Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-08-23
The Philadelphia Convention.

reSpSctaole II numDerS ana taleub.-
But as to the political characters OF
the convention, that was anything
but commendable. 1t represented
all shades of public opinion, from
those who fought to destroy the
Union down to the sneaks who fed
te Canada TO escape the draft
Mixed with these were few hereto
fore Union men, whose "bread and
butter depended upon their pres
cence- The great majority however
were either unwsshed or unrePen-
tent rebels, or their sympathizing
friends in the North.
The great trouble with the mana
gers was how to get rid of Vallandig-
ham and Fernando Wood. They
were willing to receive the rebels
from the South. but they could net
stand Vallandigham and Wood. At
one time the question threatened to
be serious one, but by hard labor it
was at last amicably adjusted
Wood resigned his seat in the Con-
vention. and the wsy Vallandigham
was got rid of is thus recited by 4
correspondent of the Ohio States
man.
"Judge Gilmore offered resolu-
ton asserting Mr.. YsIlandlgham's s
right to his sest, and pledged the
delegation to stand by him in asser-
tien of that right; yet for the sake OF
harmony, expressing 4 willingness
to excuse him from the delegation
should his sense of propriety counsel
such course. This vas referred to
3 special committee of five. consist
ing of Judge Gilmore, 'Ranney, Bliss
and DR.. Fries. On their motion snd
with the assent OF Mr. Yallandigham
the resolution was unanimously
adopted. When this resolution and
Il delegate ticket to the Convention
were put into Mr. Vallandigham' S
hands, he responded in brief, dig
nified and respectful letter declining
to take his seat in the Convention
for the sake of the success of the
Convention, with which be consider
ed the well being of the country
identified"
Having thus got rid OF Vallandig
ham and Wood-not because OF then
tfaitorous principles, but for fear CT
the effect their presence would have
upon the people-the Convention
proceeded to do the work assigned
to it
Senator Doolittle was made Presi-
dent. with the usual number of Vice
Presidents and Secretaries. The
business of the Convention was done
wholly in caucus, and after being re-
ported, was rushed through without
debate. There was no speech ma
king, and of course no "free inter-
change of views" The business,
resolutions, and everything else, was
in the hands of the managers-pre-
pared in advance at the White House
no doubt-and no debate being al
lowed, the hours of the Convention
were harmonious and few in mum
ber.
The managers, however, were beat
in one little affair. The correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Gazette thus
refers to it:
The great event of the day, and
the one that revealed the true char,
acter of the Convention, was thc
presence Of Ysllandigham's letter by
w. S. Grosebeck. The request that
it might be read was greeted with
deafening cheers. at which the lead.
eTs looked blank enough. The
whsle smothered Copperhead ele.
ment of the body had suddenly
shown itself in a most unmistakablC
manner. Mr.. Doolittle attempted tc
rule it out, but he was drowned ir
further applause. He finally declar
ed that it required the unanimou:
consent to have it read, and inquired
if he understood any one to object
In the whole body but one man oh
jected, and Mr.. Deolittle said i
could not be read under the rules
Reyerdy johnson then moved to sus
pend the rules, which motion wa!
greeted with tremendous cheers
and was carried through amid almos
universal applause. 1t was com
plete triumph for Vallandigham, ant
signal defeat of those who haC
labered SO assiduously to represl
and conceal the Copperhead element
The letter was oheered to the echo
throughout.
After this little episode the bust
ness of the Convention went on a.
prepared by the managers. Occa
sionally some turbulent Democrat
who didn't like to be gagged anC
made tool of by Doolittle 4 Co.
attempted to break through the ar
ranged plan, but he was speedily
silenced by the chairman, and tn,
arranged plan went on until the worl
was completed. The Cincinnati G a
zette says:
The Convention was kept so close
ly under the gag that it was allowe,
to do nething and say nothing, bu
swallow the device previously pre-
pared by johnson, Doolittle ant
Randall. Even a motion made by
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