Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-03
The CIeveland Convention.


The Convocation of Radical Republicans
which held its sessions in the city of Cleve-
land, on Tuesday, May 3lst, was quite re-
spectacle in point of numbers, being made
up of over three hundred delegates, repre-
senting all the States that have now men,
bers of Congress in Washington. In point
of ability, it will compare favorably with
the Shoddy Convention that meets in Balti-
more next week, to register the edicts of
ABRAHAM the First. We had never
before seen a more earnest and deter
mined set of men than those who COM
posed this Fremont Convention. Its lead
ing members are known throughout the
country; they have national reputa-
ton. Holding diverse opinions in the
past they were yet enabled to meet
in National Convention and harmonic all
differences, in order to accomplish, as they
believe, the great work of political regen-
Grafton. ABRAHAM LINCOLN having sub
verted Personal Liberty and Constitutional
Rights; having struck down the Freedom
of Speech and the Freedom of the Press;
having rejected and ignored the Monroe
Doctrine, which had for half century
been the recognized policy of this Govern
ment; these earnest, enthusiastic mem
nearly all of whom gave him their votes in
1S60-met in Convention, to reassert the in
volatility of Free Speech, Free Press,
and the Habeas Corpus and to re-declare
''that the national policy, known as the
Monroe Doctrine, has become recognized
principle, and that the establishment of an
anti-republican Government by foreign
power, ON this continent cannot be toler-'
ated."
In view Of the state of the country, 1t is
not strange that the honest Germans, who
composed large proportion of the Conven-
tion, shouldresolve to regain the lost liberty
they once enjoyed here, and to aid in remov-
ing from power the man whom they look
upon as playing the tyrant in Washington.
They had enough of tyranny in Europe:
they came away from it, and cast in their lot
with the people of America, believing that
Personal Liberty and Constitutional Rights
would be forever inviolate and sacred in
these States. But they have been sadly dis
appointed. They seek now to restore the
priceless boon that has been lost during the
bloody years of this Administration, by vot-,
ing ABRAHAM. LINCOLN into retirement.
The men who were with them in
Convention, and co-operated with
them in putting the FREMONT ball in
motion, are old Abolitionists, and Radicals
of Democratic antecedents, who Joined the
Administration party during the first year
of the war. These several classes made up
the various delegations to the political Con-
vocation Of the 31st of May.
Their opposition to LINCOLN and his poll
icy, and their denunciations of the usurpa-
tions and corruptions of his Administers
tion, are cordially greeted by the Democra-
cy Of the country; but their extreme Rad
icalism-which is found in the utterances
Of their orators, as well as in their platform,
as to the war and slavery and confscation
lis repudiased by every Democrat.
The actionof the preliminary caucus that
was held the night before the Convention,
indicated most clearly what would be done.
The speeches Of Gen. CocHRANE and Ex-
Governor JOHNSTON, on that occasion, were
both significant. The paid officials and
minions Of the 'Governmentn who were
sent TO Cleveland from washingt ton and from
other points, soon found that the Conven-
tion would neither postpone the nomination
nor give 1t to q man who would decline it
From themoment that Ex-Governor JonN-
sToN took the chair as President of the
temporary organization, until General
CooHRANE, the permanent President put
the motion for the final adjournment. no
one at al in the habit Of attending Coli
ventions could fail to understand the import
of the proceedings. The Government on
cials who were present as lookers-on fully
understood It; and they presented most
and woe-begone appearance.
1t was indeed q pitiable sight and caused
many 9 sieh among those who beheld them
and knew why they sorrowed sol sa
sias1ta auii dta1 AZ "A cE.t