Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-09-05
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CONVENTION.

We give below the speeches Of Mt. Belmont, of
New York. who called the Convention to order, Mr.
Bigler, Of Pennsylvania the temporary Chairman and
Governor Seymour, of Nav York. the permanent Pres
dent of the Chicago Convention From these our read
ers will be able to understand the sentiments which
controlled its action:
CHICAGO, August 2s.-At noon the National Demo
cratic Convention was called to order BY August Bel
mont Chairman of the National Committee, who said
Gentlemen of the Convention We are assembled
here To-day the National Dsu ocratic Convention,
| under the call Of the Democratic National Committee
for the purpose Of nominating candidates for the Pes
| ideucy and Vice Presidency of the Uaited States.
This task At all times a most difficult and arduous
QUE has by the sad event OF civil war; assumed
importance and responsibility OF the most fearful M.
ture. Never since the formation Of our Government
has there been assembage the proceedings OF which
/ Were rrught with momentOus and vital results
than those which must how from your action here.
Towards you. gentlemen directed at this moment
the anxious fears aud doubs not only OF millions OF
American cz sns but also OF every lover OF civil lib
erty throughout the world La your hands eJs, under
the ruin g OF all wise Providence, the future OF the
Republic. Four years Of rule by sectional fanatica
aud corrupt party warns Us OF the disastrous conse-
quenoes which would befA Us il M. Lncolns re cleo
ton should be made possible by want Of patriotism
and unity The inevitable results Of such a calamity
must be the disintegration OF whole political
and social system, amid bo0dshed a0d anarchy, with
the great profile OF liberal progress and self govern
| msnt jeOpardzsd for generations TO come.
| Toe mercan people have at last awakened to The
conviction that cha 70 OF policy aud Administration
Gao alone stay downward course, and they will rush
to the support Of your candidate aud platform provided
you will offer - their sUages tried patriot who has
proved his devotion 70 the Union and Constitution; that
you pledge him and ourselves to maintain their hallew
ed mpOr by every flor. aud sacrifice la power
Let ~ at the very outset OF proceedings bear 10
mnd that the dsseniions Of the last National Demo
cratic Convention were one OF the principal causes
which gave the rsns Of the Government into the hands
OF opponents aud let us beware not 10 fall again
into the me fatal error.
| We must bring 10 the altar OF our country the sac
rifcs Of pr6judces, opinions aud Conviction how
ever dear aud long cherished they may be, ICON the
moment they threaten tie harmony and unity OF
| 80 indispensable 20 .
| Wa are here not War ID moGFsie, nor Pesee
Democrats but tz ans Of this great Republic which
will strive aod labor che last bring back to its for
greatness aud prosperity, Tithout scgle star
taken from the brlian. constellation that enclr
cled its youthful brow.
L,t pure aud disinterested patriotism, tempered by
moderation and forbearance, preside over debsFa
lions, and, under the blessing of Almighty Cod the
cred cause OF the Union, the Constitution and the laws
must prevail over ianaticism and treason.
Mr. Belmont enthusiastically applauded during
The delive Of bis address,
tPIKoH OF Ex.aOV BIGLER,
Gentlemen Of the Convention 81 am greatly honored
10 your selection OF me 10 preside the preliminary
deliberations OF this body. Ny ackno Hledguents to-
the high compliment and for the kind greeting jus!
tend t. me.by this vast concouFe Of my fellow cZ
will be best manifested by the proper discharge Of the
duties OF the position 10 which you have caledme II
is not expected would it be fitting n OIL assuming
mere temporary Presidency Of the Convention, thai
he should enter upon any general discussion Of the mRby
topics suggested by The unhappy condition Of our conL.
try. t..
brief alluson to the occasion and purposes of our
assembsge is oil that win be Necessary. No similar
bo6y ever assembled in America With mgbtier objects
before it, to which tuch vast proportion Of the Amer
lean people, looked with such profound soliCuds 10,
10 promote the welfare OF The country o.
advance their individual happiness The terGiaa iol
Democratic rule in this country the end of peace
fdl relations between the States and the people,
The elevation of a sectional party 10 authority al
Washington, the culnna ion OF long INDUCED, aei-
monous var, elimination apd recrimic alton between
Ktrsne men at ths North aud South, were promptly
followed by dissolution and civil war; and in the prog
Of that tbs ouHork5 of civil liberty have
been impered and the whole fabric brought the very
verge o; destruction, and now at the end Of than
three years Of unparalleled In modern times for
agnude and for barbarous eeoa ion, after more
than two millions Of men have been called into the
field on our side alone, aft The land has been literally
crsnohed in fratenal blood, aud wAllngs aud amenta
tons heard In every corner OF our common coun-
Try the hopes OF the Un'oI aud of cherished oh
ieot are ia 10 uh imp owed.
TIE now in authority, through ieud which they
long mGutabed with violent aud uu ~se men a. q e
South, because of blind ianacism about gu nstlu
on in States, and in relation to which they had
no duties 10 perform and responsibilities 10 bear
are utterly incapable OF adopting the proper means
country, our whole country, ts present
iamentable condition
Then, gentlemen, it il apparent that the first indis
step 10 tue accomplishment OF this great work
IL the overthrow by the ballot OF the present Admins
tat on and the Inauguration Of another 10 les stead
which will wisely aud alously but tonperatsiy and
Justly WELD ell the influence and yer of the Govern
ment to bring about speedy settlement OF our inter
nal troubles the pIif cples OF the Constitution and
on terms honorable aud st to all sections, North,
South, East aud West; one which will and uniaLtr
ingy by civil and religious hbert WHICH, instead
OF rey9g solely on its peculiar d1gmas and dOctr mes
ID the rsVsges OF the sword, will refer the national
troubles 10 the people, this fountain of political author
ty and lhe Stats uader the forns OF The Oonsitu
Il ~; one which will hsva conditions precedent 10
tie restoration Of the Uaion bot vii diligently seek
that result as return OF permanent Peale among The
| people.
l. Gsntemsn you have been comm ssionsd by the peo
ple to hare and initiate steps 10 mpsh these
great oil ots TO select agent and agencies in tie
good WORT. That tbat step will be well performed I
hsye HteriGg itb aud that the people may sauc
ton aud God bicss those means TO The desired end
my sincere prayer.
On taking the stsir Governor Seymour spoke as fol-
Iowa:
Gentlemen Of the COnventionI cam OF forecast the
rssOaeo.s and &C ion Of tie Convention /; but can
say thar eVsy member Of il loves the Union, desires
peace aud will uphold constitutional freedom While
the Es1l atoms and action Of this Convention ara OF
the most iIpOFtaEc there Why the Dem.
ooate parry should te restored 70 power and they are
great Tie Democratic party will restore the
Uoi0D because it longs for its or will bring
psare, becsJss loves peace It will bring tack liberty
g. our aad, because IL loves ibertJ; IL viii put ~
dsspo m, beclcse it hates tho ignoLs tyranny Whieb
nov deg Ades the American pe0pls Fou year. ago
OoOVsn'iIn mss IN tlls eity When osuatfy was
peosul pro porous aud united. Its deles ass Did not
mean destroy Our, government, to overSbeim ne