Year: 1860

thought of making second speech. In conclusion will
only repeat the sentiment expressed former Occa-
sio-that is that our deliberations and proceedings may
be characterized by harmony by decorm, and by dignity,
and that disturbing element may come IN trust we
shall not be very much embarrassed in the construction OF
platform. Laughter and applause. We ought not to
endeavor strongly to establish uniformity OF opinion on
question which all know and understand-a question
that every will at least think and feel according to his
own Judgment We have not come here to contest the
difference between the various distinctions and the sha
dOwy forms of popular sovereignty and Territorial urls
dictOn which have for time been presented and 0c
cuped large part of the attention of Congress and of
the country This is not the question which we have come
to SETTLE and do not think settle it, if we would
prefer to leave them all where the Constitution has left
them fappause j leaving every State in the full enjoy
ment of it's rights and its own independence All we
ask, genemenI speak of conservative men in that
portion of the country from which comeis that you will
manage govern, and regulate your internal affairs
cording to your own will and pleasure. On the other
hand propose to do precisely the same thing for our
/ We do not intend to burden consciences with your
offences neither do want you to burden yours with
ours but let each and every part for sef That
trust will pervade the people of this country
spirit of generous deliberaton will then be-
come the order of the day and think signs that such
is to become the pervadng spirit that has been
going on since the repeal of the Missouri compromise
trust the time is when the people will not be dis
posed to encourage their in either section
IN hurting nvecve and reprOach upon the people and
representatives. of other seconsto place themselves upon
Judgment of the conduct of other sections of


but will consult and deliberate upon those great measures
which the welfare and prosperity OF the country at
large, North South, East West IApplause. Once
invoke the spirit of harmony and union to preside
over our deliberations relying upon your fnd aa and ss
been your pleasure to devolve upon me. LAppause.]
i DISCUSSION ABOUT PLATFORM.


At the conclusion of the address motion made to
proceed Immediately the nomination of candidates for
President and Vice President of the United States.


Mr.. sHPPEN, of Pennsylvania, offered the following
| an amendment $3.50 +. ,ss-


Resolved That each State shall now nominate one person
candidate for the Presidency of the United States and
person Vice Presidents that this there
upon proceed the election such offices the
tons thus be made and that after the first three ballots the
having the lowest number Of votes on each sue
cessve ballot shall be dropped and the ballot continued until


candidate shall be duly elected by majority of the whole
number of votes cast.


Mr.. RANDOLPH of New Jersey, would beg leave to in
terup the regular of business to state that he had
just conducted to seat by the side of the President OF
the Oldest most esteemed and most honored citizens OF
New Jerseya sufficiently old to have been the
paHon associate and compatrot of Madison Jefferson,
Onaism to swerve him from his love of the Union and the
Constitution, and who stood he had stood in the
early days of the Republic devoted to all sections of his
common country He therefore moved that the Hon. Lewis
COndct of New Jersey be declared honorary Vice Pre-
dent of this Convention [Cheers.


The PRESIDENT then presented to the audience the
teran Vice President who received with great
thusasm


| Mr.. GRAYsoN, of Pennsylvania, said Mr. President
and gentlemen of the Convention wish to speak my in
dvldua opinion and not utter word the mouhpece
OF the delegation from Pennsylvania When came here
sir came with the expectation that had infinitely
more important work to do than to nominate candidate
for the Presidency of the United States takeit, sir
that about to initiate great conservative National
party. Applause And sir whether successful
to-day or next year or in the next quarter of century,


for wish to be understood that when this party
ours shall triumph, it shall triumph, not upon men, but
upon principle. [Applause am here not for any no.
minaon know sir, that The Constitutional Union party
eulhra ks haatn nf nj
whom would dignity and do honor to the high Office of the
Chief Magistrate of the United States Appause But
they days of trouble and distrus tell you that what
ever may be the anecedens of any statesman, would
not looking to the doubtful future trust him. unless he
puts himself upon definite platform. Applause. / am
here, sir with my whole heart swelling within me with
but feeling, and that is feeling for the Constitution
and the Union Applause. 81.


Mr. LITTELL of Pennsylvania hoped that the resolution
of his colleague would not be laid the table He thought
we all had sufficient time to consult the character
standing and fitness of the distinguished statesmen who
have been mentioned In connexion with the nomination
Whist further do want to know of that distinguished
man, John Bell, of Tennessee [Cheers, He has been
before the country for quarter of century We all
know him. and the country knows him He has been tried
in high positions both by his State and the Unon his
cord clear and unmstakable, without stain blemst
to be discovered by his btterest political opponent With
such man want no platform. He has stood through


life defender of the Constitution it and of the Union
one and indiyisbe. He therefore could
for delay and possible for the appointment of
Committee Nominations am not here Che said) to
disturb with single word that may utter that harmo
NOUS sentiment which should wish to pervade and
animate the councils of this most patriotic Convention
But standing very peculiar and very peril
GUS position We are arrayed party of peace, as a
party whose mission is to the country from the rash
strife of the enemies of the Union and the Constitution
the North and on the South. [Appause Now, sir, in
order that go into this contest (Which is to be most
stirring and important for the destnies of this
in all time to Gomez should define position a
party, and order to do that should ascertain and
understand most precisely the attitude which occu
pied by the two great and formidable organizations which
it duty and destiny oppose in the coming campaign
What is the position occupied to-day by the Republican
and the Democratic party the other side? 1t is useless
for to shut eyes the fact that the only issue that
has engrOssed the whole attention of the people of the
United States in far they have acted through their


Legislatures and their great National Convention at Charles
ton one single question: which involves nothing more nor
less than the Interpretation and meaning OF the Constitu
tiUn of the United States; and that question is this
Whether not the Congress of the United States under
the Constitution has has not right to egislae in
gard to the subject of slavery in the Territories Kisses


am not going to introduce this at all Laughter What


mean by that Mr. Chairman, is this that we may avoid
this whole difficulty simply by enunciatng before we go
cpes which shall leave totally out of view this distracng
question. [Applaussl | want to shut that question
entirely out of this coming contest far the Cons
tutonal Union party concerned and trust that before
we appoint committee for the purpose OF going into
nomination of candidate for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, should either in general Convention by


select committee appointed for the purpose declare that


for the Union and the Constitution interpreted
by the Supreme Court the United States and the enforce
j ment of the laws [Applause
| Mr. N. G. PENDLETON, of Ohio, offered the following
amendment to the resolution, striking out all after the
/ word resolved, and inserting 54. .5s


Resopd That the delegations from each State be requested
to appoint of their number to constitute central commit


and that each person thus nominated shall bring othat
committee the general opinion of his delegation
Mr. HARRIS, of Missouri, desired not to be msunder-
stood desiring to obstuct the action of the Convention
by the proposition he had introduced for the appointing of
nominating committee desire such committeessith
view of having platform reported do not desire
platform There delegates from four five States,
would further remark, not represented, who
route, and will be here tomorrow. For this reason,
asO think should not proceed to ballot that
they may have the opportunity of joining in the nomination
This regard essential and proper and in the time
could appoint the committee proposed to nominate
didates for President and Vice President. H. as,


Mr. BREsLER of Pennsylvania asked the reading of the
i Mr. Shipnen ats stat atad