The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-06-17
The Union National Convention.

The Union National Convention.
Last week we gave brief notice of this
convention which assembled at Baltimore on
Tuesday, the 18th inst. Below will be found
more full account of its proceedings gather
ed from correspondents. The delegates had
nearly all arrived by Monday the most OF
them making their headquarters at the Eu-
taw House. Caucusing was briskly carried
on during Monday. No question was raised
as to whom the nominee for President should
be. but number of names were mentioned
as probable candidates for Vice President
Another question discussed was, what dispo-
sition should lie made of the contested Mis-
souri, delegate case. Also, who was the best
man for chairman of the convention. For
this Office the claim of Mr.. Cameron of Pa,
was advocated by some delegates MIR. Ray.
mond of New York had many supper
/ tiers; bat from the first the most prominent
candidates were Senator Foot of Vermont
and Gov. Denison of Ohio. A large num-
Der of delegates favored Mr.. Foot, but the
Ohio men were on the ground in force and
it wa. finally decided that Gov. Denison
should act as chairman of the convention.
Tuesday morning the Vermont delegation
met at Mr.. Foot's room at Barnum's, which
had been made headquarters of the delega-
ton. Mr.. Foot was chosen chairman, MIR.
Stowell of Cambridge vice-president, and
Mr.. Horace Fairbanks secretary of the dele
CATION. Mr. Walton was selected as the
Vermont member of the committee on plat
form Mr.. Hammond member of the com.
mit,ee on credentials and MIR. Gardner O.
tie committee on permanent organization O
the convention.
At the opening of the convention on Tues
day the Front Street Theatre, which had beer
fitted up for the occasion, was packed, jam
med full. The vice presidents, one from each
state, occupied seats in rear Of the president:
chair on the stage. Gov. Morgan Of New
York, chairman of the national committee
called the convention to ORDER made brie
speech, and nominated for temporary chair
man DR.. Robert J. Breckenridge of Ken
lucky, who was loudly applauded as he took
the chair. DR.. Breckenridge made power.
ful speech-eloquent and bold-the more
forcibly impressive from the associations con,
nected with his name-uncle as he is of the
arch traitor ]. c. Breckenridge, and having
two sons in the rebel army.
After prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Riley O!
the Methodist church, the convention began
its regular business. The appointment Of
the committees on credentials psrmanen,
organization and resolutions occupied the
time until 3 o'clock, when the convention ad
journed until evening. Speeches by DR.
Breckenridge and Parson Brownlow occupied
the evening until late hour, when an ad
iournment was made to 10 o'clock Wednes
day morning.
The convention assembled at the hou
allowed named and commenced work in earn
est. Preston King Of New York, Chairman
of committee on credentials, read repor
of that committee excluding from seats il
) the convention the Blair faction from, Mis-
souri,, and admitting to seats, but e4cludiE
from the privilege of voting, delegate fror
e Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisian,
: Florida, and the Territories of Montana, Da
: kota, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Ne
: braska When the ex-senator read the pas
S sage that turned out the Blair delegates tn
e delight of the convention was irrepressibl
t and all proceedings were suspended to IL
d the food of applause reach its hight an
i then ebb. This report was adopted almo.
|. unanimously by the convention. After son,
r other business pertaining to delegates, NJ
e RAYMOND of New York, chairman of con
mittee on resolutions, reported the followin
n resolutions
: PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL UNION PART,
Res0r That is the highest duty of every Americ,
citizen to maintain against all their enemies the nteg
of the tniOn and the paramount authority of the comet
4 on and laws OF the United States and that LAYING ash
all differences and political opinions, pledge crsev
Y Us Mon men. animated by sentiment, and all
ing object. to do everything in our power
aid the government in queing by force OF arms the rebt
lion raging against its authority. and in bringing
the punishment due to their crimes the rebels and ;rao
o arlyed against it.
Resored That we approve the determination of Il
government of the United States not to compromise vii
rebe to offer any terms of peace except such "a ms
be based upon unconditional surrender of their host
# ~ and 10 heir just allegiance to the CONSTITUTE,
and laws OF the United States and that call upon II
lie maintain this position and to prosecute II
var with the utmost possible vgor the complete su
preston of the rebellion in full reliance upon the self
rfces the patrio=m the heroic vaor and the undvir
devotion of the American people to their country and
free institutions
ReSOlred, That slavery the cause and now cor
titutes the strength of this rebellion. az it must
always and everywhere hostile to the principles of repu
lican government justice and the national safety dems,
it, utter and complete expation from the soil of the
u public; Gpplause) and that uphold and maintain Il
!, acts and proclamaons by which the government in
own defense, has aimed death-bow this gigantic ev
J. We are IN favor. furthermore of such amendment