Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-06-17

"ho oNhShhS AOA its no
whitewash for his not altogether immaculate
political reputation, and it was equally plain
that the less the ticket was burdened by associa-
ton with Mr.. Csheron's name the better. Mr..
Raymond of New York, was considerably talked
Of but the choice really lay, think, between
Senator FooT of Vermont, and Gov Dennison of
Ohio. The suggestion of Mr.. Foot's name found
high favor with many New England and New
York men-with all in fact who knew his sd-
mirable capacity as presiding officer. But the
Ohio men were on the ground in force. They
urged their man with persistency and effect. and
as no delegates were present decidedly committed
to Mr.. Foot, they carried the day. Some of our
Vermont delegates arrived Monday night; but
the delegation was not complete till Tuesday
morning
Tuesday morning the delegation met at Mr.
FoOt's room at Barnum's, which had been made
headquarters of the delegation. Mr.. Foot was
viec-President, and Mr.. Fairbanks, Secretary of
the Delegation. Mr.. Walton was selected as
the Vermont member of the committee
on the Platform; Mr.. Hammond member Of the
committee on Credentials; and Mr.. Gardner of
the committee on Permanent Organizationof the
convention. An informal ballot was then taken
to indicate the preferences of the delegation as
to the Vice Presidency, and resulted in the un-
animous selection of Hon. Solomon Foot, Of YER
mont. Mr.. Foot thanked the gentlemen for the
compliment; but begged them to understand that
it could be nothing but compliment, as among
themselves, and that no vote ought to be thrown
away on himself in the convention. A second
ballot indicated Mr.. Hamlin as the unanimous
choice Of the Vermont delegation. This was sub
sequently reconsidered and quite different re-
suit arrived at. AT the time, the members who
came to the convention from Washington, As
several did, came strong in the conviction that
Mr. Hamlin's denomination was the thing to be
done and that he was sure to be re-nominated with
Mr.. Lincoln. Their view had its natural effect
on the delegation as a whole; but subsequent
consultation showed all that the course was not
so clear, and in the event Mr.. Hamlin received
but one mn Of the vote of the Vermont delega-
ton.
At noon Of Tuesday, the convention opened
Front street Theatre, which had been selected
and fitted up for the occasion by the city Council
of Baltimore, was filed as never before The
parquet, hoOred over at the level Of the stage,
and the wings of the stage, afforded barely room
for the members Of the convention. The seats
on the stand in the rear of the President chair,
were only just enough for the Vice Presidents,
and the accommodations for the Press in front
of the stand, though convenient as far as they
went, were still somewhat scanty. Three tiers
and the gallery were given to the spectators, and
were filed with ladies and gentlemen to the last
square inch; a feio more persons might have been
rammed in with ship cotton-press, perhaps,
but not many. The members Of the Convention
were good, intelligent, substantial looking
crowd. If all were postmasters or custom-house
pA-AiAArs Ah1l INIT sdlAA . Ntlh
set of servants at the present time.
Gov. Morgan, Of New York, Chairman Of the
National Committee, calls the Convention to or
der, and makes a short and pertinent opening
speech He speaks without notes for once, and
acquits himself creiitably-for- Mr. Morgan is
not. and does not pretend to be, much of a speak
er. He dominates for temporary chairman,
Dr.. ROBERT J. BRECKENRIDGE, of kentucky,
who takes the chair amid tumultuous applause
You will have read his speech before this can
reach you; but you cannot understand the effect
it produced. The high character Of that noble
I'D gentleman; his venerable appearance-re-
sembling somewhat in countenance and long
beard Of streaked white and grey, the picture Of
John Brown Though he probably would not
hank me for the comparison); his position as
eader Of the Presbyterian Church in kentucky;
lis well-known family connection with rebels
Ugh in rank and power-the uncle Of John c. .
Breckenridge, general and arch traitor. and 1
ather Of two sons in the rebel army; his freedom
rom party ties; his presence fresh from the hot .
rens Of border warfare; the earnestne.s and
olemnity of his manner,-all added wonderfully
o the effect of his words; and when he declared
hat no Government had ever found enduring
foundations without cementing them with the
lood Of traitors; that every blow we strike and
very rebel we kill and every battle We win,
readful as it is to DO it, IS adding, it may be
ears, it may be centuries to the life of our Gov
rnment and the freedom of our children; when
lie declared that the Government could take no
middle course but must either restore slavery to
all power or use its whole power of war and
eace to eIterminste it, and added 81 join my
elf with those who say droay ruth it forerer -;
nd when, after recalling some of the trials Of
he loyal men Of the border, in comparison with
hose sacrifices in their stand for the Union
ould not but feel that most of our northern
atnotism was cheap and easy indeed, he said,
we have put our faces toward the way in which
we are to perish we will perish in that way.
nd all have to say to you is Help US if you
IN; if you cannot, believe in your hearts that
e have done and died like men'-there was not
soul unmoved before him-and the loud and
ing applause assured him that his fidelity and
eviction should have due recognition in the
carts to which he spoke. 1t was great thing
have such man open the convention with
lch speech.
A prayer by Rev Mr.. Riley of the Methodist
hurch followed, and the convention began its
lsiness. 1t became evident at once that the
lace was poor one for its purpose.
OF the New England delegations which oocu-
led one wing Of the stage, and of Pennsylvania,
hich filed the opposite wing, many members
'uld see and hear little of what was going on
the rest Of the house, while of what was said
| the stage much seemed to be swallowed up in
e high space above, filled with drop scenes and
age machinery but partially concealed by
nopy of national flags, and was lost to the rest
the assemblage. The first start was a scene
noise and confusion two or three
,legates on their feet, at once, making con-