
hood he that comes
from the land of Clay
the land of Jackson,
and the land of Tip>
Ton! No, sir! trea.
/ ;on against the Un>
on, and treason a.
yainst the Constitu,
ion may be hatched
lout the mighty peo,
lple will root it out,
land he who will seek
Ito put the lorch 10
1.-THE temple of oar
constitutional liber,
Ity will he stricken
down by the virtue
land patriotism of the
masses of the coun>
TRY. (Applause.l
| Differences may
iexist between the
Northern and the
ISouthern States in
respect to this ques'
'Ition or that question
have ex'
listed and they may
lyet exist, but thos'
differences have beer
adjusted within tn,
limits of the Uniol
and by the inheren
force Of the constitu
and / say t
our friends Of Ken
'1tucky and Tennesse
? land Indiana tha
: whatever difference
B aow exist or whic
nay hereafter cxis
shall be adjus,e
Y within the limits an
I. hv tho oonar.f Al
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

b PEACHES SArE.--An old farmerfriend Of ours
assures US that the peaches in this section are
net killed, but all Q. X. and promising
Guernsey Times.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
In these thirteen States-a majority of
whom are under instructions 1.-The result

The second choice of many of TIE
Southern men, who are put down for the
candidates Of their own States, is Mr.
DOUGLAS
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Chase Elected Senator.

The caucus of the Republican mem
bers of the Legislature on the lst inst,
resulted in the nomination of Chase for
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

WY 10 - 'os vi Wv
nations constitution.
7 he spontaneous
vogor of free labor
overgrows and heals
all the wounds infic.
ted by these blows OF
it's enemies. Free.
dom is a giant which
while asleep, Lilli,
putians may bind to
the earth with innu-
merable fine spuh
cords, but arouS ed,
he breaks with ease.
the meshes and holds
the pigmies in tht
hollow of his hand
Kansas, Nebraska,
| California and Ore
gon. show how inef
fectual are the in
trigues of self-seek
ing politicians, to.
dwarf the growth OF
a free people. The
prosperous and pop.
ulous free soil sends
forth its children
over the inviting ter
ritories, and the re-
ristance Of barbarism
is overwhelmed. x x
The politicians of
the oligarchy see this
with dismay, and
seem to be meditat-
ing o change of their.
design, from that of.
seeking a perpetua-I
tion of their control
over the Union by
multiplying slave.
States within it, to-
that of abandoning g.
it, and making vasl
acquisitions OF terri
tory beyond IL. TO fill
by new importations
of Africans. x = x
| This must result.
in the subsection of.
the Tree labOrlUg ma
tive class of every
complexion 10 a com
mon condition of sla.
very, by the glut fol.
lowing the influx oi
myriads of naked AZ
ricans working like
the OK under goad.
and fed only to sup.
port the yoke, reduc
ing the price of labor
to bare subsistence
A full supply of ne.
gro strength will rem
der the masters o:
the domain indepen.
dent of the pooI
whites holding neith-
er land nor slaves
They must become
slaves themselves L,
escape starving.
We have heard j
announced, that !;
League has beer
formed to compass
this plan--that it,
ramilications cove
all the slave States
that the principle
nullifers everyw where
are in the conspiracy
aud that it is a par'
of the scheme to
leave Virginia and
Maryland, Kentucky
and Tennessee and
Missouri in the Un-
ion FOR IL time, to
cover the invaSion
| of q northern force
to restore the gov
ernment of the con
federacy over tbs
lower Mlssissippl
and the borders Of
the Gulf of Mexico.
x x x X X X
| If attended with
success at the thres
hold in dissolvine
the great confedera'
cy and creating a
small one. the intro
duction of standing
armies to conlron,
border war on the
slave and free from
tiers, and to push III,
scheme of southern
conquests, and to
maintain and keel
down domestic in
surrection, would be
the succedaneum fol
the security confer
red by q common
government. Du'
the way to the sue
cess of the League
cannot be opened
without assurance OI
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

Gov. DENNIsoN's
WELCOME TO THE
LEGISLATURES OF
KENTUCKY AND
TENNESSEE IN THE
HALL OF THE
| HOUSE, JAN. 26.
| 1860.
| Friends. of Ken.
tucky. of Tennessee,
land Of Indiana: On
behalf of the people
of Ohio, speaking
trough their Gener-
lal Assembly, / re-
ceive you at this our
lCapitol.
| l greet you as
Representatives of
sovereign States; l
IS alute you as
brethren of the great
valley Of the Missis-
Isippi, the center and
1.-THE citadel of the
National Confedera-
Icy. / greet you as
fellow citizens of the
IU MON so dear 20 US
Iail, the source Of
whatever makes US
most proud of our
country, and the
preservation OF which
for the equal and
common benefit of
jail the States, is a.
like the highest and
the most grateful du-
|ty to American cit
|izeus. By all these
honorable titles you
are heartily welcom-
ed here to day.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
organization of Congress.

