(Applause.) I am not in favor of breaking up this Gov-| ernment upon an impracticable issue, upon a mere theory. I believe that this doctrine of protection to Slavery in the Territories is a mere theory, a mere abstraction. (Applause.) Practically, it can be of no consequence to the South, for the reason that the infant has been strangled before it was born. (Laughter.) You have cut off the supply of Slaves; you have crippled the institution of Slavery in the States by your unjust laws, and it is mere folly and madness now to ask for protection for a nonentity, for a thing which is not there. We have no slaves to carry to these Territories. We can never make another Slave State with our present supply of slaves. But if we could, it would not be wise, for the reason, that if you make another Slave State from our new Territories with the present supply of slaves, you will be obliged to give up another State, either Maryland, Delaware, or Virginia, to Free Soil upon the North. Now, I would deal with this question, fellow-Democrats, as a practical one. When I can see no possible practical good to result to the country from demanding legislation upon this theory, I am not prepared to disintegrate and dismember the great Democratic party of this Union. I believe that the hopes of this country depend upon the maintenance of the great Democratic party North. It is no trouble for a man to be a saint in Heaven, We, the Democracy of the South, are mere carpetknights. It is no trouble for us to be Democrats. (Applause and laughter.) When I look to the Northern Democrats, I see them standing up there and breasting the tide of fanaticism, oppression, wrong, and slander, with which they have to contend. I view in these men types of the old ancient Romans; I view in them all that is patriotic and noble; and, for one, I am not willing to cut loose from them. (Great cheering.) I say, then, that I will hold on to my Democratic friends of the North to the last day of the week-late in the evening. (Great laughter.) I am not willing to present to them a half issue of this sort. I am not willing to disintegrate, dismember, and turn them over to the ruthless hands of the thieving Black Republicans of the North. I would ask my friends of the South to come up in a proper spirit, ask our Northern friends to give us all our rights, and take off the ruthless restrictions which cut off the supply of slaves from foreign lands. As a matter of right and justice to the South, I would ask the Democracy of the North to grant us this thing, and I believe they have the patriotism and honesty to do it, because it is right in itself. I tell you, fellow-Democrats, that the African Slave-trader is the true Union man. (Cheers and laughter.) I tell you that the Slave-trading of Virginia is more immoral, more unchristian in every possible point of view, than that African Slave-trade which goes to Africa and brings a heathen and worthless man here, makes him a useful man, Christianizes him, and sends him and his posterity down the stream of time to join in the blessings of civilization. (Cheers and laughter.) Now, fellow-Democrats, so far as any public expression of the State of Virginia-the great Slave-trading State of Virginia has been given, they are all opposed to the African Slavet-rade. Dr. Reed of Indiana.—I am from Indiana, and I am in favor of it. buy better negroes for $50 apiece. (Great laughter.) Now, unquestionably, it is to the interest of Virginia to break down the African slave-trade when she can sel her negroes at $2,000. She knows that the African slave trade would break up her monopoly, and hence her ob jection to it. If any of you Northern Democrats-for I have more faith in you than I have in the Carpet-Knight Democracy of the South-will go home with me to my plantation in Georgia, but a little way from here, I will show you some darkies that I bought in Maryland, some that I bought in Virginia, some in Delaware, some in Florida, some in North Carolina, and I will also show you the pure African, the noblest Roman of them all (Great laughter.) Now, Fellow-Democrats, my feeble health and failing voice, admonish me to bring the few remarks I have to make to a close. (Cries of "Go on, go on.") I am only sorry that I am not in a better con dition than I am to vindicate before you to-day the words of truth, of honesty, and of right, and to show you the gross inconsistencies of the South in this regard I came from the First Congressional District of the State of Georgia. I represent the African Slave-trade inter ests of that section. (Applause.) I am proud of the position I occupy in that respect. I believe that the African slave-trader is a true missionary, and a true Christian (applause), and I have pleaded with my delegation from Georgia to put this issue squarely to the Northern Democracy, and say to them, Are you pre pared to go back to first principles, and take off your unconstitutional restrictions, and leave this question to be settled by each State? Now do this, fellow-citizens, and you will have peace in the country. But so long as your Federal Legislature takes jurisdiction of this ques tion, so long will there be war, so long will there be illblood, so long will there be strife, until this glorious Union of ours shall be disrupted and go out in blood and night forever. 