The New York herald., 1868-03-12
Meeting Of the New York Demo
cratic State Convention
Speech Of Governor Seymour on the
"a Questions Of the Day. !. .i.
The Delegates to the Presidential
Nominating Convention.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF the HERALD.


,le-~ t't ALBANY, March II, 1868.
The problem before the democratic party-the Sc
lection OF candidate for the next Presdency-is no
nearer solution at this moment than it was before
the assembling Of the New York Democratic Stata
Convention at noon to-day. II the party is success
f1l In the next campaign 1t will not be laid to any
good management on the part Of the leaders, II the
party is defeated, then small share Of the blame
must be attributed to those same leaders for the
utter lack Of skill which they have manifested here
to-day. / am writing during the recess before
Ex-Governor Seymour's speech. What the rest Of the
day may bring forth is out of my power to prophesy;
but 50 far nothing has been done to aid the party
out OF the old time rut In Which it has
SO long run, and from which the opportunities
afforded by the enemy might eXtricate it. 1t Is true
that in fifty years the democratic party never
80 much at their wits, end to make selection of
candidate and hence, probably, the vaoillating, un-
dem0nstrative, weak and shily-shally character of
the proceedings to-day. Perhaps the task is too
severe one to which the democratic mind is called
after so many years OF inactivity.
The Convention came to order few minutes after
twelve O'Clock amid the booming Of republican can
non, one hundred OF which were firing In honor of
aer 70 orer ~ new " ae
Samuel J. Tilden, performed the duty this occa-
sion. He made very brief speech, singular to re-
late; but he was compelled to do so in obedience to
the programme which had been settled upon
the night before in the famous parlor No 81
OF the Delavan House. 1t had been given
out That there would be no gag law; that 'free and
unreserved expression" of opinion would be allowed
But the Convention was not In session fifteen min
utes before the fact was evident that 1t working
IN accordance with programme already "cut and
DRIED" by the managers. Judge Tden, consequently
he had written out quite lengthy ana tay st 'd hs
friends In the Argus oce had 1t in type; but he was
compelled to sacrifice it to thedicum which ordered
as 1oHOWs:-F1rst a session of only one day. Ut was
the expectation, and, in fact the intention OF many
that the Convention should sit two days) Second a
non-committal platform. An early adjournment
would prevent trouble. The questions between East
and West were dangerous enough to be left to the
,Dnre tss ssapnness at IT., this moment would not
victory was still rolling onward. Doing
too much might check or obstruct it. There could
speech from Horatio Seymour, fun of democratic
enthusiasm, would suffice for platform for the pres
enI anu tne Convention might adjourn with It's halo
ton, modified by intervening circumstances CT uld
be left to the National Convention.
accordance with the II 4uest Of the 'machine,n but
IN opposition to oil precedent, dispensed with tenn
plain was at once nominated anS eectsa
ing omcer OF the Convention. Mr.. Champlain
Is one OF the old time democratic orators,
indicates, and would have been good To-.
q two hours speech on taking the chair had he
not been required to say little as he could without
appearing to decline making speech. Those who have
heard John Br0ugham make speech when "called
out" may remember how little he can say in so many
words. Mr.. Champain betrayed the same power In
his remarks to-day. He referred to the President
and to the quarrel with Congress, but when he had
concluded no one could tell whether he had pledged
the party to the Executive against Congress or
whether he had not. Democrats who take part with
Johnson were satisfied with what he said. So also
quarrel because the President elected q republi-
can ticket Is not In the party He united all senti
ments, however, In antagonism to 'this radical
The speech the counterpart Of the proceedings.
1t was non-committal, unsuggestive and devoid Of
bOldness. There was q time when Governor Seymour
might have made the democratic party power for
ever in New York State That was when he sue
ceeded to the chief magistracy OF the State in 1862
when he might have put the party on war record
and led 1t to victory ever since. His irresoluton
then proved fatal. He is admitted to be the spirit
OF the present Convention. The lack OF energy
now win annihlate with his party his own chances
for the Presidency The party to-day put forth foot
TO make the plunge. II defeated eventually its own
COwardce has been the chief cause of its destruction.
.nre wo h. o t h mn n .s h harmony.
disagreement Mr.. Jacobs, OF Kings, claimed that
OF Mr.. VOORHEES, Of the Ninth district of the same
county, and his name was entered on the original
list Of delegates. The Tammanyites, however, had
not forgiven his presumption In running for Speaker,
had during the night caused the substitution to be
made. With a sagacity which will prove advanta-
geous TO him hereafter Mr.. Jacobs pocketed the
enront avowed his unwillingness to mar the good
feeling OF the OCCASION especially in view OF the i'm
portant work which the Convention had been called
ton on his part to contest the seat Of his more sue
Cessful rival
It was expected very confidently that New Hamp.
shire would go democratic, and an arrangement had
been made, SO 1t is said, by which the returns by
cities and districts would be sent up from the tele.
graphic Office and read to the Convention. The re-
william NJ. Tweed, 'the next Governor of New
York, and Peter b. Sweeny two Of the trio OF New
York politicians occupied seats the floor to the left
OF the PLATFORM This portion Of the chamber was
occupied by the Tammanyites. They looked on the
prOccednRs with the co0lness OF masters Of the situ
alton. The agreement by which they gained control
Of the Convention was founded on their representa-
lions TO me rest OF the party that as the National
Convention was to assemble in New York city they
could easily get control Of 1t and manipulate IL TO
suit their own and the wishes Of those who were
elections and In the State Legislature has played
winning cards VIII the trumps hold out until July
The trio Just mentioned would have been incomplete
without Richard B. Connolly, who was present as n
deega.e from the Eighteenth district Of New York
county.
Seymour's speech this afternoon will Indicate his
sentimeras on the financial question. The great
source OF disagreement between the democratic lead
ers and the democratic rank and file IL already crop
ping out. The rich democrats fear to espouse pol
Icy so antaHorisc TO the interests Of their pockets
The Argus, whose editor and Mr.. Seymour were
known to be IN consultation last night Is getting
ready In this mornings issue for a soinersaut-or at
fion 1t expects to keep the party and the selections
OF the Convention until the assembling OF the national
delegates. The article in question is understood to
indicate Mr.. Seymours conversion TO the principle or
There IS hope with most democrats that the
CHOICE AT New York will be new man, one whom
the people get up some enthusiasm for. but who
has not bee politician or at least prominent one
have heard the expression OF longing for the nom
tnation OF one who seems TO combine these requi
stfes, viz, Vice Admiral David G. Farragu
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.