Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-11
FIRST DAY-wEDNEsDAY, May 9th.


TEE-ADJ0URNMENT
FIRST DAY-wEDNEsDAY May 9th.
The National Constitutional Union Convention for the
purpose of nominating candidates for the Presidency
and Vice Presidency assembled this morning in the old
Church building of Fayette and North streets
The main hall filed by the Delegates to the Con-
vention, whilst the galleries crowded by eager
throng Of spectators. The west gallery exclusive
~ reserved for the ladies, OF whom there fair at
tendance.
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed aud the delegations
they entered the hall were greeted with applause
The Honorable John j. Crittenden and General Leslie
COombs of Kentucky, loudly cheered as they
tered and evidently much pleased with their cordial
reception.
TIE CONVENTION CALLED To ORDER.
Shortly after O'clock the Hon. j. j. Crittenden tool,
his seat at the Presidents desk, and was received with
deafeuing applause
The Rev DR.. James D. McCabe was then introduced
by Mr. Crtenden, and delivered the following impress
sye
PRAYER.
0 God, who art the blessed and only Poentae, the
King OF Kings and Lord of Lords, the Almighty Ruler
Of Nations we, thine unworthy servants, adore and
magnify thy great and glorious name, for all the blessings
| thou hast bestowed a people. We give Thee
thanks for the gOodly heritage thou hast given 10
for the civil aud religious privileges enjoy and for
all the multiplied manifestations OF thy avors towardus
As a Nation Grant that we NAV show forth our thank
D
Thy Almighty Power aud Dominion-in humble reliance
on Thy goodness aud in holy obedience to Thy righteous
laws. Preserve TO Couutrc and to all the nations Of
OF the earth the blessings Of peace Let the kingdom
oil the Prince Of Peace be established and reign IN tie
hearts and lives Of all people, Strengthening the
ltcrnal ties that unite them, and exciting to that
noble emulatOn-whO can most contribute 10 the per-
mauency of our Institutions and the perpetuity, the
dignity aud glory Of tue Nation. We mpore Thy bless
iug upon all in Legislative, judicial and Executive
I ,l nm Iliur
to discharge their duties so most electualy 20 pro-
mote Tny glory the interests OF true religion aud virtue
the peace good order aud welfare OF all states aud
] conditions Of men.
Continue o Lord to prosper Institutions for the
promotion Of sound leaning the diffusion Of vrtuOus
education the advancement OF sound Christianity, and
the purity and prosperity OF the Holy Church Universal
Save US Lord As individuals aud a nation, from the
guilt of abusing the blessings oil prosperity TO minister
to luxury and RIGHTEOUSNESS to irrelgion and vice. to
sectional discord aud dsuuOn, lest provoke Thee to
withdraw Thy favors and to visit offences with
! rod, and our sins With scourgcs.
Most gracious God we humbly beseech Thee as for
the people Of these United States in general especially
for the representatives of the several States in National
Convention here assembled Direct and prosper all their
consultations TO the advancement Of Thy glory the safe
IT, honor and welfare Of this nation; that all their dOngs
may be ordered that peace aud happiness truth aud
Justice public virtue and national liberty may be estab
ished among Us for all generations Oh Lord, Faith
trusted in Thee and we're not counounded-Thou dds
! guide them by Thy counsel They cried to Thee and
Thou dldst keep them and deliver them, and didst give
to them goody heritage o. let Thy presence be
with these Thy servants who now call upon Thee. May
all their deliberations be had in Thy fear and may they
by Thy grace, tend to hush the discords Of sectional
strife aud TO save our country from that vortex OF adr
chg which has engulphed all former Republics May the
solemn lessons of the past be needed and all the cOncu
sons Of this body be marked with wisdom, modera-
ton and true patriotism, that there may 90 forth from
. lsh 4llafiA aIV liza
every spirit that would attempt ALLEVIATE any portion
of country from the rest TO enfeeble the sacred
ties which now link together its various parts kinded
here alresh 10y the Inspirations OF Thy spirit may lame
OF pure and devoted patriotism be shed forth upon the
whole American heart that knows no North, no South,
no East no West but our country glorious whole
and ndyisibe the solemn utterance OF which shall be
| the Constitution, it must be preserved.
Without Thee, O. Lord the sparrow falleh not 10 the
ground. Unless Thou keep the city the watchmen wa
keith but in vain. Let thine Almighty Arm defend
this great nation deepen its foundations, and strengthen
its bulwarks defend it from the assaults OF foes and de-
liver it from the rash folly Of friends Let it long con-
nue the glory Of the whole EARTH Amid the grandeur
OF that day for which all other days were made may it
| st be found, while like the UaU6s, many-lke the
ocean, one
Protect and keep these Thy servants, while the dis.
charge OF their present duties guard their families from
all evil accident and danger while they absent and
them to their homes in health aud happiness and
with the consciousness that they have done their duty to
Thee aud to their country, and with humble dependence
upon Thy mercy that their abors like bread cast upon
the waters shall be gathered after many days.
These things ask in the and mediation of
Christ thy Son, to whom with Thee Father, and Thee
Holy Ghost, God and three persons, be present
and everlasting praises-Anen!
| HON WASHINGTON HUNT CALLED TO THE CHAIR.
At the conclusion of the prayer, Hon. John j. Crten-
den remarked that, Chairman OF the National Execu-
| we q the arty became
TO call the Convention to order he would do so briefly
as no words we're required In obedience with instruc-
tons given him. he would nominate for temporary Chair
man Of the Convention, the Hon. Washington Hunt, for
| merly Governor Of New York
The question being taken the nomination was unani-
mousy confirmed amidst great applause
| On motion of the Hon Thos Swami, W. T. Swtzer,
OF Missouri was elected temporary Secretary.
Ex-Governor Hunt took the chair and was received
with enthusiastic applause He proceeded to address the
Convention as follows, and frequently interrupted by
the paudits of the assembly:
| The Chairman said-Gentlemen Il find myself most
Unexpectedly called upon to preside over the preliminary
proceedings of this convention. 1t is call which do
not feel at liberty TO refuse yet regret that some other
name has not been proposed The proud and animatng
spectacle presented here this occasion revves cher
shed recoections, and kndl feelings and sentiments
! of patriotic hope.
1t carries the mind back TO those days Of blessed mem
ory when the fathers of the country assembled in coun
Gil to form more perfect union and establish the ioun-
datons, broad and deep, of a political system which
should preserve forever American liberty union, aud in
dependence. Applause
The spirit which animated them will inspire us on this
OCCASION; | trls; it will be our object and aim to
strengthen the institutions which received from their
hands, and strengthen that feeling Of union and fra
ternlty which constitutes us people and without
which union would be impossible. Applause.
We have together on this occasion from all parts
OF our widely extended country-from the North and
South from the East and from the West-to deliberate
and take counsel together for the common good OF our
whole country. We have come mission of peace
to strengthen the chains Of union and to revive the spirit
are and intend 10 be one bound together by
mon ties. Applause
We are brought together by no partisan influences,
for in times like these The interests Of party, and the
schemes of personal ambition become utterly insignia
cant and worthless, Applause. They are too aeeting