Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-24
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FREEDOE CON-
VHNTIQN,

LOUISVILLE, February %.
The Freedom Convention assembled st
noon, IN the U. 8. Court room. There was
about one hundred delegates present from
Kentucly. Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas
The Convention was organized BY the election OF
Hon. VIM. o. Thompson of Kentucky, Presl-
dent Vice Presidents, NJ M. Breeni Of Tennes-
see, W. Wolff, Of Arkansas, J. L. Nixon, of
Kentucky, and John O,Neil Secretaries ]. 3.
Flower, OF Tennessee, James Lossing, Of Mis-
souri,, J. W. Campbell, OF Kentucky, and Major
L. J. Barnes, of Arkansas.
The Secretary read communication inviting
the convention, in mass to attend the laying of the
cornor stone of the Union Soldiers Monument,
at Cape Hill Cemetry.
A Committee Of three from each State repre-
sented, were appointed to draft resolutions ::
Arkansas, H. h. Wolff, S. ]. Barnes and George
G. Shumark; Tennessee, Robert Fsrquhsusen,
W. W. Ems and ]. +. Fowler kentucky James
Speed, G. G. Blakely, D; F. Sanford, Colonel
Moss, Colonel Arnold and John F. Hume.
The Convention adjourned at three in the sfrer-
noon, to meet at seven this evening, to hear an
address from Charles D. Drake, OF Missouri,
which was brief but eloquent subsequent to
which the committee on resolutions not hay
ing reported, the Convention adjourned until to-
During the afternoon session oftbe Convention
the following circular was distributed among
several of the members;
WASHINGTON, D. c., February Is, 1884.
slK K:-The movement recently made through
out the country to secure the denomination Of
President Lincoln, render necessary some
coUnteraetion on the part Of the unconditional
friends Of the Union who differ from the policy Of
his administration
SO long as no efforts are made to forestsll the
political action of the people, 1t was both wise
and patriotic for all true friends Of the Govern
ment to devote their influence to the suppress
sion Of the rebellion but when it became evident
that party machinery or official influence are
being used to secure the continuance of the pre-
sent Administration, then those who believe that
the interest of our country and OF freedom de-
/ md ahan in Of frnr NJ have
no choice but to appeal at once to the people be-
fore it shall be too late to secure fair discus
sion Of principles.
Those in behalf Of whom this communication
is made have thoughtfuliy surveyed the political
field, and have arrived at the following conclu-
siOns:
coin desirable, 1t is practically impossible,
against the union ofin6uences which viii oppose
him.
fest tendency towards compromise and tenn
porary expedients OF policy will become strong
er during his second term than it has been in the
first. and the cause of human liberty and the
dignity and honor Of the nation suffer proper
/ tionatelY, while the war may continue to Ian
/ guish during his whole administration, till the
public debt shall become burden too great to
be borne.
Sd. That the patronage of the Government
/ through the hottest of the war has been so rap
idly increased, and to such enormous extent,
and so loosely placed, as TO render the appliCS-
tial to the safety of our republican institutions.
4th. That we find united in Hon. Salmon p.
Chase more of the qualities needed in a Presi-
! dent during the next four years than are com
bined in any other available candidate. His rec
ord closes unimpeachable, showing him to ns q
statesman ofrare ability, and an administrator OF
the highest order, while his private character
| furnishes tho surest guarantee Of economy and
purity in the management Of public affairs.
5th. That the discussion OF the Presidential
question already commenced by the friends Of
TfnnOln has daVa1nnad q DnnularitV and
| strength in Mr.. Chase unexpected even to his
Warmest admirers, and while we are aware that
his strength is at present unorganized and in no
condition 20 manifest its real magnitude, we are
satisfied that it only needs systematic and faith
fu effort to develops it to an extent sufficient to
overcome all opposing obstacles. For these Tea-
sons the friends ofMr. Chase have determined on
measures which shall present his claims fairly
and at once to the country.
central organization has been effected which al
ready has its connection IN all the States, and
the object of which is to enable his friedds ev-
/ erywhere most etisctuslly to promote his cleo
/ ton to the Presidency.
| We wish the hearty cooperation of all those
in favor of q speedy restoration of the Union up
| on the basis Of universal freedom, and who de
Il sire an administrator or Cne Government dur
ing first period of its new life which shall to the
fullest extent develope the capacity offree Insti'
tutions and enlSrge the resources ofthe country
/ diminish the burdens of taxation, elevate the
/ standard of justice and private morality, vindi'
cate the honor ofthe Republic before the world
| and in all things make our American nationality
the faiTest example for imitation, which human
| progress has ever achieved.
