Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-08-30
CHICAGO CONVENTION.
Bslinont's speseh-He Reminds the Con.
vention Of Chsrleston.

CHICAGO, August 29.-At noon the conven-
tion was called to order by August Belmont.
chairman Of the National Com mmittee, who said:
"We are assembled here to day as a National
Democratic Convention, under the call Of the
National Democratic Committee, for the pur-
pose of nominating candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency.
"This task, at all times a most difficult aud
arduous one, has, by the sad events OF our civil
war, assumed an Importance and responsibility
Of the most fearful nature. Never, since the
formation of our Government, has there been
an assemblage the proceedings Of which were
fraught with more momentous and vital results
than those which must flow from your action
here.
SIN your hands rest, under the rulings of an
all-wise Providence, the future of this Republic.
-Four years Of rule by q sectional, fanatical,
and corrupt party warns us of the disastrous
consequences which would befall us IL Mr..
Lincoln's reelection should be made possible.
THE inevitable results of such q calamity
must be utter dsintegratlon of our whole po
ltical and social system, amid bloodshed and
anarchy, with the great problems Of liberal
progress and self.government jeopardized for
generations TO come. Let us at the very outset
Of our proceedings bear In mind that the dis
sensions OF the last National Democratic Con-
vention were one Of the principal causes which
gave the reins Of Govern ment into the hands OF
our opponents, and let us beware not TO fall
again into the came fatal error. We must
bring TO the altar of our country the sacrifice
Of our prejudices, opinions, and convictions,
however dear and long cherished they may be,
from the moment they threaten harmony and
unity OF action, so indispensable to our success.
I'VE are here not as war Democrats nor as
peace Democrats, but as citizens OF this great
Republic, which we will strive and labor to the
last TO bring back TO Its former greatness and
Nrnanaritv Eithnni al att Iak fran
the brilliant constellation that once encirclsd
It's youthful brow. Let pure and dlsinterested
patriotism, tempered by moderation and for
bearancc, preside over our deliberations; and
under the blessings Of Almighty God, the sacred
cause OF the Union, Constitution, and laws
must prevail over fanaticism and treason"
Rev. DR.. Clarkson, of Chicago, offered up q
prayer for the speedy return Of peace, and for
the permanent happiness OF the country.
list OF delegates was called by States, and
as each chairman presented his credentials he
was welcomed with loud applause.
Mr.. Tilden moved that one delegate be ap.
pointed from each delegation, to report resolu-
tions for the consideration OF the convention,
and that all resolutions be referred 10 a COM
mittec without debate. This was carried.
Mr.. Powell, Of Kentucky, stated that the con.
testing delegates from that State had agreed,
and were harmonious in this convention. He
moved that member from each delegation be
appointed committee on resolutions, they Ia
have but one vote. This was carried.
Mr.. McDougall, OF California, moved thai
there be admitted 10 the convention not to ex.
coed three gentlemen known TO be members OF
the Democratic party from each OF the several
Territories, said delegates to be permitted tc
participate In debate, without a vote.
Gen. Morgan, Of Ohio, moved to amend by
extending the privileges Of the resolution &c
delegates from the Southern States and the
District OF Columbia. This was referred to the
Committee on Credentials.
Governor Wickliffe, of Kentucky, handed Ut
two letters from John W. Leathers and j. X
Buchanan, delegates from Kentucky, In which
they explain their absence by saying that they
are victims of military despotism, arrested
without cause, imprisoned, and denied resor
to the legal measures guaranteed by the lawi
of the State and the Constitution TO establish
their Innocence.
On motion, each delegation, through III
chairman, named Its selection of members Of
the respective committees.
A number of resolutions were read and re
ferred, including one by Mr.. Long, of Ohio, fol
the appointment of a committee 70 proceed tc
Washington and request Mr.. Lincoln TO post
pone the draft until tho people should decide
at the coming election, In favor of war oi
peace, by the election of candidates for tn,
Presidency. The convention adjourned til
ten O'Clock tomorrow.