Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-06-09


nent Of the convention, recommending the
rules of the House of Representatives, and
to take the vote for candidates by states,
according to representation in Congress.
Caspar Butt, of Illinois, opposed voting
by states according to Congressional represen.
tation, and favored a proposition to allow
each delegate present one vote.
Col. Moss favored voting as great nation
al mass convention, each individual delegate
to have equal voice with his associates.
After debate, Mr.. Gilbert moved to strike
out the Objectionable clause, which was car
ried.
Mr.. Carroll, chairman Of the committee on
resolutions, reported the following resolu-
tons:
First That the Federal Union shall be preserved.
Second. That the Constit ution and laws of the
United States must be observed and obeyed.
Third, That the rebellion must be suppressed by
force of arms and without compromise.
Fourth, That the rights of free speech and press
and the habeas corpus must be held inviolate save
inIdiStricts where martial law has been proclaimed
Fifth, That the rebellion has destroyed slavery
and the Federal Constitution should be amended
to prohibit it's blishme and to secure to all
men absolute equality before the law.
iSeUeh, That the right Of asylum, except for
crime and subject to law, is a recognized principle
of American liberty, that any violation of it can
not be overlooked and must not go unrebuked.
Eighth, That the national policy known as the
Monroe doctrine, has become recognized princi-
pie, and that the establishment of a national re-
publican government on this continent by any
foreign power cannot be tolerated.
Ninth, That the gratitude and support of the
nation is due to the faithful soldiers and the earn
est leaders of the Union army and navy for their
heroic achievements and deafness valor in behalf
of our imperiled country and of civil liberty.
Tenth, That the one term policy for the Presi-
dency, adopted by the people, is strens thened by
force of the existing crisis and should be main aim
ed by constitutional amendments
Eleventh., That the Constitution should be
amended that the President and Vice President
should be elected by direct vote of the people.
1l0eLyth, That the question of reconstruc elton of
rebelous states belongs to the people, through
their Representatives in Congress, and not to the
Executive.
Thirteenth, That the confscation of the lands of
rebels and their distribution among actual settlers
is measure of sound policy.
Fourteenth, That integrity and economy are de-
manded at all times in the admins tration of the
government, and that in time of the neglect
of them is criminal.
Mr. Carroll stated that the committee were
unanimous on all the resolutions save the
last. As matter of expediency it was
thought advisable not to recommend it, but
the majority of the committee had instructed
him to report it for the consideration of the
Convention.
At this iuncture Mr. Gilbert announced the
receipt of a letter from Wendell Phillips
and as it had somewhat to say of the platform
it now be read, which was carried, and the
letter was warmly applauded while being read
by the secretary.
Mr.. Phillips letter expressed his regret at
his inability to attend the Convention, COM
planning that the Administration is failure
because it has weighed treasure, blood and
civil liberty against slavery, and up to the pre-
sent moment has decided TO exhaust them all
before it uses freedom heartily as a means of
battle; that if Mr. Lincoln is reelected he
is reelected to pursue the same policy. He
deprecates the Louisiana reconstruction ex
pertinent and contends that the only
plan of reconstruction within twenty years
is to admit the blacks to citizenship and use
them with whites as the basis of States He
closes by favoring the nomination of Fremont
or Butler, Fremont being his first choice
Mr.. Ransom, of New Jersey, moved that
the question on the resolutions be taken SEN
arately.
A. j. Colvin, of N. Y, said that up to with
in two years past he had never voted any
other than the Democratic ticket. Upon the
question Of slavery and other great national
questions he differed from his party, stepped
out and voted for the lamented Gen Wads-
worth. Last year he voted the Union ticket
with the chairman, Gen Cochrane upon it
He came to this convention because he could
not at the next election cast his vote for
Abraham Lincoln. He could not approved
the principles and policy of his administra-
ton. He assented in the main to the resolu-
tions reported. The Union must be pre-
served and we must treat slavery as dead,
never to be resurrected. The Constitution
must be amended in this respect He would
go for that man for President who was loyal
to the country and true to the platform that
shall be put forth here. He can be elected
beyond doubt. There is such man, one
who can carry the State Of New York over
Abraham Lincoln by over 100000 majority.
Lucius Robinson, Comptroller of New York,
unable to be present, had addressed him
letter on this subject which he read as fol-
lows:
STATE OF NEW YORK, CoMpTRoLLER's OFF1cE,l
ALBANY, May %, 1864. !
To Hon A. J. Colrin: My official duties and
the illness of my deputy will prevent me from at
tending the meeting called for consult alton at
Cleveland, the 31st inst. 1 trust that you will
be there to aid with your judcious advice. There
was never time when the safety and welfare of
the country mperatively demanded careful
deliberation with wise and resolute action.
We have lived through three years of war and
have surviye ed many bad mistakes, simply because
the popular mind has been entirely fixed upon the
single purpose of SURPRISING the rebellion at all
hazards, and at every cost. This one idea has
had such controlling power and the masses have
followed it steadily that it has served sub.
stitute for proper governmental leadership, but it
is evident that the time is at hand WI len the
reestabllshment of order, the removal of the
cause of the rebellion and the repairing of the
terrible desolation it has produced will require at
the head Of the government the very highest lead
ership. How can we hope to live a nation
through the crisis before with weak Executive
and Cabinet in a state of discord and anarchy?
Will not the country be in imminent danger of
falling into the condition when it ceases to
be held together by the pressure Of war? 1t ap-
pears to me that firm association of sound prin-
cipes and election of greatest man, regardless
OF former party organizations, essential TO the
safety of the matte n.
Whether nomination should be made at Cleye-
land or not can best be determined after meeting
and consultation with those who will assemble
there, but if it should be decided to nominate,
have no hesitation in saying that believe that the
hopes OF the people throughout the country are
resting upon Gen. Grant as candidate. He has
displayed qualities which give all men confidence
He has shown himself possessed of great ability
and skill, the most indomitable courage, and most
unselfsh devotion to the cause of his country
Victory has attended him wherever lie has gone
One year ago all confidence in the Administration
was lost. The brilliant victories which have since
been by Grant have so far restored it as to en-
courage the Administration to attempt to re-elect
itself on the strength of his achievements but in
my Judgment we should let him who has won hon
ors wear them, and should entrust power to one
who has shown that ne knows how to WELD it, We
shall then have leader at the head of affairs in
whom all loyal men will have confidence, against
whom there will be pref udices, and whom all will
aid with aIacrity. Yours, &C.,
L. ROBINSON.
1t was then decided to take up the resou
tions separately.
The first, second, third and fourth were
adopted without dissent.
Mr.. Goodell moved to amend the 9Th by
declaring that slavery shall die" instead of
saying that it is dead, for, said the mover, al
though it is already dead the fact is that
there are over three millions of people now
enslaved in Southern States. He moved to
substitute thaSa words: g that rol,oll;.-