Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-18
NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION.
FIRST DAYS PRocEEDISGs. !

Carolina have reported themselves Some in ad-
vance Of their arrival expecting to reach here to-
day. The Hall presents gay appearance. The
galleries are festooned with red, white and blue.
The best gallery is appropriated to the ladies' The
galleries were densely packed, and much enthusiasm
was manifested as the delegation appeared and oc-
cupied the seats allotted TO them Various disting-
uished men were warmly appauded from the gal
| leries.
At noon the convention was called to order by
Jno j. Crittenden, whose appearance was greeted
with loud and prolonged cheering.
Prayer was offered by Rev. DIR. John McCahe.
Mr.. Crittendent moved that Hon. Washington
Hunt, of New York, take the chair which was unan-
imously approved.
Mr.. Hunt in taking the chair delivered power
full address, designating the slavery question that
had split the Democratic party as a miserable alb
straction He believed that this Convention has
power to rally around it the patriotism of the
country.
| On motion of Leslie Combs, a committee on per-
manent organization was appointed, and also on
credentials.
All the States except Oregon and South Carolina
are represented AL
BALrIMoRE, May s.-The delegates to the Consti-
tutiona Convention, to assemble tomorrow, are ar
irving in considerable numbers, and the hotels are
filling up.
The old First Presbyterian Church building re-
Gently bought by the Government for court house
has been finely fitted up for the accommodation of
the Convention. fnll length portrait Of Wash
ington has been placed behind the Presidents chair
and the interior of the building is draped with
| flags.
There ia considerable speculation TO the course.
to be pursued, A meeting was called for tonight
Of the friends of Mr.. Botts but for some reason it
did not take place.
The old church is the same in which Martin Van
Buren, was nominated for the Presidency
Delegates are here from 26 States Every State
and Territory, except Oregon, are expected to be
represented.
. Among the arrivals are Messrs Leslie Combs, Bell,
Parson Brownlow, Goggin, and other distinguished
! politicians
Several delegations have their headquarters at
Barnums Hotel.
The New York delegation voted unanimously to
have no platform but the Union and Constitution,
and the enforcement of all laws. An informal bal
LOT Of the delegation expression Of their pre-
ference for President resulted follows Gen. Sam
Houston 81, Judge Mclean O. Gen. Wool 2, Gen.
Scott l, John Bell 2.
The Tribunes correspondent writes from Balti-
more on the date of May Sth The Convention
bids fair to be full one. Messrs Houston and Bell
are the leading candidates, between whom there is
likely to be warm conflict. Tennessee particular
y resists Mr.. Houston. The majority of the New
York delegates are for him. Mr.. Mclean does not
manifest much strength. He would be stronger,
and perhaps nominated, but for the belief that be
would be rejected at Chicago, and by his dccension
leave the party without candidate
=. Messrs Everett, Fuller and Hunt are most named
for the Vice Presidency.
There is general disposition to get along with
out platform.
The New York delegation held caucus tonight
to fill vacancies and consult.
The Committee on Organization have retired.
The Convention has taken a recess till four
o'clock.
The Convention assembled at 4 P. NJ. when the
committee on permanent organization reported the
following list Of officers President, Washington
Hunt Vice Presidents, one each from 10 States,
including Marshal P. Wilder of Mass; Fred. A.
Tallmadge, of n. Y; Peter J Clark, of n. j.; Jos.
r. Ingersoll, of Pa; Alex. H. H. Stewart Of Va;
r. W. Thompson, of Ind. aud J. Scott Harrison, of
Ohio. Also / Secretaries. The announcement of
names was received with applause, and the Romina-
tons were confirmed by acclamation. Mr.. Hunt re-
turned thanks in pertinent address.
Charles Lathrop, of Pa, moved TO proceed to
ballot for candidate for President.
Edward Shipper, of Pa, offered a substitute, that
each State nominate a candidate for President and
the convention then proceed to ballot and drop each
candidate having the smallest number of votes, till
q result is reached.
Mr. Randolph, of New Jersey, moved that Hon.
Lewis Coudit, of New Jersey, be made an honorary
Vice President Of the convention by acelama-
ton.
Mr. Harris, of Mo-, said he desired an opportunity
to confer with the delegations of the various States
and find out who is the best man TO put forward.
He wanted time for intercourse, and therefore
thought the proposition to proceed TO ballot, pre-
mature. Weshoud appoint committee to prepare
a declaration Of principles to serve a basis upon
which great and permanent party could be estab-
lished There were immense responsibilities resting
upon us, and we should act with delberation and
care.
John S. Little, Of Pa, advocated the passage of
MIR. Shippers resolution
Mr.. Goggin, of Va, moved that the Hon. J. J.
Crtlenden he invited TO take seat on the platform
Carried with applause.
Mr.. N. G. Peudeton, of Ohio was satisfied that
we should net more harmoniously together If dele
gates were allowed time TO consult together He
/ moved an amendment that n committee of one OF
each State be appointed, to whom each delegation
indicate its preference so as TO secure unity OF
action.
f. w. Grayson, of Pa, thought when he came
here they had more important work than the Presi-
dency-they had organized great national party
and when it triumphed he wanted II to do so upon
principle. He could not agree 10 take any man. no
matter what were his antecedents who did moi
stand fairly on and by the platform of recognized
rights and principles. The Interpretation and the
meaning Of the Constitution were involved in the
contest between the two existing partes--they dill
cred as to whether Congress had the right 10 egis
late in regard TO slavery in the Territories. Kisses
lie was not going into this subject. laughter
What he meant was, that this Union party should
ignore that disturbing ISSUE therefore before they
nominated they should plant themselves on plat
form OF Constitutional principles. [Applause.1
Mr.. Combs was so thoroughly impressed with the
importance Of platform that he had prepared three
for the Democratic, Republican, and Union parties
For the harmonious Democracy, he would present
Virginia resolutions of 79s and 90, with two re-
solutions ON slavery, to keep it out of the Ter
rories one to force slavery into it, TO be adopted
under the previous question, and no question after
wards.
Second. For the rrepressihle conflict philanthrop
lists, he proposed the "Blnen laws of Connection
with two notifications, in regard to kissing wive:
lon Sunday and burning witches-it being under
stood that all pretty wives might be kissed and all
old witches burned, Great applause.
Third. For the Constitutional party, he proposed
the Constitution as il is and the Union now and