Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-10


/ have differed with him upon dubious and per-
picking question connected with an attempt to ad-
init Kansas. dissent from his present opinion as
to the constitutional powers o. territorial govern
ments But l acknowledge the gratitude which
every Seutherner owes to him for gallant and
effective service as was ever rendered by North
ern man IN defence OF constitutional rights"
The failure of any candidate to receive the
requisite two-thirds of all the electoral votes
and the hope of having the vacancies in the
various delegations flled, induced the Con
vention to aSoarn to Baltimore until 18th
June. 1860.
The resolution of adjournment was offered
by the Chairman Of the Virginia delegation
and was sanctioned by aA the delegates from
the State, we believe, save one. The reso-
luton reads as follows:
'Resolyed, That when this Convention adjourns
it adjourn to re-assembe in Baltimore, Md,
on onday. the 18th of June and that it be respect
fully recommended to the Democratic party of the
several States to make provision for supplying all
vacancies in their respective delegations to this
Convention when it shall re- assemble"
The Seceder's Convention adjourned to
meet in Richmond. on the 18th of June.
On the re-assembling Of the Convention,
in the city of Baltimore, we were met at the
very outset by number of the seccders,
then attached to the Richmond Convention,
which had been adjourned over to later
day, asking for Abundance into the Conven-
ton. New delegates, appointed in the Sc
ceding States to Eli the seats vacated by the
secession at Charleston, also demanded ad-
mission. We are candidly Of the impression
that not one of the seeding delegates we're
regularly entitled to place in the National
Democratic Convention, whilst retaining the
relation to the party, to the Convention and
the country which they did.
They had voluntarily, and. in our judg-
ment, factiousiy Withdrawn from the Con-
veution at Charleston. They were members
of another Convention, assembled for the
purpose Of nominating candidates ON plat
form which had been rejected by the Con-
vention they had denounced the acts ofthe
National Convention, and stignfatssed 1t as
unsound, and declared that their seifrespect
and honor prevented them from ever having
any further connection with it 1t was u
Universally known that it was their determi-
nation not to be bound by the action of the
Convention, if admitted, unless it COMFORT
ed entirely with their taste and views,
They came with peremptory demands and
flaming pronunciamentos in their hands, and
the alternative of re-secession proclaimed;
demands already rejected and repudiated by
a large majority Of the Convention, as sui
cidal if adopted, and fatal to the continuance
and success of the Democratic party.
Notwithstanding all these objections, the
hope of Cancellation, and disinclinat;on to
leave anything undone on their part which
might lead to reunion of the party. tho
members of the Convention voted to receive
large majority Of the seceders. With this
view we voted for their reception, except in
the case of Louisiana, and We also voted a.
gainst the majority Of the Convention in the
case of Messrs. Hallett, of Massachusetts,.
and O'Fallon, of Missouri; but as a MAORI
ty differed with us in the cases of the last
delegates, we could readily admit their right
thus to differ upon question of this char
acter-a question which the Convention
alone had the right to decide. In settling
these questions of contested seats, the Con-
vcntion, pursuing the regular system of all
similar bodies, referred the various contest
ed cases to the Committee on Credentials.
The Committee charged with this most del
icate and important trust, after long and
patient investigation. submitted majority
and two minority reports.
The result of the action of the Conven-
ton on the reports of the Committee, was
rejection of the seeding delegates from AL
ALBANIA and Louisiana, and the admission Of
the new delegates from those States, headed
by Gov. Winston and John Forsyth, Pierre
Soule, Judge Richardson and Gov. Wick
life; from Arkansas both sets of delegates
were admtted-(a portion of the Arkansas
delegation never seeded each being per-
mitted to cast part of the vote.
From Mississippi and Texas the seceders
were admitted; in the case of Georgia, the
delegation was left. as it had been in Char
lesion. South Carolina and Florida did not
seek admission. After the result was an
nounced, Mr.. Russell, Chairman of the Vir-
ginia Delegation. stated that large majority
of the Delegation would withdraw from the
Convention.
In this connection we call attention to an
other extract from the address of Mr. Rus
sell, which, to our apprehension, strongly
condemns the orr sinal secession movement:
"The seeding delegations have appointed meet
ing to be held ut Richmond. You have given me
no authority to attend it as your representative,
and do not recommend that such authority be
granted. Until e,or the Sovereign State to which
we allegiance, shall determine that the obliga-
tions of the Union ought no longer to he observed,
we should in Difference to her policy and upon the
planest maxims of civic duty, attach ourselves to
none but national parties-such parties as, having
influence in all sections, will respect the rights of
Virginia, and. at the same time, impartially pro-
mote the welfare of all the States in Confeder-
acy. The only such party noy in existe nee is the
National Democratic party and, fit be destroyed
we cannot expect such another to arise from its
ms.
1t is more faithful than any other to the Const-
tuition in such affairs specially concern the South;
but it has defended in turn all rights of whatever
section, State, class of citizens, when assaied
through the Federal power. Its platform is repete
successful operation of our system of republican
government 1t is an established party, with adj
equate strength to repress wrong and defend the
right. Its history ia better than any platform 1t
as been identified with the most beneficial reforms
and the most ilfustrous events in the progress of
our great Republic of Republics. Its Justice, its
courage, it's wisdom and its patriotism have been
often proved. Although now depressed in parts of
the North it is mainly because the faithful Democ
racy there have surrendered power rather than a.
bandon the Constitution. The party still has Wig
the same sentiments, traditions, aspirations and
principles, unless fatal exception is to be
declared. Whether we regard the rights of Vir-
ginia alone, or the common welfare of the United
States, shoud not rashly contribute to the over
throw of such party. We should aim rather to