The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-04
THE LATEST NE WS
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Tuesday Morning, September A. 1865.
The Southern U7aiOn Con-
UentiO71.
Remarks of Governor Hamilton.
Temporary Organization.

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 3.
The Southern Union Convention met at the
National Hall at noon. The Southern dele
gates were escorted to the hall by the Union
League Club, National Union Club, and the
Northern delegations. Kentucky headed the
Southern delegates. The procession while en-
route to the National Hall halted in front of
the Union League House, where Gov. Curtin,
John Minor Bolts and others were located on
the portico. The proc ession formed into solid
column and were addressed by Mr.. Gibbons,
Chairman of the Reception Committee, well
coming them as loyal men, with no loyal blood
upon their hands and with souls free from the
guilt of treason; welcoming them as men who
had held fast their integrity, although their
homes have been desolated, their pleasant
places laid waste, and themselves and children
driven into exile.
Gov. Hamilton, of Texas, returned thanks
for the loyalists of the South They had hoped
for some security for the future, and to be per-
mitted to return TO their homes peacefully, but
the experience of the last twelve months had
taught, in bitterness of heart, that the spirit
which animated the rebellion was as rampant
to-day as the day the rebels drew sword. Gov.
Hamilton continued at some length, stating
that an administration paper had truly said
they dared not hold this Convention upon
Southern soil, and said the only appropriate
place was in Philadelphia, where the American
Government was born. After the speeches Gov
Hamilton was presented with the Speakers
gavel used in the Charleston Convention which
declared the Union dissolved. The delegates
were then marched to the National Hail.
Having reached the hall, entered and seated
themselves, dispatches were received from Gov
ernors Low, of California, Blaisdell of Nevada,
Gibbs, of Oregon, and Gov.-elect, Woods, of
Oregon, endorsing the Southern Union Con-
vention, and praying their deliberations may
promote the only wise plan of reconstruc-
tiOn-that proposed by Congress- The dele
gates were then welcomed in few words by
Charles Gibbons. t' 9a5 =
Col. Eewness, of Kentucky, introduced Col
Stokes, of Tennessee, who read the call for the
Convention. DIR. Sidney, of Mississippi, then
nominated Thomas j. Durant, of Louisiana,
as temporary President, which nomination was
adopted unanimously. Mr.. Durant thanked
the Convention for the honor. A temporary
Secretary was then elected. The proceedings
were then opened by prayer by Rev. j. w.
jackson, of Mississippi The Committee on
Credentials and Permanent Organization were
then appointed
1t is understood positively that ex-Attorney
General Speed has been selected by the Com
mittee ON Permanent Organization for Presi-
dent of the Convention. .--'15 .,'5
The Committee effected temporary organi-
zation by calling Senator Fowler to the chair,
which the following resolution was unanimous
ly adopted: @ A1 ~ lat3 %
Whereas, the places for Henry s. Raymond
and George r. Senter, of Ohio, in the Nation
al Unl0n Committee are vacant by reason of
their abandonment of the principles of the Ma
tional Union party and afdiation of its enemies
therefore, Il
Resolved That upon the proper Recommended
tion said vacancies be filed by appointments
by this committee.
In pursuance of the foregoing resolution Gov
Marcus L. Ward, of New Jersey, was unani-
mously elected permanent Chairman of the
Committee, and John Defrees, of Indiana, Sec
retary
It IS expected that an address to the country
fFn III eSsH he issued before the final adjournment-