Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-20
The Baltimore Democratic Convention.

following proceedings took piacc.
The Convention assembled, and was called
to order at 81 O'Clock.
The President stated that he had creden-
tials presented to him from delegations
claiming seats from Delaware, Georgia, Ala
bama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
and Arkansas, and also paper relative to
the seats of the Mississippi delegation, and
a paper from Mr. Chafee claiming a seat
from Massachusetts. He deemed it due to
make this statement to the Convention.
Mr.. Gilmer, for the purpose of arranging
difficulties, withdrew his amendment and
asked leave to offer another, cmbodylng the
original resolution with the addenda above
referred to, as follows:
Resolved, That the President of this Conven-
ton be authorized to issue tickets of admission TO
seats in the Convention to the delegates from the
States of Arkansas, Texas, Florida, and Misslssp-
pi. in which States there are no contcstlng dele
cations; and that in these States to wit: Dela-
ware, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, where
there are contesting delegations, committee on
credentials shall be appointed by the several dele
cations TO report upon said States.
Mr. Josiah Randall, of Pennsylvania, OPP
posed the amendment of Mr.. Church, OF
New York. He denied the ri ht of the Con-
venton to interpose any such conditions OF
membership to the Convention on the seven
seeding State delegations. There was no
Justice in interposing such objections to their
admissions; he denied the right and power to
do so. He invoked the Convention not to
enforce such a qualifications qualification
no honorable man would ever submit to-
He asked them to halt on the ground Of JUS
tce and policy: They knew the delegates
from the Southern States would give no such
pledge Kisses and applause, especially in
the gallery.
Mr.. John B. Hoge, of Virginia, wished to
know if when an honorable gentleman was
on the floor, he was thus to be cowardly In
suited by Kisses from the gallery. lie hoped
that the galleries would be cleared.
The President said that if such disorder
again occurred, he would order the galleries
| cleared of every intruder.
Mr.. Richardson, of Illinois, opposed the
adoption of Mr. Gilmer's resolution. a
delegate from Florida, who was at Rich
mond, had said if this Convention extended
the olive branch to them, they would come
here. lie did not want to sit here side by
side with delegates bound to nothing, whilst
he was bound to everything. lie wanted
the Convention to decide who were delegates
here-whether they were accredited here ac-
cordng to the usage of the Democratic party
in the several States.
The Democratic party was committed to
the doctrine Of being heard III every case
where there has been a contest.
Mr.. John Cochrane, of \. Y, said they
stood here on an occasion Of more gravity
and importance to the party than for many
years. Not only to determine whether the
affairs of the country shall be submitted 10
the hands Of the Republican party, but
whether the union of the country shall it
self be preserved.
The question to be determined now was
whether there was any excuse or iustltica-
ton for IL secession from II national conven-
ton; and whether they shall invite the occn-
pants of those empty seats back, and declare
return of amity and peace. The efforts OF
the New York delegation would be as they
had always been, concentrated Tor the good
Of the party. There was much that could be
said in the way of Cancellation.
4 resolution of Mr. Clarke, Of Missouri,
was read fer information:
Resolved, That the citizens Of the several States
| main in the territories Of the United States and
to hold therein, unmoleSted by any legislation
Whatever their slave and other property and
| that this Convention recognize the opinion OF
the Supreme Court Of the United States in the
bred Scott case, as true exposition of the CON
stituon in regard to the rights OF the citizens OF
the several States in the territories Of the United
States upon all subjects concerning which it
treats that the members of this Convention
pledge themselves and require ali others who may
be admitted rs delegates TO make the same pledge,
to support the democratic candidates fairly ana
in GOOD faith nominated by this Convention. ac-
cording to the uS;geS Of the national democratic
party.
Mr.. Russell, of Va. hoped their action
was to be harmonious and for the welfare of
the party. lie had seen feeling exhibited
here which gave him apprehenslons. The
delegation from Virginia was here for the
purpose Of harmonising the democratic party.
They had seen them adopt rule which
they believed contrary to the usage of the
democratic party, yet they came from Charles
ton here, and they overlooked the voting
down of the platform of the South, deemed
Just to them. They were willing to trust
the North, and at the same time were deter
mined to stick to the democracy Of the South.
They meant to see there should be fair play
toward the democracy Of the South, and
they had seen to-day there was desire to
give the South fair play.
There were States here named in the res
olution pending, which were without IL con-
test, and it is the right of the democracy
that they should be admitted. They should
be admitted on the Presidents ticket, and if
found out afterwards not to be entitled TO
seats they could be turned out. As to the
proposition to bind them-why he supposed
they were all here bound by the honor Of
gentlemen. If they were not, they had bet
ter scatter and 60 home.
Mr. Montgomery of Pa, said no man is
democrat who comes in Il convention of
the party and refuses to be bound by the de-
ciSon of that convention. If his colleague
could not be bound by such rule, he should
not stay here.
There was loud applause in the galleries.
The chair said the proceedings OF the Con-
vention had again been interrupted, and he
asked if the convention would have the gal
leries cleared.
Cries of "oh no''"thc hisaes were on the
floor land in the galleries" &e
Mr.. g. Z. johnson, of Maryland, hoped for
the .rsiit of Maryland that the galleries
would be cleared
Mr.. VIM. s. Cuttings, C. Nd, hoped the gal
lercs would not he cleared.
There was much confusion, ana repeated