Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-04
TIE sECEDERs, CONVENTION

From a brief telegraph account May !, Of the
scclders Convention at Charleston, VIC give ex-
tracts 20 snow the tone Of feeling prevalent They
net in st.Andrews Hall on the evening previous.
J.hnC Preston. ofSouth Carolina, was called
20 the chair and ably and eloquenty addressed the
meeting. lle considered this a great occasional
movement Of the constitutional lovers Of this re-
public.
We only know, he said, the inperilled institu-
tutious Of our country and are here 20 preserve
our n hts and redress our wrongs.
If we had submitted quietly to the minus. pro-
ceediurz of the Convention we have left we would
have done that which would have driven rs from
the land our foretathcrs gave us-we would have
have denied TO the liberty they fought for, and
ultimately we would have been driven from the
spot In which their sacred ashes repose
Mr. Yancey stated lis views on the position oc-
cupied by the Southern delegates. We appear
here simply As citizens Of the states in which we
live
We were sent to the Natio-al Democratic Con-
voutiYn as delegates, bat cur mission has been
filed and sc retire rs mere citizens from the late
National Convention, for it is mere sectional
gathering.
Should they nominate Stephen Arnold Douglas
IL viii then become our duty to present or recon-
mend 70 the people Of the United States candidates
for President and Vice President Of the United
States on fair, just and constitutional basis, and
therefore q Southern basis.
Mr.. Bayard of Delaware, did not regard the in
fuence that overruled principle in the National
Conucntion much as the spirit Of Black Republi
canism that existed there for power and plumber
the oorruptions and bargains Of a general scram-
bic for Office.
He was very severe on the New York Soft-Shel
delegation, who came here, he said, protesting
desire to join in such a nomination as would suit
the South-but just as soon as as they we're gwen
their seats they turned their backs upon the
South.
lie trusted t at other States would withdraw
from that convention, and that it would be utterly
dissolved. he did not consider that tho seceders
had the power 10 make regular nominations, but
he would recommend, if it should be found neces-
sary, that they should join in the recommended
ton # some suitable candidates with a written
address 10 their constituents
A call Of the States was made, and when New
York was reached DR.. Skinner, Of the New York
Hard-Shell delegation, responded.
lie said the delegation he represented came here
TO attend q National Convention, and had been sit
ting out in the cold for eight days, having been
deprived Of their seats by r.ud and injustice He
was q " Hard-Shel," and the difference between
d" nard-Shel" and Soft-Shell" was that the
former sacrificed place for principles and the latter
principles for place.
Delawaro was called, and Mr.. Bayard and one
other delegate came forward and responded in be-
halt of that State.
Maryland was called, but no answer was given.
Virginia called, and Mr.. Fisher responded,
saying that there will be more of that State here
South Carolina called, when Mr.. Read of
that State came forward lie had hesitated about
leaving the Convention, in the hope Of secuEing
harmony but. wherever goes Alabama, there the
Caroinas will 60 also, and he satisfied that
Georgia will be with Us before tomorrow, and he
hoped also every other Southern State.
Georgia called, when Mr.. Lamar responded
as delegate from that State, and said that be be-
lieyed a large majority Of his delegation, before
tomorrow morning, will enrol their names
Florida responded that the entire delegation was
present.
All the seeding States signed the roll.
The meeting then adjourned to the City Hall,
where Mr.. Yancey addressed large assemblage