The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-02

CHICAGO, Aug. 3O.-It was reported by the
committee on that subec: that they had nnani.
mously agreed upon Horatio Seymour as Pres
ident of the Convention. $3.50
Prolonged applause followed this announce.
meat and the report was adopted. On taking
the chair, Gov. Seymour spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF GOV. SEYMOUR
Gentlemen of the Convention-I cannot FORE
cast the resolutions and actions of this Con-
vention. but can say that every member of it
loves the Union, justice and peace and will
uphold constitutional freedom.
While the resolutions and action of this Con.
ventlon are OF the utmost importance, there
are reasons why the Democratic party should
be restored to power, and they are great
reasons.
The Democratic party will restore the Union.
because it longs for its restoration. 1t will
bring back liberty TO our land, because it loves
liberty. 1t will put down despotism because
it hates. the ignoble tyranny which now de-
grades the American people.
-Four years ago convention met in this CITY
when our country was peaceful, prosperous
and united. Its delegates did not mean to de-
stroy our government, to overwhelm US with
debt, or drench our land with blood, but they
were animated by intolerance and fanaticism
and blinded by an ignorance of the spirit of
our institutions, the character of our people
and the condition of our land. They felt they
might safely indulge their passions. and thew
concluded to do SO. They would not heed the
warning of our fathers and they did not con-
slider that mendling begets strife
Their passions have wrought out their natur-
al results. They were impelled to spurn all
measures OF compromise Step by step they
have marched on to results which at the out
set they would have shrunk from with hor-
ror, and even when war has desolated our land.
has laid its heavy burthen upon labor, and
when bankruptcy and ruin overhang Us, they
Will not have the Union restored except upon
conditions unknown to our Constitution.
They will not let the shedding of blood
cease even for little time to see if Christian
Charity, or the wisdom of craftsmanship may
not work out method to save our country
Nay, more than this, they will not listen to a
proposal for peace which does not offer that
which this Government has no right to ask.
This Administration cannot now save this
Union If it would. 1t has by its Proclamations,
by vindictive legislation, and by displays of
hate and passion placed obstacles in its own
pathway which it cannot overcome. 1t has
hampered it's own freedom of action by uncon-
stitutional ideas.
1t cannot be said that this failure of its poll
cy is due to the want of courage and devotion
on the part Of our armies. Never in the histO-
~ of the world have soldiers given up their
lives more freely than have those that have bat
tied for the flag of our Union in the Southern
States. The world will hold that they have
done all that arms could do, and had wise
craftsmanship secured the fruits of their victo-
ries, to-day there would have been peace in our
land.
But while our soldiers have desperately
struggled to carry our banners southwark to
the Gulf of Mexico, even now the Government
declares in the ears Of it's Generals that rebell-
ious discomfort had worked northward to the
shores of the Great Lakes.
The guaranteed rights of the people to bear
arms have been violated even to the very Dor
ders of Canada, 90 that American servitude is
putin bold contrast with British liberty. This
Administration thus declares to the world that
it has no faith in the people of the States
whose votes placed it in power. 1t also admits