Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-04
The Louisville Convention.
Organization of the acknowledgement
by BIantOn Duncan-O'COnOr's Letter.

during the assembling of delegates, the second
regiment national band of Philadelphia played
various airs.
About one O'Clock, Col Duncan called the
convention to order and Rev. DIR. Pratt addressed
the throne of grace in prayer for concord and
peace and freedom from sectional iealOusies
throughout the land. Col. Duncan then spoke
as follows -
Gentlemen of the Convention: 1t is my duty
to call this assembly to order. Its objects are
well known and require no explanations. We
have been derisiYely characterized as bolters
mereenaries, etc, by editors and politicians who
have sought an alliance with a faction of the
radical party, and who have abandoned all
principles which hitherto characterized their
organization. 1t is not my province to cast
reflections upon the motives of these leaders,
in whose wisdom and judgment the party unfor-
tunately eOnfide Their action is invalid and
void. 1t has no binding effect upon other indi
vidual members of the party, and it has already
been repudiated by hundreds of thousands. No
spirit OF prcSumptiouS furwardneSS induced the
gentlemen who acted with me to appeal to
American democrats against the fragrant viola
ton of party faith and utter negatIOn of princi-
pie involved in the nomination of Greeley, We
did it with higher and nobler motive; we did it
TO vindcate the truth, and to protest against the
offered reward for political treason to one who
had occupied a life time in the bitterest animad-
version of those whose support he now has
sought
II our call had been failure, our duty would
have been none the less performed but there
was sympathetic chord in the American
heart which responded in enthusiastic and
harmonious tones to the musicians touch. There
is love for honesty, u veneraion for principle
deep rooted desire for reform in the hearts Of
the American people; and the aSsemblage | see
before me to-day evinces an earnest intention TO
uphold that banner which had fallen from
nerveless and incompetent hands, and to prove
that the old organization is not dead, but only
sleeping (Applause.l 1t has not died of its
corruptions, as the latter day saints proclaim,
who are so eager for its destruction. 1t will not
hold out hopes of reward for party treason nor
brides to secure generals from the enemy's
camp. The eyes of the whole country are di-
rected to this convention, and many anxious
hopes are to be realized or blasted, according as
wisdom or its negative shall be the controlling
spirit OF our deliberations.
We can make this body famous one in his
tory, as the source from which the future policy
and destiny Of the country is to be shaped. We
can make it equally insignificant and destitute
OF influence. We want no hydra-headed plat
form, which can be construed according to the
wishes of the reader, for we have clear and I'M
doubted theories which have but one interpreta-
ton, whether eXpounded in the north or in
the south. We can have no intent 10 reopen
questions Of the past, which the sword has SO
blOodily decided. (Applause.) We will give
no encouragement to aught that looks towards
revolutions; nor can we, whilst submitting to
the inevitable, powerlesS to reverse what had
been accomplished, satisfy ourselves by COM
mendatiOn of acts performed in violation of
the constitution. (Applause.)
We must seek our alliances upon principles (;
we must, if we can, impress upon the minds Of
the labOring classes, who constitute vast ma
jority of our population, Il full conviction of
our honesty and our sincerity in behalf of meas
ures tending to benefit them. We should prove
our friendship by actions which may appease
the conflicts between capital and labor through
wise compromise, acceptable 10 both. And
whilst capital has rights which we should seek
not TO infringe, labor is entitled TO earnest con-
sideration, for it is the parent of wealth, It Is
the bone and sinew of the land. (Appause.)
1t is a laborious work to attempt the reorgan-
ization of party and to create its necessary
machinery. For two months every thought OF
my brain has been monOpoliZed, every energy of
my mind and body directed to the accomplish
ment of that object sincerely. If my motives
should avert criticism, and if there has been
errors of omission or commission they should
be overlooked, for the spring of my action has
been intent to do right and to aid in the preser-
walton of the party and the perpetuation of its
principles as the sole hope for the future of the
country. (Applause.) And now, gentlemen,
weary as | am in mind and body, there is an
absolute sensation of relief that | can terminate
my self-imposed duties and abdicate my func-
tons. tAppause.)
