Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-04-16
LOCAL NEWS.
THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION.
Meeting TO Elect District of Columbi

"who desire the unconditional maintenance of
the Union, the supremacy OF the Constitution,
and the complete suppression of the rebellion,
with the cause thereof, by vigorous war and
all apt and efficient MEANS" to meet in mass
convention to elect delegates to represent the
ton, large gathering assembled at the Union
League rooms, on 9th street, and at eight
O'Clock were called to order by J. j. Coombs,
President Of the Republican Association.
MIR. Coombs ma de few appropriate remarks,
wherein he claimed that this was meeting Of
more vital importance than any in which the
Republican party had ever been heretofore
ENGAGED; Tor r. upon the result OF the Baltimore
try. The opposition would not restore the
Union If they were in power, as it was no part
Of their programme. The boldest men of that
party have thrown off all disguise. and advo-
cate an immediate recognition Of the Southern
CoRfederacy. The more timid feel none the
less, but lack the audacity to proclaim their
the idea that the Union will still go or, no
matter what party might be in power The
struggle was one whether the Union should
continue to exist or whether it should be blotted
from the map OF the world. f.s
The speaker further argued that the Union,
if re.established, would be re.established on
the principles of right ar justice to all men;
and while some differed as to the method of
doubted but that slavery must go down rap
plause.l That end would be reached by the
inevitable logic OF events. It is no more pos
sible TO save slavery and have perfect Union,
than it would be to have such Union under q
constitution acknowledging the right OF seces-
sion. He who fights the rebels, fights to put
down the cause OF the rebellion, slavery.
[Applause] OF our ultimate success there can
be no doubt, if we keep the power OF the coun-
try in faithful hands-especially in the same
hands that have controlled it the past four
years. Immense applause
The speaker did not doubt but that there were
men equally competent as our present Chief
Magistrate to pilot US through, yet he did not
believe the same success would attend the
efforts OF others. IApplause. Justice and
patriotism demands the denomination of bra
ham Lincoln. fGreat applause Under his
wise administration, success was certainty,
Applause, but if we permit the political power
to 20 into the hands OF the enemies of the
country, then long fare well to all our great
ness. II we are true to ourselves, we shall
not fail either at the ballot box or IN the field
The mass OF the people are right, and will not
be seduced by the wiles OF the copperheads
Mr.. Coombs closed by claiming that our lines
were extending, and that our eventual triumph
was forgone conclusion.
As soon as the speech was ended MT A c.
Richards offered the following resolutions:
ReSOlred, That this mass convention OF the
loyal voters Of this District hereby expresses
and negrity OF Abraham Lincoln, and that we
endorse his official acts, including his appro-
val OF the bill abolishing slavery in this Dis
tIlct, al his emancipation proclamation, as
craftsmanship.
Resotved That our delegates VINO shall be
elected to attend the Baltimore convention
which Is to assem- BILE in that city on the 7th of
June next, TO nominate candidates for the Off.
ces OF President and Vice President OF the
United States, be and they are hereby instruct
ed 10 cast their votes, for the first named Off &c,
in favor OF Abraham Lincoln, and that we
hereby enJoin upon said delegates to use their
influence and best endeavors to secure his re-
nomination.
The resolutions were received with muc b an
pleuse.
NJ. J. R. Elvans said he proposed to amend
the resolutions by striking out all Of the second
and inserting the following:
Whereas, We consider 1t important in this
day Of our country's trial and danger that all
loyal citizens Of the republic shall &C. in con-
cert and with harmony aiding patriotically in
crushing rebellion, treason, and slavery;
And. whereas, we deem it the duty of all
lovers of country to strive to allay, rather than
to excite personal feelings or preiudices for or
ideEtial honors:
And, whereas, among the members OF this
convention are many differences Of opinion and
expression as to candidates for the next Presi-
oency, as between General Butler, Genera,
Banks, Hon. S. p. Chase, General Fremont,
and President Lincoln;
And, whereas, we recognize tae rights Of
equally loyal men to use all honorable means
to secure the nomination and election of the
man OF their choice, and to secure in conven-
tion the greatest number of delegates sympa-
Resoloed by this Convention Of the loyal men of
the District Of Columbia, That in the choice OF
delegates to the nominating con vention, to be
held at Baltimore, June :, 1864, it is proper to
prescribe no pledge on the part of such dele
gates to support any particular candidate for
the Presidency, but that said delegates be left
entirely untrammelled in their action by this
convention.
Resolved further, That this invention pledges
itself, and all its individual members pledge
themselves, to support and sustain the nomi-
nee OF the National Republican Union Con-
vention, to be held in Baltimore on the 7th of
June next, who may receive a majority of all
the votes cast, surrendering individual prefer.
ences thereafter, and abiding faithfully and
zealously in the hope of crushing defeat OF
Copperheadism by unity of action.
Mr.. N. ID. Larner moved to lay the substitute
OF Mr.. Elvans on the table, and asked for a
rising vote upon the question, for he wanted
ministration show themselves lApplause.
The gentleman offering the substitute had been
stabblng at Mr.. Lincoln at all the meetings Of
the Republican Association.
Cries Of "order,'' " ORDER" and Mr. Ell.
vans and others desired to know how the gen.
tleman knew that fact.
Mr.. Larner said he had read the reports of
the meetings. When the substitute was offered
there " as some clapping in one little corner,
but when the resolution in favor OF Mr. Lin
coin were introduced, then was silence in that
corner, but applause everywhere else in the
room. He moved to lay the substitute On the
table.
Cries Of "question," "question," and much
confusion, during which Mr.. Elvans en-
deavored to be heard, and said he recognized
The gentleman (Mr. Larner) as an equally loyal
man as himself, and he endorsed Mr.. Richards,
but he was opposed to the first resolution,
because he desired to leave the delegates un-
rammelled as to their action. He did hope
that Mr.. Larner would withdraw the motion
to lay upon the table, and allow free discus
sion to ensue.
The chair said 1t was not parliamentary to
lay the amendment only ON the table. for that
would carry with 1t in the same action the en-.
tire subject =
The decision Of the chair was dissented from
in many parts Of the hall, and confusion be.
came .worse confounded."
Mr.. w. II. Eustis at length obtained the floor,
and announced himself as entirely In favor Of
the first resolution. Abraham Lincoln has con-
Quoted the affairs Of the Government in man.
ner satisfactory to all Union men, [applause;I
and as he had had q hard time of it he ought to
have the honor Of being President while the
war lasts (Renewed applause He (Mr. E.)
wanted the delegates to 60 to Baltimore un.
trammeled, but hoped they would first vote for
MT. Lincoln. [Applause.l He (Mr. E.) had
been badly used by the Administration, but he
did not blame Mr.. Lincoln, and he believed
Mr. Lincoln always desired to do right. IGreat
applauseI
Mr.. Fred. Myers said that he proposed to
stand by the nominee Of the Baltimore Con.