Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-05-11
THE CHARLESTON CONVENTION.

CnARLEsroS, May 1.-The floor and north
gallery of the hall arc literally inundated with
ladies, and the south and west galleries are
massed with spectators.
Tho Presidents table is covered with bou-
quets.
The seats Of the seeding delegates arc fill
ed with South Carolina ladies'.
The Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina
delegates were in their seats.
The Convention was called to order at half
past ten o'clock.
prayer for union and harmony was offer
ed by the Rev. Mr. lngersoll.
Mr.. Richardson Of Ill. inquired what was
the first business in order.
The President stated that three separate
motions to reconsider the platform resolutions
were pending at the time Of the adjournment
yesterday and Mr.. Morrck Of Ill. was entitled
to the floor
Mr. Benning OF Ga. rose to a privileged
question, stating that tho Georgia delegation
had been in anxious consultation, and had
passed series of resolutions, the first Of
which instructed the chairman OF the delega-
ton to state that they could no longer part
cipatc in tho proceedings Of the Convention.
lie added they would now withdraw. The
resolution was signed by "a delegates;
more delegates subsequently retired with
them, on the ground that they felt compelled
to act with the majority Eight other dele
gates remain in tho Convention.
The Arkansas delegation then presented
their protest and withdrew
Mr. Erwing of Tenn. asked leave that the
delegation retire for consultation.
/ A portion Of the Maryland delegation asked
| leave to retire for consultation.
A portion of the Kentucky delegation an
nounced they had no desire to retire.
! The Nrth Carolina delegation asked leave
to retire for consultation.
Mr. Cohen of Ga, one of the remaining
delegates Of that State, proceeded to address
the Convention. From early manhood he had
been in the front rank of those who had been
the foremost Of the EXTREMIST sect Of the State
Rights school, yet he was here, after ma
jorty Of his associates had retired. He had
been induced to remain hero in hope the cup
of concliation would not be dashed to the
earth. Whilst he was with those who had
retired. in sentiment he had chosen to remain
and make an effort for peace and union. There
was no division OF sentiment at the South,
and there never had been any division except
as to a question of time. The South is in
earnest. He could see in this division and
destruction Of the Democratic party, ripple
that would swell to a wave, and carry TO the
Presidential chair the arch fend of Black Re-
publicanism. His appeal for conciliation and
compromise was most impressive. lie con-
cluded by declaring that he intended to re-
main in the Convention until the last feather
was placed on the camers back, and then he
would be among the foremost to leave it.
Mr.. Flourney of Ark. said his advice was
never to give up the ship, but to call up the
crew and face the storm. He had been reared
among the institution. He believed slavery
a benefit both to master and slave. All he
had in the world was the product of slave la
bor, and therefore he trusted he was above
suspicion. He believed his Southern friends
had acted wrong in this matter; that the
South cannot be united on the ground they
have taken, and that they will not be sustain
ed by their constituents.
Mr.. Montgomery of Pa. was opposed to
these speeches on either side. II there arc
more delegations prepared to leave, let them
go. They have all mado up their minds, and
we have made up our minds. We wish to
proceed to business
Mr., Boulder Of Ga. was among those who
had refused to retire, and he desired to give
his reasons. He was a Southern State Rights
and American slave trade man. He believed
slavery to be, morally, socially and politically
right, and that slavery was institution Of
civilization. Still he believed the doctrine of
protection to slavery in the Territories mere
abstraction, on which he was not prepared TO
disintegrate the Democratic party 1t is no
trouble for man to be a saint in Heaven, but
when ! look to the northern Democrats, and
see them standing up to breast the storm Of
fanaticism, ! love them, and will stand by
them until the last day of this week, late in
| the night. He was not willing to cast them
/ into the arms of the Black Republicans. The
African slave trader is the true philanthropist
he brings the heather here to civilize, and
sends them down the stream of time, Chris
/ tian beings
Mr. Reed of Indiana said-IIere is one who
is with you on that subject
Capt. Rynders-You will soon have some
recruits from the New York Black Republi-
cans
Mr. Gallagher of Conn. contendcd that the
gentleman had no right to sander the repre-
sentatiyes Of Connecticut and the North
Mr.. Bouden said he remained here because
he had great faith in the Northern Democra-
1 cy. Ho intended to hold on to the Demo-
cratic party Of the North until the last horn
! blows. He cautioned the seceders that if they
succeeded by their action in breaking up the
/ Democratic party, they would weaken the
bonds ol the Union. lie was no disunionist.
lie loved the Union, and intended to stand
by it to the end, Most Of the seeding del
egates were on the floor, and Mr. Boulden
lashed thcm with great severity.
/ Mr. McCook Of Ohio offered a resolution
/ fixing o'clook to-day for balloting for Pres
ident and Vice President
Mr.. Rafferty, of Nj presented a protest.
signed by part Of the delegation from that
/ State, against the action of the Convention in
annuling the instructions to the delegates
/ from that State To vote as unit.
! The President decided that votes could not
be taken 50 long as several of the States wore
absent consulting
/ The motion TO fx the hour for proceeding
to ballot must therefore lay over.
| Mr. Bidwel of California said his dclega-
tion had viewed in sorrow the proceedings of
the past two days. lie then proceeded to
explain the position of the Democratic party
of California.
Mr.. Austin Smith Of California denied the
authority Of any one TO speak for him or sew
cn-eighths Of his delegation. He styled Mr..
Bidwcll as black sheep, and Northern Dem
u