Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-08-21
The Philadelphia Convention.

anxiety, IoF we IelG That upon It's action mo-
mentous interests were suspended. We felt
that we were upon the threshold of new era
in the political history of this country, and that
the action of that Convention would inspire re-
newed hopes or chill the hearts of all true low
ers of their country. We are happy to say that
the proceedings of the Convention were charac
terized by spirit of harmony, patriotism and
fraternal feeling which greatly excelled our most
sanguine expectations The first result we an
ticipate from the moral effect of its proceedings
will be the election in the North this Fall of a
sufficient number of conservative Congressman
to reduce the Radical majority below two thirds;
and thus extract the sting from that tyrannical
and usurping party. The next will be, we hope,
the election of Conservative administration in
1868. We are expecting the throes ofthe pop
ular earthquake to which President johnson al
luded in his speech on the 22nd of February,
which will overthrow the power of the Radicals
Not having space for comments this week, we
confne ourselves now to the following proceed
ings of the Convention:
According to appointment, the great Con
servative Union Convention met, on the 18th
instant, in the Mammoth Wigwam constructed
for the purpose in Philadelphia In numbers,
ability, character and patriotism, it was one of
the most imposing assemblages ever convened
in this or any other country. There were it
was estimated, from five to seven thousand per-
sons present. The Convention was called to Or
der by Hon. A. w. Randall, recently appointed
Postmaster-General. In doing so he announced
that the delegates from South Carolina and
Massachusetts, would enter the Convention arm
in arm. This announcement was received with
cheers and rejoicing In few minutes there
after, Governor Orr, of South Carolina, and
General Couch, of Massachusetts,, walked for
ward to the stand, the remainder of the delega-
ton following arm-in-arm. This scene was quite
dramatic, and produced great effect When
the delegation had taken their seats, and the
cheering had subsidized, Mr.. John Hogan, of
Missouri, proposed three cheers to thiirty-s,:r
States, which were given with great energy
Cheers were in succession, given for Andrew
johnson, for the Union. and other national
things and sentiments. ALI these proceedings
were interspersed with some very fine music by
the large band engaged for the occasion, which
played Dixie, among other national airs
Mr.. Randall then proposed the Hon. John
A. Dix as temporary chairman of the Conven-
ton. which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr.. Dix, being conducted to the stand, made
very appropriate and national speech
At the conclusion of the speech, which was
cheered tremendously almost at every sentence,
several secretaries were appointed
Resolutions for the appointment of commit
tees on credentials and upon the permanent Or
ganization were adopted.
General Steedman, of Ohio, who has, with
Mr.. Fullerton, made such faithful and fair in
vestigation of the condition of the negroes in
the South, and of the administration of the af-
fairs of the Freedmen's Bureau, was not only a
prominent member of the Convention, but evil
IDENTITY was one of its most jealous and efficient
He moved the resolution on credentials, and
was placed at the head of the committee on the
subject. That committee consisted of thirteen.
The Committee on Organization consisted of
one from each State Colonel 7. S. Flournoy
was appointed on it from Virginia.
sembled was read by Mr. Perrine, from New
York, principal secretary.
On motion of Mr.. Doolittle it was resolved
that all resolutions and propositions relating to
the organization of the Convention, and to
claims of persons to seats in it, should be re-
ferred to the Committee on Organization.
After some other less important business, the
Convention adjourned to the next day, Wednes-
day, at IL clock.
In pursuance of the Adjournment of the day
before, the Convention assembled at IL o'clock
on Wednesday, and was permanently organized
by the appointment of the Hon. James R. Doc
little, Senator from Wisconsin, as president,
with one vice. president and one secretary from
each State and Territory. For Virginia, Judge
John W. Brockenbrough was appointed vice.
president, and Edgar Snowden, of Alexandra,
secretary
On taking the chair as President of the Con-
vention, Mr. Doolittle delivered an eloquent and
patriotic address. We regret that our want of
space prevents us from publishing it.
When he had concluded, the first business in
order was the report of General Steedman, of
Ohio, upon the credentials of delegates. This
was brief paper. It stated that there were no
cases of contest save from the States of Maine,
Delaware, and New York, and these were salts
factoriy adjusted. The report was unanimous
" adopted; and thus ended the question about
test oaths and exclusions, etc. No question
was raised about anybody in the report, and all
tbo n,apoh ars wbo showed that thov were sent
took seats as entitled to all the rights and priv
leges of members.
Fearing that their presence would introduce
an element Of disturbance in the Convention,
Fernando Wood of New York and Hon. G. L.
Vallandigham of Ohio, withdrew from their
respective delegations, and declined taking their
seats in the Convention.
Nr. Cowsn. Senator from Penpsyf@anis,