The Van Buren press., 1860-05-11
Charleston Convention.
FIFTH DAY.

DE deemed 1t due to says Dy way oi td~r
tmony for all his collea9nes On the covA-
mittee, that they had, fer three days, SOS
b~ly. earnestly and solsmniy discussed tlks
issucs that now divide the Democratic
party.
1t is net a personal victory they seek to
achieve, but every gentleman had, he be-
fieved, felt in his conscience and in his
heart. that upon the ressltr of the dslibera.
ton of the convention. ihsall human prob
ability, depended the fate of the democrat
ic party. and the destiny Of the Union, and
they would have been NO patriots if they
had brought into their deliberations any but
an earnest desire to adjust the differences
that exist in the party 1t was with
that purpose and that feeling that he took
q seat in the convention and on the COM
mittee and if he knew his own heart,
there was no PERSONAL sacrifice he would not
make, short of his honor, to rekindle the
spirit of harmony that prevailed in former
days in the Democratic party of the Union.
But there existed difference between the
members of the committee. After q pro-
tracted discussion they had been unable to
agree, and it was the most painful act of
his political life when he found himself
to dissent from the majority of
the committee in their final action. He pro-
posed to explain the grounds of the differ
ence that prevailed, and he desired the con-
ventiOn to be convinced whether they
thought with him or the majority, that
they had ssted in coed faith, and had no
desire, except for the welfare Of the party
and the good of the country. The ques-
ton of slaves had distracted the courts and
party since 1920, and we hoped by the
compromise measures Of 1850, the Kansas
law of 1854, and the platform of 1852 and
1856, that the policy of the Democratic
party was united and settled policy in re-
spcct 10 African slavery. He spoke for an
hour in favor of the minority report
Mr. b. F. Butler next addressed the con-
vention, and argued in support of his mi
nority.
Mr.. Barksdale of Mississippi. obtained
the floor, but gave way to a'motion to ad-
journ until 4 P. NJ.
CHARLESTON, S. c., April 80, Pm.
The minority report of the platform COM
mittee was received and adopted by the
convention as a substitute for the majority
report by a vote Of 165 against 13S.
MIR. Ashe, of North Carolina, made
threats that he would withdraw from the
convention and the Democratic party, if
the minority resolutions were adopted.
The first of the minority resolutions affir-
ming the Cincinnati platform was adopted
by a vote of 2S3 against 20.
Mr.. Glenn, of Mississippi. voted in the
negative, and denounced the Cincinnati
platform as an unmitigated swindle.
The delegates from Alabama, Mississip-
IA l., L 1 Il
votes, and Arkansas withdrew three of her
votes upon the motion to lay the minority
platform on the table.
The convention then proceeded to vote
separately on the resolutions. After half
an hour had been spent in motions of order
the preamble and first resolution, relating
to the Dred Scott decision, was struck out.
Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Flor
ida declined voting. The vote was then
announced-yeas, 40, nays, 240.
The resolution to protect foreign born
citizens was unanimously adopted.
The resolution in favor of line Of rail
| way to the Pacific was also unanimously
The delegates from Missouri, Louisiana,
Texas. Florida and Alabama declined to
vote on either of the preceding resolutions
The remaining resolutions were then
voted on separately, and all adopted unan-
imously by a vote of 272 ayes, the dele
gates from Missouri, Louisiana, Texas,
Florida and Alabama declining to vote, and
Arkansas voting but three votes.
The delegation from Alabama here with
drew from the convention, when the Mis-
sissippi delegation followed by Louisiana,
withdrew. The South Carolina delegation
with the exception of three members, next
went out. and Florida followed.
The delegates from Texas protested
against the action taken by majority OF
the convention.
Mr.. Burrow, of Arkansas, also entered
the protest of his State, signed by three of
the members of the delegation.
Mr.. Russell, in the name of the Virgin
ia delegation, expressed deep sympathy for
the Southern States. and asked an adjourn
ment to allow time for consultation
Mr.. Bryant, of Delaware, for himself and
another colleague then withdrew
MIR. MoutOn, of Louisiana, in withdraw
ing. said that two of his delegation declin-
ed to join in the withdrawal, but being in
structed to vote as . unit, no one could
cast the vote of the State after q majority
of the delegation had left the convention.
The confusion and disorder which pre-
vailed after the withdrawal, beggars all de-
scription.
The convention adjourned until 6 O'Clock
r. NJ, after session of two hours. dura-
ton.
The excitement in this city is intense. A
salute is being fired in honor of the south
ern delegations who have seeded.
The secedels are to hold a meeting to
night, and nominate Dickinson for Presi-
dent, and probably Stephens for Vice-Pres
ident.
There is considerable feeling manifested
against the three South Carolina delegates
who refused to secede. The delegates from
North Carolina and Maryland stand firm.
A portion OF the delegates from Virginia
and Georgia are withdrawing. The Kan
lucky delegates are holding a consultation.
WAsHINeroS, April 80, p. NJ.
The excitement in this city is intense.
The members of Congress from Tennessee
IN replying to dispatches from Charleston
advised their delegates to remain in the
convention and support the nominee.
CHARLEsroS, May l.
ihe southern convention merely orpani-
zed by the election of Mr.. Bayard of Del
aware, president, and then adjourned until
noon tomorrow.
Dir. Bolden, of Georgia, spoke at length.
He intended to hold on to the northern de-
mOcracy till the last horn blows. He Low.
ed the Union, and was determined tn stand