East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-09-07
Proceedings Of the Chicago
Convention.

on Monday at II o'clock, noon, pre-
cisely, by August Belmont, Chairman
of the National Democratic Commit
tee, who spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF MR.. BELMONT
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoY-W
are assembled here to-day, at the Ma
tional Democratic Convention, for the
purpose of nominating candidates for
the Presidency and Vice Presidency
of the United States. This task, at
all times most important and ardu-
Gus one, has, by the sad events of our
civil war, assumed an importance and
responsibility of the most fearful ma
ture. Never since the formation of
our government, has there been an
assemblage, the proceedings Of which
were fraught with more momentus
and vital results, than those which
must flow from your action. Towards
you, gentlemen, are directed the anx-
ious fears and doubts, not only of mil
lions of American citizens, but also of
every lover of civil liberty throughout
the world. [Cheers, In your hands
rests, under the ruling of an all-wise
Providence, the future Of this repub-
lie. Four years Of misrule by sec
tional, fanatical and corrupt party,
have brought our country to the very
verge of ruin. The past and present
are sufficient warnings of the disas-
trous consequences which would be-
fall us if Mr.. Lincoln's reelection
should be made possible by our want
of patriotism and unity. The inevita-
bic results of such a calamity must be
the utter disintegration of our whole
political and social system, amidst
bloodshed and anarchy, with the great
problems of liberal progress and self
government jeopardized for genera
tions to come.
The American people have at last
awakened to the conviction that a
change of policy and administration
can alone stay our downward course,
and they will rush to the support Of
your candidate and platform, provid-
ed that you will offer to their suffrage
Il tried patriot, who has proved his de-
votion to the Union and constitution,
and provided that you pledge him and
yourselves to maintain that hallowed
inheritance by every effort and sacri-
flee i'll your power. Loud applause
Let us at the very outset Of our pro-
ceedings bear in mind that the dissen-
sions Of tho last democratic convention
were one of the principal causes which
gave the reins of government into the
hands of our opponents; and let us
beware and not fall again into the
same fatal error. We must bring to
the altar Of our country the sacrifice
of our predjudices, opinions and con-
victions, however dear and long cher
ished they may be from the moment
they threaten the harmony and unity
Of action so indispensable to our sue
cess. We are here, not as war demo-
Gratis, or peace democrats, but as citi-
zens of the great Republic, which we
will strive to bring back to its former
greatness and prosperity without one
single star being taken from the bril-
liant constellation that once encircled
its youthful brow. Cheers Let
peace and disinterested PATRIOTS n,
tempered by moderation and forbear-
ance, preside over our deliberations,
and, under the blessings Of the AL
mighty, the sacred cause of the Union,
the constitution and laws, must pre-
vail against fanaticism and treason
Loud cheering.
Mr.. Belmont, on concluding his
brief address: nominated for tompora-
ry Chairman of the Convention, Hon.
William Bigler, of Pennsylvania. The
nomination was received with great
cheering, and was unanimously ap-
proved.
Gov. Bigler on taking the Chair,
was received with loud and long con-
tinued applause. When the cheers
had subsidized he addressed the conven-
ton as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoNvENTIoN-I
am greatly honored in your selection
Of me to preside over the preliminary
celebrations Of this body. My ac-
acknowledgements for this high compli-
ment, and for the kind feelings Just
extended to me by this vast concourse
ofmy fellow citizens will be best man.
Tested by proper discharge of the
duties of the position to which you
have called me.
1t is not expected, nor would it be
fitting in one assuming the mere tenn
porary Presidency of the convention,
that he should enter upon any gen
,eral discussion of the many topics
suggested by the unhappy condition
of our country. A brief allusion to
the occasion and purpose is all that
will be necessary. No similar body
ever assembled in America with high
er objects before them, or to which
p such vast assemblage Of the Ameri-
can people looked with such profound
solitude for measures to promote the
welfare of their country and advance
their individual happiness.
The termination of democratic rule
in this countrywas tho end Of peace
full relations between the States and
the people. The elevation of sec
tional party to authority at Washing
ton, tho elimination of long in
dulged and acrimonious war of Grim
inatiton and recrimination between
extreme men at the North and South,
was promptly followed by dissolution
and civil war. And in the progress
of that war even the bulwarlxs of civil
liberty have been imperiled, and the
whole fabric brought to the very verge
of destruction. And now, at the end
of more than three years of war un.
paralelled in modern times, for its
magnitude and for its barbarous desc.
lations,-after more than two millions
of men have been called into the field