Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-12

less for us TO shut our eyes the fact that the only issue
that has engrossed the whole attention OF the people
of the United States far they have acted through
their Legislatures and their great National Convention
at Washington, in single question which involves
nothing more less than the Interpretation and
ing of the Constitution of the United States aud that
question is this Whether not the Congress OF the Uni
ted States under the Constitution has or has not right
TO egsate in regard to the sub ect Of slavery in the
Territories Kisses. / am not going to introduce this
at ALL Laughter. What mean by that, Mr.. Chairman
is this that may avoid this whole difficulty simply by
enunciating before we go into nomination Of cand-
dates plain platform of principles which shall leave
tally out of view this disracting question Applause
want shut that question entirely out of this coming
contest in far the Constitutional Union party is
cerned and trust, that before appoint commit
tee for the purpose OF going into a nomination OF can
ddate for the Presidency and Vice Presidency should
either in general Convention by Select Committee,
appointed for the purpose, declare that we are for the
Union and the Constitution interpreted by the Supreme
Court Of the United States and the enforcement Of the
laws. (Applause)
Mr.. n. G. Peudeton, of Ohio, offered the following
amendment the resolution, striking out all after the
word resolve, and inserting
Resolved That the delegations from each State be
quesed appoint of their number to constitute
Central Committee and that each person thus nominated
shall bring to that Committee the general opinion of his
delegation
Mr.. Harris, of Missouri, desired not to be misunder-
stood desiring obstruct the action of the Conven-
ton by the proposition he had introduced for the appoint
ing of Nominating Committee. / desire such Com
mittee with view Of having platform reported
do not desire platform. There are delegates from four
or five States would further remark not repre-
sented who route and will be here tomorrow.
For this reason, also, think should not proceed
ballot that they may have the opportunity of join
ing in the nomination. This regard essential and
proper, and in the time could appoint the Com
mttee proposed to nominate candidates for President
and Vice President.
Mr. Brescr of Pennsylvania asked the reading of the
resolution OF Mr.. Shipper and its being read stated
that he would preface his motion with the remark that
he DESTROYS Of casting the vote Of his district this
floor and not TO vote by States in making domination.
He therefore proposed amendment. That should
Immediately proceed to nominate candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice President without the intervention of any
committee
Mr.. Watson of Mississippi thought the best course to
pursue Ito make haste slowly" He would therefore
propose that resolve to proceed to ballot at ten
O'Clock omOrrow All is be better acquaint-
ed with each other before proceed business Down
where live have been long abusing Massachusetts,
and Massachusetts, has been long abusing u.s. that
thought when arrived in Baltimore would like to
tain for myself what kind of men there way down
East. Laughter In accordance with this determination
paid visit last night TO the Massachusetts, delegation, and
a nobler set of men have not met with lately We al
compared views the exciting topics of The day and
found that their views were my views, and that my
views their views | could not find one point Of
difference between us. All we wanted was the Union
it is and the Constitution and the laws therefore came
TO the conclusion that should remain for little time
| to consult together and all will be well.
tell you sir that there is uprising of the people
North South asst and West and delegated here
to perform ordinary duty. Let us do nothing with
due haste anu our action here will be such as cannot fail
to perpetuate infinitely those institutions which, by IA
naticm, have been repeatedly endangered Let the
subject of platform be referred to committee. Voice,
I'VE want no PLATFORM Well let the question be
ferred and let the committee consider the subject and
report that want no platform, if such Is the will of
the Convention | want such a committee to come to-
gether and consult and become better acquainted with
each other. Ia the meantime he hoped that bis propo-
siton TO postpone the balong for President and Vice
President until noon tomorrow would be adopted
General Leslie Coombs said Mr. President and gen.
