, 1864-09-09
Proceedings of the CHICAGO Convention.

Chicago, Aug 29-The Convention was called
to order at noon by Augustus Belmont Chair
man of the National Committee, who nominated
Governor Bigler, of California, for temporary
Chairman, who on taking the chair thanked the
Convention for the honor conferred.
The proceedings of the Convention opened
with a prayer by the Rev. H. H. Clarkson.
The list of Delegates was called by States
Each chairman presented the credentials of his
delegation.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Tilden of New
York, that one delegate be appointed by each
delegation to report resolutions for the cOnside-
ration of the Convention; and that all resolutions
be referrad to the same committee Adopted.
Olds, of Ohio moved committee appointed
to report rules for the Government of the Con-
yentiOn and then moved that rules of the last
Convention be adopted. Carried.
Wicklitfe, of Kentucky, sent two letters to the
chairman from Kentucky delegates, which were
read, in which they explained their absence by
saying that they were the victims of military
despotism, were arrested without cause, impris-
oned and denied resort to the legal means guar
ranteed by the laws of the States and the Consti-
tuition to establish their innocence. They pro-
fess increased devotion to the Democratic cause,
and advise the adoption of peace platform, and
are hopeful of the success of the nominees of the
Convention. The letters were laid on the table.
The following resolution was offered by Gov.
Hunt, of New York, and referred
ResoIued That in the future as in the past, we
will adhere with answering fidelity TO the Union
and the Constitution, and insist upon the main
tanning of our National unity as the only solid
foundation of our own strength security and
happiness as a people, and the framework of
the Government is equally conducive to the well
fare and prosperity of all the States, Northern
and Southern, and with view of terminating
the raging conflict and restoring the blessings of
| xya in faV Of a Sti 81
and honorable efforts to adjust terms of settle
ment and union on the basis of the Constitution
of the Confederate States, and for a final solu-
tion of all difficulties, we would recommend
a Convention of the States to review the COnsti-
tuition and adopt such amendments and modif-
cations as may seem necessary to more fully in
sure to each State the enjoyment of all its rights
undisturbed and the control ofits domestic con-
Germs according to the original intent and pur-
pose of the Federal compact
Long, of Ohio, offered the following:
Rs0tUed That a committee, consisting of one
member from each State represented. to be Sc
lected by the respective delegations, be ap-
pointed for the purpose of proceeding forthwith
to Washington in behalf of this Convention and
people, and ask Lincoln to suspend the operation
of the draft for half million more men, until
the people decide the question fairly presented
before them, war or peace, at the approaching
election; and that said committee be- and hereby
are instructed to urge upon Lincoln, by whatey-
er argument they can employ, to stay the flow OF
fratricidal blood, at least so far as the impend-
ing draft will continue to augment it, until the
people, the source of all power have an oppor-
tunity for expressing their will, for or against
further prosecution of the war in the choice OF
candidates for the Presidency.
Pride, of Missouri, offered q resolution decar-
ing that the Constitution and the Union must be
maintained in all their purity.
Aldrich Of Pennsylvania introduced a resolu-
tion declaring that cannot view with indif-
erence the open reputation of the Monroe doe
trine in the establishment of an en-
pire the ruins of neigboring republic,
and view with alarm and distrust the fearful
strides of the administration towards despotism
with its interference with States rights, liberty
of speech and press and the rights to private
property, and call on all incorruptible patriots to
lay aside partizan prejudices and assistin chang
ing the present rulers.
ResoLDed, That we will use allhonorable means
to bring speedy termination of the unhappy
difficulties which now disturb the country.
The Convention adjourned until o'clock to-
morrow
The city is crowded to excess and the streets
and squares about the principal hotels are filled
with immese throngs Meetings were held in
different parts Of the city, and at this hour mid-
night the excitement continued.
The Committee on Resolutions held meeting
tonight.
Guthrie of Kentucky, was chosen chairman
over Yalandigham by four tmajorty.
Chicago Aug. 30.--COnYentiOn was called to
order at ! o'clock
Hughes, Chairman of the Committee on Or
ganization, reported that the Committee had
unanimously agreed upon Horatio Seymour, Of
New York, for President, who took the chair
amid prolonged applause.
One Vice President from each State was also
appointed.
On motion Of Cox, of Ohio, Amos Kendall,
President ofthe National Conservative Conven-
ton, was allowed to present communication
containing the action Ofthe Conservative Union
National Convention held in this city on the 27th.
The widest applause followed the reading of the
resolution by the Secretary, recommending
Mcclellan for the Presidency.
Guthrie, the chairman of the committee on
resolutions, stated that several resolutions re-
ferred to said committee yesterday had been re-
ferred to a sub committee, and that there was
reason to believe that they would be ready to re-
port this afternoon. Furthermore, there was
fair prospect of arriving at a harmonious conclu-
sion. He proposed a recess until o o'clock. At
ter considerable discussion the motion was put
and carried.
The attendance to-day both insdeand outside
the convention is even greater than yesterday
The enthusiasm seems to be on the increase.
On PeaSSemblng at o CLOCK, Guthrle stated
that the committee had agreed and ready to
report. The resolutions were read as follows;
Resolesd That in future as in the past, we viii
adhere with answering fidelity to the Union un-
der the Constitution, the only solid foundation
of our strength, security and happiness peo-
pie, and framework Of government equally
conducive to the prosperity and welfare of the
States both North and South.
ResoIyed, That this Convention does explicitly
desire as the sense ofthe American people, that
after four years Of failure to restore the Union by
an experiment of war, during which, under pre-
tense of necessity or the war power, higher than
the Constitution ITSELF it has been disregarded
in every part, and public liberty and private
rights trodden down, the material property ofthe
country essentially impaired, justice, humanity
and liberty, and the public welfare demand that
immediate efforts be made for cessation ofhostil-
tiles with the view of an ultimate convention of
States, or other peaceabe means, to that end,
and that at the earliest practicable moment
peace may be restored on the basis of the Fede-
raj Union of States.
ResOIved, That the direct interference of the
military authority of the United States in recent
elections in Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and
Delaware, was a shameful violation of the Con-
stitution, and a repetition of such acts in the ap-
preaching election will be held asreyolutiOn and
will be resisted with all the means and power
under our control.