1 advocate the repeal of the laws prohibiting the African Slave-trade, because I believe it to be the true Union movement. I do not believe that sections whose interests are so different as the Southern and Northern States can ever stand the shocks of fanati cism, unless they be equally balanced. I believe by reopening this trade, and giving us negroes to populate the Territories, that the equilibrium of the two sections will be maintained. But if the South lies supinely by, and allows the people of the North to people all the Terri tories, until we come to be a hopeless fraction in the Government, then that gallant band of Democrats North may in vain attempt to stay the torrent that will roll down upon us. It will not be in your power to do it. It should be the object of the South now to say to the North: Let us have all our rights in this matter; let us take off these restrictions against the African Slave-trade, and leave it to each State to settle for itself. Then we would want no protection, and then I would be willing to les you have as much Squatter Sovereignty as you wish. Give us an equal chance, and I tell you the institution of Slavery will take care of itself. We will give you all the Squatter Sovereignty that the North can desire, Mr. Douglas, or anybody else, if you will take off the uncon stitutional restrictions on the Slave-trade and let the negroes come. Then, gentlemen, we should proceed harmoniously, go on to prosper and prospering, until the last trump of God should sound; until time was merged in the ocean of eternity. (Applause.) I say, Fellow-Democrats, that I remained here because I have great faith in the Northern Democracy. If I am forced to part with you, it will be with a bleeding heart. I know not exactly what position I occupy here (laugh ter), for the majority of my delegation have voted to secede. We came here instructed to vote as a unit Whether the minority are bound to go out with the majority is a question which I have not yet fully deter mined in my own mind, but at any rate, I told them this morning, and I tell them now, I will not go out yet; I intend to stay here; I intend to hold on to the great Democratic Party of the Union so long as I can consist Mr. Gaulden-Now, gentlemen, we are told, upon high authority, that there is a certain class of men who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Now, Virginia, which authorizes the buying of Christian men, separating them from their wives and children, from all the relations and associations amid whom they have lived for years, rolls up her eyes in holy horror when I would go to Africa, buy a savage, and introduce him to the blessings of civilization and Christianity. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Rynders of N. Y.-You can get one or two re-ently with honor and propriety, for I believe that if we cruits from New-York to join with you. The President.-The time of the gentleman has expired. (Cries of "Go on! Go on !") The President-stated that if it was the unanimous wish of the Convention, the gentleman could proceed. Mr. Gaulden.-Now, Fellow-Democrats, the slavetrade in Virginia forms a mighty and powerful reason for its opposition to the African slave-trade, and in this remark I do not intend any disrespect to my friends from Virginia. Virginia, the Mother of States and of statesmen, the Mother of Presidents, I apprehend may err as well as other mortals. I am afraid that her error in this regard lies in the promptings of the almighty dollar. It has been my fortune to go into that noble old State to buy a few darkies, and I have had to pay from $1,000 to $2,000 a head, when I could go to Africa and break up in a row here, and the Democratic Party of the country is destroyed, this Union falls as certainly as the sun rises and sets. I warn you, seceders, if your action here to-day should have the effect of dismembering and destroying the great Democratic Party of the North, that you destroy this Government beyond all question (applause); and the Union falls, and falls for ever! Now, I am not a disunionist. I love this Union for the memories of the past and for the hopes of the future. (Applause.) The blood of my ancestors was poured out around this city and throughout the South to rear aloft the proud banner of our glorious Union. I, as an humble descendant of theirs, feel bound to maintain this Union and the Constitution so long, and no longer than I can do it honorably and justly to myself and my country. But I do not yet despair of the Republic. En tertaining, as I do, such profound respect, nay, almost veneration for the justice of the