The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-13
ADJOURNED MEETING
OF THE
DEMOCRATIC CITY CONVENTION
MOTION TO RESCIND
THE DOUGLAS RESOLUTIONS,
GREAl EXCITEMENT And CONFUSION.
THE BRECKENRIDGE PARTY IN THE
ASCENDENCY.

Last evening the Democratic City Convention
met at Rechabite Hall, John S. Wright, Esq, Pre-
sident, in the chair On call of the roll, it wa
found that quorum was present. When the 20tl
ward called, Mr.. Griffith stated that he had
note from George Vandaniker authorizing hin
(Griffith) to appoint substitute in his stead be
ing unable TO attend. Mr.. King objected to thu
admission of substitutes. The Chair stated tha
there was no rule either in the bylaws or the con
stituti0n in reference to substitutes discussion
here followed as to the power of delegation tc
fill vacancies for the night. Mr.. O'Brien, of the
7th ward raised the point of order that it was un
lawful to appoint substitutes, and the Chair sus
tanned the point of order
The President said that he was not aware of the
meeting on last Thursday night and stated that
he could only express his regrets that he was mol
present. He also apologized to Mr.. John A. Bowen
for informing him on the morning of that day that
there would be no meeting. He was under the i'm.
preston that there would be no meeting of the
Convention until he President called it together
But the bylaws require that the Convention shall
meet on the first Thursday night of each month
and consequently the meeting of Thursday night
legal. He said that he would also refer to
the fact that portion of the members of this Con
vention had met during this week and he could ONLY
say that no good could result from action of this
kind. As long as the members of this Convention
meddle with the Presidential contest, just so lon o
there would be no harmony in the party, and all
the local political interests would be ruined He
counselled moderation and good feeling for the
sake of the advancement of the local politics.
Mr.. OBrien asked the President if he could give
information as to whether at the meeting of Thurs
day night last, series of resolutions endorsing the
Douglas and johnson ticket was passed.
The President not being present, Mr.. Mcclure
who acted as Secretary, stated that he knew such
resolutions were offered and he believed passed.
Mr.. OBrien moved that the vote by which they
were passed be reconsidered.
Thn Chair decided that as the gentleman had moi
voted for the resolution, it incompetent for
him to move a reconsideration.
Mr.. O'Brien moved that the resolutions be re-
cinded.
Mr. Ballard said that the course which the mem
bers of the Convention were pursuing could leat
to nothing but defeat. Tie sooner the Presiden-
tial question thrown out of the deliberations
of the Convention, the better for the party in thi
city. He offered the following resolution
ReSolued That henceforh all questions relative to The
Presidential struggle shall be excluded from the debe
raons of this body.
DR.. Hunt said that he was here for conciliation
lie was determined never again to vote in the Con
vention any question which involved national
politics. Now, said he, let by-gones be by-gones
Let the question of the endorsement of Douglas OF
Breckenridge rest. | call upon the gentleman from
the 7th ward to use his power for conciliatug tht
disointed party. For the sake of the success o
the party in this city let act in harmony. am
willing to unite with my Democratic brethren in
the nomination of a candidate for Mayor, and
will not ask whether he is Douglas man or Breck
inridge man. All will want to know will be, is
he good Democrat? Will he distribute his pat,
ronage without prescribing any man for his polit
cal preference? beg the gentleman of the 18th
ward to withdraw his proposition, and thus secure
harmony to the party.
DR.. Lynch said that he too was for Cancellation
and the gentleman who had just spoken must GER
tainly be aware that the only obstacles which Law
in the way of harmony were the resolutions adopted
at the last meeting Recind these and harmony
will follow
VIM. P. Spencer said that there was no plausi-
blity in the proposition to rescnd. 1t is the
minority debating to the ma jority. Would the
Breckenridge men, had the resolutions endorsing
their candidates passed instead of those which did
have voted to rescind those resolutions? He re-
ferred to the action of the Breckenridge men meet
ing and said that he deprecated such action and
could assure those gentlemen that nothing but
mischief, not to say ruin, could come from it. 1t
was the very folly OF madness to pursue course
which would destroy the Democratic party of this
city at time when had just presented itself
Those gentlemen sought the destruction of this
Convention, and with it the party of the city. lie
pronounced the meetingunw arrantable, illegal and
pTesumptuous.
