The New York herald., 1869-09-23
Tactics OF Talmmany On the
Nominations.
THE PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.
PTesident Grants Administration Arraigntd
and the Fifteenth Amendment Condemned.
Speeches of Messrs. Tildon, B each,
Hall and Others.
SYRACUSE. Sept. %, 1869.

SYRACUSE. Sept. %, 1aea
The Democratic State Convention for 1850
met to-day at noon in Weltlng Hall, In this
central city Of the State There were no ab-
ssntees from the roll OF delegates and alter
mates but In one notable instance. that of
Ex-Governor Seymour, VINO failed to put In an ap-
pearance, but was represented by substitute
Weting Hall Is capable OF accommodating about
A00o people, but 80 little interest awakened by
the question whether new political departure
would be taken by the democratic party or whether
would still cling to the dead issues; whether It
would continue TO retrOgrade on the old track
or inaugurate new progressive policy by which 1t
would stand or fall In the great national campaign
OF 1872 that large and suggestive gap of vacant
seats were seen everywhere throughout the hall.
The day was beautifully fine, and as State
Convention usually attracts large numbers from
the surrounding country, 1t was very evi-
cent from all absence Of public demonstra-
tion and popular feeling that the events and
results OF the days proceedings had very
little attractions for the people Of the Salt City or Its
envrons. The New York and Brooklyn delegations
entered the building In full force, and as they were
attended by numerous retainers and friends who
Of course, had no office to seek or axe to grind,
ing at the familiar faces might fancy ne was IN the
wigwam In Fourteenth street instead Of in WcitIng
Haiti, Syracuse.
On the platform there were not more than two
dozen members of the party. Throughout the pro-
ceedings the calling OF the Convention to order the
speech OF the Chairman OF the Central State Com
mlttee, the nomination ana election OF the tempo
Tary Chairman and the address Of the latter, the
most unusual apathy ana depression seemed to lie
Eke apall upon the assembage 1t was only when
1lden foreshadowed In his speech the coming plat
fern Of the party that few from the country
members were given and these but served to damn
with faint praise the principles he put forth. This was
when he denounced the fifteenth amendment and
negro suffrage as repugnant 20 the spirit OF de-
mocracy. 1t must bo here said that no answering
cheer echoed back from the Tammany benches even
the slight applause Of the country members.
MR.. TILDEN's SPEECH.
On calling tho Convention to order Mr. TILpEN
satd:-
DELEGATES AND FELLOW DFMOCRATs-Scarcely
half year has passed by Of the Presidential term
Of General Grant, and yet that period has been long
enough 70 suppant even In the minds of republi-
cans the brilliant anicipations they had formed at
the advent Of his administration. The period has
called BY military men surprises. against all the
watering places Of the country. Iaughser and ap-
evil war, and when there lay all about us, and
on every slde, the caamities consequent Of
She conflict this greatest OF human trusts,
nlled the mind Of Washington with anxious solici-
tude, now expanded to the care OF six-and-thirty
millions OF human beings, is In the mind OF Gene
raj Grant, scarcely q sense OF serious duty At the
close OF the civil war, IN which have perished
0 'ne our na Nv M
two thousand milllons-at time when industry Ia
oppressed by heavy taxes, and when all the pro-
cesses Of production are obstructed by a revenue
system the most complicated and tarin the most
burdensome forced upon the country in the hour Of
our national agony by greedy mOnopolists, who
then obtained influence in the halls OF Congress-at
saoh time these grave and responsible duties are
the occasion and incentive OF career OF amuse
ment carnival OF holiday pleasures They
are huge joke. The instincts OF the nation
read the spirit Of government IN little things 1t
was but O few days ago that met one Of the most
eminent republicans in the United States, ana he
put up his hands with gesture that awed me into
silent attention snd sa,dMl w tel tel you one thing
author Of this unexpected communication is conf
Dental; but the secret itself is known to the whole
republican party: Notwithstanding that grave mat
ters or natiOnal concern are treated with levty,
the administration OF General Grant has been
assiduously endeavorng to work what is practically
the constitution OF our government. mean the suf
lsage by the fifteenth amendment. They attempt
In the nrst place, to take from the people OF the
States that control Of the suffrage which they .have
mmemorlay exercised, OF saying who shall vote
question to CONGRESS-. They are creating a state Of
the law in which, by change OF the naturalization
nws hall million OF Chinese may be brought into
consent, and in fact, against the WILL OF the people
Of the State Of New York. They are creating state
Of the law IN which, without any change N the
naturalization laws half mil Ion OF liberated Air
can slaves can come within this state and become
voters against the VIII OF the people OF this State
Now, gentlemen let me not be told that half
million OF Chinese Will not come, that half
million OF Africans Will not come. What object 10
y that such state Of the law Is greeted. IL has no
enect no practical purpose; 1t has no utility. II 1t
n going into effect practically to the extent Of Its
against the people OF this state and every other
state against whom the measure may be enforced.
This Is not all. In tne second place the measure
present no state legislature change the suffrage
laws In State. You can only change 1t by an
in this State to be twice submitted to the people.
Now, say this fifteenth amendment takes away all
voice from the people In this important matter and
gives 1t to Congress, as IN any ordinary matter Or
legislation. Again. by the vague, loose, general
phraseology Of the second section Of the fifteenth
determining what legislation is necessary to carry
out the amendment Any legislation that Congress
may think 1T Is authorized .l, under n this section
amendment may be carried in particular State or
district under state laws and may appoint inspec-
laws and may send United States marshals into
each district TO govern the workings Of the law In
s o
capable or the most dangerous construction,
put upon it II the republican parti remain
IN power. tAppause.) And how Is this measure to
pc carried out and made the law OF the land9 il Is
by force and by fraud, and by no other means
Virginia, whom we fought and conquered because
ene tried to 60 out OF the Union Is now considered
ou and s required to submit to this alienation
sne franchise as condition to her readmission; and
snen tnst being gained her assent is employed to
establish ana enforce the same rule In the State
Of New York, which fought against her. For 1t Is
not now law for Virginia or South Carolina but q
law l0I new YORK, for Pennsylvania. that s to be
eotaDisned and enforced by the c0erced assent OF
virginia. say, then. that the force Ia exercised
AGAINST u.s. the people OF the United States. IL Is o
forcible cnange OF the suage IN the States lately In
revolt IN the rights ofwar or tho alleged necessl-
ties created by the war, what excuse can there be in
tnnicting the same measure on those who fought
on our side as upon those who fought
against u.s. IL has In IL also another
element OF fraud The platform on which
General Grant was elected pledged the republican
party to leave the suffrage question in the loyal
that pledge. The people who voted for MIN voted