Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-13
LOUISVILLE.
Opening OF the Commercial COnven-
tt0H-Speeches Of Gov. Stevenson
and Rx-PresidenG FILLMORE.

t1OE-Speeches OF Gov. Stevenson
and Ex-President FILLMORE.
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 12.-The Oper
House, where the convention met,
splendidiy decorated with eveTgreenF
and everything arranged for the comfor
of the members.
The delegates to the convention came Il
squads, or singly. and it was some time be
fore all of them made their appearance
After aiittle delay beyond the time 6xe'
for the proceedings to commence, ex-Pres
ident Fillmore, Gov. Stevenson, o
Kentucky, and Mr.. Charles Anderson
formerly Lieutenant Gov. of Ohio,
arrived. The presence of these gentle
men drew plsudits from the sssemblage:
The convention was called TO order by
ex-Gov. Anderson. formerly of Ohio
who said substantially:
GENTLEMEN: desire to call the con-
vention to order, by the simple remark
that l hope it will be characterized by
the one energetic effort TO restore our
country to its pristine vigor and prosperity.
PRAYER, by Rev Z 7. Perkins. Music,
BY the Great Western Star Band.
Daring the music, ex President Fill
more was conducted TO q seat on the stage,
by Blanton Duncan, amid the applause Of
the assembly.
After the music, Gov. J.W. Stevenson,
of Kentucky, was introduced by Gen.
g. w. Chiffon, amid enthusiastic plaud
its. Gov. Stevenson advanced and spoke
| in substance as follows.
GENTLEMEN: The scene presente d by
this assembly is strikingly, might add
toUchingly, impressive. So many free,
noble, proud commonwealth in consulta
ton upon the coil of Kentucky; a mighty
host of great men coming from different
States of the American confederation to
consnlt upon questions touching our ma
terial prosperity and civil liberty,
There is joy in your coming. The very
scene itself is electric. The genius of
patriotism seems to be lowering over these
walls, and the sainted spirits of our fore
fathers seem TO bid US God-speed. APP
plause. All hail your coming. We re-
ioice 10 receive you and make you the re.
cipients of our hospitality. Thrice well
come 10 our homes and hearts. You meet
where the intellectual and physical energy
i, active and grand in its results. Human
faith falters at what is TO be accomplished
during the Iext decade. The Atlantic Is
no longer a barrier 10 communication.
Messages are hourly passing between Lon
don, Petersburg and Washington. That
sDeerine skeptic against the Atlantic cable
must soon shrug his shoulders and witness
greater achievements. Mt. Sinai has been
pierced and is being tunnelled, and the
music of the locomotive will soon resOund
amid the cliffs of perpetual SHOWS Before
tkaaN
called TO witness the greatest achievement
Time has ever known. There VIII te
gathered the crowned heads 10 witness the
completion of ship canal across the
Isthmus Of Sutz, and through that chan.
mel ships will pass ladened with the wealth
of the world, bridging the rich aud opulent
ports Of the oriental n9tionsin direct coma
munication with us. A closer and holier
union may yet celebrate that achievement.
The followers of Mahommed and Jesus
will be brought in closer communion, and
who would dare deny to day that the canal
msy not be the instrument of God Tor sup
planting the Koran of Mahommed Tor the
Bible Of Jesus?
Nor has America herself been standing
still. Everywhere in our own loved lard
the signs of improvement and moral pro-
preston are seen. From the sunny slope
of the Pacific to the surgiDg coast OF the
Atlantic a magnificent railroad Ia now
stretched. Peace has supplanted war, and
love, trust in Gods name, takes the
place of discord. The rays of glorious
peace gild every home. We have not only
one railroad to the Pacific, bat it won't
be msny wears until We have another. Ii
that ~ Ia hala vRI
Then will our country pierce through all
;ts avenues from the Atlantic 10 the Pa
cifc. In the Diet Of Holland similar
dispute to yours is going on. They are
hesitaLiDg where that line OF steamers shall
have its terminus. | ssy Norfolk. Ken
lucky says Norfolk. Applause No
iealousies. There is not heart that de-
sires the aggrSndizement of one section
/ over another. Come, then, throw all your
moral influence in favor of Norfolk. There
Is another feeling that comes over my
heart which prompts desire for Norfolk:
lis in a Commonwealth which effects her
grandeur and nobility from every fiber.
She gave this world her George Washing
ton.
Great questions will devolve upon you
You must meet the question of labor and
immigration. You must see to il that capt.
tai be not centralized in the large cities a.
the mere whim of a few capitalists. We
know no section, and although the starr
| in our emblem, like the stars above, diftel
| in glory, we have one constitution, one his
tory. Let us prove to the world that IL
developing internal grandeur and pros
| perity through State sOvereignties, we will
vet try to make our whole country the
guardian angel of mankind. lApplaus
and music by the Star band.
col. Blanton Duncan said that III,
pleasant duty had devolved upon him t;
nominate Ex.President Fillmore as Pfesi
dent of this Convention, which was re
ceiyed with deafening applause, ard unIn
imously adopted.
Gov. Stevenson then, in solemn an
eloquent language, introduced tx Pftsl
dent Willard Fillmore.
President Fillmore being introduce
was received with prolonged applause an
said:
Gentlemen Of the Convention: | apes
without preparation. Had ! prepared
speecb | phould have suppressed II ate
: the eloquent address Of your Goyerno
With all the undeserVed honors m
couutrymen have conferred upon me, l a
sure nothing has been go gratifying
this. The war is ended with its logic
events; questions have been settled tru
i never to disturb us again.
n | have a yenera on for the Constitu IL
n of the United States. believe 1t to
the best organic law that has ever be-
b | framed You know when | occupied u
n presidential chair the fugitive slave bl
N was passed. freely confess it was again
. nv feeling. | examined ii carefully, bl
found no defect in it. 1t was constitutions
and although knew when | signed it.
90 was signing my political death warrant,
s;oped it. and would have done 30 had
n taken my right arm. tApplau5'
rs This feminds me Of a convention, prov
ional and advisory, to prepare ooastIi
a ton 70 submit 10 the people. tie "
Washington presided over that conventi'
The constitution was adopted by the pc
Die, Do you want to give it NJ? ii
broad enough TO protest every one
- trust nv duty as President Of this COnVe
ton will be in every respect cordial
DIS friendly. You can do tha'. i will ht
tic but 10 announce results. | am idenuh
ret with no political party. Let the object
ce. the convention be exclusively confined
ts, the object for the which it has been call
III. / hope the gentlemen of The press will
on port the desultory remarks / have
an make, as | came entirely unprepar
Col. BlanioD Duncan moved that U
~ M. Thurston of Louisville, be apPoin
h temporary Secretary, Col. Lamb,
member from Virgins, moved in At a
an mittee be appointed to nominate v
sal Presidents and other officers.
in VA Gsskill, OF Georgia, moved
to a snbstilute, that business COMMITTEE
appointed consisting Of one member
80 each State 10 make the nominations
my yice-President. -,