The New York herald., 1869-10-13
THE LOUISVILLE COMMERCIAL cosyE1Tlo n

Ex-President Fillmore Chosen President of
the Convcnuion-A Reminiscence of His
Administration.
LOUISVILLE, Oct. IL 1869.
The Convention was called TO order by ex.Lieuten.
ant Governor ANDERSON, formerly Of Ohio, who said
Substantially
GENTLEMEN--I desire to call this Convention to
order with the simple remark, hope that 1t Will be
characterized by the one energetic effort to restore
our country to It's pristine vgor and prosperity.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. E. L. PERKINS:
after which there was music by the Great Western
star Band. During the music ex.President Fillmore
was conducted TO the stage by Blanton Duncan
amid the applause Of the assembly.
After the music Governor John ". Stevenson, OF
Kentucky, was introduced BY General d. W. Chiffon,
amid much enthusiasm. Governor Stevenson ad-
vanced and delivered an address OF welcome, in the
course OF which he advocated the claims or Norfolk
as q terminus for an ocean line OF steamers. He also
exnorted the Convention TO to IL that capital be
not centralized in large cities al the wAlm OF capt
talists.
Blanton Duncan nominated eX-Presldent Fillmore
as president OF the Convention. The nomination
was received with great applause and unanimously
Governor STEVENSON then introduced ex.Presi.
dent Mlllard fillmore, who addressed the Conven.
GENTLEMEN or THE CoSvESTIoN--I appear with.
out preparation; had prepared speech should
suppressed
your Governor. With all the undeseryed honor my
countrymen have conferred upon me, assure you
nothing has been so gratifying as this, The war has
ended with all It's logical events questions have
been tied, trust, never 70 disturb us again.
have veneraton for the constitution OF the United
states. ] believe IL TO be the best organic
| law that has ever been framed. You know
when occupied the Presidential chair the Fugitive
slave bill was passed. freely confess Il was against
my feelings, j examined 1t carefully but found no
| detect In 1t. 1t was constitutional, and, although
/ knew when signed II was signing my political
death warrant, signed, and would have done 1t
mad IL taken my right arm. tAppause.) TINS
reminds me OF a former Convention, provisional and
advisory TO prepare a constitution to submlI 10 the
people George Washington presided over that Con-
vention. Tne constitution was adopted by the
1 people. Do you want TO give u upf 1t Is broad
enough TO protect every one. ] trust my duty, as
President OF this Convention viii be In every respect
cordial and friendly. You can do that. nave but
10 announce results. | am denLihed with no pollti.
4 cal party. Let the proceedings OF the Convention be
exclusively confined TO the OBJECT for which II has
been called. hope the gentlemen OF The press Will
! not report the de5ultory remarks have made; !
/ came entirely unprepated
| Mr.. DUNCAS moved tnat Charles H. Thurston OF
| Louisville, be appointed temporary secretary.
Colonel WILLIAM LAMB, OF Virginia, moved that q
committee be appointed 10 nominate vice presidents
and other officers.
| Mr. GAsKELL, Of Georgia, moved as substitute
that Business Committee be appointed, consisting
OF ole member from each stale, to make nonlna.
! tlon5 for vice presidents.
The resolution being put was adopted, after being
modified 30 that the chairman or the meeting mlgnI
| nominate the members OF the committee.
Mr.. DUNCAN then read 0 message nom President
Grant, which was loudly npplalded. II expressed
/ his inability 70 attend the Convention, but
| announced his heartiest wishes for its success.
Mayor BuNCB read message from the city OF
| Louisville and the state OF Kentucky, recommending
/ Norfolk as an American terminus OF a steamship
| line from Utrecht.
Adjourned.