The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-13
FOR THE BEDFORD GAZETTE.
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF
REDFORD C0TNTV.

Georgia, for Vice President. 1t is also, known
that a portion of the Convention seeded and
nominated John c. Breckinrldge, of Kentucky, |
for President and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for
Vice President. Having been present at bolh |
sessions ofthe Convention, and spectator Of
all that transpired, propose to give few Of
the reasons why [ regard the nomination oil
Douglas and Johnson as the regular nomination
of the party, entitled to IFS universal support,
anc that OF Brecknridge and Lane as irregular
and dSorganlzing, meritlng no favor at the hands
of any Democrat, but, on the contrary, as justly
deserving the hearty condemnation Of the whole
party.
Under tbs regular call of the National Com
mittee, acknowledged by every Democrat in
the United States, and in conformity with the
universal custom of the party, the Convention
assembled at Charleston, on the 23d OF April,
1860. After preliminary organization, made
without objection from any quarter, 1t was
found that there was one contested seat fiom
the State of Massachusetts,, one from Mary yand,
eleven from Illinois and thirty five from New
York. These cases were referred TO a Com
miltee of thirty three members, 0elng one from
each state.
After careful and patient investigation by
vention. This was unanimous in every case,
| except that of New York. Six members OF the
Committee made minority report recommen-
ding the admission OF one half of each delega-
: ton from that State. The report OF Inc Com
mittee &yas adopted by the convention after
full discussion. The vote in every case, ez-
Cept New York, was unanimous. That part Of
the report relating 10 the New York Delega-
/ 4 E,--o -fD to
This completed the organization OF the Con-
7enIion. The Rules OF the House OF Represen-
tatives OF the United States were adopted for
the government OF the Convention. This was
done by the entire vote Of the Convention.
The rule requiring two thirds OF the votes glysn,
to make nomination, was also unanimously
Goptej, as was rule requiring two third vote
OF the Convention to alter or amend the Rules
Of the Convention. Every Congressional Dis
trlct il the United States and every state at
large, was now fully represented. There was
not single vacancy. The Convention consis-
ted o. 303 members, and continued IN session
Tor several days, every member participating
in the proceedings.
Two principles Of Legislative, or Paramen-
tarY law, may be here stated, as they have I'M
portant bearings upon the regularity Of the
! nomination now being considered.
First Everg Legtgjatirs Bo5y shall Judge
| Of the qualifications OF its oS0n MEMBERS.
Second Il minority sbaiJ constitute a Quo
run for the transaction Of business.
1t is confidently asserted that both OF these
propositions are clearly established by the com
mon lazy on the subject, IN all civilized Coun-
tries, unless some statute should provide other
wIse. Bun in this case We are not only left 10
/ t ne common iaw, bat have also toe statute.
/ The Convention, as we have seen, adopted the
+ Rules OF the House OF Representatives. BY
/ these both Oft the propositions above stated, are
clearly maintained. Indeed, it could not be
otherwise, as the Constitution OF the United
States declarao tn. -.,l,e tt.c fitA sec
! ton of the first Article thereof.
! With the first OF these propositions every
1 member fthe Convention was fully satisfied,
! because every one acqniescet in the decslon of
the Convention and renamed to participate IN
! the further proceedings thereof The second
proposition embraces two parts; to wit, that
/ a majority stall constitute a Quorum and that
/ less than majority shall not constitute such
! Quorum.
Here It will be well to remember that every
/ member OF the whole Convention, including the
subsequent SeCeders, or Boilers, voted for the
adoption OF these rules.
! Ihe Convention continued in session with its
303 members, until the seventh aud eieth davs
! AT this time, some OF the delegates became dis
satisfied with the Platform adopted by the Con-
ventIon, and for tins reason and tor this alone.
/ fifty one members withdrew from the Conven-
ton, separated finally and entirely from it. met
in another part OF the city and attempted to
| organize another Convention in opposition TO
| the one they had left. This they adjourned to
! Richmond. Most if not all of you, have alwavs
! held that every gentleman who agrees 10 enter
/ a Convention, is in honor bound TO abide by ITS
| decisions and support its nominees. These gen
| tlemen, however, seemed TO have adopted a
| different course.
! As already stated, the ground and the only
/ ground, OF this secession was the Platform a. |
| dopted by the Convention. You will, doubtless. |
! feel anxious to know the character of the !
| Platform which could thus drive off one-sixlh |
! Of the members of the Convention [ Think YOU !
| will credit me when | assure YOU that it was /
the identical creed OF the party ia I84+-I8I8 /
the compromise measures Of IS50-tbe Platform !
OF Pierce, in 1852, the Kansas Nebraska Act !
OF 1854, and the Cincinnati Platform, of 1856 |
The Convention re-afEirmed the Cincinnati |
Platform, upon which James Buchanan was
elected, and Upon which the great battle of
1886 was fought and won and this was deenr-
ed sufficient TO Justify 81 members in boltng |
The Convention 1852 members remaining) |
continued in session and proceeded to ballot tor |
a candidate. Fitty-seven votes were taken. !
On several Of these, Judge Douglas received
a majority of the whole electoral ollege-E
the vote standing 1924 for Douglas, to 993 Tor
all others.
Before proceeding TO ballot, proposition
was offered on behalf OF some OF ;he Southern
Mates rsrnainlnn In thn HnnrnnLinn u a.. l