Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-03-22
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
DELEGATE To CONGRESS CHOSEN.
.N-O.uE.ysTEO.V or II, r.. .uRRRFCH.
Hts Address TO the COnye1tion.

.NO.HE.N.fTEO.V OF u. r.. .HERRECH.
Hts Address TO she Convention.
La7s night the delegates elected at recent
meetings OF the democratic voters OF the twenty
two legislative districts into which the District
Columbia is divided, for the purpose of nomi-
mating Delegate on the democratic and con.
sentative ticket TO represent the new territory
in Congress, assembled In convention at Caru-
sis Hall. Besides the delegates, there were a
large number Of spectators present. the hall
being filled. Mr.. Zeph. Jones, Of the Thirteenth
Jesse b. Wilson, OF the Fifteenth district, was
elected temporary chairman, and Joseph III.
Bradley, DR., secretary. A committee on per-
mans mt rganization was selected, who In few
minutes submitted the name of Col. James q.
Berret for president, and those of j. II. Brad
ley, Dr.. and 1. Fenwick Young as secretaries,
and they were unanimously elected.
REMARKS OF COL. BERRET.
Col. Berret, on taking the chair, remarked that
for the frst time in the history OF the capital
they had met in convention to perform a higher
duty, and to execute more sacred trust than
they had ever been called upon to discharge
before. he predicted that this convention would
secure tor liz nominee triumphant election at
the polls. Such q result would be hailed
throughout the length and breadth of the land
Is another solemn proclamation that the old
democratic and conservative p .rty, n.s for he
sake II office, but for the love IF county,, is
about TO bring the government back to that
pure ard healthful condition which character
lied and made illustrious the period OF the
Fathers of the Republic.
The roll of delegates was called aud few
vacancies wee filed.
Col. Jehitl Brooks, as the first delegate on the
roll, and probably the oldest man present. asked
TO submit as the candidate for Delegate the
name of Mr.. Richard L. Me- rick. lApplause.i
Mr.. j. T. Ennis moved that a committee on
Platform be appointed; which was agreed to.
A committee OF one from each district was
thereupon appointed, and retired. In a few
minutes the committee returned, and through
Mr.. Ennis reported
RESOLUTIONS:
"That the education of its people is one of the
highest duties of every community, to which
purpose an ample fund shall be dedicated for
the benefit of all alike, aud we hold tina. proper
regard for the interest Of each Of the races con-
shutting this community requires, tn At the fund
80 dedicated should be distributed in proper
lions corresponding in amount to the number
OF ~hlte AND colored citizens for separate schools
Tor each respectively. But We earnestly depre-
cate as unjust and unwise the principles avowed
by the Territorial government, that these schools
should be organized without distinction or dis
examination as TO race or color" believing that
forced union of white and colored children in
the public schools will produce irritation, ami.
mosities and disorder between the children of the
respective races-retard the educa ton and tend
10 the Generalization Of each-and ultimately
&c stroy the entire system of public schools.
mat the administration of the Territorial gov
eminent of this District should be free from
the control of partisan preiudices and sympa.
thies, and that the avowal of Governor Cooke
made TO the radical convention in this city, on
the 9TH day OF the present month, shat the Ter
ritorial government should be administered in
the interest OF the republican party, and no one
who was not tried republican should hold
ONCE hereunder imperatively demands Of all
democratic and conservative citizens that they
unite to oppose and defeat the mschieyous
schemes to sacrifice the true inter ests OF the
people to Political party, and thereby degrade
national capital. That the enormous increase
OF tsxes and immense augmentation or the
indebtedness during the years Of radical mis-
rule have seriously deprecated the credit of
this District and retarded its material pros
perity, and that rigid economy and strict &C
countabiiity are indispensably nece sssry to
the good name of this District from dishonor.
That all combinations or rings organized to
impose new burdens on tax payers, for selfish
objects and through sinister schemes deserve
to be exposed, rebuked, and resisted by every
every lawful and proper means" The resolu-
tons were adopted.
Mr. X. K. Elliot offered resolutions that the
president OF this convention be empowered TO
appoint central committee, consisting of
twenty-five members, Zone from each distiict0
whose duty 1t shall be to superintend and con-
campaign, and who shall have the exclusive
control and direction of the same, on beh ALT of
the democratic ard conservative voters of the
District OF Columbia; that said committee be-
and they are hereby, authorized and empo wered
TO appoint subcommittee. consisting of =
members in each district, whose duty il shall
De, under the direction of the central commit
Tee, TO superintend and conduct the general
business Of the campaign as aforesaid, in their
respective districts. The resolutions were
adopted
Judge j. W. Moore offered resolution ab,ut
the New Hampshire election, which was
Coz. Brooks moved that the convention pro-
CANDIDATE FOR DELEGATE
to Congress; agreed to.
. Col. Brooks again submitted the name OF Mr..
Mr.. Fendsll moved that the nomination be
made by reclamation.
Mr.. Eliot moved that the roll be called;
Mr. G. Wright, of the Seventeenth district
nominated MT. T. Lloyd.
The roll was called, and nearly all the dele
gates voted FOR Mr.. Merrick; Mr.. Lloyd receiv-
ing 10 or II.
Before the vote was announced Mr. Wright
asked to change the vote Of the Seventeenth
district delegation to Mr.. Merrick.
Mr.. Dubant moved that Mr.. Merrick be de.
clared the unanimous choice Of the conventions;
carried amid vOciferous cheering.
Judge Moore moved the appointment of .
inform Linn Of his nomination, and invite him TO
the contention; carried, and Messrs. Moore,
Ennis, and Fendall were appointed.
with Mr.. Merrick, who was received with cheers.
SPEECH OP nh. MHRRICK.
On being introduced to the convention by Col
Berret, Mr.. Merrick addressed the convention
at length-the revolutions being frst read for
his information. at his own request. He returned
his thanks for the high compliment paid him by
the nomination, and accepted the position on
their platform, which he heartily endorsed
He said that there was on his part a genuine
accord with that resolution which saws this Dis
trict should be free from party politics. Our
fathers made and intended this District forever
as neutral ground. 1t was designed IS place
where all might meet as friends; as a SPOT All
would be glad to aid in building up, and as one
which the local discussions OF remote places
should not disturb. He understood that the ter
ritoriai bill was framed and des gned to carry
out this original Intention, and to secure to this
District perfect freedom from party politics;
but that hope was delusive, and we have seen
with pain and regret the organization OF our
government upon partisan basis and its DOW
ers committed exclusively to the men of one
alone OF the great political organizations of the
country; and We have learned with vet deeper
regret that the executive of the Territory has
made, in the language OF the resolution, the open
avowal, in his party convention, that he inten-
ded to administer the functions of his OFF ce i'm
the ezctusiee interest Of the republican party.
That party convention thus assembled, which
endeavored, and, to some extent, ccomplished.
the consolidation of the party I'm co-operation
with the Territorial executive, made maifest Ia
the people that it was their purpose to AFRO
gate to themselves In their party oresni.
cation the exclusive administration of the Dis
trieto OF Columbia, for their own benefit and With
out regard to the general interest Of the people.