Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-02
THE "PEACE" CONVENTION
AT DOVER.
The Recognition of the Rebels Urged.
Speeches of Ex-Governor Temple
Thes. H. Bayard, w. G. White-
ley, and others.

On Thursday afternoon, so-called " Peace
Convention was held Mt Dover. having for its
object as was asserted in the advertisement,
published by the Bayard party, in one of the
Delaware papers, an expression of the opin-
ion of those opposed to civil war, and in
favor Of speedy termination Of our present
difficulties"
The avowed purpose of the meeting Ia mass
meeting, und not one composed of delegates from
any portion of the State,) was to reply to the
resolutions passed by the Union meeting, at the
same place, two weeks ngo, in which they called
upon Mr. Bayard to resign his position as United
States Senator, in consequence of his affiliation
with the tratorous principles Of JEFF Davis s. Co.
specia train left this city which took down
two hundred Of the non-resistants, and picked
up at various other way stations perhaps five
hundred more.
Another train left Laurel in the morning, and
brought up about five hundred others. So that
about fifteen hundred individuals composed the
number of Peace -Secession-men al Dover that
day.
This "Convention," had for its primary object,
the endorsement of Senator james A. Bayard.-
Free uckats had been circulated in Wilmington
and ut Smyrna st Georges, et'., and every effort
mnde to collect the chosen few. The son of that
high fnnctionary was on hand to represent him
officially, and stranger than all, the Salisbury
faction, mortal enemies OF the Bayards, consented
on this occasion, to bury the hatchet, and assist
the distinguished Secessionist to make Delaware
disloyal and the Government feeble.
Here and there were members of the Haset
Guards, said to be dsloyal company, in gray
uniform, with here and there pistol belt and
revolver protrudiug from the waistcoat,
Most of the attendant farmers were said to be
armed, anticipating an arrival of enemies from
Wilmington and Philadelphia The Dover Home
Guard (Uniop) had also been drilling, and both
parties were casting bullets during the night
The sequel, however, proved such preparation to
be uncaled for, and the Secessionists talked un-
interruptedly and as madly as they pleased.
Athall-past one O'Clock the meeting was
temporarily organized by calling Robert W.
Reynolds, of Kent county, to the chair.
DR.. Henry Ridgley, from the same place, was
appointed the chairman OF a committee to ap-
point permanent officers.
Ex-Governor VIM. Temple OF Kent county,
was then announced President of the meeting.
DR.. Edward Worrell, of Delaware City then
moved that committee of three be appointed
to wait on the President and inform him of
the organization Of the meeting.
After short time the President made his
appearance on the platform, and was introduce
ed to the audience by the chairman. He said
that he had no idea OF the honor that was to
be conferred upon him, and was therefore un-
prepared to make a suitable reply. He said
they had met to decide the question of peace
or war
As they had called him to preside over their
deliberations, he would say he was peace
man-he was Union man. He went for peace,
to perpetuate this Union and the only way to
preserve this Union was by peace. He would
not detain them, as so many others, much bet
ter prepared, were present to address them
He thought that the meeting was called under
Yerydiherent circumstances from that one which
was assembled at this place two weeks ago
He would now leave the meeting in charge of
other parties
Hon. VIM. G. Whiteley, late Representative