Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-01
NATIONAL INTELLIG ENCER.
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.

InE Ol1lOAOO OONN Elm lloN,
Teegrapbc dispatches from Chicago inform that the
National Convention for the nomination Of candidates for
President and Vice President of the United States was
opened at of Monday, according to appointment.
The Convention called 10 order by Mr.. AUGUsTE
BELMONT chairman Of the National Committee who said:
We are assembled here to day National Democratic
Convention, under the call OF the Democratic National
COMMITTEE for the purpose OF nominating candidates Tor
the Presidency and Vice Presidency. This task, at all
times difficult and arduous one, has, by the sad
events of civil war, assumed Importance aud re-
sponsbility Of most fearful nature.
Never the formation Of Government has there
been assemblage the proceedings OF which raueh
with momentous vital results than those which
must flow from your action here. la ysur hands rest
under the rulings Of all wise Providence the future of
this Republic. -Four years of rule by sectional fanatca
aud corrupt party warns us OF the disastrous
which would befal if Mr. Lncon's eelectOn should
be made possible. The inevitable results of such ca
lamity be the utter disintegraton of whole
political and social system amid bloodshed and anarchy
with the great problems OF liberal progress and self
government jeoparded for generations to come.
Let at the very outset OF our proceedings bear IN
mind that the dssensons OF the last National Democratic
Convention of the principal causes which gave
the rens of Government into the hands of opponents
and let beware not to fall again into the same fatal
We must bring TO the altar of country the ss-
crfce Of our preudices, opinions, and convictions how
dear and long cherished they msy be- from the mo
men they threaten the harmony and unity oil acuon 80
indispensable to our success.
Gratis but as citizens OF this great Republic, which we
will strive aud labor the last to bring back to lis former
greatness and prosperity without single star taken
from the brilliant constellation that encirced its
yourbfuI brow Let pure and dsnterested patriotism,
tempered by moderation and forbearance preside over
our deliberations, and uoder the blessing OF Almighty God
the .acred cause of the Union the Constitution and the
Laws must prevail over fanalicsm and treason
ExGov BIGLER, OF Pennsylvania nominated by Mr..
Belmont for temporary Chairman of the Convention which
Ia and hayin
been conducted to the chair he addressed the Convention
a. follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: am greatly honored in
your selection Of pres the preliminary de-
alterations of this body My Acknowledgements for the
high compliment, and for the kind greeting Just extended
to by This vast of my ielowcilIzens will be
best unaffected by the proper discharge Of the duties OF
the position to which you have called me-
1t is not expect would be fitting 10 atsum
inc mere temporary Presidency of this Convention, that
he sboud upon any general discussion of the many
topics sugQ ased by the unhappy condition OF our county
brief auso to the occasion and OF our Assem-
blsga s all that will be necessary No similar body ever
in America with Dgber objects before, or t.
which proportion OF the American people look
ed with such profound socitude IT measures 10 promote
the welfare of the country and advance ther indVldua
happiness.
Inc termination of Democratic rule in this country
the end of peaceful relations between the States and the
people The elevation of sectional party 10 authority
Washiagton, he elimination of long INDUCED acrnio
NOUS war elimination and recrlmnauon between extreme
uien at the North and South promptly followed BY
dissolution and civil war; and in the progress of that
even the outworks OF civil liberty hsvo been mpered and
the whole fabric brought to the verge of destruction
And now the end of than three years OF war
unpaae in modern times for itR magnitude and for bar
barous desoation after than two millions OF men
have been called into the field side alone after the and
has been literally drenched in faerns blood snd waings
and Lamentations heard in every of common
country the hopes of the Union aud of cherished OBJ
ject 10 no wise improved
he men now in authority, through feud which they
long maintained with violent and unWise men at the Sou h.
because of blind fanstcism about inst tuition in
States and in re alton to which they bad duties to
form and responsibilities to bear are utterly incapable
OF sd pt the proper means 10 rescue our country our
whole country, from its present lamentable condition
Then temen it s apparent that the first nclp nsaele
step TO the accoup hment of this great work the over
throw by the ballot of the present Administration and The
OF another in It's stead which will wisely and
ZEAL usy but temporarily and justly WELD all the power
influence Of the Cow to bring about speedy
settlement Of internal r ubes, the principles Of the
Constitution and terms honorable and just 10 oil
tons Nor b. South, East and West-0De which will stand
unaIterngy by civil and religious Iberty-one wncb in
teSd of relying solely its pecuar dogmas and doctrines
and the ravages of the sword will refer he national trou
bles TO the people, the Ountsn of political authority and
to the States under the forms Of the Cons ituton-one
which will have conditions precedent to the restoration
Of the Union but will diligently seek that result as return
of permanent peace amongst the people.
Gentlemen you have been commissioned by the people |
to come here and initiate steps TO accomplish these great
Objects to select agent agencies in tho good work
That that step will be well performed have uualterng
and that the people may sanction and God bless those
means 10 the desired end is my prayer
On motion Messrs E. o PERRIN, G. NJ. TOWERS, and
MOSES STRONG were appointed temporary Secretaries
The Rev DR.. CLARKsoN, Of Chicago, opened the pro-
ceedngs By offering up prayer for the speedy
peace and for the permanent happiness OF the country
The list Of delegates called by States and each
chairman presented his credentials he welcomed with
much applause.
Mr. TILDEs, Of New York. moved that one delegate be
appointed from each delegation to report resolutions for
the cons deraton OF the Convention and that all resou-
tons be fred this committee without debate This
resolution adopted
Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, moved that the Committee on Or.
ganizaton be instructed to report rules for the govern
ment Of the Convention, and that the time the
rules OF the last Convention be adopted. Carried.
Mr.. POWELL, Of Kentucky, stated that the contesng
delegates that State had agreed aud harmonious
in this Convention He moved that member from each
delegation be appointed committee on resolutions, they
to have but one vote This was carried
Mr. NcDoUGALL Of California, moved that there be ad
mitt.d TO the Convention not TO exceed three gentlemen
known the members Of the Democrat party from each
Of the several Territories said delegates to be permitted
TO participate 10 debate, without avote.
Mr. MORGAN, of Ohio, moved to amend by extending
the privileges OF the resolution to delegates from Southern
States and the District Of Columbia.
Mr. McDoUGALL accepted the amendment; but as |
some opposition made to the adoption Of the resoq
ton it was referred to the Committee on Resolutions