The Portland daily press., 1866-09-05
The Southern U3eSOa Con-
Venti07a. - = 49,
Permanent Organization.
Remarks of President Speed.

The National Hall was occupied this forenoon
by the Southern delegates, and by large num-
ton was called to order by Judge Durant,
President pro tem and fervant prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Matlack.
The Committee ON Credentials reported
through Mr.. Ashbune, the Chairman, that there
were present 392 delegates, from the following
States: Delaware 6; Maryland Co., Virginia 81;
West Virginia 81; North Carolina z Georgia
s.; Florida z; Alabama 4; Mississippi3; Louis
lana 18; Texas 80; Arkansas 2; Missouri 80:
Tennessee 81; Kentucky 13, and District Col
umbia II.
The Committee on Permanent Organization
For President-Hon. James Speed, Of Ken
lucky.
For Vice Presidents-Thomas D. Courtsey,
Delaware; j. A. Creswell, Maryland; John
Minor Bolts, Virginia; A. j. Boreman, West
Virginia; II. Baine, North Carolina; H. G. Cole,
Georgia; o. B. Hart, Florida d. H. Bingham
Alabama; j. W. Field, Mississippi; A. Fernan-
dez, Louisiana; D. L. Pease, Texas; A. A. c.
Rogers, Arkansas; G. E. Strong, Missouri; W.
BrownlOw, Tennessee; j. III. Glover, Ken
lucky; Joseph Gerhardt, District of Column
bia.
For 'Secretaries-J. H. Adams, Delaware; j.
s Encor, Maryland; G. H. Gilmer, Virginia;
j. NJ. Boyd, West Virginia; j. w. Wayne,
North Carolina; G. G. Baylor, Georgia; III. w.
Davis, Mississippi; III. Heisland, Louisiana; W.
Flint Missouri; s. G. Mercer, Tennessee; c. G.
Gill, Kentucky; s. o. Brown, District Of Col
umbia.
For Chaplain-Rev DR.. Newman.
Judge Speed, after having been conducted to
the chair by Messrs. Hamilton of Texas, and
Gill of Kentucky, acknowledged the honor
conferred on him in fitting TERMS He said he
had never felt so proud of position conferred
upon him. The convention had assembled here
in the good old city of Philadelphia, receiving
an almost unparalleled welcome, not upon the
personal merits of the delegates, but because
we are the representatives of great truth
We are here to renew upon the altar of Liberty
our pledges to stand by the principles upon
which our Government is founded. Let us
bear this in mind throughout our deliberations
Let us remember that we are identified with
these principles. But few months have
elapsed since the people of this country were
engaged in hostilites.
The great army of the country performed
their task nobly. They disarmed traitors, dis
persed hostile bands, and are now citizens again
appealing to the ballot box to complete the good
work. Union soldiers do not wish to see war
again, but they wish to see peace established
upon principles permanent and sure-princi-
pies of equal justice equal rights and equal Sc
curity to every human being within the juris-
diction of the United States. prolonged ap-
plause) We Southern men who know what
slavery is know that it must perish from the
face of the earth. There is direct antagonism
between the men of the South, and this Con-
vention must decide which is right. Let the
| truth be spoken here, that our children and our
| childrens children may enjoy peace that we
have not known. (Applause). convention
which recently assembled here, performed in
| Quaker-like silence, the work assigned them
| by one man, and did what the present Congress
| has refused to do. Let Congress be commend
| ed for having thought and spoken for them
selves, and for having stood nobly up for the
right. In declaring that slavery was abolished,
the recent convention, ruled by Southern men,
| struck the colors of despotism
But we of the Union party had done as much
and more in the Baltimore Convention which
nominated Lincoln and johnson, where it was
| decided that slavery should be extirpated.-
How sweet was the sound of that declaration
| to the men of the South! and we have come
| here now to the Cradle of Liberty, to declare
that slavery, with all its evils and disqualifica-
| tions, shall be extirpated.
Judge Speed proceeded to review the topics
| which would probably be brought before the
| Convention, and concluded his remarks amid
| much applause.
| Mr.. Hugh L. Baird of Baltimore, offered the
| following:
| loyal men of the North to support the Con-
| gress of the United States in demanding of
| the Southern States, the wise guarantees OF the
| Constitutional amendment passed by Congress,
| and call upon the patriotic men of the loyal
States, to use every exertion to secure the rat
/ ifcation of the amendments by the States
and that we believe the justice we mete shall
be the measure of onr safety. In our opinion
there can be no permanent peace or security
for the loyal men of the South without re-
turn to negro suffrage.
Mr.. Scofeld of Alabama inquired if that
resolution was in the form of instruction.
Mr. Thomas said the first part of the resolu-
| ton met the unanimous appreciation OF the
Maryland delegation.
A delegate moved to strike out the word
negro before suffrage, and insert the word
| equal. e~ s-cs
The Chair said the resolution had already
| been referred.
Mr.. Thomas hoped it would be again brought
before the convention for discussion. He was
as strong in the advocacy of Union principles
as any body, but he did not favor such fire.
brands as this.
These remarks gave rise to an exciting de-
| bate.
The resolution was finally referred to the
| committee.
At2.3O P. M. the convention adjourned un-
| til tomorrow.