Year: 1860

VIM. v Bowen, of Montgomery, said that while he
was in favor of the proposition Of Mr. Dorsey if the pre
cedent had not been set, but proxies having been ad
mtted heretofore he would be compelled vote ainst
It, The question put when Mr. Freaner called for
the yeas and and the proposition was lost nv vote
of yeas to % nays.


Mr. Belt offered the following preamble and resolution;


Whereas The results of the National Democratic Con-
Vention were such as to produce difference Of sentiment
ana possibly to lead 10 diversity action IN the party I'm
this State and Whereas there has been general ex-
preston of opinion that there should be conference Of
the Democracy of Maryland to determine the course
proper to be pursusued by them. Therefore
osoeo nat the Democratic voters of the several
and the city of Baltimore be- and they are hereby
requested to appoint delegates to State Convention o
assemble a in the city of Baltimore Thursday the I'd
9ay Oh august next, TO take such action as NAV be
eNpe1ient In view of the present condition and
prospects of the party. "10
iSted Whch mad never had precedent the history of
the party Two Conventions had met in Baltimore and
1ona'e6 can9Iates ior the Presidency and Vice
fresluehcy one OF those nominations the National
party Both could not be- This committee had no
TO settle the question The electors who selected
previous to the action of the National Convention could
not settle it, Therefore proper to refer the
ton to the people for settlement. There unanimity
in regard to this proposition, no doubt the oueston
would be finally settled and harmony would prevail in
the party. He therefore seconded the resolutions


Gen Hammond, Of Anne Arundel, said that he was
sorry that he compelled say anything on the sub
ject He did not think the passage of the proposition
would give harmony to the party. On the contrary he
venton, it would only tend widen the breach and re
suit disadvantageously to the party, only in ma
tOna view, Dut also regard State
thought that the proper mode would be to call two
ventons to meet in the city, the same ay one
from each wing of the party If this DONE the two
conventions could no doubt bring harmony out of the
distracted state of the party He only made these
suggestions and did not offer resolution that effect


Mr. Bowie of Montgomery said that while he had tba
highest respect for his friend Gen Hammond as wise
counsellor he compelled to that the proposons
he had offered amounted to nothing He favor of
settling this question face to face. Two Conventions
would not do it, Their action would amount to nothing
he was opposed to pocus and short cuts and
Conventions could lead to nothing else us meet like
brothers in Convention and abide by decision
the Convention. In his opinion the Democratic National
Convention had not made Presidential nomination Two
nominations had been made and left for the people
to decide between them. This to be DONE either as in
dividuals collective body and he favored the last
made. There necessity for division in the he.
mocratc party and by proper counsel the breach could
be closed


Mr. Harwood of Anne Arundel. said that he thoupbt
the safest and easiest mode of settling the difference was
to recommend the Democracy of the State support the
electoral ticket nominated py the State Convention


Dr. II. A Hunt said that the two Conventions had pub
lshed their platforms. The public mind had settled in
its principles promulgated, and no State Convention had
authority to say that of these platforms and the can
didates representing the principles national The
National Convention has settled this question and State
convention has no power overt No action by State
could bind him He stood the principles which have
been PROMULGATED by the Maryland Democracy and by
the National Democracy.


Mr.. Freaner asked if DR.. Hunt meant to saw that he
would not abide the decision Of Convention


DR.. Hunt read from the resolutions passed by the last
Democratic Convention to show that the position he occu
pied was a correct


Mr. Freaner asked if Dr. Hunt spoke for all those who
were the friends of Mr.. Douglas?


DR.. Hunt said he spoke for himself.


Mr. Dorsey asked Dr. Hunt if he would support the en-.
tire electoral ticket as it stood at present.


Dr. Hunt said that he had understood that two of the
gentlemen the ticket had said that thew would not
support Mr. Douglas under any circumstances an d
he Or Hunt was frank to say that he would not sup
port them


Mr.. Bowie again urged the. adoption of the resolu-
tions.


Gen Howard said that if was expected that those
who voted this question would Ego out and urge the
Democracy to attend Convention, he would certainly


Mr.. Dorsey-Will Gen. Hammond support the present
electoral ticket?


Gen Hammond-I will not sir


Dr. Morris, of Baltimore city called the previous ones
ton, which was carried and the question put When the
name of Mr. Shrve of Frederick county called he de
cned voting He was frank say that fa Douglas eleco
raj ticket was nominated he would support it. If an eff
fort was made to get it up he would assist in doing
the call of the name of VIM H. Norris that gentleman
stated that all the abors of the enemy frutes and
the question remained where the National Convention
left it 1t was well known fact to gentlemen on the
floor that it the intention of the friends of Mr. Doug
las to run purely Douglas electoral ticket


Mr. Shriver said that he not of it if such
was the fact, but if nominated il should receive
his support. When Mr.. Harwood's name was called,
he said that he had come into the room Douglas man
but he had changed his mind If the friends Of Mr. Dou
glas are determined to distract the party and were not
willing to take step towards Cancellation could
be classed among them lie had listened with regret
the remarks of the gentleman, Dr. Hunt) and if his
statement was the prevailing sentiment of the Douglas
wing he not of them, for them and would give
that II separate Douglas electoral
nominated, instead Of its receiving his support he
pledged himself to give it uncempromisng oppos j.
ton.


