The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-05-22
ME1aPHIs, May IS. 1863.

Ins-AMo DcAOCbAOu OA EECSH~O"N3
&C., &C.
ME1fPHIs, May IS, 1863.
The first day of the Convention
has passed away, and an organization
only effected. During the morning
session it began to appear doubtful |
whether that much would be accom-
plished the first day. Some nine
hundred and forty delegates have
been registered, and among that mum
Der it may be easily imagined there
was a sufficient number of individuals
who must talk on every subject,
whether they knew anything about it
or not, to consume at least three
fourths of the time. Such was the
case to- day. Points of order, rules.
the appointments of committees, and
other operations usually, connected
Win the organization of conventions,
were discussed until that portion OF
the delegates who came to talk about
Levees, Railroads, and Immigration
the objective points of the Conven-
tion-were completely tired and thor
oughly disguised.
| shall not attempt even a summary
of the days proceedings. | have no
disposition to weary the readers of
the JOURNAL as your correspondent
is wearied. 1t may not be altogether
uninteresting, however, to speak of
some of the incidents Of the day,
which will not be apt to appear in the
report of the Associated Press, which
you have received by telegraph.
The Convention assembled in the
Greenlaw Opera House. The dele
gates first assembled at the headquar-
ters of the Executive Committee, and
then marched in procession, preceded
by a band of music, to the Opera
House. The latter building is very
large, and accommodated the Conven
ton without difficulty. But its interior
was gloomy and very forbidding. Over
the stage was a large National flag,
festooned, and around the first gall
lery the names of the various States
were placarded. Above the flag was a
motto, in large letters: (" Memphis vel
comes her guests" Ga the right of
the stage was miniature locomotive,
and on the left a steamship. Under
meath each was the motto: TIE
Southern Pacific Railroad; Norfolk,
Memphis, and San Francisco" This
was to impress upon the minds of the
delegates that there was no way Of
building Southern Pacific Railroad,
except through these cities.
twas early discovered that but few
delegates from the North or North
eastern States were present. Indiana
had eight representatives; Ohio about
the same number; Iowa three or four,
and probably one or two from New
York City. The entire North and
Northwest had not more than
twenty FIVE or thirty delegates
This was not an encouraging mani
fesJation on the question of shipping
grain to Europe via New Orleans
without breaking bulk. But while
the North is so slightly represented,
the South is out in force. Virginia,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and
Tennessee are particularly strong.
Every little town and village in those
States seems to have furnished one or
more delegates, and all have come
apparently impressed with the idea
that by the proper effort put forth in
the present Convention, the Pacific
Road may be made to pass through
their respective towns. This feeling
cropped out at the very outset. The
Executive Committee had prepared q
programme of exercises for the day
but an enthusiastic delegate attempted
to set it aside by moving the ap-
pointment of temporary Chairman
This enthusiast, however, was dis
posed of by the President of the
Memphis Chamber of Commerce
Col. w. H. CHERRY, calling the Con,
vention to order.
Prayer was then offered up by the
Rev. LEvICK PEARoE. a venerable
Minister Of the Gospel, eighty three
years of age, and father Of Bishop
PEARCE. He knelt while offering W
prayer, an unusual yet very impress
sive posture.
He was followed by Mayor LEFT
wICH in an address of welcome
The address was in very good taste
with the exception of few sentences
and was listened to very attentively
1t was evidently intended more fol
home, than foreign consumption
Gov. PATTON. of Alabama, hav
ing been nominated for Temporary
President, was escorted to the stanC
and made short speech. The Gov
ernor, it may be said plainly, disap
pointed expectation both as a speake
and a presiding officer. He is tai
and spare built, with a long an
rather narrow face; eyes considerable
sunken, bald headed with fringe o
gray hair around his temples and th
back part of his head, and thin gra
whiskers beneath his chin. He i
self possessed but slow in hi
manner and enunciation. Hi
phraseology is awkward, and he
continually at a loss for words. III
Is hesitating in his decisions as a pre-
siding officer, and manifests degree @
uncertainty that is duickIv taken al