Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-05
The Convention of the seoeders.


The Southern seceders met on Thursday,
about 40 delegates being present. Senator
Bayard, of Delaware, presided. The motion
pending, was that the Convention express
preferences for candidates for President and
Vice President.
A delegate from Texas moved that the
resolution be referred to committee of one
from each State. The delegates from Ala
bama and Texas were prepared to act at
| once.
Mr.. jackson, of Ga, the author Of the rcso-
luton, withdrew it.
Mr.. Burrows, of. Ark, presented resolu-
ton for appointing standing committee Of
one from each State, to issue an address to
the Democratic party of the Union. He
said that this Convention had in its posses
sion the ark of the covenant-the resolutions
adopted by II States of the Union-and it
was point around which the country would
rally.
Judge Meeks, of Ala offered substitute,
that the committee be appointed merely to
prepare an address, giving the reasons for
the course pursued. He further said, that
any Southern State that went into the Balti-
more Convention, did so as an approyer Of
squatter sovereignty. The Convention, just
on the eve of adjournment, had adopted a
resolution inviting the Southern States to
| fill up the vacancies accustomed by their
secession. He was in favor of the nomina-
ton of Jefferson Davis and Bayard, but he
would yield to the wishes Of others to fore
90 the expression of preference at this
| time.
Mr.. Burrows withdrew his proposition.
Mr.. Jackson, of Ga, moved the Convention
now adjourn sine die.
Mr.. Hill, of Ga, said if the object was to
make this Il disunion movement, he and his
colleagues were prepared to leave at once.
His constituents would approve Of nothing
that would tend to disunion.
Mr.. Yancey asked to whom he alluded as
favoring dsunion.
| Mr.. Hill asked to be excused from answer
ing.
Mr.. Yaneey demanded an answer, as he
wished it to go to the country that there had
been no word or deed tending to dissolution
of the Union.
Mr.. Hill admitted nothing of the kind had
been said or done; but the position they would
be put in by this action, would make them a
disunion combination. Their attitude would
he disunion attitude.
Judge Mceks, of Ala, said he was, and al
ways had been, firm Union man, if their
constitutional rights were respected lie
denied that any disunion sentiments had been
uttered there. He thought the proposition IT,
disband, singular one. They were about
separating without recommending or taking
any action with regard to the Presidency.
He therefore moved that, should the Balti
more Convention repudiate their resolutions,
| a committee be authorized to call a National
Convention.
| Mr.. Jackson, of Ga, thought this was no
time to cry "Union, Union" There was
no man in Georgia who would shout for the
Union, at the expense of the rights OF the
South. Applause. When the rights OF
South were sacrificed, he was for Liberty
first, Union afterwards. Cheers. If there
was no one to stand by him, he must then
quit the South
Mr. Whitley, of Del, moved to lay Judge
Meek's resolution on the table, and adjourn.
The delegates Of each State could give to
| their constituents their reasons for the course
pursued. lie was opposed to any general
address, and moved that the Convention add
jOurn.
Judge Meeks, of Ala, said that if any one
supposed him to be devoted to the Union, at
the expense Of the rights Of the South, he
was mistaken. Sever the Constitution, and
the Union was gone. He wished to vinticate
before the world, as well as the Union, their
position He wanted this movement to be
properly expressed.
Mr.. Barry, of Miss. hoped the Convention
would adjourn in harmony. He had not
urged the extremist doctrines Of States rights.
He was opposed to disbanding, and advoca-
ted an adjournment in imitation of the other
Convention.
Mr.. Barry further said 1.-THE platform
may be opened at Baltimore, and be changed
to suit our views | thiuk we are delegates
to that Convention. We ought to 60 to Bal
timure Ii our constituents choose to fill our
places with other delegates, they can do 80.
We are still members of that Convention,
and no one but our constituents can take our
credentials from us. |, therefore, hope this
course will be pursued"
The President.-"Oh, no, that will not
do
Mr.. Hooper. of Miss, opposed the propo-
sition Of Mr.. Barry, saying they were no
longer delegates of that Convention. They
had separated from them on principle, and
ne was unwilling that they should go to
Baltimore as an adjunct OF that Convention.
II they adjourned without saying Or doing
anything, they would stultlty themselves.
If they were to 60 to Baltimore, the moral
effect of the movement would be lost He
desired them manlully and boldly to make
their nomination. He was for action. If
they went home without it, they would be
merely enunciating sentiment about which
there was no difference Of opinion at the
South. They should act promptly and
boldly.
Mr.. Yancey approved the proposition of
Judge Meeks Of Alabama, for appointing
committee to prepare all address. He did
not think it would either save or break the
Union. The delegate from Georgia, in pre-
dieting disuuiou movement, and disunion
leaders, looked to the Georgia delegation,
but declined to name who and what he
meant. Another Georgia delegate seemed
to charge him with singing peans to the
Union.
Mr. Jackson disclaimed such an intention
His remarks were Intended for his colleague,
who he thought might put Georgia in a
wrong position.
MIR. Iancey wanted this not to go forth to
the country as a movement to preserve or
destroy the Union, but rather to preserve the
rights of the South. He then spoke at
IL Il. + l., -.