The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-19
1860.

A Year Pregnant With Interest to Demo-
Gratis Throughout the Broad Land.
This was year pregnant with interest to
Democrats throughout the country, and in
the National Convention OF that year at
Charleston, South Carolina, and at the adj
sourned convention held at Baltimore, Ohio
Democrats figured cons spicuously. The rupture
between Buchanan and Douglas had been car
eied into politics outside of the State of Illi-
nois, in which State the "Little Giant" was
all-powerful. The policy of Douglas was not
received with favor in the South, and the
Secessionists, under Yancey, who desired a
dissolution of the Union. eagerly caught at
his views upon the doctrine of popular SOW
erignty in the Territories to influence the ex-
tremists of their section.
The Democratic National Convention met
at Charleston, s. c., on the 23d of A pril, 1860,
and was composed of delegates from all the
thirty-three States of the Union. 1t num-
bered S03 delegates, and as the two-thirds rule
had not been abrogated, it required 2O2 votes to
make nominations.
Ohio's delegates were T. c. Kennedy Durbtn
Ward, W. NJ. Stark, R. E. RunkIe, George
Spence, E. +. Dickinson, Ahner NJ. Jackson,
Thomas MoNally, Wells a. Hutchins, Lot L.
Smith, e. f. Bingham, Wayne Griswold, Geo.
3. Smythe, j. a. Marchand, John Tiff, J. z.
jehries, ]. 6. Stewart, R. H. Nugen, S. Il. Hos
W. W. Cones, ]. s. Way, W. Eaton, Samuel
Lahni, 8. D. Harris, J. W. Gray, David Tod, d.
3. Woods, 7. S. Woods, j. G. BresIln, B. +.
Potts.
RADICAL DIFFERENCE ON SLAVERY.
Caleb Cushing, of Massachusetts,, presided
From the first radical difference of opinion
was exhibited among the delegates on the
question of slavery in the Territories. 1t was
agreed that no ballot should be taken for
President until a platform should be adopted
The Committeeman on Resolutions from
Ohio was Henry 3. Payne, of Cuyahoge
County. This committee was appointed on
the second day of the convention. On the
third day no progress was made, although
there was an angry debate between Northern
delegates and those from the cotton States
On the 9th the Platform Conn mittee, falling
to agree, reported an assortment of platforms
Mr.. Avery, of North Carolina, presented the
majority report giving the views of the
South-that Congress had not power tc
abolish slavery in the Territories: that the
Territorial Legislature had no power tc
abolish slavery in the Territories, nor to pro
hibit the introduction of slaves therein, no
any power to destroy or impair thu
right of property in slaves by AM
legislation whatever; that any enact
ments Of State Legislature to defeat th'
faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law
are hostile in their character, subversive o
the constitution and revolutionary in thei
effects.
MINORITY REPORT.
The principal minority report, which wa
presented by Mr.. Henry B. Payne, of Ohio
and signed by the mem bers of the committe
from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio
Indiana, IlliD ois, Michigan, W iseonsfn, Iowa
Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania (al
the Free States except California, Oregon an,
Massachusetts,, reaffirmed the Cincinnati
platform; declared that all rights of propert
are judicial in their character, and that tn
Democracy pledge themselves to defer to tn
decisions of the Supreme Court on the sub
1ect; ample protection to citizens, native o
naturalized, at home or abroad; aid to "a Ps
oific Railroad;'' the acquisition of Cuba, an
that all State resistance to the Fugitive Slav
law is revolutionary and subversive of tn
constitution.
4IE. Payne stated that his report alth houg
a minority one, represented l72 Electora
votes, while the majority report represente
cnly l27 Electoral votes.
Mr. Avery spoke at length In favor of hi
report Hon. 81. B. Payne replied at length t
him in an able, dignined and eloquent speech
In " hich he favored the Douglas visW q