Democracy of the North, I will yet stand by you for a time. I will do all that in me lies to heal these differences. I trust that the result of our deliberations will be the nomination of such a man as will give peace to the country and success to the great Democratic National Party of the Union. (Great applause.) On the 3d of May, and the 10th day of the session, Mr. Russell, of Virginia, offered the following: Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns to-day it adjourn to re-assemble at Baltimore, Md., on Monday the 18th day of June, and that it be respectfully recom. mended to the Democratic party of the several States te make provision for supplying all vacancies in their respective delegations to this Convention when it shall reassemble. (Applause.) The Convention having decided to proceed to ballot for President, at 4 P.M., Wm. Howard, of Tennessee, moved that two-thirds (202) of a full Convention (303) be required to nominate, After the failure of attempts to change the which, after much discussion and confusion, was place of meeting to New-York, Philadelphia, adopted-141 to 112-as follows: etc., and also to change the time to a later peYEAS:-Maine, 8; Massachusetts, 8; Connecticut, 24;riod, the resolve was adopted-195 to 55-as New-York, 35; New-Jersey, 5; Pennsylvania, 17; Delaware, 2; Maryland, 6; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, 1; Missouri, 44; Tennessee, 11; Ken- YEAS:-Maine, 5; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; tucky, 11; Minnesota, 14; California, 4; Oregon, 3-141. Massachusetts, 10; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6; New NAYS:-Maine, 5; New-Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; York, 85; New-Jersey, 2; Pennsylvania, 284; Maryland, Massachusetts, 4; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 8; 5; Virginia, 14; Arkansas, 1; Missouri, 6; Tennessee, New-Jersey, 14; Pennsylvania, 9; Maryland, 2; Ar-7; Ohio, 28; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11; Michigan, 6; Wis kansas, 1; Missouri, 4; Tennessee, 1: Kentucky, 1; consin, 5; Iowa 4, Minnesota, 4; California 3-195. Ohio, 23; Indiana, 18; Illinois, 11; Michigan, 6; Wis- NAYS:-Maine, 8; Connecticut, 3; New-Jersey, 5; consin, 5; Iowa, 4; Minnesota, 24-112. Pennsylvania, 8; Maryland, 3; Virginia, ; North-Caro Candidates were put in nomination, and the Convention proceeded to ballot, as follows: Toucey. ----- Jeff. Davis. 666666 Lane. F. Pierce. 1st Ballot 145 35 42 12 147 86 411 12 3 148 42 86 6 12 4... 149 37 41 12 5... 1491 87 41 12 6 6... 149 39 41 12 7 follows: lina, 14, Missouri, 8; Tennessee, 5; Kentucky, 2—55. Gen. Cushing. the President, made a brief speech, and the Convention adjourned to meet again in Baltimore, on the 18th of June succeeding. SECEDERS. The retiring delegates met at St. Andrew' Hall, and were waited on with manifestations of sympathy by a portion of the Wood Delegation, from New-York, who, however, were not in. vited or admitted to seats. The seceders organized by the appointment of Senator James A. Bayard, of Delaware, as Chairman, and, after much animated discussion, adopted the following Platform: Resolved, That the Platform adopted by the Demo cratic party at Cincinnati be affirmed, with the following explanatory Resolutions: First, That the Government of a Territory organized by an act of Congress, is provisional and temporary; and, during its existence, all citizens of the United States have an equal right to settle with their property in the Territory without their rights, either of person or property, being destroyed or impaired by Congressional or Territorial Legislation. Second, That it is the duty of the Federal Government, in all its departments, to protect when necessary the rights of persons and property in the Territories, and wherever else its Constitutional authority extends. Third, That when the settlers in a Territory having an adequate population form a State Constitution in pursuance of law, the right of sovereignty commences, and, being consummated by admission into the Union, they stand on an equal footing with the people of other States; and the State thus organized ought to be admit ted into the Federal Union, whether its Constitution prohibits or recognizes the institution of Slavery. Fourth, That the Democratic party are in favor of the acquisition of the Island of Cuba, on such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and just to Spain, at the earliest practicable moment. Fifth, That the enactments of State Legislatures to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, are hostile in character, subversive of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect. Sixth, That the Democracy of the United States recognize it as the imperative duty of this Government to protect the naturalized citizen in all his rights, whether at home or in foreign lands, to the same extent as its native-born citizens. Whereas, one of the greatest necessities of the age, in