Ifthese objects meet your approval, you can
render aid by exerting yourself at once to or
ganize your section OF the country, and by cor
responding with the Chairman Of the Natlona
Executive Committee for the purpose of eithel
receiving or imparting information. Very re
spectfqly, [Signed,l 9. c. POMERoYI
Chairman National EXecHtiVe Com.
LOUISVILLE, February %.
The adjourned meeting Of the Freedom Con
vention met this morning at 10 O'Clock, a
Beck's Hall.
luiions the Convention was addressed by Hon
Casper RutZ, Of Chicago, who made a very radi
cal speech IS the representative or the German
| Contention which met at Cleveland last Kali
He said some ofthe Germans had gone over t
the Copperheads, but they had 100000 vote
, left and should attain universal freedom
! throughout the entire United States and asket
/ where shall We tnd better territory Tor tn
Slaves than that we are now conquering
Anderson, of Missouri, said the spirit Of J. J
: | Orittenden hangs nightmare over Kentucky
and prevents her from expressing her try
| principles. u
The Convention was also addressed by Messrs
| Dunham, Baird, Breton and Needhsm, Of Ker
! lucky, General Mcneil and Mes5rs. kirkland
1 and Preston, Of Missouri
At the afternoon session the following Resolu
. | tons we're presented by the Committee on Res
olutions, excepting the 9th which was offered
: | Mr.. Kerkle.
q They were acted upon singly and sfterward
/, | made unanimous. Resolved,
lst. Thai the unity OF the country with th
|. present republican form Of government, Stat
! and national, must be preserved and rebelho
!, suppressed
!, "a. That slavery was the cause and now col
J., sttutes the strength of the rebellion. That v
/ see no hepe of permanent peace until the priI
y ciples Of freeooia announced in the pecaratio
| of Independence and the Federal Constitute
n are carried into practice. The question wheth'
/. slavery is going to be perpetusted Is no longer
= State, but q national question 1t is, therefor
proper that the Constitution Of the Unite
N States be so amended as to secure freedom
! | every human BEING within its jurisdiction, sue
a guarantee of individual freedom as is nece
saTy in the Constitution Of the Pnited st9tes,
a republican form Of government 70 each stat
ad. The government has the constitution
right to command the services Of every man,
3 matter what his color or condition, wheth
"a "a bond or free. The master cannot interpose
right between the lnHn and the government, a
n We are in favor Of enlisting and enrolling I
- alike.
T. 4th. That during rebellion the Presider
II in the exercise Of the war power, has full al
.. complete authority to free all the slaves
~ u the rebellious districts, and they are here
invested irreyocsbly, with all the rights Of fire
.st men, and in the present rebellion he ought
=. exercise this power to its full extent.
'n 5th. That, with the effect of the President
N. Amnesty Proclamation before US, we deels
"a that in our opinion, the same has been inlu
\, Gus TO the welfare ofthe Union cause, and its Q
~ erstiops within the district TO which 1t especia
~ | applies humiliRting and unjust to loyal men
NJ placing them upon the same footing with reb
! and would urge its recall or suspension ur
- armed rebellion is wholly crushed.
~ 9Th. That the Slave State Freedom ConVt
- ton become permanent organization, by
VI formation of an Executive Committee Of o
:. member and one alternate from each Of I
&c Slave States, for the purpose OF carrying its pr
- ciples into effect, and that the delegations
each State represented in this Convention
=, point the members on the Committee.
iO' 7th That we declare ourselves favorable
such an amendment of the Constitution Of {
ne United States as shall make the President Ell
,oz tive for one term only.
- A resolution was offered and lost, efteR 81
un siderable discussion, providing for a Nstio