The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-10
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1860

We devote large portion of our space to-day
to a report of the proceedings OF the Constltu-
tional Union Convention, which met in this city
Yesterday. The report-which is very full one
embraces all the information which we can at
present give respecting the actual or possible re-
suits of the Convention. Anything more would
be mere speculation and guess-work. In the list
of delegates which will be found elsewhere, there
are some familiar names of gentlemen once prom-
nent in the politics of the country, but who,
everybody supposed, had long since been sheved
by the people, or had finally retired from pubic
life. In fact, there requires but the adultloh
Of few more such TO render the CohVen-
ton complete as u collection OF poi'''o"' an
tiouitias Tho occasion of the re-appearance
of ,boso b;rb1v respectable but somewhat
decayed politicians, upon the Stage OF actioh, 10
tba nomination of a candidate for the Presidency
in onposition to both the Democratic and Repub-
Ican Parties For this purpose ''all the elements
ssof opposition were invited to convene, but the
invitation has been responded to only by twenty
two States. Neither New Hampshire Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Mich
ipan, Iowa, Wisconsin, California nor Oregon are
represented in the Convention. The Convention
met in the building, corner of Fayette and North
Streets formerly belonging TO the First Presbyte-
ron Church. but the site of which has been lately
purchased by Government for the erection of a
Court-House and the use of which was courteous
" granted to the Convention by the SECRETARY
of the INTERIOR The Convention was called TO
order by Mr.. CRTTENDEN, of Kentucky, and was
finally organized by the selection of Governor
HUNT, of New York, as permanent Chairman, with
the usual complement of Vice-Presidents and Sec
retaries The only business transacted was the
appointment of Committee on Business charged
with the duty of cutting out work for the Conven-
ton at its session this morning There was some
talk on the subject of Platforms but the general
feeling in the Convention was adverse to the adop-
tion of any, Doubtless the difficulty of construct
inc one broad enough to accommodate all the
elements represented in the Convention, is the
cause of this unwillingness to attempt any defni-
tion of the Party-Faith. 1t was with the view of
checking a discussion on this point which was
felt to be dangerous to the harmony of the body,
that Mr.. Brooks of New York, moved the refer
ence of the whole subject to Committee on Bu-
siness The report of that Committee, we have
reason to believe, will be adverse to the adoption
of any Platform other than may be fur
nished by the character of the candidate or may
be comprised in the sententious declaration of
principles adopted by the New York delegation
The Union, the Constitution, and the enforce
.'ment of the Laws" With regard to the proba-
BILE choice by the Convention of candidate, of
course, speculation is rife and as diverse as the
IL, Al. l..
pressed So far as the proceedings of the Con-
vention afford any indication, General Houston
appears to be the strongest man, and will proba-
bly, lead on the first ballot. Messrs Brooks,
THOMPSON of Indiana, HILL of Georgia. and |
CoOMBs of Kentucky, are all working for him,
and Mr.. CRITTENDEN is said to prefer him next
to himself, while the Texan Senator's sturdy op-
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise |
and to the re-opening of the African Slave-Trade |
make him very acceptable to the North New York
is almost unit in his favor. Other candidates are
Mr.. BELL, of Tennessee, and Judge MCLEAN, of
Ohio, strongly pressed by portion of the Ohio
and Pennsylvania delegations. Mr.. Boris, to all
appearances, has not the ghost of chance while
Mr.. EVERETT prospect of being second on ticket
with HoUsToN is decidedly better than it is for be-
ing first. Our own dearly beloved THOMAS
SWAMI is in the Convention, and is said to be in
favor of himself, which is quite what might have
been expec ed The probabilities are that the
Convention will make short work of the business
before 1.-THE organization of the Party being too
green and tender to admit of much quarrelling, or
OF protraced struggle. A nomination before
the Convention adjourns tonight is not out of the
range of possibilities