, 1861-03-04

Hon. II. =. Drt0n, Circuit Judge and Captain
Of the Dane CaValfy-so warm an adnairer Of
Seward. that because he was not nominated,
be voted for Buchanan in '56 and for Bell in
'60-spoke in response to loud calls. His re-
marks consisted Of severe denunciations Of
those who undcrrated the danger, cried peace
md dared to rIdicule gatherings dubbed Union
meetings; the highest culogy of Senator Sew
ard and his recent speeches, and an appeal to
endorse him, Us common ground on which
all could stand, a proposal which called out
tremendous aye; and advocacy Of tic policy
Of mastery inactivity toward the seeding
States, where, as the speaker held, Federal
property had been taken traito,ons possession
Of, and arms supplied through high treason on
the part Of government officers. Regarding
tho territorial question as no longera practical
one, he said he was ready to do or yield any
thing to restore the Union.
E. G. Ryan, Democrat, Of Milwaukee, who
was next called on, had little hope, mou1ned
over the dissolution Of the Union, but felt that
tears would do nothing to sare it. He insisted
that compromise On both sides las in all the
relations Of life) was 3 necessity. The glori-
GUS destiny to which all had looked forward
was gambled away. Secession was fact. Only
one set of the United States laws-the postal
were executed in several States, and that on
the principle Of spelling the enemy. Other
States would follow il the doctrine Of no con-
cession Was adopted. Coercion could not save
the Union. He had some hope left in Seward,
whose recent speeches were in wonderfully
good temper and spirit He believed Lincoln
was man:of great resolution, calmness, pa
s@ko
Gle Of fanaticism or drop Of coward or bitter
blood in heart full Of love to every American
citizen. He did not vote for him, but relied
on his patriotism and Was ready to second his
Administration. He wanted Republicans to
refrain from expressing their extreme opinions,
if II they had had to put, gag in their mouths
and ability. Moses N. Strong, famous in Land
Grant times, coufeesing it was no great sacri-
flee for Democrats to do so, since they were
whipped, wanted the Republicans to yield their
principles, and arraig gned them for their past
course. He was unwilling even to call Seces-
eionists hard names. Like drowning man he
was ready to catch at the straw Of sending
commissioners. He appeared surprised that
Democrats sincerity was suspected! If Lin
coin took up the policy indicated by Seward,
he was ready to abe d Lincoln man or any
any kind of 8 man you please"
Geo. b. Smith expressed disappointment
ing, though he had feared such result when
1t was proposed His righteous soul had been
yexed and his sensitive nature hurt at charges
Of mercenary and partisan purpose in calling
this meeting. He quoted jackson agninst
coercion, insisted on compromise, thoug gh he
would not say what; offered to give his bond
that the Republicans should never be charged
with backing down, If they made concessions
to save the Union; predicted that Lincoln
would recommend non-interyentfon with Sc
ceding States, and that after his inaugural
there would be very few for war, and ayowed
saving the Union.
An "old fosy" Democrat wanted to know
how Lincoln could decline executing the laws
when he swore to do SO; hut could not get
any satisfactory answer. Mr. Warner, m IN
compromising Republican, desiring to see
what manner Of spirit the meeting was of,
! when such readiness was expressed TO do
| any thing to save the Union, proposed to fill
the blank in the resolution appointing Com
| mlssioners, with the nutncs Of Doolittic,
Howe, Washburn, Potter and Hanchett. This
| was greeted with storms Of hisses, and after
some passages between himself and members
| Of the Convention, was ruled ont. Senator
| Bean, a radical Republican, mixed in, repelled
the chnrge that Republicans loved party more
thnn country, and referred to the recent sup
port By the Northern Democracy of rank
| disunionist, Il. Y. johnson, and charged that
their representation Of the principles and
| objects of the Republican party had caused
ing the reward Of their own doings. He closed
BY repeating the Jacksonian sentiment incor-
porated in the Chicago platform, "The Federal
Union-it must and shall be preserved, (which
vas greeted with enthusiastic applause, After
some further talk, a Committee to
nominate Commissioners was appointed,
from each congressional district. About
half Of the Committee appointed were
Republicans, but only one or two acted.
They reported Marshal IL. Strong, n c
Darling. J. H Tweedy, II. L. Dousman and
Nelson Dewey, Commissioners, none Of whom
were present at the meeting, and requested
them to proceed to Washington, unless the
Legislature appointed this week! They were
requested to 60 decidedly day after the fair,
and think see them on their winding
way" now that the Conference has adjourned.
| Smiths resolutions were adopted.
The object Of the meeting-to divide aud
| distract Republicans-despite Of much eu1ogy
| Of Republican leaders, much tender entrsaty,
| many hpuied words, impassfoned gestures and
professions Of patriotism, was not accomp-
lished. The professed purpose of the meeting
| was scarcely alluded to and skillfully cyaded.
The thing was managed entirely by politicians
like those whose names appear in the proceed
| ings-Beriah Brown, Lot Clark, LaDue, Fred.
Horn, C. f. Lord, 4. Hyatt Smith, and others
| whose faces are familiar at Democratic Con
ventions, As 1t il the only meeting of the
kind here this winter, have endeaYored to
give an idea of its spirit.
The Farm Mortgage Relief ILL was taken
up in the Assembly yesterday, md occupied
| the attention Of that body through a session
| protracted till the middle Of the afternoon.
determined effort was made to pass it to q
fnal vote, but though it seemed to have a mn.
{ority, the previous question could not be
brought to bear, cutting of amendments md
choking debate A substitute WIGS offered By
Mr. Clark, simply providing that the question
Of fraud might be tried before Il jury in cyery
case, and that the books and papers o.
railroad companies should be open to
otter good deal Of flibusteriDg. The bill
was advocated by Messrs. Moore, johnson,
Webb, Frisby, and others. Clarke, Cavcrno,
Bradford, spooner, Reed, Knapp, Bailey and
Others opposed it in its present shape. It was
urged that 1t vas legislating for q class, pre-.
suming fraud in esery case; admitting the al.
legations Of one side and refusing testimony
OF the other; was most iniquitons attempt
| at repudiation, an ungodly ahomipation, and
would infict great hardship On widows, or.
phans, men Of small property, and others whose
means had been invested III these as frst-class
securities. Mr.. Bradford showed how many
had given these' mortgages with their ewes
open, and forewaEned that they might have to
pay them. The Chicago TRIBUNE and other
authority was read to show what effect such
State.
Many who do not at all approve the bill
vote Tor 1t because demanded BY their constitu
ents, or In the hope that it may bring about an
equitable compromise with the holders Of the
mortgages: Representatives Of the Farm
the blu, and there is also . lobby against it
The six regiment WIZ bill was tabled iu the
Senate yesterday. Plus,
| ux~s< .r rt-