The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-09-03
The Chicago Convention.


ing candidates for President and Vice presi-
dent met in Chicago on Monday last, and
organized by electing Governor Seymour, Of
New York, President. On taking the chair
he delivered an adcaptandum speech, bit
terly arraigning the Administration and say
ing much about peace without pointing out
the wav it was to be obtained or indicating
the concessions that are to be made to Reb-
els in arms in order to bring it about. At
the afternoon session the Committee on
Resolutions reported the Platform to the
Convention. The first resolution declares
an answering adherence to the Union
"he second declares the failure to restore
the Union by the ''experiment of war, and
demands that immediate efforts be made for
cessation of hostilities with view to an
ultimate convention Of all the States to re-
store peace at the earliest practicable mo-
ment. The third condemns military inter-
fesence at elections. The fourth sets forth
the object of the Democratic party to be to
preserve the Federal Union and the rights
of the States, and condemn the present Ad-
mnistration. The fifth arragns the Admin
istration for falling to procure the release OF
our soldiers who are prisoners OF war. The
sixth declares the sympathy Of the party
with the soldiers Of the army who are Or
have been in the field under the flag of our
country, and promises them ''all care. pro-
tection regard and Kindness" in case OF
said party coming into power. Both these
latter resolutions are an evident bid for the
soldiers vote. Mr.. Long, of Ohio, at
tempted to introduce, as an addition to the
first resolution of 1898, affirming the doc
trine of States Rights. but was chokcd of
by call of the previous question. The
platform was adopted civa roce, the Conven-
ton evidently fearing to call the yeas and
nays upon it, 1t is chiefly remarkable for
its ambiguity and omissions. There is not
a word in it Of reference to slavery, to the
causes Of the war, or in condemnation of
the rebellion. The Convention then pro-
ceeded to the selection of candidate for
the Presidency. When General Mcclellan
was placed in nomination, the Maryland
delegation raised voice of dissati faction
on the ground of McClclan's order for the
arrest of the Secession Legislature in 1861.
Hon. Mr.. Harris declared that she could
not 90 before the people of Maryland and
ask tlmm or the members of the Legislature
to vote for McClelIan' An attempt was
made to stop the debate by moving the pre-
yious question, but failed. Gov. Seymour
was then placed in nomination, amidst pro-
Iongcd che aring. Mr.. Long. of Ohio, fercly
denouncng Mcclellan, declaring he had
been the willing tool of Lincon's tyrany,
and that to nominate him would be to place
weak man upon weak platform. The
debate was continued with much bitterness,
and the Convention finding some of its ma
Chiuery needing manipulation in caucus ad.
journed until Tuesday morning.
The Convention met on Tuesday morning
and concluded the business which had been
cut and dried for it. Apparently the Peace
men had been properly manipulated during
the night, and came back prepared TO agree
to anybody and anything. General McClel-
Ian was nominated on the first ballot, re-
ceving two hundred and two votes out of
the total vote of two hundred and twenty
SIX. The remaining votes were cast for
Gov. Seymour. of New York. Before the
ballot was announced Gov. seymour with
drew his name. He declared that General
Mcclellan did not desire the nomination.
and that that able officer declared it would
be more agreeable to him to resume his pc.
sition in the Army What gratifying as
surance for the Peace men! Their candi-
date, expressly charged with making peace,
declaring his preference for position in the
Army. among the ''myrmidons of the tyrant
lAncoln, as the turgld eloqucncc o! tn"
Copperhead press calls them. Goverol
Seymour must have compressed all the spit
of his bitter disappointment into this one Ii
tie sentence. On motion of Mr.. Nallard;
ham o. the nomination was declared unani.
nous. A resolution was adopted providing
for the re-assemblng Of the Convention be.
tween now and the 4th of March next, il
necessary, at the call of the National Exc
cutive Committee.
The Convention then proceeded to the
selection OF IL candidate for the Vice Presi
dency, and on the second ballot Hon Geo
II. Pendleton, the present Representative
from the FRS Congressional District of Ohio
was chosen. The Democrats have thus com.
mitted one of the sins which they bitterly
charged against the Republicans in 1861, that
of choosing both of their Presidential candi
dates from the Free States. On the first bal
lot Mr.. Guthrie led. On the second ballot
New York withdrew its vote from Guthrie
and threw it for Pendleton Other candi
dates We're then withdrawn, and Mr.. Pendle
ton nominated. After the usual speech.
making and the transaction o. routine bust
ness, the Convention adjourned.