Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-01

VICE PREsIbENTB.
Parker Pillsbury, New Hampshire,
Rev. h. d. CheeVer, Massachusetts,
Mr. Cary, Vermont,
Edmund Tuttle, Connecticut,
James Hill Maine,
Joseph Plumb, New York,
DR.. l.. Greiner, New Jersey,
W. g. Smithers Maryland;
J. SchTenbog, District Of Columbia,
Alfred J. Lloyd. Pennsylvania,
Bird B Chapman, Ohio,
DR.. HOmburg, Indiana,
Ernest Prussing, Illinois,
DIR. Il. Harrison, Missouri,
Thomas P. Wright Kentucky,
J. P. Stibott, lows,
@. C. Foot, Michigan,
Isaac Neusted, Wisconsin,
J. F. Legate, Kansas
sECRETARIEs.
Thos. B. Car roll, New York,
Mr.. Wolf, District OfCOlumbia,
Col. James D. Owens, Pennsylvania,
Charles E. Moss, Missouri.
The report was adopted with applause.
Col. Moss, of Missouri, and Parker Pills
bury, Of New Hampshire, we're appointed
a committee to conduct Mr.. Cochrsne to
the chair. 1t was q strange sight-the
life long Abolitionist in attendance on the
lifelong Democrat, but none present SEEM
ed to realize its incOngruity.
On reaching the stand, Gen. Cochrsne
was greeted with applause. He spoke as
follows;
SPEECH OF GENERAL CoCHRAHE'
GENTLEMEN OF TIE CoSvENroS.-The formal
routine of duty for the presiding officer, pre-
scribes that he return set thanks for the
h7nor conferred upon him. am not disposed
to follow in this path. The fOrmality is to heart
less for the solemnity and importance OF the
occasion. assume my duties with cheerfulness
and trust that in this grand army of freedom
may well perform my humble part, and that that
duty may be so performed that we may COM
nsnd the universal applause Of all men. (eheeI 81
see before me representatives Ofthe West on
which depends so much of the interests
and destlnies of the country,-of the great
central region of the country, its sup
port and sustenanee. I look further to
the East and see before me the companions Of
my early life, assembled now by common mo-
tive from the devious paths in which the ex-
gences of politics had lead them-the War
Democrats OF the State ofNew York. [Applause.l |
For them party possesses no claims when 1t IS
not identified with principle. There are also three
here, wac while they wait anKiOusly the tdings
from the shattered cohorts under the banner of
freedom still turn affectionately to Fatherland
We meet with such emotions suggested by the
melancholy vista of the past-sueh reflections
upon the scenes of the present. We have come
together regarding party as nothing,-countrY
Our national existence is at issue. Three
years ago the question OF national life fell like
thunderbolt aG the feet Of the people and they
spranE to arms, with wild shout in which all
heard the steady tramp of armed men and the
patriotism and power Of the North has swept on
until the hour is almost striking when time
shall proclaim the rebels defeated and the Union
triumphant. IApplause In this hour men
should review the past and speculate as to the
dangers and vieissitudes OF the future. For this
purpose you assemble here-lntending to sup
port the army in the field, and al the same time
TO organize great civil army,tO fghtfOr princi
cipes and to save for all generations the precious
legacy obtained for US by the sacrifices Of the SOL
diers OF the Union lApplause. The rebellion, it
must be suppressed. The Union, it must be
preserved. Great Applause. But we shall
allow no criticism Of the Government which re-
presents US all, shall cast no impeachment in the
way Of our Union soldiers, shall entertain no
thought unworthy of American citizens.
The speaker then referred to the various dis
cussions Of the past. Since 1887 slavery had
been the root Of every political party Of the
country The Convention had assembled from
ali positions on this question, and now occupied
one common ground. All are now united in de-
manding that slavery be destroyed and its
last vestige wiped out. LCheers.l
In this connection the speaker referred to the
War Democrats Of New YOrk-virtual and Virtu-
ous-denying that the convention at Syracuse
represented them, and denouncing that conven-
ton as a medley party of trading, Scurvy polit-
clans He solemnly declared before hign heaven
that since the war broke out, he had never be
longed to party, that his feet had not been soied
by It's touch, that ne never crossed its lines that
he would never till the war was over consent to
be ''cabined, cribbed, confined" by party infiu-
ences As he had gone up and down the Hudson,
he had indeed heard echoes from these soon
vocations Of most polite worms" and they had
all been tuned to the key Of ''roRst beef and cab
bage on trencher."
But he had been betrayed into prolixity by the
interest OF the occasion. Before closing he
wished to speak of one other thing. All men
on this continent are free and equal, and our
Government must regard the private rights OF
civilians. II private rights are not respected,
public liberty dies We contend for individual
rights, and whoever attack them wounds the
vital parts of the Republic. Not even the plea
o. necessity allows any one to trampie upOA
them. To be sure these rights depend on cir
cumstsnces and may be superseded by martial
law Till that is proclaimed they must not be
inffinged. Law is the reflex Of order, which is
the prInciple Of the universe and Sod himself
When It is stricken down all things fall with it.
Most sacred is the gra nd, noble old liberty Of
the press. Over that, in ar Europes the struggle
for freedom has been most sternly and per l.
naciOusly Waged. Let free people guard with
Jealous care the liberty Ofthe press, and declare
the administration who would strike at il as
traitors (Applause)
Gen. COchrane referred TO his early belief that
America was the light house Of the wOIld-the
asylum Of the oppressed. he had heard that
the ligh; had been extinguished. BE demanded
that America should remain the sanctuary of
freedom, the asylum of the oppressed through
out the world The refugee from other lands
must be held innocent until, IN accordance with
law, you pronounce him guilty. lApplsuse)
The speaker closed with briefreference
to the Monroe doctrine, and an enthusiast
tic assertion of his belief in the speedy
triumph ofour arms, which was rsptur
OusIy spplauded.
Mr.. Carroll Of New York then moved
that q committee of one from each state be
appointed by the chair to prepare set OF
resolutions, address or platform. The mo.
tion was carried.
Mr.. LANCER Of Iowa offered the following
resolutions and gave notice Of intention to
debate them.
Resolved, That the members Of this Conyen-
ton, or Of any Convention arising from this, to
nominate or participate in the nomination Of a
candidate for the mex Presidential term, and
the Presidential electors of this party. pledge
fees Of trust, honor, or profit from the Admins
trstion in power during the next Presidential
term, and net to be connested directlY3 or ipdi-
rectly with any contract or business transaction
in the power of the Administration.