Year: 1860

The Previous Question Sustained Stormy Discussion


ALMOST A ROW IN CONVENTION.


The galleries densely crowded with spectators tl
morning. in anticipation of the impending struggle in III,
by ladies. The several delegations were early in the
Seats and the outside pressure had evidently to a con
siderable extent flowed into the body of the Convention
every available foot of space the floor appearing be
occupied as early as ten o'clock.


The Convention called to order at quarter.pas
ten O'Clock


The Rev. HEyaY sLIcER, of the NJ. E. Church, offered
the following


Almighty God, Maker of all things, Redeemer, Preser
yer and Judge of all with gratitude and gladness
acknowledge thy being and thy administration Uples:
Thou keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain
and unless Thou build the house build I'D the
OF the nation men labor unavailingy We acknowledge
with deep cOntritiOn of rebellion against
thy governmen-our multtudinous delnquencies in du
ty-and we acknowledge that it is because thy compass
sions fail not that We not consumed Be mercf fu
unto us miserable offenders and for the great Redeemer
sakeft upon the light of thy favor and fill our hearts
with the gadness and joy of thy salvation. We bless
Thee for the goOdly land in which DWELL happy
institutions under which exist for our civil liberty
and religious freedom which enjoy; and we thank
Thee that in the darkest hours of Colonial history
and amidst the pers that from time time have envi
roned the Confederacy thy pillar of cloud has
gone before our people, dscomtng foes and guiding
our destiny If we not Godorsaken if Thou hast not
turned toward the indications of thy diSpeasure still
let the pillar of cloud and fire 90 before the American
people, and still continue unto the blessings which
Thou hast voucsafed to fathers us hitherto;
grant that these representatives or delegates of the
people, assembled here for the execution high public
trust be richly endowed with spirit of Justice
forbearance conciation and compromise such as has
characterized patriot fathers, when they laid the
broad foundatians and reared the superstructure OF
our civil and religious liberties. And while they
are here employed in the public business, let the
shield OF thy protection be the guarantee OF safety
to their wives and their children at their homes
and may the good hand of God be upon ALL guiding
and defending, and comforting and delivering in
the future. We pray God that the spirit of faction in
this country may be ebuked and that everywhere
OF the civil and religious liberties of the people and
the Union OF these States fill the public mind and
the public hear-that the liberties of this republic and
the Union of these States may endure as long as the
the great Redeemers sake, and bring into thy King
dom and glory in Christ. Amen.


Mr. DAWSON, OF Pennsylvania moved that the reading
| of the journal be dispensed with.


The motion agreed to.


The PRESIDENT-Reports from Committees il
| order.


THRILLING SCENE
A pause followed this announcements when tremen
dou crash was heard in the centre of the budng
pied by the New York and Pennsy delegations
1t was observed that the of in that part of the
building sinking out of sight The widest panic
and excitement for the moment prevailed many appar
emily imagining that the whole edifce about
bic about their Two or three excited individuals





and left of the stage, achieved speedy though very
graceful exit through those OrifceS, and took the
heels For aught we tell they may be running yet
Persons in the gallery who could overlook the and
readily perceived the nature of the catastrophe generally
maintained their composure and their seats but the
OF men on the floor rushed wildly in every direction away
from the sinking portion, like boiling
The President pounded with his gavel and shouted
"order-gentemen will keep their Seats An impres
sion generally prevailed the floor and in the galleries
In consequence of the peculiar noise of the crash that
psto-shots had been fired and this added greatly
to the alarm Several small
down and trOdden under foot by their terrified com
patriots Two three of the reporters whose seats were
contiguous to the scene, hurled from their seats
the stampede, to the imminent danger of their
the great damage Of their beavers Ladies hreked away
in dsmay, and for minutes it as if terrible
catastrophe was imminent. Order at length par
TALLY restored and it was ascerained that was
eriousy injured.


Mr., RYNDEEs, of New York-oh, so long as the plat
form holds good, it will all go straight Only plank
has gone [Laughter.l


Mr. CoCHRANE, of New York; hope the Convention
VIII repair its PLATFORM for New York and Pennsylvania
nave gone down together. Laughter


Mr. LUDLOW, of New York.-Mr. President, in view o.
the TACT that there the floor three times
many men as the authorized number of delegates
that we take recess for one hour.
Noices-"Oh, no, no -


The PREsIDENT.-How the seats be otherwise re
paired?


