Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-01-30
Democratic State Conve tion-DIvi-
SION nf Sentiment.

= S4-ANN@
e sion Of Sentiment.
TIE leaders of the Ohio Democracy
met at Columbus on the 23d inst. to con-
suit upon the past aial present af4irs of
the Union in General, and Of those Of the
Democratic darty in particular;
The State Journal says after the Con-
vcntion had organized.
Before preceding further. it was sug-
gested that the Convention manifest its
patriotism by singing the Star Spaugled
Banner This suggestion was very favor
ably received, and there was q general
pitching in of Democratic voices, and this
popular national ode Was roared through
at a terrific rate. Scarcely had the sounds
of vocal discoId died out. when u voice
in the body of the Convention called out
for the futhcr devotional exercise of prayer.
There was laughing. and cheering, and
growing. Tn. suggestion met with no ia
Yer. Prayer is so manifestly out of place
in a Democratic Convention. that It could
have been no other than Il uovitiate in the
party who was guilty of the irrcverence.-
Democrats swore it was some Black Repub-
lican. who was attempting innovation upon
old Democratic customs
The Committee on Resolutions. of which
Judge Ranney was Chairman. reported the
following:
lst. ResoIced, That since the admission
of Ohio as one Of the United States. the
Democratic party of the State has uniform
" shown devotion to the Union. allegiance
to the Constitution, obedicucc to the Fed
eral laws, and respect for the constitutional
rights, and regard for the interests Of each
of her sister States; and that the same
views and sentiments now animate the
Democracy of Ohio.
I'd. ResoLced. That while We gratefully
acknowledge the services of those of our
public men in Congress who are striving
to preserve the L ion, aud thus to promote
the best interests of our nation and the
cause of constitutional liberty among mani
kind; and while We would accept with joy
the compromise measures known as the
Critteuden resolutiOns-or the propositions
of Senator Bigler or Douglas. or those
known as the BORDER States resolutions
as a basis Of settlement of our national
difficulties; or any other settlement of our
affairs honorably 20 US all, all of which can
be effected by con. %illiation and compromise,
and mutual concessions of all concerned to
secure the safety and perretuity of the
Union: vet VIC believe that the ques.
tons that disturb the country are of such
character, and have existed for so long q
period that the time has arrived when the
people of the whole country should avail
themselves of that provision of the COnstl
tuition which requires Congress. upon the
application of two-thirds of the legislature;
of the several States, to csll 4 Convention
Of all the States for proposing amendment;
thereto.
Sd. Re diced, That this Convention
does recommend and request the Genera.
Assembly of this State, now in session, tC
make application to Congress To call a Goa
v%ention, pursuant TO the fifth article o
the Constitution of the United States, fol
the purpose Of proposing amendments there
to.
i 4th. ReSolred, That the President o
this Convention be instructed to communi
cate the foregoing Sd resolution to the pre-
siding officers of the General Assembly
with the request that they prcsentthe same
to their respective Houses.
9th. Resolced, That the two hundred
thousand Democrats of Ohio send to thu
people of the United States, both NORTH
and Sonth. greeting; and when the people
: of the North shall have fulfilled their dutic:
| to the Constitution and the South-then
and not until then, will it be proper fol
them to take into consideration the dOctrin,
!, Of the right of the coercion of 4 State; ant
then and not until then, should they at
tempt to put down the alleged right o
secession by the alleged right of coercion
The resolutions were passed separately
and without dissent, until the fifth wa
put upon its passage.
When the fifth was read there was
murmur of dissatisfaction. Judge hey. o
Cincinnati, rose and entered his. protest
He said this resolution did recognize, OIL
c would be construed to recognize, the RICH
e Of secession. Or if not this, that the ques
' ton of the right of secession is not yet set
c tied in the Democratic mind Of the North
He did not believe the Democratic party
of this State would recognize this right
He believed they held to the doctrine tina.
Congress has power to enforce the laws
He therefore offered the following amend
: meut to the 9TH resolution:
Resgived, That the doctrine of the RICH
of secession is net sustained by the Consti
tntion; that the authority for C forcing thu
e laws of the United States is given by th'
: Constitution to the general government
that the exercise of the authority as agains
Z the people of a seeding State, is a portion
of public policy to be determined in view
of all existing circumstances; that suct
d power should not be exercised by actua
S force against the people of a State. unit
every peaceful means has been exhausted
and until the nOn-secediug States are pre-
pared to perform all their constitutions
obligations, and ever then only n case:
l where the general public welfare will Ger
| taiuly be promoted thereby.
JUDGE RANXEY EXPLAINS.
Judge RaDney explained, 1t was no.
: meant by the fifth resolution to recognize
the right of secession. Until tie Nortl
will do rirht we don't want thnm to cal
{ on Democrats to wage war. We won't en-
: gage in fratricidal strife as long as tn,
North continues to refuse to do what il
Y just. This is the meaning Of the resolu
! ton, that the North must first elem thei
own hands before they call for the subju
cation Of the South.
! Other gentlemen protested against tn,
. fifth resolution.