= After the election of Pennington to the
Office Of Speaker, the House adjourned,
and q caucus of ali those who voted for
him was held to nominate the other
officers. On Friday the election was
held for Clerk and Sergeant.at-arms. 1.
yesulted as follows:
FOR CLERK.
John W. Forney liz
Jas. G. Allen IT
Samuel Taylor %
-i D. E. L. Davidson 8
lo Scattering 2
Necessary to choice Ill, SO Mr..
Forney was declared elected,
gco FOR SERGEANT AT ARMS.
OF ii. A. Hoffman of Nd. ia
Mr.. GlossbreDner 80
ni Mr.. Underwood
iia Mr.. Hoffman was declared duly elec-
ted The votes given for the successful
men were by those who elected Pennington
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
Gov. DenniSon and the South.
Extraordinary Change from January 9th
to January 2l 26 and 27, 1860.
Read, Ponder and Digest!

EXTRACTS FROM GOV. X
DENNISoN's INAUG.
| URAL, JANUARY 9,
| 1860.
On the subject of
slavery, the people OF
this State occupy mel
equivocal position
They reject the mod
ern dogma, that sla-
very is essential tel
republics, that such
system must fail witt
out it and that slave
ry must be extended
and perpeluated. tC
extend and perpetn,
ate our form Of gov.I
erument; but in op
position to il, the,
have deliberately de
clared, that in thei
judgment slavery j
a pernicious wrong
and that patriotisu
and hu mani,y in de
mandlng their reslS
tarce to its eXteusion
into any free terrific
ry, now or that mayl
be owned by the Uni
ted States. Theyl
deny the binding au-
;hority of,the dictum
of the Supreme court
of the United States,
asserting Il right of
| property in one man
over another, as a
fundamental princi-
pie, making the fed
eral constitution the
instrument of render
ing it universal. x x
The people of
Ohio have furtberl
declared that in theirI
opinion, the peoplel
of a territory have mol
power under the con
stitution, or from anyl
other legal source,l
to establish slavery
as one of their insti |
tutions. During FL
their territorial exis
tence; that the exer-
else of such a power
would he a manifest
usurpation of she in
dividual rights of the
citizen of the terrific
ry, and utterly subj
versive of all true
popular sovereign,y,l
which demands as q
pri m ary essential
condition, the recog-
milton of inalienable
personal rights
They insist also tha:
coupled with thel
power. is the duty OIL
Congress to prohib-
it by express enact
ment, the eXtensioul
of slavery, into anyl
free territory of ;he
United Ststes--thai
the exercise of this
power has been re-
peatedly approved
by every department.
of the State andt
National Govern.
ment, and to the uni.
versal acceptance of
the people, end that
its recognition as a
fundamental princi.
pal, to be hereafter
exercised, whenever
occasion may be pre-
sehted, is indispensa-
bic, TO restore the
simplicity and puri-
ty Of the government
and to carry out theE
great purpose of the
constitution, as de-
elared in its pream-
ble. X X x =
The war to extend
the boundary of sla, !
very TO the Riol
Grande-the viola.
tion of the Missouri
Compact-the war
against Kansas, tot
extend slavery to thef
Pacific. are all sac
rilices of the public |
opinion and the NOR
al sense of the mass
es of the country. by |
ambitious Incumbent
in the federal admin.
istration, to thar,
combination in theI
South, which bringsl
the vote Of fifteen
Slave States in pha-
laux to divide anG
conquer the Free,
and SO continue theiII
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
ROLL OF HONOR.

Received on subscription to the Esprit
of Democracy" for the mouth Of Janua-
~, 1860:
Jonathan Holtsclaw dams tn 81 T5
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
A Speaker at Last.

The lower House Of Congress has at
last elected Speaker--Mr, Pennington
.sof New Jersey. The last ballot gave
-Di Pennington III
McClernand IS
Gilmer Is
Scattering Is
Necessary to choice III. So Mr..
Pennington received barely enough votes
to elect him. He was elected to Con.
gress by fusion of the Republicans and
Know Nothings, and 10 politics is an old
line Wing with Republican proclivities.
He has been Governor of his State and
is q very fair man--certainly the least OBJ,
jectionabIe to the Democrats of any WHOM
tbe Republicans could have elected.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08

- w. H. Gibson has been granted a new
trial, in his defalcation case.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-02-08
My fellow c:tize,,

Ny fellow Citizens
l am admonished
that the time has ar.
rived when this great
and gorgeous temple
will be needed for
other purposes. I
will, therefore, detain
yon only to say for
she people whose
ExecutiveI i have the
honor to be, will
you in
defense of the-con-
stitutior andits COM
promises, {applause)
and that you will ey.
er find us ready with
open hands and
warm hearts, to re.
ceive you as brethren
IN this great and g!o-
rious Union.
-r