Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-05-08
The Charleston Convention.

tlon met at 10 o'clock, and the President apol-
oglzed for the harsh language he had made use
OF during the disorder on Saturday evening.
4 The hrst business in order was the platforms
reported from the Committee. The President
decided that recommendation by State Con-
Yentlon to its delegation, to vote as a unit, was
equivalent to an instruction; but the Conven-
ton reversed the decision by vote of $50 to 146.
On the test vote of adopting the m4jority re-
port OF the Committee, committing the party to
the Doctrine of Congressional legislation for the
protection of slavery in the Territories, or that
OF the minority declaring the question to be one
for judicial Interpretation only, the Convention
declared very decidedly-yeas 165, nays 13S-
IN favor OF the latter--thus rendering the mi
noritg report the only one before the body.
But this result brought up a storm which the
North appeared unable to resist. An excited
debate, interspersed with much wrangling and
confusion ensued. The Southern delegates pre-
sented an almost united front against the final
adoption OF the Douglas plank in the amended
platform. Several delegations refused to vote,
and others declared its adoption would destroy
the democratic party as national organization.
Col. Richardson, of illinois, endeavored to ada
dress the Convention, but the South refused to
hear him.
The vote was first taken on the resolution re-
affirming the Cincinnati platform, and it was
carried-ayes 2s3, nays TO- When Mississippi
was called, MIR. Glenn arose and voted NO."
declaring that Mississippi believed the Cincin-
natl platform, as explained North and South, to
be an unqualified swindle. His voice was
drowned in cries of s'order.n] 4a
Finally the preamble aud resolutions on the
subject of slavery in eTerritories we're stricken
out--ayes $50, nays 4O-Mississppi, Alabama,
A rGop do of 70 ha1
portion rejected reads as follows:
THAT, inasmuch as differences in opinion exist
in the Democratic party as to the nature end eX-
tent of the powers of a Territorial Legislature,
and as to the powers and duties of Congress, uE-
der the Constitution of the United States, over
the institution of Slavery within the Territories.
Reso1yed, That the Democratic party will a.
bide by the decision of the Supreme Court OF
the United States over the institution OF Slavery
within the Territories
The remaining resolutions, relating to the pro-
lection of citizens at home and abroad, the Pa
cifc railroad, acquisition Of Cuba, DC, we're a.
dopted unanimously, the above States still re-
fusing to vote. The platform, as it stands, is
entirely silent upon the subject of slavery in the
Territories. 'a
This disposition Of the question, however,
failed to satisfy portion of the South, which
had been instructed by their State Conventions
to demand positive affirmation of the right
and duty OF Congress TO protect slave property
from unfriendy Territorial legislation. The ma
jority of the delegations from Alabama, Missis-
spp, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Louis
lana, Texas, and part of that from Delaware,
withdrew-the delegations ofthose States Hhere
minority remained protesting against their au-
thority to represent the State in the Convention.
On the part of the seeding delegations the most
earnest protests were entered against the action
of the Convention, and the free States warned
that in sixty days they Wosd Sni themselves
opposed BY a united Sonth.
Mr. Morton, of Louisiana, in taking leave of
the Convention, said 1--WE have heretofore dee
clared that the Democratic party was harmoni-
Gus, but we are now parted forever-separated
on princple-if our friends from the free States
cannot join US in fighting the Black Republicans"
Mr. Glenn, of Mississippi, delivered in behalf
of the delegation OF that State a poFerful and
exciting address, telling them in less than sixty
days they will see united South acting in con-
cert [Deafenipg appluse, the galleries joining
The time will come when you will want US.
Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, said he came here
to join in Convention of thirty three States,
five of which have now withdrawn, and he re-
fuses to fetter his State BY participating in the
action of those that remain.
Mr.. Russell, on behalf of the Virginia delega-
ton, asked for an adjournment that time might
be given for consultation. He expressed his
deep sympathy for the Southern States.
Amidst an intense feeling of excitement the
Convention finally adjourned until Tuesday
morning, after having been eight hours in con-
tinu0us session.
EIGHTH DAY.-On the meeting of the Con-
venton, the President stated that three separate
oof.o RI bo dot
ing when they adjourned last night, and Mr..
Merrick, of Illinois, was entitled to the floor.
Mr.. Bennng Of Georgia, rose to privileged
question, stating that the Georgia delegates, hav-
ing been in anxious consultation, and passed re-
solutions, they could no longer remain in the
Convention, and all but eight delegates With
drew. Twenty-four retired.
The following delegations then asked leave to
withdraw for consultation; Tennessee, Virginia,
portion of Maryland and a portion Of Ken
lucky.
Mr. Cohen, of Georgia, said he remained to
make an effort for harmony and union.
Mr.. Fournoy, of Arkansas, took the same
ground and said the South couldn't unite on the
ground the seeding delegations had taken.
Mr.. Montgomery, of Pennsylvanla, was OPP
were any more delegations prepared to leave,
let them CO. They have all made up their minds,
and we have made up our minds. We wish to
proceed to business.
The Tennessee resolutions were adopted, con-
sequently the Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky
delegations remain in INSTRUMENTATION.
Twelve ballots were Il II. The twelfth bal
lot resulting as follows Douglas $50 IL ;
Guthrie 80 u; Hunter 50; Dickinson John
son - Lane 6 Davis IL. The Convention
then adjourned.
NINTH DAY.-The Boston Brass Band, seated
in the gallery, opened the Convention Wednes-
day morning with half dozen spirit stirring
airs, concluding with yankee DOODLE" at the
close of which Mr.. Flournoy, of Arkansas, in
stentorian tones, proposed three cheers for the
Union, which were heartily given. The floor
and galleries were thronged with ladies.
The balloting was resumed. On the twenty
third ballot, when Virginia was called, Mr.. Rus
sell stated that he was required to cast fourteen
votes one way and one another, which he de-
clined to do unless otherwise ordered by the
Convention. His State Convention had passed
no resolution on the subject, but voting as a u
nit had always been regarded as the Democratic
law of the State.
Mr.. Moffet, of Virginia, said that bis colleague
thought the voice of their constituents should be
heard, and he could no longer vote for Mr. Hun
ter.
After considerable debate, the President de-
cided that the Virginia delegates could cast then
individual votes. Virginia then voted IA for
Hunter and for Douglas.
Douglas also received one from North Carroll,
ma on this ballot, giving him 152 votes, being
,naiortv of the whole GnnventiOn Guthrie re-