OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION 
 
 
 Ml* 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNi> 
 DAVIS 
 
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 
 
 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NATIONAL 
 
 HELD IN 
 
 CINCINNATI. 
 
 JUNE 2-6, 1856. 
 
 to 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONVENTION. 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 
 BNQUIRER COMPANY STEAM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, 
 T. WRIGHTSON, Superintendent. 
 
 1856. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIPORNtt 
 DAVIS 
 
 

 
 * 
 
 
 GIFT 
 
IU 
 
 PROCEEDINGS 
 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 MONDAY, June 2, 1856. 
 
 Pursuant to the call of the Democratic National Committee, the 
 Delegates to the National Convention assembled in Smith & Nixon's 
 Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 12 o'clock, noon, on the second day of 
 June, 1856. 
 
 Robert McLane, of Maryland, as Chairman of the National Demo 
 cratic Committee, called the Convention to order. 
 
 W. A. Richardson, of Illinois, arose and proposed that the Conven 
 tion, for temporary organization, should elect Samuel Medary, of Ohio, 
 President pro tern., (Loud applause), which was unanimously adopted. 
 
 On motion, A. B. Clitherall, of Alabama, and W. P. Ritchie, of 
 Virginia; were appointed Secretaries pro tern. 
 
 Mr. B. F. Hallett, of Massachusetts, asked that before further pro 
 ceedings, the call of the Convention should be read, which was done by 
 the Secretary. It is as follows : 
 
 Voted, That the next Democratic National Convention be held at Cincinnati, in the State of 
 Ohio. 
 
 Voted, That in constituting the future National Convention, the Democratic Committee, in order 
 to secure the respective rights of the States, each State shall be entitled to twice the number of dele 
 gates it has in the Electoral College, and no more ; and the Democratic Committee, in making 
 arrangements for the next Democratic Convention, provide such number of seats, and secure the 
 same to the delegates elect. 
 
 Hon. A. P. Edgerton, of Ohio, Chairman of the Committee of 
 Arrangements, handed to the President a list of the Delegates elected 
 where seats were not contested, which was as follows : 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORJEQi 
 PAVIS 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 LIST OF DELEGATES TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, 
 
 Held at Cincinnati, June 2d, 1856. 
 MAINE. 
 
 Wyman B. S. Moor, 
 
 Waterville, 
 
 A. B. Chase, 
 
 Dover, 
 
 William K. Kimball, 
 
 Paris, 
 
 Isaac Tyler, 
 
 Farmington, 
 
 John C. Talbot, jr., 
 
 Lubec, 
 
 Israel R. Bray, 
 
 Kingfield, 
 
 Samuel Watts, 
 
 Thomaston, 
 
 F. T. Lally, 
 
 Gardiner, 
 
 Dudley F. Leavitt, 
 
 Bangor, 
 
 Andrew Masters, 
 
 Hallowell, 
 
 Benjamin Wiggin, 
 
 Bangor, 
 
 A. G. Chandler, 
 
 Calais, 
 
 Jonathan Smith, 
 
 Portland, 
 
 Israel Chadbourne, 
 
 York, 
 
 John Babson, 
 
 Wiscasset. George Parcher, 
 
 Ellsworth. 
 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 
 Harry Hibbard, 
 
 Bath, Henry B. Rust, 
 
 Wolfeboro', 
 
 Joseph H. Smith, 
 
 Dover, 
 
 George Bowers, 
 
 Nashua, 
 
 John H. George, 
 
 Concord, 
 
 Horatio Kimball, 
 
 Keene, 
 
 B. F. Ayer, 
 
 Manchester, 
 
 Jonas Livingston, 
 
 Claremont, 
 
 Chas. Levi Woodbury, 
 
 Portsmouth. Robert Ingalls, 
 
 
 
 VERMONT. 
 
 
 D. A. Sm alley, 
 
 Burlington, Tappan Stevens. 
 