The motion agreed to- and the President requested
delegates to clear the floor in order that the injury tht
seats might be repaired.


Mr. STUART, of Michigan, addressing the President
hoped that gentlemen who have right here might bt
excluded, and asked the President to direct the officers
the door to take up the tickets the delegates should
come in after the recess in order that the Convention
might not be again oyerrun with those who had bust
ness the floor.


Mr. WRIGHT, of Massachusetts, said he rose to ques
ton OF privilege 1t very evident that this floor
encumbered with twice as much weight ought to be
upon it, 1t the privilege of delegates to hold the
seats 10 Whch hey were entitled and he insisted that
the Sergeant Arms should it that but dele
| gates were admitted.


Mr. STUART said the only remedy against this abuse
was he would suggest that all tickets whether held by
delegates reporters should be given as those who
| held them came in.


The PRESIDENT remarked that during the sitting of the
Convention at Charleston he had ventured to take that
STEP and he would have done it but sug
gesons that had been made in reference his
would now, however, in view of the accident which
had Just occurred assume to direct that ticke
upon being presented for admttance shall be delivered
up to the officer and a check given in place of it.


:, MI MI IoARTCDont give any checks They will ust
The PRESIDENT said he would give checks, then,
THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.


The hall after cleared and Workmen proceeded
to repair the damage which was found not to be very
ensive. The supports of single section of the tempo
rary platform over the pit riding ring had given way
allowing the flooring in that part to settle two three
feet During the the ladies and gentlemen
pyng the galleries. were by order of the President
lowed to remain and in the meantime were regaled by
various musical selections patriotic airs &c, performed
by the Brass Band which came from Philadelphia witt
the keystone Club and was stationed in the upper gal
lery. The damage speedily repaired, and the dele
gates were admitted surrenderng their tickets they


The Convention was again called to order at a quarte
past IL O'Clock.


| AN OLIVE BRANCH REJECTED.


Mr.. CRAIG of Missouri-Mr, President desire to ore
the following resolutions, which will send to the Secre
tary that they may be read.


Mr.. McCooK, of 0ho-I object to the introduction o
the resolutions.


Mr.. CRAIG-I have right to have them read pre-
sume for information and to let them to the Commit
| tee on Resolutions or on the Platform.
| Mr.. MCCooK-I make point of order that the frs
business in order before the Convention is the report
the Standing Committee on Credentials and submi
that until that this
fully organized, it is unnecessary to submit TO pro
position either for its action or its information.


Mr.. CRAIG-l admit the position taken by the gentle
man from Ohio, that the report from the Committee oil
Credentials is privileged matter but they not herr
demanding it. There is standing rule Of this Conven


on that all resolutions presented in reference plat
form shall go to the Platform Committee without debate
and ask the courtesy of the Convention. | deem thu
resolutions have sent up to constitute olive branch
and believe that they will be acceptable to this body
ask as courtesy that they may be read.
The PREsIDENT-The only question now pending is th
question of order.


Mr.: CRA1G-Perhaps the gentleman from Ohio will
withdraw it.


| Mr.. MCCooK-No, sir.


| The PREsIDENT-The gentleman from Ohio objects Il
the proposed resolutions as not now in order The Chai


requests the Convention to revert to the fact that at tn
moment of the cause of our separation hour ago. tn
Chair had announced that the matter in order the
ports OF committees and the Chair waiting for
ports to be presented. Without deciding the genera
question: whether if report be made resolution
would be in order the Chair is opinion upon
call oil the Char under the rules of the Convention tn


rst business is the reception of reports committees


Mr.. CRAIe-Wii the Chair allow me to appeal to tn
| Convention to let the resolutions be read?
| Voices-''I object"


Mr.. CRAIG-Then if the Chairman of the Committee OF
Credentials not here demanding his privilege to
the report, ask if am not in order in presenting M
resolutions


The PREsIDENT-Tte Chair will decide that question
when it arises, but the gentleman from Missouri (Mr
Krum) has taken the floor to make report
THE REPORTS oP THECoMMITTEE ON cREDgNrIALs
| Mr.. KRUM of Missouri Chairman of the Committe
| on Credentals)-M President, the Committee Gre
dentals now desire to present their report. think
can make myself heard, and trust my brother member
of this Convention will give their attention while tn
committee present the result of their labors in the form
of this report Allow me- before proceeding read tha
report, to advert to fact two which regard as no
inappropriate. It the first time in the history of tn
Democratic party when questions Of the kind which hay