The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-07-26
,RROa THE rCAPWAL.
gHBOs THE F<zAFRAAlss-yi
Correspondence Of the Hawk-Eye.1
!. Demoeratiey state Conyention.

ess DIES Nouns, July 18th, 1862.
/ Dear Sir The Democratic State Conven-
ton of 1852 has completed it's labors, having
adjourned between IL and IL o'clock last night,
after session extending through the afternoon
and evening. must do the body the justice to
state that its work was done up with more ap
parent harmony and enthusiasm than has been
witnessed in that effete organization for several
years. This apparent harmony resulted, how.
ever, from an equally apparent cause. The Con-
vention was completely controlled and managed
by the Breckenridge or disloyal wing of the
party. Douglas men Of mark and strength had
been carefully excluded, except so far as they
had given in their adhesion to the pestilent
minority, who, in spite of the insignifcancy o.
their members, are ss potent in their manage
ment of what remains Of the once powerful
Democratic organization, as the siavehoidlng
oligarchy ever were in the councils OF the party
at the National Capitol Several days before
the Convention met, Mahoney and kindred
spirits were here in secret council with few OF
the faithful, maturing the business Of the Con-
vention. They did their work we'll; so we'll as
to deceive and blind the few who subsequently
came up with the hope Of saving the party from
the fatal reproach of disloyalty; 80 we'll as to
entr.p such men as Merritt and Claggett, who
we're vociferous leaders in no party movement
but few short months since.
About forty Counties out of hundred were
represented in the Convention. How meagerly
represented may be imagined, when tell you
that the populous and not remote County of
Scott, had single representative out of the
two or three dozen to which it was entitled. A
fraud was practiced Gas usually upon those pres
ent, by reading the names of all who had been
appointed to represent the. Counties enumerated
in the roll of the Convention. I would suggest,
as an Improvement, that full list of all the
Delegates appointed, be hereafter sent to the
Convention, so that formidable array Of names
may appear in print. A temporary organization
was effected by calling Martin Of Iowa County
ian ornamental scion of Democracy to the
chair, and making Mahony Secretary. A re-
verse of the order would have had the merit of
propriety aud fitness. After a permanent or.
ganization had been effected, by placing Colonel
Thomas, Of Buchanan County, in the chair, Ma
hony sprang to bis feet and moved the appoint.
ment of Committee on Resolutions. He thus
stole march upon Merritt, who had attempted
to secure the appointment Of the Committee
before the permanent organization, but had sig
nally failed. The Committee was chosen by the
Delegates representing the several Congressional
Districts, with Dodge, of your City, at its head
and Mahony at the tail end. With such
figure head and rudder, and men after the stamp
of Elwood and Duncomb to fill up the interme.
date space, you can judge what chance there
was for loyalty in the Democratic Convention
Of 1862. Mabony held the helm, and Jesuit.
cal treason was the inevitable port to which he
steered. -l.la .."s '''s
While the Committee were out the Conven-
ton was entertained by sundry speeches. Turk
-an empty-headed ranter, known hereabouts
for his pro.slavery sympathies-led the way
Sound and fury, signifying nothing" epito.
mixes his speech. He managed to declare him.
self for the Union as it Was and the Constitu-
ton as it is," three or four times during his ten
minutes harangue, not forgetting to exonerate
the rebels for all blame for the rebellion, and
placing the deep damnation Of the crime at the
door Of those States that are pouring out their
blood-like water in defence of the Union. In
the same vein spoke Claggett. year ago he
was here - q delegate to Union Convention,
and refused to tolerate even suggestion of co.
operation with . Democratic Convention in ses-
sion at the same time He regarded It as
crime to talk Of party and recognize old party
lines in the face Of this rebellion. The saliva
ton of the Union depended upon the abnegs.
ton Of party-and the election of Claggett to
Congress. Claggett didn't get . nomination,
and here he IL, like dog returned to his vomit
landing the Democratic party - tho special in
strument Of Divine Providence for the salvation
of the Union. Such fantastic tricks are ex.
pected to 60 down with honest men! Merritt
who preferred the leadership of Q mongrsl
organization in the pursuit of political honors :,
to the Colonelcy of Regim ent of Iowa volun
teers-berated the Administration for it's eman.
cipation and confscation schemes and astoand-
ed his audience BY his exhibition Of arithme tical
lore. Poor Merritt! he run well for |. time.
Who did hinder him - 80
Mr. Cole was called out. He responded after
. time, BY saying that be was not member Of
the Convention, and had, in a measure, given IN
politics for bis profession, being constrained
thereto by duty to himself. He spoke briefly,
IS they insisted on hearing him but before be
got through, some Of the faithful we're on he
point of Kissing him down. The Republican.
prevented that BY applauding every loyal se,ti.
ment. Cole is impressed with the downward
and dialoyal tendencies Of bis political sso.
ciates, and ID determined TO avoid the lower deem
into which they arc destined % sink. he il
still an outspoken Democrat, but declares his
readiness 70 support the Administration in its
efforts to crush out the rebellion, even il the