a Political, Commercial, Postal and Military point of view, is a speedy communication between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Therefore, be it Resolved, That the Democratic party do hereby pledge themselves to use every means in their power to secure the passage of some bill to the extent of the Constitutional authority of Congress for the construction of a Pacific Railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, at the earliest practicable memzat. Prior to the adjournment of the Cordvention, two prinel After talking for four days, the Seceders' Con- business, as they now come up for consideration before vention adjourned to meet in Richmond, Vir-you. ginia, on the second Monday in June. Delegates were present from the following States: Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware. THE SECEDERS AT RICHMOND. pal subjects of action were before it One, the adoption of the doctrinal resolutions constituting the platform of the Convention; the other, voting upon the question of the nomination of a candidate for the Presidency. In the course of the discussion on the adoption of a platform, the Convention adopted a vote, the effect of which was to amend the report of the majority of the Committee on Platform by substituting the report of the minority of that Committee; and after he adoption of that motion, and the substitution of the minority for the majority report, a division was called for upon the several resolutions constituting that platform, being five in number. The 1st, 3d, 4th and 5th of those resolutions were adopted by the Convention, and the 2d was rejected. of those resolutions, a motion was made in each case to After the vote on the adoption of the 1st, 3d, 4th and 5th According to adjournment, the Seceding delegates met at Richmond, Va., on the 11th June. Delegates were present from Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, 2d Congressional Dis-reconsider the vote, and to lay that motion of reconsidtrict of Tennessee, and the 7th Electoral District of Virginia. The Hon. John Erwin, of Alabama, was chosen President, with several Vice-Presidents and Secretaries. The Convention adopted the following resolutions, and on the 12th, at 12 o'clock, adjourned: Resolved, That as the delegation from States represented in this Convention are assembled upon the basis of the platform recommended by a majority of the States at Charleston, which we indorse, we deem it unnecessary to take any further action on the subject at the present Resolved, That when this Convention adjourn it adjourn to meet in this city on Thursday, the 21st inst. : provided that the President of this Convention may call it together at an earlier or a later day, if it be deemed time. necessary. eration upon the table. But neither of those motions to reconsider or to lay on the table was put, the putting of of questions of privilege, and the ultimate vote competent those motions having been prevented by the intervention in such case, to wit, on the adoption of the report of the majority as amended by the report of the minority, had not been acted upon by the Convention. So that at the time when the Convention adjourned there remained the resolutions constituting the platform, and the ulterior pending before it these motions, to wit; To reconsiderquestion of adopting the majority as amended by the those only, as the Chair understood the motions before substitution of the minority report. Those questions, and the Convention, were not acted upon prior to the adjourn. ment. privilege, a motion was made by Mr. McCook, of Ohio, to After the disposition of the intervening questions of proceed to vote for candidates for President and VicePresident. Upon that motion, the Convention instructed the Chair (not, as has been erroneously supposed, in the The Convention reassembled on the 21st; recess of the Convention, the Chair determining for the but, without doing any business, adjourned to make no declaration of a nomination except upon a vote Convention, but the Convention instructing the Chair) to the following day, and so continued to meet and equivalent to two-thirds in the Electoral College of the adjourn, awaiting the action of the Convention United States, and upon that balloting, no such vote be Baltimore, till after the nomination of Breck-ing given, that order was, upon the motion of the gentleinridge and Lane; when such of the Delegates purpose of enabling him to propose a motion, which he man from Virginia (Mr. Russell), laid on the table, for the as had not joined the Seceders in Baltimore, subsequently did, that the Convention adjourn from the adopted the candidates and platform of the city of Charleston to the city of Baltimore, and with a provision concerning the filling of vacancies embraced in Breckinridge party, and adjourned sine die. the same resolution, which resolution the Secretary will please read. THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVEN- In accordance with the adjournment at theatre. The Secretary read the resolution as follows: adjourn to reassemble at Baltimore, Md., on Monday, the 18th The President.