Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-19
The Democratic State Convention
Yesterday.
The BEGINNING of the End.
Troubles IN CoUNcILll STORMY PROCEED

The Democratic State convention met III
this. city yesterday. to appoint delegates to
the Charleston Convention and select electors
for the State in the pending Presidential
struggle. Hon. GEORGE w. JONts, OF Lin
coin. presided over its deliberations Sosoon
as the convention was prepared to proceed to
business, and committee on resolutions had
been appointed. signs of a brewing storm
showed themselves in the horizon. A mo-
tion was made, which prevailed. TO refer all
resolutions that might be presented, to the
committee on resolutions. WhereupOn Mr.
SYKES, OF Marry, offered a series of resOlu-
tioDs Te-adoptiug the Cincinnati Platform,
and endorsing the bred Scott decision, and
the doctrine Of Congressional protection of
slavery In the Territories. In the meantime,
Judge DUNLAP, OF Shelby, in reporting the
names Of gentlemen for the 10Th District on
the ,Committee on resolutions. stated that
thew were instructed by tine delegation from
that District TO go for the Cincinnati Plat
form, -.unaltercd and unchanged" Here was
an excellent opening for fare up. which in
due time occurred.
After dinner, Mr.. SYKES proposed that on
test questions the Convention should vote by
counties, and each county sboult be entitled
one vote for every 100 democratic votes 1t
cast for Governor last August, and proceed
ed to advocate it in speech.
MrPAYxE, OF Shelby, opposed that mode
of voting as unjust, unfair, extraordinary and
unprecedented.
Mr. ATKINS, of Henry, the gentleman rem
dered immortal by being beaten by Mr.. ETH
BRIDGE. Pc ound,d an .iuterrogatory, sup
posed to be damaging to the position OF Mr.
PAYNE. Mr. Howard, of Wilson, got the
floor, and in the midst OF highly exciting
and interesting scene, in which Aessrs. SYKES.
PAYNE, ATKINS and Howard participated,
The Committee OH resolutions entered the
Hall and seeing there was something ex-
c.edingly disagreeable and inharmOnious in
tie then existing state of affairs, Mr.. EWING,
(ANDREw) of Davidson, proposed that, as they
would probably have no occasion for settlidg
the voting basis, if they would hear the reso-
lutions read, the. discussion cease, and the
Convention receive the report of the Com
mittee.
He said: And Gen. BATE, of Sumner. read
the platform. This indorsed the Cincinnati
Platform and bred Scott decision, approved
generally of the leading measures of Mr.
BUCHANAN's administration, and proposed
ANDREW JOHNSON for the Presidency.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, of Hickman, from the same
committee, scarcely allowing time for Gen.
BATE to close the reading, offered an amend
ment to the platform by way of minority
report, asserting the power of Congress,
coupled with the duty of protecting slavery
in the territories.
The proceedings which followed for the next
hour beggars ali CUR powers of description. 1t
was such as we never before witnessed in
q democratic Convention, at least. Mr..
SYKES led off ina strain Of defamation, not
TO be considered tranquil nor pointless. He
showed the different constructions that had
en- given to the bred Scott decision, aud
expressed his determination never 10 vote
for the resolutions unless they were made to
express precisely what they were intended
TO mean. He was much applauded; and on
Mr.. EwISG's attempt to get the floor for ex-
PLANTATION, cries came from all sides for SYKES
to go on. Great confusion ensued. during
which Mr.. EwISG. Mr.. ATKINS and Mr. PAYNE
spoke. Gen. Pillow, assembled The rOstrum
with can of oil to pour on the troubled
waters, in the shape of a series OfTesolutions,
which he presented at the Cincinnati Conven-
ton. which did not exactly suit himself but
which he thought would resolve all differences
and restore harmony TO the Convention.
which, at that juncTure. stood sadly in need
of it. Gen. ATKINS finally proposed to
amend Vie resolutions by inserting that por-
tion of the Prrsdeet's late message referring
to the bred Scott decision and the final
settlement" of the slavery question there
under. The question being taken on recon-
hitting the resolutions to the committee with
the proposed amendm nts. the chair Was I'M
able TO decide whether the ayes or noes were
in a majority. This revived the voting basis
question Another round Of confusion fol:
lowed. during which Gen. BATE repudiated
DoUGIAs and was for a reeommitial Of the
resolutions. Mr.. DUNNISGToS. of Maury, ill., |
sisted strenuously on the original proposition |
Of Mr.. SYKES, and Mr.. KNOX WALKER, of |
Shelby, offered a resolution Ia lieu, to vote |
by Congressional Districts, which prevailed. |
Th. steniorian voice of the inevitable Pun |
GikSS. of Fayette. was heard, at one time,
above the din and uprOar, advocating the |
claims Of ANDREW JOHNSON for the Presiden- |
cy, deprecating innovations and opposing |
she recommiital Of the resolutions
The next succeeding step OF the Conven-
lion was, to retire from the Hall for a meet |
Ing Of The several Congressional District dele
gates to vote on the proposition TO recommit /
the resolutions. After some time the "hreth- /
REM returned, and IL was aseertained that |
all bat the 3rd and 10th Districts were for
which the Convention adjourned for supper.
The convention met again AFTER tea. and
while the Committee we're still dcliberati
on the rough joints and knoiiy poiuts in the
was entertained BY an exhortafion
10 unity and hOrmony by Mr.. PAYNE. At
through Hon. CAVE Johnson. of Mont gomer i:
reported an amended platform. upon which
AL could stand 1t was adopted uaSer de-
maad for the previous QUESTION. few dissen-
ting. We will hereafter publish the Platform.
LASDoS e. HAYNks, OF Washington, aud W.
9. wHrrHoKSE, of Maury, were appointed
electors for the State at large Mes-rs. s
kuIIGAS. A EWING, J. ID. c. ATKINS aud w.
A. QuARLKs, were slseted as delegates to
the Charleston Convention.
Col HAYNES then made q Ft,eech haf,ra /
The close Of which We xere called away from
he Hall.
PosrAGx on MUssc--The Washington Csa-
'tst~fsOa says I'VE are authorized to state
hat the porper m3Ie Of raiing music with