Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-05-23
CHICAGO CONVENTION.


largest, most brilliant and enthusiastic gather.
ings of the kind ever witnessed in the country.
it being estimated that at least 10, ,000 specta-
tors had crowded into the immense swigwam.' y
AT the hour for assembling, Gov. Morgan, oi
New York, called the Convention to order,
and on his motion Hon. David Wilmot was
| called upon to preside temporarily. Appro-
pirate remarks were made by both these gen.
| tlemen, after which committees were appoint
ed on permanent organization and credentials.
The Committee on Permanent Organization
reported for President of the Convention,
Hon. George Ashmun, of Massachusetts,. The
usual number OF Vice Presidents and Secreta-
ries were reported, and the report being adopt
ed Mr.. Ashmun was conducted to the chair,
and made an appropriate speech. A commit
tee of one from each State was appointed on
resolutions. 1t was ordered also that each de-
legation report the name of one person to con-
stitute member of the National Committee,
after which the Convention adjourned.
On Thursday a warm debate sprang up on a
question raised by Mr.. Wilmot, as to what vote
delegates from certain States should be entit-
led to. Delegates from Maryland, Kentucky
and Kansas protested against their not having
accorded them equal rights in that Convention
with gentlemen from other States. where, if
more had been done, less had been dared than
by those on the other side of the line. Their
remarks were received with enthusiasm, and
the question was at length settled by admit
ting the delegates from such States to cast one
of tn 6ala Tba
Committee proposed a rule that a majority Of
the whole Electoral College, or 304 votes,
should be required to nominate the candidates.
This report was rejected by vote of 331 to
130. so it was decided that the candidates
should be nominated in the usual way by a
majority of the delegates present. Judge Jes-
sup, from the Committee on Resolutions, re-
ported the following platform
Resolred, That we, the delegated representa-
tives of the Republican electors of the United
States, in Convention assembled, in the dis
charge OF the duty we owe to our constituents
and our country, unite in the following decla-
rations
First-That the history of the nation during
the last four years has established the propriety
and necessity OF the organization and perpetu-
alton of the Republican party, and that the
manent in their nature, and now, more than
ever before, demand its peaceful and constitu-
tional triumph.
Second-That the maintenance Of the Feder-
al Constitution is essential to the preservation
of our republican institutions, and shall be pre-
served.
Third-That to the Union of the States this
nation owes its unprecedented increase in popu-
lation, its surprising development of material
resources, its rapid augmentation Of wealth, its
happiness at home and its honor abroad and
we hold in adherence all schemes for disunion,
come from whatever source they may. And
we congratulate the country that no Republican
member of Congress has uttered or countenan-
ced a threat of disunion so often made by De-
mocratic members of Congress without rebuke,
and with applause from their political associa-
ties. And We denouDce those threats of disun-
ion in case of a popular overthrow of their as
cendancy: as denying the vital principles of
free government, and as an avowal of contem-
plated treason, which it is the imperative duty
OF an indignant people strongly to rebuke and
forever silence.
Fourth-Tbat the maintenance inviolate of
the rights of the States, and especially the
rights of each State to order and control its
own domestic institutions according to its own
Judgment exclusively, is essential to that bali
ance of power which the perfection and en-
durance of her political faith depends. And
we denounce the lawless invasion by az armed
force, of any State or territory, no matter un-
der what preteXt, as among the gravest of
crimes.
Fifth-That the present democratic Admin
istration has so far exceeded our worst appre-
tensions in its measureless subserviency to
the eXactions of sectional interest as is es-
pecially evident in its desperate exertions to
force the Infamous Lecompton constitution up
on the protesting people Of Kansas--in con-
STRUNG the personal relation between master
and servant to involve an unqualified property
in persons-ip its attempts at the enforcement
everywhere, on land and sea, through the in
teryention of Congress and the Federal Courts,
OF the extreme pretensions of a purely local
interest, and in its general and unvarying
abuse of the power entrusted to it by a confid-
ing people.
SiXth-That the people justly view with
alarm the reckless extravaganza which per-
yades every department of the federal govern
mont. That return to rigid economy and
accountability is indispensable to arrest the
system OF plunder OF the public treasury by fa-
vored partizans; while the present startling
developments of fraud and corruption at the
federal metropolis show that entire change
OF administration is imperatively demanded.
Seventh-That the new dogma that the Con-
stitution, of its own force, carries slavery into
any or all the territories of the United States,
is dangerous political hcresy. at variance
with the explicit provisions OF that instrument
itself, with its contempOraneous exposition,
and with Legislative and judicial precedent, is
revolutionary in its tendencies and subversive
of the peace and harmony of the country.
Eighth-1hat the normal condition of all the
territory of the United States, is that of fIee-
dom. That as our republican fathers, when
they had abolished slavery in all our national
territory, ordained that no person should be
deprived of life, liberty ard property, without
due process of law, it becomes our duty, by
legislation, whenever such legislation is neces-
sary, to maintain this provision of the Consti-
tuition against all attempts to violate it, and
denY the authnrity of Con Of tarri