-The Convention will thus perceive that the order adopted by it provided, among other things, that it is respectfully recommended to the Democratic party of the several States to make provisions for sup plying all vacancies in their respectives delegation to this At eleven o'clock, President Cushing, who appeared on struction of that resolution?-what is the scope of its ap Convention when it shall reassemble. What is the con the platform, but did not take the chair, directed the Se-plication ?-is a question not for the Chair to determine cretary to call the roll of States in order to ascertain if or to suggest to the Convention, but for the Convention the delegates were present. On the calling of the roll, the following States were found to be fully represented: Maine, New-Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New-York, NewJersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, California, Oregon. Connecticut was represented in part, there being some misunderstanding as to the hour of meeting, which had been fixed at 10 o'clock. Two delegates were present from Delaware. When the State of South Carolina was called, the Chair directed that only those States be called which were present at the adjournment of the Convention at Charles ton, consequently South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, were not called. In consequence of a misapprehension as to the time, the President delayed calling the Convention to order till 12 o'clock, when he took the chair and said: GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: Permit me, in the first place, to congratulate you upon your being reassembled here for the discharge of your important duties in the interests of the Democratic party of the United States; and I beg leave, in the second place, to communicate to the Convention the state of the various branches of its itself to determine. for the present assembling of this Convention, there were wit the rules of the House of Representatives-he was unable to discern that he had any authority, even prima facie, to scrutinize and canvass credentials, although they were such as, upon their face, were free from contest or controversy either of form or of substance, and therefore he deemed it his duty to reserve the determination of that question to be submitted to the Convention. And in due time the Chair will present that question as one of privilege to this body. Gentlemen, the Convention is now in order for the transaction of business. The Address of the President was delivered in a clear, loud voice, with much emphasis, and was listened to with close attention. The statement of the position in which the business was left at the time of the adjournment at Charleston, created an evident sensation, inasmuch as it indicated that, according to the opinion of the Chair, the platform question, as well as the resolution declaring that a vote equal to two-thirds of the full electoral college to be necessary to the nomination of a candidate for the Presidency, were each in a position to be again brought up for the action of the Convention. ADMISSION OF DELEGATES. Mr. Howard, of Tennessee, offered the following resolution: Resolved, that the President of this Convention direct the Sergeant-at-Arns to issue tickets of admission to the delegates of the Convention as originally constituted and organized at Charleston. Mr. Cavanaugh, of Minnesota, moved to lay the resolution on the table, and upon that motion called for a vote by States; but by request withdrew his motion to permit Mr. Sanford E. Church, of N. Y., to offer the fol lowing, which was read for the information of the Convention and created much excitement: Resolved, That the credentials of all persons claiming seats in this Convention made vacant by the secession of delegates at Charleston be referred to the Committee on Credentials, and said Committee is hereby instructed, as soon as practicable, to examine the same and report the names of persons entitled to such seats, with the district-understanding, however, that every person accepting a seat in this Convention is bound in honor and good faith to abide by the action of this Convention and support its nominations. After a running debate on questions of order, in which Messrs. Cochrane, of N. Y., Saulsbury, of Del., Clark, of Mo., Montgomery, of Pa., Cavanaugh, of Min., and the Chair participated. Mr. Church moved his resolution as an amendment to that offered by Mr. Howard, and upon that he called for the previous question. Messrs. Gilmor and Randall rose to debate the question, but the Chair ruled debate not in order. Mr. Avery, of North Carolina.