Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-06-17


Our readers have already learned the principal
events of the late National Convention at Balti-
more, through the telegraph and we do not pro-
pose therefore to 60 into all the details, to re-
peat much Of what has already been published,
but rather to give an account that may be OF in
terest to our readers because more distinctly stat
ing some things than they have been yet re-
ported.
The rermont Delegation.
Vermont was fully represented by all the del
egates elected, and some Of the alternates were
also present, ready to act should there be occa-
sion OF the alternates present were Messrs.
Kittredge of St. Johnsbury and Howe Of Shore
ham The Vermont press was represented by
Messrs Benedict and Bigelow of Burlington,
both of whom were admitted to reporters seats
on the floor. The delegates from Vermont were
Senator Foot, who was the chairman and organ
Of the delegation, and who also was consulted in
reference to the Presidency Of the Convention,
but declined to be a candidate; Mr. Walton, who
was assigned to the committee on platform and
resolutions; Mr. Hunton, who was assigned to
the committee on rules aud order OF business
Mr. Noyes who was also assigned to an important
committee but declined in consequence of indis-
position; Mr. Hammond, who was ASST ned to the
committee on credentials Mr.. Gardner, who was
assigned to the committee on permanent organ
ization, and appointed on the National Executive
committee = Messrs Bartholomew and Fairbanks,
Of the second district, the last named being Sec
Rotary OF the delegation, and also one Of the Sec
retaries Of the Convention and Messrs Barlow
and Stowell Of the third district Judge Stowell
being one OF the Vice Presidents Of the Conven-
ton, and Mr. Barlow a member Of the committee
to inform President Lincoln Of his nomination
Who hare right to Vote
Delegates were present from all the States ex-
cept North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mis-
sissippi; and from all the territories except
Washington and Arizona. Missouri had a dou-
bic delegation, Clay-banks and Radicals, and the
case was referred to the committee credentials
without admitting either set 1t was found that
the Radicals had both the regular political organ
zation, and the majority in political strength, and
they were admitted to seats by nearly unani-
nous yote-ayes 40, noes l. The committee on
credentials reported in favor of admitting the del
egates OF Tennessee Arkansas, Louisiana and
Virginia and also from the several territories and
the District of Columbia, to seats, but without the
right to vote and also that the delegates from
South Carolina were not entitled to seats This
report was amended by admitting the delegations
of Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana, and Of the
Territories of Nebraska, Colorado and Nevada
with the right to vote The first question tested
was as to the admission Of Tennessee with the
right to vote, and it was agreed to-ayes $40
noes l5l. Vermont voted No, on the principle
that no State or Territory should be permitted to
vote for candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent which, having no State organization, cannot
or probably will not vote for electors of those Of
hcers. As a matter of feeling, the Vermont dele
gates would have welcomed Tennessee most hearth
ly, as they did her favorite SON. when it seemed
best 10 place him on the ticket for Vice President
Arkansas and Louisiana have State organizations
though Congress has not yet recognized them
They were admitted, 3O7 to 167, the vote of Yer
mont beng equally divided. The Territories Of
Colorado, Nebraska and Nevada were then admit
ted to vote without a division, Congress having
passed enabling acts for the admission of these
Territories as States in September next so that
they will probably vote as States in the Presden-
tial election in November The remainder Of the
report of the committee on credentials was con
CURED in, rejecting South Carolina, which has no
civil government, and admitting Virginia (Which
has no representatives in the House of Congress-
the District of Columbia and Territories not ex-
cepted above, without the right to vote.
The Platform.
The right of voting having thus been settled,
the Platform was reported, received with acclama-
ton, and unanimously adopted. In the construc-
ton of the Platform, every member of the COM
mittee was first required to state his views as to
what it should be- and this was done independent
ly, plainly, and sometimes eloquently The chair
man, Hon. II. j, Raymond of New York. noted
the topics suggested and summed up the points of
general agreement A subcommittee was then
appointed, and the chairman was designated to
put the topics generally agreed upon in proper
form. This draft was first submitted TO the sub
committee and amended to accord with the views
of the majority; and then submitted to the whole
committee, where it was subjected to the same
process. It's brief, and limited, as far as was
possible, to the exigencies of the time. 1t med
dies with no party topics of other days il makes
no new party ISSUES unless the granuest pOltlcal
question of all time past and all time to come till
the day of doom, to wit, the question of forever
prohibiting slavery in the length and breadth of
the nation, by an amendment of the constitution,
shall become party question. May God in His
mercy RESTRAIN the spirit of party on this vital
question, and give patriotism abundanty The
Platform demands this as a guaranty of future
peace TO the nation, and il also demands yigor-
prosecution OF the war TO the securing of peace
by the unconditional submission of rebels to the
Constitution and laws and authority of the Union
The resolution for the Pacific Railroad may seem
hardly necessary, as that measure has already been
accepted by the nation; and to some il may also
seem ncongruous in Platform which is so Sc.
verey and fifty limited to the paramount questions
of this epoch in the nations life. But il was de-
signed as another bond to preserve the Union
We want no empire on the Pacific any more than
we want an empire on the Gulf of Mexico; but
rather the Atlantic aud the Pacific States. the
States of the Northern Lakes and the Southern
Gulf, and all that lie between them, in one grand
empire-the leader Of the world in Agriculture,
Arts, Commerce, Science, Literature and Reli-
gion, and the master Of the world in Arms, if
force be needtul to preserve the Liberty or main
lin the rights or the honor of our country Out