Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-01

FDS q. . -
aIpT
By MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
CHARLESTON CONVENTION.

The Minority Platform Adopted Great Ex-
citement-Secessio of Seven States, and
probable withdrawal Of Virginia and others
Douglas to be nominated-Dickinson and
Stephens to De nominated by the seceders.
CHARLESTON, April 30.-The Convention
met at 10 O'Clock pursuant to adjournment.
After prayer had been offered, the Presi-
dent addressed the Convention, apologizing
for the harsh language he had made use Of
during the disorder on Saturday evening
He, however, considered it to be his duty to
speak plainly and positively.
The President then announced the first
business to be the taking of the vote on the
main question, which was on the substitute
offered by Mr.. Butler in behalf of Massa-
chusetts, Minnesota, Indiana, and New Jer-
sey, presenting the Cincinnati platform, with
resolution for the protection of citizens of
foreign birth.
The vote being taken, the Butler platform
was rejected by nearly two-third vote
Yeas, los; nays, 1875.
When New Jersey was called, a delegate
stated that the Convention of that State, in
appointing the delegates, recommended them
to vote as a unit.
The President decided that the word re-
commended, was equivalent to an instruction.
The decision of the Chair was appealed
from.
A motion was made to lay the appeal on
the table, which was lost Ayes, $50; nays,
l46.
The question then required on the appeal,
and vote by States was demanded, which
resulted--yeas l45, thus reversing the de-
cision.
The result was a gain of two votes for
Douglas in New Jersey.
After nearly an hour spent in the discus
sion of points of order, and various parlia-
mentary manmuvres to prevent the main
question from being taken,
Mr.. Butler, of Mass, moved to lay the
whole subject on the table, and proceed to
the nomination Of candidates for President
and Vice President.
1t was contended that this motion was out
Of order, and that vote on the platform
must now be taken.
After further noisy and exciting demon
STATIONS, the question was taken on adopt
ing the minority report as q substitute for
the majority report on the platform, and it
was decided in the affirmative-ay l65,
noes 1873.
Mr. FIournoy, of Arkansas. asked leave
to make personal explanation, declaring
himself in favor Of the nomination of Doug
las, and unwilling to obey the instructions
of his State Convention, to leave this Con-
vention, in case the minority report was
| adopted.
OBJ flY(
the minority platform as substituted for the
majority platform.
MIR. Butler, of Massachusetts,, demanded
that the question be first taken on the first
part of the resolutions, that portion re-afirm-
ing the Cincinnati platform.
The vote was taken by States, and the
Cincinnati platform endorsed-ayes 233;
noes 70.
When Mississippi was called, Mr. Glenn
voted no, declaring that Mississippi believed
that the Cincinnati platform, explained North
and South, was an unqualified swindle.
| The voice of the speaker was frequently
drowned by cries of order, order.
Mr.. Briggs. of New York, said that now
that tue Cincinnati platform had been adopt
| ed, he would move that the remaining reso-
utions be laid upon the table.
Mr.. Brown, of North Carolina, warned
gentlemen that if they adopted these resolu-
| tons, the Democratic party must cease to ex-
list as National party.
Amidst great excitement the vote was tax
en- upon each of the resolutions of the minor
ity report separately, and they were adopted
| by large majorities.
Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida refused
| to vote.
Mr.. Cook gave notice that he should move
reconsideration Of the vote by which the
resolution favoring the construction of the
Pacific Railroad was adopted.
Upon the adoption of the minority report,
South Carolina North Carolina, MISSISSIPPI
pi, Arkansas Louisiana, Texas, Florida,
and Georgia, seeded from the Convention.
1t is rumored in the Convention, that Vir-
einia and Delaware, and Tennessee would
| follow suit.
The following delegates from seeding
States remain in the convention-two from
| Louisiana, three from South Carolina.
| Considerable feeling is expressed against
the three South Carolina delegates who
would not secede.
Two of the delegates from Delaware also
withdrew.
MIR. Russell, of Virginia, spoke for Virgin
ia and said she sympathized deeply with
Southern States, and asked an adjournment,
to allow consultation.
Subsequently the convention adjourned I'M
til morning, after session Of eight hours.
The excitement in the city is very great.
A salute is preparing in honor of the seceders.
The seeding Democrats meet at st. An
drew's Hail. to night, and will probably
nominate Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, of New
York, for President, and Hon. A. H. Ste
phens, of Georgia, for Vice President.
North Carolina did not 90 out of the Con-
vention. but stands firm, as also did Mary
land. Virginia, and Georgia, are discussing
the question of withdrawal, and a part of
the delegates from these States will probably
withdraw.
The Kentucky delegates are also in caucus
discussing the propriety of withdrawing.
Douglas will be nominated tomorrow on
the first ballot. without doubt; but the Con-
vention will have some difficulty in obtain
ing candidate for Vice President
Disastrous Fire.
New YORK, April 30-The Star of the
West, from Havana, brings intelligence that
fire occurred on the 10Th instant in the val
ey of Trinidad, sweeping along to an extent