Mr.. OBrien said that the seventh ward belonged
neither to the minority nor the majority in this
question. The delegation had opposed both sets OF
resolutions and did so to preserve the unity and
IHltSIiby vi lne bcluUCEdtC party. Anu now, IOf
the sake OF the harmony, success and integrity OF
that party he had asked for the repeal of the reso-
lutions, and there being disposition to accede to
the motion, he would ask that resolution be
passed, granting permission to the members of the
Convention who opposed to the resolutions
passed endorsing Douglas and johnson, to enter a
protest against the same, signed with the sigma,
lures of the members, and the same be placed on
the record of the proceedings.
DIR. Hunt favored the last proposition.
Mr.. Ballard said that he opposed to the pro-
position If the minority desired to protest, why
did they not remain and protest Immediately on
the passage of the resolutions. Allowing them to
do this, was nothing more nor less than repeating
the resolutions, and he was opposed to it.
Mr.. Griffith commenced addressing the Conven.
ton, when Mr.. O'Brien withdrew his proposition.
Mr.. Spencer renewed the motion.
Mr.. j. A. l.. Mcclure offered as substitute that
the resolutions adopted endorsing Douglas and
johnson be rescinded.
Mr.. Griffith moved to lay that motion on the
table; which was lost by vote of 80 yeas to 81
nays.
Mr. Gosnell denied the correctness of the Secre
taries' tally after it announced by the Pres
dent and although the vote had been announced
the Chair ordered the Secretaries to call the rol
again, and the result proved that the Secretarie!
correct.
Here followed scene of the utmost confusion
half dozen members addressed the Chair, while
half of the Convention sprung to their feet There
were motions to adjourn, motions to reconsider
Mr.. Hanan had called for the previous question
and now demanded that it should be put.
Mr.. Griffith moved that the Convention adjourn
Cries of ''Sit down"-"Y ou're out of orde er."l
The Chair decided that the melton to adjourn coulc
not be entertained, while the previous question was
pending.
Mr.. Spencer appealed from the decision of the
Chair, and vote taken, the yeas and nays be
ing called, and the Chair was sustained by a vote
of 36 yeas to 90 nays. Here followed another
scene of confusion. The President used his rave
and called for order, but met with no response
Five minutes were spent in great disorder. The
back part OF the room was well filled with specta-
tors, the large majority of which were Breckn
ridge men, and they applauded when they found
their friends in the majority.
Mr. Ballard moved to adjourn, which motion the
Chair decided out of order.
The Chair stated that the question was the reso-
luton resembling the resolutions endorsing Douglas
and johnson. Here followed another scene of con
fusion, amid which the President rose excited and
said that if he was President of the Convention he
be such, and no words should be put in his mouth.
lie had stated the question and it was the only mat
ter which he would entertain. IN n ~ q
DR.. Taylor said that he hoped the President
would be respected. He would assure the gentle
men of the opposition, that be this question settled
as it may, be was no seceder. t.....
Mr.. Spencer said that he too was in favor of set
ting an example and show the opposition that with
him defeat was not disorganzation. When the name
of Mr.. Gosnell was called he said that he voted
"aye" for the purpose of moving reconsideration
at the next meeting. Others of the Douglasites
voted "aye' for the same reason. The vote result
ed as follows yeas, 36; nays, IL.
Another scene of confusion, in which, after trou
BILE, JAS E. Carr got the floor and offered the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution:
WHEREAS, The State Democratic Central Committee
having passed resolution recommending the several
counties of the State and the city of Baltimore to elect
delegates to State Convention according to the
Der Of the they respectively are entitled
IN in branches of the tn he