The Placer herald., 1863-07-11
SACRAMENTO CORRESPONDENTS.
SACRAMENTO, Thursday. July 9th, 1863.

Convention ever assembled in this State met yes
termay ut Agricultural Hall, in this City. This
is not all-it was the most enthusiastic and har
monious body of Democrats ever congregated
under one roof. It appears that every delegate
came with the spirit of compromise in his heart,
and with expectations Of yielding anything and
everything which would heal former differences
and advance the cause of Democracy. When a
Convention meets under such anticipatlOns. (and
no one could come into this convention with any
other feeling on account of the peculiar creation
of the convention itself) it would be very diff.
cult to get up quarrel about the peculiar phra-
seolOgy of q resolution in a platform. The adop-
tion of Englishs resolution, that all declaration
of principles for the consideration of this Con-
vention. be referred to the Committee on Plat
form, without debate" cliuched the nail and
bound the hands of every delegate" This reso-
luton, perhaps, was unnecessary, but rs it had
been charged by outsiders that there were one or
two evil disposed members, who intended to in
troduce fre-brand, the passage of the resolu-
tion was highly proper. However. l am fully
sats fed that if such resolutions introduced,
at any stage of the proceedings they would have
been instantly laid on the table. The Butte call
was based on compromise and concession and
the first sign Characterization would have been
met with a storm of indignant condemnation.
personnel OF THE MEMBERS.
| have attended many State Conventions in
years past, in this city, but have never seen a
more intelligent and orderly looking mass of men
assembled. The delegation from the cities
of San Francisco. Sacramento. Marysvlle, etc.
did not resemble the 'rif-raft'' which was sent
from the same cities to the late Abolition State
Convention. All this Glass, usually forced upon
such bodies by ciques of Office seekers. was
wanting in this body. There were no delegations
here with collar upon their necks, marked for
this man for Governor, or that man Tor Congress.
The Convention was free and untrummeed, and
had assembled for the nomination Of the strongest
and best men. Union, harmony and victory was
the only aim and object in view, and this was so
conspicuousy displayed in every act, that the
simplest observer could discern it.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.
The Convention assembled at Agricultural Hail.
the largest and most commodious room in the
city, at o'clock, P. NJ, and temporarily organiz
ed by calling j. W. Cotfroth, of Sacramento, to
the chair. Alexander Montgomery. of Napa, and
}. u. Gri1iths OF Yuba, were also appointed
Secretaries. The Convention selected Il commit
tee on credentials one from each county who re-
tired. and the convention adjourned till o'clock
On re-assembling, the committee was still found
laboring. and not ready to report. In ord L to
prevent another adjournment. save time and in
struct and interest the convention, it was propos
ed that the talent Of the body should be called to
the platform. Cries for Tod Robinson were re-
sponded TO by this gentleman coming forward and
making one of his happy speeches. He was fol-
lowed by II. p. Barber of Tuolumne, Col. Hatch
OF Iuba. Hon. J. 3. Weller, Of Alameda. James
johnson, of FL Dorado. W. H. Rhodes, OF Tehama,
and P. l.. Edwards. Of Sacromcnto.
At the conclusion OF these able speeches, the
committee on credentials made unanimous re-
port which was adopted. j. w. Cotfroth was
then made permanent President of the Conven-
ton, and a committee WAS appointed to select
other officers, report rules. &c. On Platform
and Resolutions the convention resolved to select
one from each county. which committee was Sc
iected by each delegation. The convention then
adjourned to meet Thursday morning at o O'Clock.
SECOND DAY.
The Convention assembled at o'clock. and the
Committee on permanent officers and order of
business made their reports Exceptions were
taken to the old,r Of business specifying the
nomination OF Supreme Judges and a debate of
two hours followed on the propriety of this body
making the nominees. 1t was strenuously urged
by several good speakers that there should be
called special convention for this purpose
Several thought it should be called irrespective
of party. while others contended none other than
Democrats. and sound Democrats should be nom
mated for the Supreme Bench, and that this con.
vention was as capable Of making the nomination
as any other. Debate was finally suspended by
the adoption Of the previous question, and the
report of the Committee, proposing to nominate
in this convention, was adopted by a large ma
jority.
L
and Resolutions, which was read by H. P Barber
of Tuolumne. They We're received with tremen
dous applause, and adopted without debate, the,
previous question being moved and sustained-
Two other resolutions were then sent up. but were
not read. but referred directly to the committee
on resolutions, in accordance with the English
resolution OF yesterday
NOMINATION OF GOVERNOR.
Motion to adjourn for an hour was how made
but lost. Nominations for Governor were declar-
ed in order. R. 7. Sprague was then nominated,
John G. Downey was also but in nomination.
Col. Hatch, OF Yuba, announced that he was
authorized TO say that Gov. Downey was not
candidate. The Downey men insisted on his
nomination, midst cries of "Downey,' "Downey"
The Ex-Governor appeared upon the stand and
after making briet speech, announced that he
was not candidate! Downey's friends insisted
on his nomination. and motion was made that he
be placed in nOmnotion by accamation which
the chairman declared to be out of order, as there
was imorc than one candidate. Joseph w. Nc
Corkle and John B. Weller were then placed in
nomination. The Downcy men still seemed dis
posed to favor the nomination OF their candidate
but the matter was terminated for the time by
the adoption of motion to adjourn for one
hour. Considerable feeling seemed to agitatc
the members of the Convention the first that
had observed during the proceedings up to this
time. Previous to adjournment member under
took TO say something about pe-laying,' but
me CHAIRMAN very decidedly raped him down
with his gavel.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention re-assembled and on motion
laid temporarily on the table tie nomination of
Governor. Every nominee had withdrawn, and
the convention seemed Determined to compel Gov
Downey, and no one else, to accept the position
Previously, however, an informal ballot was
taken with the following result: j. G. Downey
200; VIM. NJ. Leet, Sc; J. B. Weller 55; and J.
w. McCorkle, Is.
FOR CONGRESS-.
On motion, the regular order of business was
suspended, and John b. Weller John Bigler. and
}. w. McCorke, were declared the nominees for
Congress, by acclamaton This created the great
est excitement and enthusasm-the convention
went wild with joy. Messrs. Weller and Bigler
took the stand and thanked the convention for
the honor. Mr. McCorkle being absent a dele
gate announced the information that he would
not accept. That he had declared himself Il cam
didate for Governor, and for Governor alone.
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