-I call for a division of the question, so that the first question shall be upon referring those credentials to the Committee, and the second question upon the proposition to initiate testoaths in the Democratic Convention. [Applause.] The Chair could not entertain such a proposition at that time, as the previous question had been demanded. The question was-Would the Convention second the demand for the previous question? Mr. Russell, of Va.-I ask that this Convention will allow me to make a friendly, candid and sincere appeal to the gentleman who made the call for the previous question (Mr. Church, of New-York) to withdraw his call. The President.-The Chair has no authority over that question. Mr. Russell. I ask the Chair to appeal to the gentleman to allow fair play in this Convention. Mr. Stuart, of Mich.—I insist that the Chair preserve order. The President.-The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Russell) is not in order. Mr. Russell.-If we are to be constrained to silence, I beg gentlemen to consider the silence of Virginia as somewhat ominous. (Applause and hisses.) The question was stated to be upon seconding the demand for the previous question. Being taken viva voce, The President stated that the noes appeared to have it, Mr. Richardson, of Ill., doubted the announcement, and asked that the vote be taken by States, which was ordered. Mr. Brodhead, of Pa., stated that Mr. Church was willing to withdraw his call for the previous question. The Chair decided that it was too late. Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, moved a recess to 4 P.M. Lost: 78 to 1784. Mr. Howard, of Tennessee.-I hold in my hand a respect ful communication from one of the States of this Union, Mississippi, not now represented upon this floor, addressed to the President of this Convention. I desire that it be read for the information of the Convention. The President.-It can only be done by common consent, as the seconding the demand for the previous question is now pending. Cries of object," "object," from various quarters. The President-Objection being made to reading this communication, the Secretary will proceed to call the roll of States upon the seconding the demand for the previous question. The question being then taken by States upon seconding the demand for the previous question, it was not agreed to. YEAS.-Maine, 6; New-Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 41; Massachusetts, 4; Connecticut, 34; New-Jersey, 24; Penn sylvania, 94; Maryland, 2; Missouri, 2; Tennessee, 8; Kentucky, 1; Ohio, 23; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11; Michi gan, 6; Wisconsin, 5; Iowa, 4; Minnesota, 24-108. NAYS.-Maine, 2; Vermont, ; Massachusetts, 8; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 2-one absent; New-York, 35; New-Jersey, 4; Pennsylvania, 16; Delaware, 2; Maryland, 6; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; Arkansas, 1; Missouri, 6; Tennessee, 8; Kentucky, 10; Minne. sota, 1; California, 4; Oregon, 3-140). On calling the roll, the New-York delegation asked permission to retire for consultation, and during the interim there was an entire cessation of business. The vote of the State as a unit was finally rendered against the call for the previous question. The question was then stated to be upon the amendment to the amendment. Mr. Gilmor, of Pennsylvania, offered the following amendment to Mr. Church's resolution: Resolved, That the President of the Convention be directed to issue tickets of admission to seats in the Convention, to the delegates from the States of Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and Arkansas, in which States there are no contesting delegations. Without taking a vote on Mr. Gilmor's resolution, the Convention, on motion of Mr. Randall, of Pa., took a recess till 5 P.M. When the Convention reassembled, the President said: amendment moved by Mr. Gilmor, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, has the floor upon an Before proceeding in the debate, the Chair begs leave to state to the Convention that he has had placed in his hands tion, from the States of Delaware, Georgia, Alabama, Flothe credentials of gentlemen claiming seats in the Convenrida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas, including in that enumeration the letter presented to the Convention, in his place, by Mr. Howard, of Tennessee, in behalf of the gentlemen claiming seats from the State of Mississippi, and in addition to that, there has been addressed to the Chair, a communication from Mr. Chaffee, claiming a seat from the State of Massachusetts. The Chair deems it his duty to communicate the fact to the Convention that those several documents have been placed in his hands, to be presented at the proper time to the consideration of the Convention. Mr. Gilmor, of Pennsylvania.