Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-11
THE CLEVELAND MASS MEETING
VERY MIXED GATHERING.
Radical Abolitionists Predominant.
Full Report of Proceedings.
Fremont for President, Coehrane Vice Pres't.
CLEVELAND. Nav 81.

The Convention opened to-day with some
300 or 400 delegates in attendance. 1t was
called to order by Mr.. Gilbert, on whose
nomination Ex-Gov. johnson, of Pa, was
chosen temporary Chairman. Mr.. johnson
returned thanks briefly, saying that he hoped
the proceedings of the Convention would be
so conducted as to strike with that force and
power worthy of the object and principles in
view.
On motion, B. III. Brooks of California
and Wolf of the District of Columbia were
appointed Secretaries.
On motion, the following were appointed
committee on permanent organization:
Ezra C. Andrews, Parker Pillsbury, OF N. Ii
stephen S. Foster, of Mass A. Q: Colven, of N.
Y; N. b. Sawyer, of Pa; John L. Snaturer, of
Nd; Caspar Butt, of ILL.,; Chas. Z. Moss, Mo-:
N. d. Bailey, Kansas.
motion to appoint a committee on ere
dentials elected some debate, several dele
gates opposing it on the ground that there
are many citizens present who represent po-
litical organizations in the several States, and
vet have been furnished with no credentials.
The motion was withdrawn, but renewed by
Mr.. Garrett, of Mo-, who thought the time
would come when every member would be
proud of his connection with this convention,
and he desired the record made in order to
show the world that we are here for a great
and good purpose in spite of Lincoln and the
devil
1t was finally resolved to call the names of
all present, and that the only credentials to be
given shall be a declaration that the delegate
has come here in response to calls for the
Cleveland Convention. The Western, Albany
and New York calls were then read and laid
on the table The following committee was
appointed to enroll names of delegates
J. A. Millard, Jno. sutshauner, N. P. sawy er,
VIM. Rodman and Jas. Alden.
The committee on permanent organization
reported the following which was unanimous
ly adopted:
For President-John Cochrane, of New York.
standardization Hill, OF Maine; Parker
Pillsbury, New Hampshire; w. Cary, Vermont;
Mass; Joseph Plumb, n. Y; D. L. Greiner, N.
j.; w. G.. Smithen, Md. Alfred G Lloyd, Penn;
Boyd L. Chapman, Ohio; DR.. Hamburg, Indiana;
Z. Poussing, ILL.,; DIR. I. 0lshauseu, Mo-; Thomas
p. Wright, Ky. j. z. Stubald, Iowa; Z. C. Foote,
Mich; John Newstadt, Wisconsin; J. J. Legate,
Kansas.
Seeretares.-Leonard vandercar, New York;
L. Wolf, District of Columbia: James d. Owens, of
Pennsy lvania; Col. Chas. L. Moss, of Missouri.
The Chair appointed Parker Pillsbury and
Col Moss a committee to notify Gen. Coch-
rane of his election and escort him to the
Chair.
On returning thanks for the honor con-
ferred, he said that the duty of this Con-
vention will be performed in accordance with
the views and wishes of the people whom it
represents 1t will have advanced to a posi-
ton that must command universal applause.
We are here OCCUPYING common ground,
that of the broadcast and most catholic prin-
ciples of Democracy. We are not for party
but for country.
Three years ago when the very life of the
nation was threatened all true patriots drop
ped parties to support the country, but the
hour is coming, indeed it has almost arrived,
when the rebellion will have disappeared
forever and then it is that free people
should review the past and enact the neces-
sary safe guards against the vicsisitudes,
and dangers of the past
1t is at such at such period that you have
assembled, and while sustaining with all the
vigOr and strength of great people, actuated
solely by love of country, our armies IN the
field, you are about to organize a civil party
at home to proclaim and maintain at all haz-
ards the great and imnutable principles for
which the army is so vigilantly lighting in.
the field. Thus, and thus only, can the peo-
pie of the land realize and and enjoy the legit-
innate fruits of the sacrifices they have made.
ever suppressed. The Union must be pre-
served. We have not met here to indulge in
any criticism with or weaken the Govern
ment, and we are not here to throw any inn
pediments in the way of the march of our
glorious armies. God forbid. No delegate
is here to occupy any position unworthy of
the broadcast patriotism or of the heart of a
true American citizen.
He saw before him men who, in days gone,
entertained essentially different views on the
question of slavery, but events have so shap-
ed themselves with regard to that and other
great questions within the past few years,
that all can now stand upon common ground
in regard to it. The effect of the rebellion
has been to destroy slavery and the last ves-
tige of it must be wiped away.
He alluded to the meeting of the War
Democratic State Committee at Syracuse,
and characterized it as an idle farce, COM
mittee without constituency, and assured
the convention that the War Democracy of
New York are of sterner stuff than to be
swayed by few peddling politicians.
While we proclaim all men on this CONT
nent free and equal, it is our duty to see that
such assertion is literally true. We must
have close and untiring regard for the rights
of all, for if private rights are not re spected
public liberty falls. Its basis is private and
Individual freedom, its method is through
such rights, and we therefore declare ourselves
emphatically and unequivocally for private
and municipal and public liberties.
Never, upon any plea or occasion can the
rights of the citizen be suffered to be invad
ed unwarrantably and without due process
of law. Individual rights are modified by
law. If circumstances require the enforce
Of nj lau oil OIL
must succumb to necessity, but till then they
should not be infringed upon, whatever the
plea.
Law is the reflex of order-the order of
God-and its sanctity must be kept inviolate.
When that is stricken down, there goes with
it our institutions and ALL
Intimately connected with these rights is
the freedom of the press, and the Admins
tration or the man who would aim blow at
it is guilty of crime; but little less guilty
under the laws of the free country in which
he finds an asylum to protect him.
He spoke at some length in eulogy of the
Monroe doctrine, saying that when we have
got through with the rebellion, as we soon
shall be, we will prove to the world that we
have left will and vigor enough to preserve
the American continent free from the polluting
tread of myrmidons of foreign powers.
Gen. Cochrane was frequently cheered and
resumed his seat amid storm of applause.
A delegate from Iowa offered resolution
that each delegate pledge himself not to ac-
cept any Office of trust, honor or profit from
the Administration in power during the next
Presidential term, or be connected, directly
or indirectly, with any government contract,
this prohibition not to be construed so as to
prevent any delegate from becoming an ac-
tive combattant in the army or navy. The