The vote proceeded, and, when General Hammond 8
name called, he refused to vote did also Doctor
Fitzpatrick, and several other gentlemen. The resou
tion carried by a vote of 35 yeas there being no
negatives although six members of the Committee
fused to vote.


On the vote being announced Hon. Henry May stepped
forward and said:


Mr. Chairman Il am in attendance here not as a mem
Der OF the committee, but at your invitation. | came
here through respect for that invitation and with hope
that might do some little towards restoring harmony in
the party selected by the last Democratic State
Convention of the electors for the State of Maryland
on the Democratic electoral ticket This done no
only without my consent, but in violation of my ex
pressed desires, As l heard of my selection
proceeded to the Convention for the purpose tendern
my resignation, but arriving at the hail. found that
had adjourned.


Occupying this position without solicitation on m,
part nevertheless feel my duty to state frankly
clearly the which is my intention to pursue il
the coming canvass and will proceed to do So Blu
first let me say, that of those who believe tina
the Democratic party cannot be destroyed Its exiStenc
does not depend the selection of an individual for OF
fee No sir hut it will exist so long as patriotism ant
the favor of God is given to the principles which hav
| tended so greatly to make this country prosperou
and happy. will not enter into discussion of the dii
ferences which now distract the party. To be party
must have political faith and to that faith we mus
cling with devotion That faith must be founded on tn
decisions of the party tribunals those decisions mus
| carry with them obedience The will of the maiorit
must be obeyed. If not, disorganization and anarch
must follow My duty is clear, and will follow it witt
|
Looking at the proceedings of the Charleston Convention
and the adjourned Convention which met in this city,
| course is plain.


The majority at Charleston adopted platform of prn
cples exponent of the views of the party On
bling at Baltimore the same platform adopted with
additional resolution, cardinal in its character With
action my guide-acton in strict compliance with tn
usage and discipline of the party, inform you in all
DOR that feel myself compelled to support the nominee
of the Front Street Theater Convention and this sha
do with all the zeal and earnestneSs which can
There can be no success without strict observance of IN
| Drin an n he


The principles adopted in the platform promulgated b.
the Front Street Theaer the those adopte
by the last Democratic Convention of this State, frOT
| which received unasked, the position which at presen
occupy, and from which derived my authority eeC
| tor They precisely identical. cannot, however
concede the right to the Democracy of this State to
from the decision of the National Convention to that
| the State Convention The unanimity, however, witt
which the proposition to call State Convention for tn
purpose of settling the dispute has been adopted by th
Convention is evidence that there two opinions
the matter notwithstanding my poor abilities will no
| permit me to see it,


IT. sir the right of the State Convention act in thes,
premises is conceded then each State would have righ
to act in matter each State would have its sepa
nominees. When the National Convention has onc
enunciaed platform of principles, know of no rul
other than that of the Convention itself to regulate tn
action of the members of the party and accordingly be
| lieve that action of a State Convention would b.
binding the party. What have said, felt it due
candor say. shall enter this canvass with full AM
| abiding conviction that l am strictly performing m,
duty, and that, come what may, have faithfully dis
charged the responsibilities which have been placed upo
| me.





by the Democratic State Central Committee did
ceive his sanction, and although his name was signed
it, yet he had never seen it, much less given it his
proval, He differed with in all its leading features
and would not support the principles which it promu
| gated.


| The Chair-"Your name is not signed to the address


wrote it is usual for the Chairman of the Commte
| to do and stand by all the prncipesit enuncated )"
Mr.. Freaner said that he might have spoken too EN-
phac He would say he could endorse all the sent
| ments which it contained.


| Wm. II. Norris here TO defend the sentiments


the address, and asserted that they strictly in col


rmty with the resolutions adopted by the Democrat
Senators. lie also entered into an argument to prov


that the Dred Scott decision settled the question of Il
power of territorial governments to enact unfrend
| legislation in regard to slave property. He asked NJ
May if he did not so understand that decision
l Mr.. Mav-"No sir, do not"


Mr. Norrs-'Well, SIR you are the second LAWYER who
l have met who hold that the question is decided
| that decision. Mr. johnson and yourself the on
| two.n


Mr.. May-"I know many others who dissent from 70,
| views"


Mr. Norris continued speaking for some time in defen
of the position which he had assumed. Mr. Griswod,


Dorchester county, said that Mr. May, Of the Ee


tors had defined his position, he felt it his duty


Eiector, to define his position He had the respe


for the party organization He did not think that Il


National Convention had adopted a platform or nom


mated candidates according to the usages of the part


and he glad that this committee had referred II


question to the people of the State He would not ent


into discussion of the differences which divided h


party but would say that he opposed to the doctr


of Judge Douglas which allowed a territorial legisatu


to enact laws unfriendly to slave property. Such wi
| his position.


Edward W. Belt of Prince Georges county offered Il


following preamble and resolutions. Previous to reaa


them, he asked the following questions Of the no


Henry May: "lf on the meeting of the state oohvens0


1t should decide that it is the duty of the Deid


the State to support Breckinridge and Lane %UuH
| elector, advocate their election on 'S Ia