-I have made a small addition to the amendment I offered this morning to the amendment of the gentleman from New-York (Mr. Church), for the purpose of covering the cases mentioned by the Chair just now. The amendment, as modified, was read as follows: Resolved, That the President of the Convention be authorized to issue tickets of admission to seats in this Convention, to the delegates from the States of Arkansas, Texas, Florida, and Mississippi, in which States there are no contesting delegations, and that in those States, to wit: Delaware, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, where there are contesting delegations, a Committee on Credentials shall be appointed, by the several delegations, to report upon said States. After discussing points of order, Mr. Clark, of Missouri, offered a substitute for Mr. Gilmor's amendment, which was read for the information of the Convention, as fol lows: Strike out the proviso in the amendment of Mr. Church, of New-York, and add the following: Resolved, That the citizens of the several States of the Union have an equal right to settle and remain in the Ter. Perry, 8. C.; James B. Steadman, Ohio; W. H. Carrol Tenn.; S. A. Hall, Ind.; W. J. Allen, Ill.; John M. Krum, Mo.; Benj. Follet, Mich.; D. O. Finch, Iows; F. H. Smith, Wis.; H. H. Sibley, Minn.; J. H. Beverly, Del.; Isaac J. Stevens, Oregon; G. H. Morrow, Ken ritories of the United States, and to hold therein, unmo- | Md.; E. W. Hubbard, Va.; R. R. Bridges, N. C. ; B. F. lested by any legislation whatever, their slave and other property; and that this Convention recognizes the opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Dred Scott case, as a true exposition of the Constitution in regard to the rights of the citizens of the several States and Territories of the United States, upon all subjects concern-tucky; D. S. Gregory, Cal. ing which it treats; and that the members of this Convention pledge themselves, and require all others who may be authorized as delegates to make the same pledge, to support the Democratic candidates, fairly and in good faith, nominated by this Convention according to the usages of the National Democratic Party. Mr. Randall then took the floor and opposed the amendment of Mr. Church, and favored that of Mr. Gilmor. The amendment of the gentleman from New York imposes a condition upon the returning members of the several States that seceded at Charleston. I deny the power of the Convention to impose any such condition. The right of their constituents is unqualified and beyond the power of this Convention, to send their representatives to this body without condition and without limitation. (Applause and hisses). It is an interference with the right of the constituents of seven seceding States to impose any qualification upon their representatives in this body. I deny its equity or its justice. We who sit here-the honorable gentleman who moved the amendment, the President, the Vice-Presidents of this body-all who sit here, are unfettered by any such limitation or condition. (Applause.) What justice in imposing upon others the condition that they shall come in here as slaves, with the bands and the iron fetters about them, with no right to exercise their judgment or their patriotism, except as the majority of this body may choose to indicate? I deny the power or the right. The proposition has been put in the least offensive shape. It is said in the amendment that it is "understood." Understood! an apology for the broad declaration of a naked invasion of the rights of freemen. Not that the members of this body thus admitted have denied the right, but it is understood that they are pledged to do what other members are not pledged to do-to conform to the decision of the majority. Mr. President and gentlemen, I invoke you to look at the injustice of every such qualification-a qualification which no honorable man, except under very peculiar circumstances, could ever submit to; a qualification which it is known that the representatives of these seven seceding States will never submit to. (Applause and hisses.) But, Mr. President and brethren of the great Democratic family, who are now contending for the success of the Democratic cause, I ask you to halt, not simply upon the ground of right and justice, but of policy. Not a mem ber of this body but knows that the representatives of those States will not give any such pledge (applause and hisses); that it is tantamount to a declaration of secession from the body. (Applause and hisses.) The debate was continued by Messrs. Richardson, of Ill., Cochrane, of N. Y., Montgomery, of Pa., Merrick, of Ill., King, of Mo., and West of Ct., against Mr. Gil mor's amendment, and by Messrs. Russell, of Va., Ewing, of Tenn, Loring, of Mass., Hunter, of Mo., Avery, of N. C., and Atkins, of Tenn., in favor. At last, Mr. Atkins moved the previous question, which was sustained, 233 to 18, and the Convention adjourned till Tuesday morning. On the reassembling of the Convention, Mr. Church asked and obtained unanimous consent to make a proposition which he thought would produce harmony. He said: A paper was presented from Mr. O'Fallon, of Missouri, who had acted at Charleston in the place of one of the regularly appointed delegates from that State, but had been refused a ticket in Baltimore, asking admission.His case was referred to the Committee on Credentials. The memorial of the contesting delegates from Arkansas was also presented, and was handed to the Committee on Credentials. And the Committee took a recess till 5 P.M., at which time it reassembled, but, the Committee on Credentials not being ready to report, the Convention, without transacting any business, adjourned to 10 o'clock the following day, 20th. The Convention met at the usual hour, on Wednesday, the 20th, but, in consequence of the delay of the Committee on Credentials in reporting, no business was transacted. