Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-30

RESOLVED, That we recognize the binding
obligations of all the provisions of the Con-
stitution of the United States as they now ex-
ist, and we deprecate the discussion of issues
which have been settled in the manner and by
the authority constitutionally appointed
| In this weak form 1t would seem the de-
mocracy might have sanctioned "the new de-
parture" without jar, but violent protests at
once arose. 1t was said, to quiet the storm,
that the resolution meant nothing, that 1t only
endorsed the Constitution, but the old war
horses of the party couldn't see it in that light,
and spoke plainly against it, report OF the
| Convention has the following
Mr.. Orvis of Centre County said he could
not vote for that resolution.
Mr.. John Miller said We do practically
acknowledge the binding force of the Con-
sti,ution as it is, and l trust that there will
be no objection to this, because it is drawn
up so sensibly and SO guardedly that l think
no one ought to object to it.
Mr.. C. L. Boyle said would like to know
where the necessity exists for the Democrat
ic party to say that it submits to the provis-
ions OF the Federal Constitution. Now, if it
is intended to affirm the action of the Repub-
lican party in adopting what is known as the
XIIIth, XIVth, and XVIII Amendments,
say for one that / am opposed now, as have
Away been, to such an affirmation or indols
ing of the Republican platform, and trust it
will not be done here. The resolution means
something. What is it? If it means to APP
prove what we conceive to have been fraud,
then l IN opposed to it. ] am opposed to
any departure which will lead US Tito the Re-
publican party. am not willing that the
Democratic party should go out OF its way and
go down on its belly and do homage before
the Republican party.
Mr.. Il. l.. johnson of Cambria County said
that very many of the people in his district
had read IN good book, in which they were
told to let the dead bury their dead. The
dead issues are not of importance; that there
are live issues which are now before the peo-
pie of Pennsylvania, and which he hoped the
Democracy would be willing to meet. If this
question is not part of the Constitution OF the
United States, then there are tribunals before
which they can be brought for disposal and
if they are part of that Constitution, then
every Democrat ought to sustain them Up
on that view of the question he took his stand,
and he hoped that the resolution would pass.
The platform was a good one, and one on
which the Democracy could march on to VIC
tory.
Mr.. Biddleman of Centre SAID this Conven-
ton does not indorse negro suffrage, but it
merely recognizes the fact that there have
been amendments to the Constitution. We
are not responsible for these amendments
weonly recognize the fact.
Mr.. Hindsman said: This is indorsing ne
gro suffrage; just what the Democratic party
has been fighting. We went last Fall into
campaign and met our Republican opponents
on this constitutional amendment, and l ask
what was the result? 1t was, that in Con-
gressional District where tire was large Re-
publican majority, we elected our candidate by
500 majority, and in my own District we went
square to the people On this question, and in
creased our majority from little over 1000
to LOO. Now, how am to return to my
people and say to them We take back all we
said last Fall, and the Republicans who came
over and voted for us may go where they
think proper, we go with the Republican par
ty. Now, l say that for this reason l am OPP
posed to these resolutions.
Mr.. Cassidy, the chairman of the Commit
tee, closed the debate, speaking in favor of
the resolution; and, the Yeas and Nays being
called for, the vote was taken, and resulted
Yeas, 7G; Nays, So.
A delegate yelled out that Mr.. Cassidy
might go to the East and advocate negro sut-
frage, but he would thereby injure the Dem
ocratic party in the West, where their success
was based on opposition to negro voting.