Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-26
Democratic National Convention.

Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention met at
Baltimore on the 18th inst, in pursuance of the
adjournment at Charleston, and was called to
order at - o'clock, by the President, Mr.. Cush-
ing, of Massachusetts. 81
The question of the admission of the delega-
tions from the seeding Southern States pre-
seDted itself Immediately on the re assembling Of
the Convention. The President of the Conven-
ton declined to decide upon the pran0 tycie
right OF the delegates from these States to return
to the Convention, even in the cases where
there were no contrasting delegations, and re-
ferred the point to the Convention for decision.
To this question the whole efforts of the Con-
vention were directed, and hours were spent in
debate not altogether free from asperity, but
characterized, perhaps, by more of calmness and
conclllatlon than might have been anticipated
under the excitement ofthe surrounding circum-
stances. Three separate propositions were pend.
ing when the Convention adjourned at night
The first OF these resolutions, proposed bV Mr..
Howard, of Tennessee, directs the recognition of
all who were members of the Convention at
Charleston as entitled to their seats in the pres
ent adjourned meeting of the body. This would
re- admit the Seceders without reference to the
subsequent action OF the party in the several
States. An amendment to this, proposed by Mr..
Church, OF New York, refers the claims of all
delegates to the seats made vacant by the seces-
sion to Committee On Credentials. and exacts
as preliminary TO the admission OF any of them.
pledge to abide in honor and good faith by- the
action OF the Convention and support its nomi-
nations. The third resolution, proposed by Mr..
Glmor, of Pennsylvania, proposes to admit the
delegations from the seeding States where there
are no contesting claimants and to refer those
in which there is contest to the Committee on
Credentials. sra...
On these three propositions, interspersed with
minor points OF order, etc., the debate of the
whole day was expended. A purpose was in
dlcated during the morning session to PRESS the
question to an immediate decision under the
compulsion of the previous question. This was.
however, abandoned, and the debate continued
up to the hour of adjournment, when the pre-
vious question was again moved. and seconded.
SECOND DAY.
The Convention re assembled apparently under
the influence of more conciliatory spirit than
characterized the debate of Monday. A propo-
sition was made, Immediately upon the meeting
OF the Convention, to withdraw that part of Mr.
Church's resolution which proposed to impose
pledge upon the seeding delegates to remain in
the Convention and support its nominations as
condition precedent to their re-admission.-
Ibis much OF concession on one side was met bv
similar spirit on the other, and the motion was
unanimously adopted to refer the cases of all
the seeding and contesting delegations to the
COMMITTEE on Credentials. The Convention
having thus disposed of all the questions imme-
diately before it, adjourned until five o'clock.
when another ADJOURNMENT was rendered neces-
Sur hyvf ha no%f hat H., a.
dentlals were not yet prepared to report.
THIRD DAY. ,71 f 81
No progress was made in the business of the
Convention. The members assembled in the
morning, listened to personal explanation be-
tween Messrs. King and Clark, of Missouri. in
which some of the bad feeling so prevalent a.
mong the delegates was manifested, and ad-
Journed to the afternoon; met again in the after
noon and adjourned to Thursday morning The
obstacle in the way of the Convention proceed
ing to business was the inability of the Com
mittee on Credentials to reach conclusion in
all the cases of contesting delegations brought
before them.
FOURTH DAY.
Just after the opening prayer, that part of the
flooring just covering the orchestra fell in with
a loud crash. The particular spot was occupied
by the boiling portion of the delegates from New
York and the delegates from Pennsylvania. A
fearful scene of excitement ensued. Some rush
ed on the reporters stand, some few to the
windows, some cried fight" some fire" La
dies rushed to get out at the main ENTRANCE but
generally showed more calmness than the men,
who came down pell nell from the upper gale
ries. Finally, order was restored and no one
Was hurt. The Hall was cleared 20 make re-
pairs, and a recess given for one hour.
When the Con sention re-asselnbled the Com
mittee on Credentials reported in favor of ad-
uniting all the Douglas delegates except those
from Mississippi, 10 which case the Seceders
were admitted. minority report was made
ia favor of the Secessionists. The theatre was
densely packed, and intense anxiety prevailed
After taking a recess, the New York delega
ton announced that they were not ready to vote
on the main question, and asked a further recess.
A difficulty occurred between the Pennsylva-
mia delegations about the distribution Of tickets
A statement was made by Mr.. Montgomery,
which was denied by Mr.. Randall. Mr.. Mont
gomery asked, Ills the lmpertinence of that old
man to be tolerated." Cries of ''order." Ran
dali rushed to Montgomery. Intense excitement
aud rush to the spot from all parts of the
House. Mr.. Dawson explained, aud concluded
by saying that the statement OF Montgomery was
false. The latter gave the lie TO Dawson. The
theatre was scene OF unparalleled confusion
aud uproar; finally they voted 70 adjourn till to-
morrow
A son OF Josiah Randall attacked Mr.. Mont
gomery on the street and struck him in the face
with his fist, when Montgomery knocked him
down. Montgomery was taken off by his
friends bis face covered with blood. Great ex
ctement.
FIFTH DAY-WITHDRAWAL OF SOUTHERN DELE
GATES. I'll.
On the assembling of the Convention at 10
o'clock, the CHAIR stated that the first business
in order was on the main question on the reso-
lutions of the Credenta Committee. The reso
lutions were then read in order, and the minor
ity report was rejected by vote of 100 yeas to
$50 nays. The majority report was then voted
upon, each resolution separately-hrst, the Mis-
sissippi delegation was admitted-yeas $50, nays
PIP. The vote GU the second resolution, adj
hitting the Louisiana Douglas delegation-yeas
153, nays 81. The other resolutions of the ma
jority were then successfully adopted, except
the one relating to Georgia New York voted
that down and introduced one giving to the Sc
oeders the whole vote OF Georgia.
At the evening session, the New York reso-
luton as above was adopted.
The result OF the vote being announced, q
delegate from Pennsy lvania moved to proceed
to nominate candidates. Another moved to adj
iourn sane die.
Mr.. Russell, of Virginia, arose and announced
on behalf of his delegation that it was not con-
sistent with their convictions of duty to partici-
pate longer in the action OF the Convention.
Five of the Virginia delegates remained in
the Convention. Mr.. Motif, of Va, said he and