The Van Buren press., 1860-05-18
The Charleston Convention.
TENTH DAY.
CHARLEsroN, May 3


ner day, and was called to order shortly
after 10 o'clock.
Prayer was-dclivered by the Rev. Mr..
The reading Of the journal was dispens-
ell with, on motion of Mr.. Stuart, of Mich
igan.
Mr., Russell. of Virginia, and Mr.. Ewing.
of Tennessee, rose at the same time, and
the floor was awarded to
MIR. r., who desired to make motion and
on privileged question, and asked leave to
make a few remarks. 1t was stated in the
morning papers that Mr.. Howard, of Ten.
nessce, had offered q resolution which ap.
pears in print, and had stated that other
States, including the State Of Virginia,
concurrcd in recommending its adoption.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolued, That the citizens of the United State.
have equal right to settle in the Territories Of
the United States and that under the decisions of
the supreme Court Of the United States which ara
recognized IA correct exposition Of the Constitu-
property can be deatroycd or suspended by
Congressional and Territorial legislation.
All the Southern States, he believed. had
agreed on this, and he understood the State
Of New York had given her assent to its
Resoloed That when this convention adiourns.
to day, it adjourn to assemble at Baltimore Md.
on Monday, the 18th day of June, and that it be
respectfully recommended to the Democratic party
Of the several States to make provision for supply
ing all vacancies in their respective delegations
this convention when it shall reassemble. Zap
plause
The roll Of States was called, and tho
motion that when the convention adjourn.
it adjourn to meet at Baltimore on the 18th
day Of June, was adopted by 1875 yeas to
50 nays.
Mr. Stuart. of Michigan moved that this
convention do now adjourn. Cries Of
question question!
Gen. Pratt of Connecticut.-I first pro-
pose three cheers for the great Democratic
party.
Three cheers were heartily given.
The Prcsident.-The chair, before put
ting the final motion to adjourn, requests,
for few moments the attention Of the con-
ventIon.
Order being restored, the president said
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION : AL
low me, before putting the question Of sd
journment to ycu to address to you part
ing word.
desire first to say, and, in saying it, to
bear testimony to your constituents and TO
the people of the United States that, con.
sidcring the nu,nerousness Of the assembly,
the important interests involved in its de-
l:bera.ions, and the emotions thus natural
ly awakened in your bos oms considering
all this, say your sessions have been dis
tinguished by order, by freedom from per-
sonalities, by decerum and by observances
of parliamentary method and law. In the
competition for the floor, in the zeal of gen
tlemen to promote their respective opinions
by motions or objections to motions, in tho
lassitudc of protracted sittings, occasions
have occurred of apparent, but only appar-
rent confusion. But there has been no real
confusion, no deliberate violation of order.
am better able than any other person tS
speak knowingly on this point, and to
speak impartially, and say it with pride
and pleasure. as thing especially proper
for Ire to say from the chair.
desire further to say for and ia behalf
of myself, that also know by the knowl-
e lge of my own heart and conscience, that
in the midst of circumstances always ardu-
Gus, and in some respects of peculiar en-
barrassment, it has been my steady pur-
pose and constant endeavor to discharge
lmpartially the duties Of the chair If. in
the execution Of these duties, it shall have
happened to nae to address any gentleman
abruptly, or not to have duly recognized
him, beg pardon of him and of the COR
vention.
Finally, permit me to remind you. gen.
tlemen, that not merely the fortunes Of the
great Constitutional party which you repre-
sent, but the fortunes of the Constitution.
also, are at stake Oh the acts ol this con-
yention. Daring the period Of eighty -four
years, we, the States Of this Union, have
been associated together in one form or an
other, for objects of domestic order and for
eign security. We have traversed side by
side the wars Of the Revolution and other
and later wars Through peace AMI war,
through sunshine and storm, we have held
our way manfully on, until we have como
to be the Great Republic. Shall we cease
to be such l will not believe that this
noble work of our fathers is to be shattered
into fragments this Great Republic to be
but a name, history of a mighty people
once existing, but existing no longer save
as a shadowy memory, or as monumental
lin by tn, side of the pathway OF time. !
iondly trust that we shall continue to march
on forever-the hope Of nations as we'll in
tnc Olu wOrlu rs III tie ucW-lIkc tue UIISht
orbs of the armament, which roll on with
out rest because bound for eternity /; With
out haste, because predestined for eternity;
SO may it be with this glorious confedera-
tiou of States.
pray you, therefore, gentlemen, in your
return to your constituents and to the bo-
| SONS of your families, to take with You a.
your guiding thought the sentiment Of the
Constitution and the Union. And with
this cordially bid you farewell, until the
prescribed re assembling Of the convention
The address was received with leud ap-
plause, and at its close the president declar-
ed that the convention stood adjourned ur-
til the 18th of June, then to meet at II
o'clock NJ, in the city of Baltimore.
The final fall Of the hammer was the sig
nal for general stampede. and the dele
gatos rushed frcm the hall to their hoteas
with as much eagerness to seizc upon their
baggage and turn their faces homewArd. as
though life and fortune depended upon their
reaching the depots in time for the hrs.
trains out.
~ a Scotch parson. praying after .
fo~ery younger brother had preached. said.
- Lord. bless thy young servant. and with
thy great wisdom prick him with thy Spit
ii and let the wind ont of him. -