Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-26
The Douglas Convention.

The Douglas Convention.
BALTIMORE, June 23-The Douglas delegates from
Louisiana and Alabama have taken seats.
Dodge. of Iowa, moved to dispense with the read
ing of the journal. Agreed TO.
Garrett, of Alabama, moved to have the names of
the delegates from Alabama corrected according to
| the list sent up.
Caldwell of Kentucky, stated that after the with
| drawal of the delegation last evening they held
| meeting and re-aSsembled again this morning. The
circumstances in which they were placed were ex-
| ceedingly embarrassing, and they were unable to
| come to a harmonious conclusion. The result is
that ten delegates will withdraw from the COnven-
| ton and nine remain. Those that withdraw beg
leave to submit paper stating their reasons for
the withdrawal Five others desire, for the pres
ent to suspend action with the Convention without
taking part in any other body. In suspendng their
action with the Convention, they hope there may
yet arise opportunity to act harmOnlOusly with
the Convention, and therefore retain their seats
and the right to act with the Convention. Further
more it is the wish of the ten that withdraw that
their votes may not be cast by any other party The
action on their part has been taken without anger
| or bitterness and in the deepest sorrow. They do
| not cast censure anywhere. 1t was not for them
to question the action of any independent sovereign
ty but it felt to be their duty and and policy to
return to their constituency and leave them free to
act should there be two candidates in the field. He
now withdrew the name of that distinguished pat
riot Mr. Guthrie from the Convention as a candid
ate for the Presidency.
He then presented papers from those who sus-
| pended action and also a communication from Hon.
James G. Leech of the retiring candidates, s!lg-
matizing the action of the Convention in harsh
terms, unfair, undemOcratc, and irregular, and
attacking the majority in violent language. The
latter paper was read first and after it had been
read Payne, of Ohio, moved to return the paper
Immediately to the gentleman who presented it,
with the ntmation that the Convention declined to
receive it. [Cries of Eyes, yes, that's rlght."l
Payne did not recognize the right of the delegates
seeding from the convention to insult the majority
or to impugn the action of the convention because
a majority passed the credentials of these claim
ing seats in the convention.
Caldwell assured the convention that he had no
knowledge of the contents of the paper Just read.
1t had been handed to him while on the floor The
other papers would be found perfectly respectful in
language aud temper.
Payne moved that the paper be handed back to its
author
Sayles, of Rhode Island hoped the motion would
prevail. The pSper direct insult to the con-
ventiOn, as inpugning the convention, and direct
insult also to the Douglas delegates who had taken
seats in the convention. He acquitted Mr. Calwden
of all knowledge of the contents of the paper and
felt certain that he would not have presented it if
he had known its true character.
Crum, of Missouri, hoped that the papers would
be read He desired to defend and justify the action
of the convention the stump, and the paper was
the best argument against the seceders.
Richardson suggested that the reading Of the other
papers be completed first
Leech, of Kentucky, disclaimed any intention to
offer insult to the convention or any of its men,
bers He believed that the facts stated in his paper
were incontrOvertible, and, believing them true he
had stated them plainly but without any intention
to insult the convention. The reception of the paper
unanimously declined and it was returned to the
writer.
West of Connecticut, called for the question on
proceeding to baOtfOr candidates. This the sixth
day Of proceedings of the convention and the count
ry is weary Of them.
Reed of Kentucky, on the part of apOrtiOn of the
Kentucky delegation. declared that they had seen no
cause why Kentucky should desert Democratic
convention and the Democratic party.
The doomed city to be saved if five true men |
could be found therein. Here were five delegates |
from Kentucky who intended to redeem and save |
that State They recognized this convention as the
only convention of the National Democratic party |
they will have no seChOnalsm of North and South, |
but will stand here as pillar Of fire between the
men of both extremes they were not going to aban-
don the convention because one great leader, whose
pathway from Washington to the great West had |
been lighted by gallant deeds, happened to be |
nominated. Loud applausel The people of the |
country would step forth in their might and rescue
our institutions from the hands of politicians and |
out of the hands of the present administration |
Immense applause, which continued for several |
minutes The State of Kentucky would come up to |
the support of the nominee of the convention, who
ever he may be- and the five delegates present would
part begged to present that name again
Clark Of Missouri, said that he would announce |
the action of the Missouri delegation after consul
ing.
would say part of the Missouri delegation, be-
cause some here do not wish the idea to 90 forth |
that consultation is necessary.
Clark said that such was the fact. A portion of |
the delegation desire to retire for consultation Two
had agreed to withdraw from the cOnventiOn-the |
remainder will stay here where their constituents
sent them, with the National Democratic party of
the Union.
Hill, of n c., announced that while he found |
nothing IN the action of the convention to any
to withdraw, he yet felt that he should proba-
bly, be doing injustice to his constituents if he re-
manned to act any longer with this convention when
a majority from his State had withdrawn.
Moore of Ala, attempted to take the floor but /
objections were made, with loud cries of ques- |
ton"
jones' of Tennessee, said that only Is dele |
gates from Tennessee had withdrawn. Il was re-
presented that 10 had withdrawn, but six were sim
DIV appointed by the others and had no delegated |
authority. [Cries of question:
Cooper, Of Tennessee, rose to question of privi-
lege, and a scene of excitement ensued He desired
10 reply TO JONES' but the latter dscaimed anv alu-
sion to Cooper, and here the convention drowned |
their voices, by the cries of question, question
Jones, of Pennsylvania, raised point of order |
This was no place to settle private quarrels
The President decided all remarks out of order |
lie desired to present TO the convention two papers
one from Straman, of Arkansas the other from the
delegates from Georgia.
Payne of Ohio, moved to suspend the reading and |
lay on the table.
After some skirmishing that course was agreed to- /
Loud calls for the question were then made when /
the President rose and begged the indulgence of the
convention. He said: When he accepted the posi- /
ton Of chairman of this convention he was aware of
the trouble looming in the distance He had re-
NAMED in the convention and in his seat in the hope
that harmony of counsel would at last prevail That
hope had been falaciOus and he deemed it his duty
in the present emergency, while rendering his CRATE
full Acknowledgements to all gentlemen for the cour-
tesy extended to him. and particularly to those who
differed with him in policy, and while expressing 1
his personal regard and cordial respect to all the
members of the convention to now resign to Mr.. |
Todd of Ohio, his seat in the chair.
A long and sudden burst of applause broke forth /
from the convention, and there was general applaud
ing and cheeringl
The President raped to order amidst much con-
fusion.
The applause continued several moments, and as
Cushing left the Chair the whole Convention rose,
waving their hats and handkerchiefs, and clapping
their hands, mingled with cries of good good; now
chs have a fair man IN fha Chair