Des Arc citizen., 1860-06-23
The Richmond Convention.


 RICHMOND, June l2-The proceedings of the convention were opened with prayer by the Rev. MT. Duncan.
 MT. Calhoun, of South Carolina, son ot John c. Calhoun, from the committee on permanent organization, made the follow ing report, which was adopted:
 For President, John Erwin of Alabama with one Vice President and Secretary from each State, with the exception Of New York.
 The temporary chairman then retired, after making brief but eloquent speech, concluding with the hope that the result of their deliberations might be such as to preserve the Constitution inviolate.
 MT. Erwin was then conducted to the chair, when he delivered an address to the convention, explaining the position of the South, whose duty, he said, is to pro- tect its own rights, to unfurl Its flag to the breeze, and to firmly and proudly march on, demanding that the Constitution shall be preserved in word and deed, and letter, and the equal rights of the States guaran- teed.
 He would say nothing in favor of or against going to Baltimore, but whatever is done we must strangle this serpent, squat,er sovereignty. He denied the im- putation that their purpose was disunion. The Northern Democrats have gone in pursuit of a false god, that the South can not worship, and we must endeavor to bring them back 10 the true faith. He earnestly hoped that the result of their deliberations here would result, not only in securing our own rights, but the wei. fare of the whole country.
 MT. Middleton of South Carolina, chair. man of the credentials committee, desired to be discharged from the further consid. eration of the certificates of the National Hall delegates. These delegates, he said had informed the committee that they did not come here as delegates, but as com missioners from New York, to consult with us in fraternal feeling.
 The committee were discharged, and the New York commissioners invited to seats on the floor, but not as delegates.
 A motion was made to appoint a com mittee on business.
 MT. Hatch, of North Carolina, offered as substitute the following resolutions: Resolved, That the delegates to thi: convention, having been appointed on the basis of the majority platform adopted a Charleston, we deem it unnecessary te take any further action in relation to a platform at ths present time.
 ResoIved, That when this convention adjourns, it adjourn to meet at Richmond on the 25th of June, unless the Preslden should deem it necessary to call the con vention sooner.
 MT. Davidson of Alabama, moved tha after the word |" Charleston" there be in serted the words, which we heartily approve"
 A motion was made to refer the resolu tions and amendments to select com mittee.
 MT. Meek, of Alabama, hoped that g direct vote would be taken on the resolu. tions.
 After considerable debate, MT. Yancey suggested that committee on resolution: be raised, and that all the resolutions and amendments be referred to 1t without de. bate.
 MT. Barry, of Mississippi, said that these resolutions were prepared and lnfor' mally submitted to all the delegations, and having been approved by majority of all the delegations, with the under standing that they should be adopted with. out discussion, he thought that vote should be taken direct upon them.
 MT. Hunter, of Louisiana, moved the previous question. He was surprised that after the full and formal understands ing there should have been opposition te direct vote on the resolutions. It was to avoid all discussion.
 Mr. Jones, of Georgia, said it would be highly improper to take any action, a this time, on the platform.
 We expect, should we not be able tt harmonize at Baltimore, to have Ken lucky, Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolins Delaware, Maryland and Virginia in con- vention with us, when we reassemble, anc it would be improper for us to take actior now on a platform. .I. ..r
 The vote was then taken on the resolu tions and adopted unanimously, with ths exception of the vote of South Carolina MT. Rheu announcing that the delegate! from that State were ready to proceed a, once to the business for which they were delegated.
 On motion, the day of the re-assemblins of the committee was changed to Thurs. day. the 2lst. ...a ...
 The committee on credentials reported that delegates were present from Arkan sas, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Missis sippi, South Carolina. Georgia. the % district of Tennessee, and the Eth dstric of Virginia.
 A letter from the New York commis sioners was read, declaring that they are here as the promoters of peace and har mony, and that they are also here to give the assurance that New York would be found true to the South and true to the North should crisis arrive.
 MT. Baldwin of Syracuse, said that New York came here to throw oil upon the troubled waters, to urge you to do as you l. -.&.~