Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-09-04
The National Democratic Con.
vention at Louisville, Ky.
The Convention Adjourned without
Decision.

Louisville, Ky, 3. The National Demo-
cratic Convention met to day in the Common
Pleas Court Room of the Court House. Pre-
vious to and during the assembling of dele
gates. the second regimental National band of
Philadelphia, played various national airs.
About one o'clock, Col. Duncan called the
convention to order. Rev. DR.. Pratt address
sed the throne of grace in prayer for concord
and peace, from sectional jealousies through
out the land. Col. Duncan then spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention 1T is my
duty to call this assemblage to order. Its
objects are well known, and requires no ex-
PLANTATION. We have been characterized as
boilers, mercenaries, &C.. by editors and
politicians, who have sought an alliance with
faction of the radical party, and who have
abandoned all the principles which hitherto
characterized our oganization. 1t is not my
province to cast reflections on these leaders
in whose wisdom and judgment the party un-
fortunately confded their action is invalid and
void. 1t has no binding effect upon other in
diyidual members of the party, and it has al
ready been repudiated by hundreds of thou
sands. No spirit of presumptious forward
ness induced the gentlemen who acted with
me to appeal to the American democrats
against the fragrant violation Of party faith
and the utter negation of principle involved
in the nomination of Greeley. We did it
with higher and nobler motive. We did it
to vindicate truth and to protest against the
offered reward of political treason to one
who had occupied life time in
the bitterest animadversion of those
whose support he now has saueht.
If your call had been failure our duty
would have been none the less performed
But there was sympathy in the American
hen la to, 81, 81
harmonious tones to the musicians touch.
There is love for honesty, a veneration for
principles, deep rooted desire for reform in
the hearts of American people, and the as
semhlage l see before me to-day evinces an
earnest intention to uphold the banner which
has fallen from nerveless and incompetent
hands, and to prove that the old organization
is not dead, but only sleeping. 1t has not
died of its corruption as the latter day Saints
proclaim. who are SO eager for its destruc
ton. 1t will not hold out hopes of reward
for party treason, nor brides to secure REIN
forcements from the enemies camp. The
eyes of the whole country are directed to this
convention, and many anxious hopes are to
be verified or blasted according, as wisdom
or its negative shall be the controlling spirit
of our deliberations. We can make this body
a famous one in history, 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 infu-
ence. We want no hydra headed platform
which can be construed according to the
wishes of the reader, for We have clear and
undoubted theories which have but one in
Experimentation expounded in the
North or in the South. We can have no
intent te reopen questions of the past which
the sword has so bloodily decided. We will
give no encouragement to ought that looks
towards revolution; nor can we whilst sub
hitting to inevitable and powerless to re-
verse what had been accomplished, satisfy
ourselv, shy commentator of acts performed
in violation of the Constitution. We must
seek our alliance upon principles. We must
if we can, impress upon the minds of the la
boring class, who constitute vast majority
Of our population, a full conviction of our
country and our sincerity in behalf of the
measures tending to benefit them We should
prove our friendship by action which may
sppease the conflicts between capital and la
Dor through wise compromises acceptable to
both; and while capital has rights which we
should not infringe, labor is entitled to earn
est consideration, for it is the parent OF
wealth, it is the home and sinew of the land.
1t is a laborous 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 en-
ergy of my mind and body directed to the
accomplishment of that object. The sinceri-
ty of my motives should avert criticism, and
if there has been errors of omissions or
commission, they should be overlooked, for
the spring of my action has been intent to do
right and to aid in the preservation of the
party and the perpetuation of its principles,
as the sole hope for the future of the coun-
try. And now gentlemen, weary as l am in
mind and body, there is an absolute sensa-
ton of relief that can rid myself of I'M
posed duties and abdicate my functions.
At the close of his speech, Mr.. Duncan in
troduced Levi Schatfield of N. Y, as tempo
rary chairman.
Cheers followed this announcement and
three hearty cheers were also given for Mr..
Duncan.
Mr.. Schatfeld was then unanimously cho-
sen, and on reaching the platform made an
eloquent speech.
MIR. Duncan moved that VIM. +. Ferry of
Michigan be appointed temporary chairman.
Carried.
Mr.. Spaulding of N. Y, presented
sealed letter from Charles O'Connor. He
said that it had been placed in his hands with
instructions that the seal be broken only af-
ar the convention should have organized.
O'Connor's letter was referred to the COM
mittee on platform,