The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-08-21
THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION

of delegates has arrived, among them Reverdy
Johnson, Montgomery Blair Stockton of n. j.,
Fernando Wood, Cowan of Pa, and many other
distinguished persons. The executive committed
/ have rooms in the Continental Hotel.
There was quite stir to-day over the report
in the New York Herald that Gov. Curtin, Of
Pa, had secretly called for 10000 militia for SER
vice during the time the Convention sat, and that
trouble will probably ensue. This is believed to
be eanard. There is no reason-+e suppose the
Conyention will be disturbed Cen Dix or
! George Ashburne of Massachusetts will preside.
PnLADELPHIA, Aug 13.-Upwards of six
hundred delegates to the Convention have ar
rived. Among the most noticeable persons are
Thurlow Weed, Dean Richmond, Secretaries
Randall and Browning, Gen. Steedman, Oorne-
Illus Wendell, Fernando Wood, Vallandigham,
Governors Orr, Sharkey and Perry, and A. 0. p
Nicholson and Senator Guthrie. There is con-
siderable excitemet about the admission of VAL
landigham, Wood and other peace Democrats.
There is reason, however, to doubt that all
will be adjusted tonight Fernando Wood will
decline to go into the Convention if necessary to
the harmony of it. The programme is yet un-
known, but no third party will be formed The
Convention will probably adopt series of reso-
denouncing Congress. an address will be issued
to the country which will embody the principles
set forth in the call of the Convention. r. G..
Winthrop, of Mass, or Gen. Dix will preside.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1.-THE trains last
night and this morning were heavily loaded with
delegates and visitors to the great Convention,
and the hotels are OVERLOOKING. The Reception
Room of the Executive Committee has been
thronged with delegates registering their names.
Every State and Territory is represented. The
harmonious feeling of yesterday is still more
marked to-day. Fernando Woods letter declin-
ing to appear delegate has made linn many
friends. Val!andigham will not 60 into the
Convention, and has written a letter to that
effect.
At meeting of the Charmen of the various
delegations last evening, the following business
was agreed upon: Each delegation is to report
on one of its number for Vice President, one for
Secretary; two for the Committee on Finance;
two for the National Union Committee; two for
Committee to wait upon the President with
report of the proceedings of the Convention; one
for :he Committee on Credentials; one for that
upon organizations; two upon resolutions and ad-
dress. There will be no discussion on resolutions
as the interchange of opinions among delegates
has exhibited an unanimity of sentiment upon
this sui ject that forbids discussion. The reso4u-
tons will substantially embrace the propositions
contained in the call for the Convention, which is
honestly and cordially approved 10y all delegates
here, North Or South, Republican or Democratic.
1t Is proposed that the Convention shall issue
general address to the country, and in addition
to The address of the Convention proper, the
Southern delegates should unite in a separate ad
dress, stating more in detail the position they oc-
cupy, the reasons by which they are influenced,
and the results they hope to obtain.
An informal meeting was held last evening Of
the soldiers of both the Northern and Southern
armies, in which proposition was made and re-
ccived with favor to call Convention of soldiers
Of the two armies at some central point within a
few weeks, where men who fought bravely
against each other may meet in spirit Of con-
citation, and determine to stand together in
maintaing the Union and the Constitution.
Governor Orr spoke at the National Guards
Hall, last night. lie said the people the South
believed they had the right to secedc. The North
did not agree on the question, and submitted it
to the arbitrament of arms. The Northern in
depreciation of the Constitution has been firmly
and legally established, aud that decision was
pronounced on the field of battle, and the decree
is incontrovertbe. The South has surrendered
her PRINCIPLES aud accepts the Northern interpre-
tation- We are willing to abide by it forever
BY this war, the people of the South have, to a
very large extent, been stripped Of their property
their banks are gone and their credit gone, and
in many localities the great stand point of civil
law has been lost. Thus the people of the South
have far more need of staple Government than
you have and it is mad folly to charge that they
will not fulfill their oaths to support this Govern
ment. We claim this is our Government as we'll
as yours; but that we may be equal, We must
have representation in Congress. 1t is not just
to tax us and exclude us from representation.
Montgomery Blair and others spoke.
PHILADELPHIA, August l4.-The Convention
assembled in the wigwam at l 2 80 p, NJ.
MIR Randall opened the Convention saying
"Gentlemen-I have to announce that delegates
from South Carolina and Massachusetts, will now
come arm in arm into this Convention" This
announcement was. greeted with great applause
the entire audience rising At this moment
Major General Couch, Of Massachusetts,, and
Governor Orr, of South Carolina, at the head of
the delegation, marched in arm in arm, banners
flying and music playing. Shout upon shout
filed the eyes of the delegates and electors. Gen
John A. Dix nominated as temporary chair
man. In accepting he said:
| regard this Convention of no ordinary
character, not emily account Of the high social
and political standing of the gentlemen who COM
pose this Convention, but because it is Conven-
ton of the people of all the States of the Union
| Applause and because cannot doubt if its |
proceedings are conducted with harmony aud
good judgement that it will lead to important
results. 1t may be truly said that no body of
men have met on the continent under circum-
stances so rnomentous and so important since the
year 1877 [Applause.l the year when our an
cestors assembled in this city to form a better
Government for the States which composed the
Coufederaton-a Government which has been