At the close of the speech Mr.. Duncan intro
duced Levi S. Chatfeld of New York as temper
airy chairman. Cheers followed this announce
ment, and three cheers were also given for Dun
can. Mr.. Chatield was then unanimously
chosen.
Mr.. Chatfield, on reaching the platform, said
the circumstances calling us together, the crisis
of the democratic party, stricken down in the
house of its friends, call for careful considera-
ton, and the application of such remedies as
are in our power. As long as the democratic
party is true TO its principles, the people of the
United States were true to the party. Zap
plause.l 1t only lost its power when their ten
dency to Capitalization got control
He had no doubt that if the party had not
been sold out and cloven down at the Baltimore
convention, the democratic party would have
surely triumphed in the approaching contest
Their assumed representatives sold out the party
to an old white hat and coat For, let me tell
you, that is all there is of him. (Applause).
The speaker denied that the delegates had any
right to transfer him or his hearers to the repub-
lican party, or Greeley (Applause). And we
are here TO see if we cannot correct that trans
action. We owe thanks to Duncan, Flanders,
and Others, who were present at that scene and
protested against the sale and transfer then and
there attempted. He said he was a democrat,
born one, and would always be one, and il he
was the last remaining man here, he would
wrap the old flag around him and lay him down
TO die therein. (Cheers)
MIR. Duncan moved that VIM. NJ. Ferry of
Michigan be appointed temporary secretary !;
carried.
Mr. Spaulding of New York presented sealed
letter from Charles 0'Conor. (rhree rousing
cheers, which were repeated, for 0'Conor.) Mr..
Spauldiug said it had been placed IN his hands,
with instructions that the seal be broken only
after the convention should have organized.
(Appause.)
Mr.. Spaulding then handed it to the chair
man, who asked the pleasure of the convention
about it. (Cries of Read, read.")
The motion to read was carried, and Secretary
Ferry proceeded to read the letter.
The letter of Charles O'Conor refers to the
past history of the country, and then passes to
the reform movement in New York during the
past year, which developed u desire to extend
the movement throughout the country.
He refers to official patronage, of which prac-
tice he considers Greeley an especial cham
pion, and no organized body of opponents to
this practice ever existed except the dem
ocratic party. And yet, by decree of
convention assuming TO represent that
party, Greeley has been gazetted as
opposition to that proceeding has a
deeper source than mere attachment to the
party. Aside from party sentiment (he says),
my views of public interest and of existing pub
lie necessities compel me to repudiate the Balti-
more nomination of Mr.. Greeley. The old pol
icy of the democratic party, if there were one
among the master spirits of the age inclined to
adopt it, could not be adopted by Greeley. The
success of Grant might involve no important
consequences, but that of Greeley would conse-
crate practices absolutely incompatible with the
permanency of republican institutions.
He discusses the financial policy of the gov
eminent, condemning the borrowing system.
He says his deep aversion to the policy of the
government in this and other things induces
him TO encourage the movement represented at
Louisville; but in the event of the presentation
of his name to the convention, he begs leave re-
spectfully TO withdraw it. A choice can be made
from many reliable rcformers. have love of
absolute independence which can hardly be
maintained in public office. desire to pro-
mote success instead of impeding it,, and belief
that he can thus best perform the individual
citizens quota of public service, has created in
his mind an unalerable resolve TO remain in
private station.
O'Conors letter was referred to the committee
on platform.
A committe of one from each state was APP
pointed on credentials, as folows
New York, John j Van Allen; South Carolina,
y ID Stokes; Pennsylvania, j Jacobs; Maryland,
Edward Sackett; Delaware, A Brown; Ohio, b
High Michigan, VIM NJ Wheaton; Georgia. w
Brennan; Kansas, s w Brooks; Wisconsin, w l.
KENNETH Iowa, 7 j Seayer; Missouri, II Martin
Williams; Kentucky, Samuel l. Geiger; Tennessee
II # Parishi North Carolina, w X Trant; West
virginia, Cyrus Vance; California, Samuel j Bay
ard New Jersey, Benz Potts; Mississippi, W