temen-I have giveL much thought to the question
presented for the consideration of this Convention So
deeply have | been impressed with the Importance Of
platform to great political party that have taken upon
myself the labor Of preparing three laughter for
the harmonious Democracy laughter who have late
Is agreed together so beautifully at Chareston-laugh-
ter for the irrepressble conflict" gentlemen who
about to assemble at Chicago laughter and ano-
Their for the National Unonists before and around
US. Applause First, then, for the harmonious De.
mocracy, propose the Virginia and Kentucky resolu-
tons OF 9s-g9 in favor Of excluding slavery ro,l
the Territories and the other in favor of forcing it into
them laughter both to be adopted unanimously,
without debate, under the previous question: and no
questions asked afterwards Laughter For the ire
pressibe contctists, about to assemble ut Chicago, |
suggest the Blue Laws of Conneccu first in reference
to the right of man kiss bis wife Sunday laugh
ter and the second, in reference TO the burning of
witches; provided that wives shall have the privilege
be kissed, and old witches to be burned. Laughter.
The third the Constitution of the United States is
and the Union under it, and forever. Immense
applause will not speak with reference the first
at large but will venture TO say that it will be intel
lgbe thereafter TO the wide spread Democracy il has
been heretofore laughter and, being Ineligible
| venture 70 state all that am worth, that not
out of five hundred ever read these resolutions and Of
those who did, one in five hundred understood them
Laughter and applause. In reference TO PLATFORM
the legislative Judicial aud executive departments shall
be independent and supreme. think that will be plat
form enough for a Union party to stand upon. APP
pause. The Congress of the United States to indicate
the laws the Judicial department to interpret them,
and the executive TO have them executed That is all
need. Why sir, if were in assemblage of Chris
tians about to establish platform, do you think would
take "sprnkliags" or clippings" for its panks? OIL
would take nothing but the Bible it is and leave all
TO construe it. and be responsible to God for the
struction. Applause.
Mr.. Swtzler of Missouri about to speak when the
Chair announced that the delegation from Texas
the door OF the building and desired admittance.
This announcement was received with deafening ap-
pause, and the delegation proceeded to the Secretaries
desk and presented their credentials. The chairman OF
the delegation, A. B. Norton, wore a beard reaching
nearly TO his waist which attracted great attention.
whereupon,
General Leslie Coombs rose and thought it proper to
account to the Convention for the extraordinary hairy
appearance Of the gentleman from Texas Some fifteen
years ago he had made VOW that he would cut
his beard until Henry Clay elected President of the
United States-and it will be perceived he has rel
giously kept his vow. Vociferous applause
Mr.. Switzler, Of Missouri, then proceeded He said
he of viii had
been overrdden for the past 20 years by political dema
gogues The question platform or no PLATFORM
and he would say in this connection that the Missouri
delegation stood two for and twelve against adopting any
platform. The people of Missouri wanted no better
platform than the Cos stuton and the Union and with
such one it would be easy matter to override the
political punderers at Washington He not OPP
posed to discussing matters relating the public welfare
but this question of platform disgraced before the
country. The people considered them mere humbugs
designed only to catch voters As, for instance what
the Cincinnati platform? voice, nothing. II
was in his opinion like piece of gutta percha "a voice
"Inda rubber" 1t was capable of being cut and put
together again. In conclusion, he would remark that
he hoped the Convention would not peril the OF
the present movement by adopting any platform; but
take the Constitution and the Union and with that go
before the country. (Applause)
The Hon. TbOs Swami who, on taking the floor, was
greeted with great applause said arise Mr. President
for the purpose of secondng the motion Of the gentleman
who has just spoken. (Applause) The State of Mary
land is here to-day sir prepared to make nomination
She has welcomed sir the delegations from the different
States of this great Union and she believes that the time
is hand when this Convention will be able agree
upon such platform that shall give confidence to this
whole country. CApplause) Mr. President, gentlemen
have talked about platforms. We have great deal TO
say upon the subject Of platforms if that question is
opened up; but sir, for myself, without meaning to
represent the sentiment of those with whom am assoc