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Credentials presented their report, or rather re On Thursday, the 21st, the Committee on ports, for there were three; the majority report being presented by Mr. Krum, of Missouri, as follows: 1st. Resolved, That George H. Gordon, E. Barksdale, W. F. Barry, H. C. Chambers, Jos. R. Davis, Beverly Mat thew, Charles Clarke, W. L. Featherston, P. F. Slidell, C. G. Armistead, W. F. Avaunt, and T. J. Hucston, are entitled to seats in this Convention as delegates from the State of Mississippi. 2d. Resolved, That Pierre Soulé, F. Cotterman, R. C. Wickliffe, Michael Ryan, Maunsell White, Charles Bienvenala, Gustav Lenroy, J. C. Morse, A. S. Heron, N. D. Colburn, J. N. T. Richardson and J. L. Walker are entitled to seats in this Convention as delegates from the State of Louisiana. 8d. Resolved, That R. W. Johnson, T. C. Hindman, J, P. Johnson, Henry Carroll, J. Gould, and John A. Jordan, be entitled to seats as Delegates from the State of Arkansas, with power to cast two votes, and that Thomas H. Bradley, M. Hooper, and D. C. Cross be also admitted to seats as delegates from the same State, with power to cast one vote; and, in case either portion of said delegates shall refuse or neglect to take their said seats and to cast their said votes, the other portion of said delegates taking seats in this Convention shall be entitled to cast the entire three votes of said State. 4th. Resolved, That J. M. Bryan, F. R. Lubbock, F. S. Stockdale, E. Green, H. R. Runnels, Wm. B. Ochiltree, M. W. Carey, Wm. H. Parrows, R. Ward, J. F. Crosby, B. Burrows, and V. H. Manning are entitled to seats from Texas. 5th. Resolved, That James A. Bayard and William G. Whiteley are entitled to seats from the county of New. Castle, Del. 6th. Resolved, That K. S. Chaffee, who was duly admitted at Charleston as a delegate from the fifth congressional district of Massachusetts, is still entitled to said seat in this Convention, and that B. F. Hallett, who has assumed said seat, is not entitled thereto. 7th. Resolved, That John O'Fallon, who was duly admitted at Charleston as a delegate from the eighth electoral district of Missouri, is still entitled to said seat in this Convention, and that Johnson B. Gardy, who has assumed said seat, is not entitled thereto. Upon consultation with the gentle man (Mr. Gilmor), who moved that amendment to my amendment, we have agreed, if it meets the approbation of this Convention, for the purpose of harmonizing the action of this Convention, to an arrangement alike honorable to both sides, and which, if carried out, will terminate the controversy as to pending questions. The proposition which has been made and accepted is simply this: The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gilmor) is to withdraw his amendment to my amendment, and then I am to withdraw the latter part of my resolutions, leaving only a simple resolution of reference to the Committee on Cre-State of Alabama. dentials. (Applause). This proposition was accepted, and the resolution, as thus amended, was adopted without a division. Vacancies in the Committee on Credentials were filled, and the committee, as now constituted, consisted of the following gentlemen: C. D. Jameson, Me.; A. P. Hughes, N. H.; Stephen Tonas, Vt.; Oliver Stevens, Mass.; George H. Brown, James Gallagher, Conn.; Delos De Wolfe, N. Y.; Spear, N. J.; H. M. Forth, Pa.; W. S. Gittings, 8th. Resolved, That R. A. Baker, D. C. Humphrey, John Forsyth, Wm. Jewett, I. I. Seibles, S. G. Posey, L. E. Parsons, Joseph C. Bradley, Thomas B. Cooper, James Williams, C. H. Brynan, Daniel W. Weakley, L. M. B. Martyr, John W. Howard, W. R. R. Wyatt, B. Hanson, Thos. M. Matthews, and Norbert M, Lord are entitled to seats in the Convention as delegates from the 9th, Resolved, That the delegation from the State of Georgia, of which H. L. Benning is chairman, be ad mitted to seats in the Convention, with power to cast onehalf of the vote of said State, and that the delegation from said State, of which Col. Gardner is chairman, be also admitted to the Convention, with power to cast one half of the vote of said State; and if either of said delegations refuse or neglect to cast the vote as above indicated, that in said case the delegates present in the Con vention be authorized to cast the full vote of said Stato. |