 Newbury, 
 
 J. P. Kidder, 
 
 West Randolph, 
 
 John Cain, 
 
 Rutland, 
 
 C. G. Eastman, 
 
 Montpelier, 
 
 Lyman P. White, 
 
 Whiting, 
 
 Bradley Barlow, 
 
 Fairfield, 
 
 Isaac B. Bowdish, 
 
 Swanton, 
 
 Robert Harvey, 
 
 Barnet. 
 
 P. S. Benjamin, 
 
 Wolcott. 
 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 
 Benjamin F. Butler, 
 
 Lowell, 
 
 James Cheever, 
 
 Boston, 
 
 Charles G. Greene, 
 
 Boston, 
 
 George B. Loring, 
 
 Salem, 
 
 N. J. Lord, 
 
 Salem, Albert J. Currier, 
 
 Newburyport, 
 
 Whiting Griswold, 
 
 Greenfield, IChas. H. Peaslee, 
 
 Boston, 
 
 S. B. Phinney, 
 
 Barnstable, 
 
 W. W. Pierce, 
 
 Charlestown, 
 
 James D. Thompson, 
 
 New Bedford, 
 
 Fisher A. Hildreth, 
 
 Lowell, 
 
 Alden S. Loud, 
 
 
 W. Fessenden, 
 
 Townsend, 
 
 E. P. Hathway, 
 
 Abington, 
 
 Isaac Davis, 
 
 Worcester, 
 
 Ezra S. Conant, 
 
 Randolph, 
 
 George W. Gill, 
 
 Worcester, 
 
 Henry P. Henshaw, 
 
 Newton, 
 
 Stephen C. Bemis, 
 
 Springfield, 
 
 Patrick Riley, 
 
 Boston, 
 
 Calvin Tincey, 
 
 Palmer, 
 
 Isaac Adams, 
 
 Boston, 
 
 James S. Whitney, 
 
 Springfield, 
 
 Benjamin F. Hallett, 
 
 Boston. 
 
 Henry H. Childs, 
 
 Pittsfield, 
 
 
 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 
 Wm. B. Lawrence, 
 
 Newport. 
 
 H. J. Burroughs, 
 
 Providence, 
 
 Ariel Ballon, 
 
 Woonsocket, 
 
 Wm. J. Miller, 
 
 Bristol, 
 
 Peleg W. Gardiner, 
 
 Providence, 
 
 Elisha R. Potter, 
 
 Kingston, 
 
 Alfred Anthony, 
 
 Do. 
 
 Albert S. Gallup, 
 
 Providence. 
 
 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 
 James T. Pratt, 
 
 Rock Hill, James Gallagher, 
 
 New Haven, 
 
 Colin M. Ingersoll, 
 
 New Haven, 
 
 Sam'l. Ingham, 
 
 Essex, 
 
 Joel W. White, 
 
 Norwich, 
 
 John P. C. Mather, 
 
 New London, 
 
 E. A. Phelps, 
 
 Nh. Colebrook, 
 
 Peleg C. Child, 
 
 Nh. Woodstock, 
 
 Eeman H. Barbour, 
 
 Hartford, 
 
 John C. Smith, 
 
 Sharon, 
 
 Alvan P. Hyde, 
 
 Tolland. 
 
 Wm. D. Bishop, 
 
 Bridgeport. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 
 Wm. Cook, 
 
 Bordentown, 
 
 Wm. D. Davis, 
 
 Freehold, 
 
 Alfred Hugg, 
 
 Camden, 
 
 Arch. Osburn, 
 
 Asbury, 
 
 J. S. Darsey, 
 
 Newark, 
 
 Ingham Coryell, 
 
 Lambertsville, 
 
 E. R. V. Wright, 
 
 Hudson City, 
 
 Jacob Vanatta, 
 
 Morristown, 
 
 Wm. Hanna, 
 
 Camden, 
 
 John Hooper, 
 
 Paterson, 
 
 Ephraim E. Sheppard 
 
 ,Bridgeton, 
 
 Simeon Harrison, 
 
 Orange, 
 
 Garrett S. Cannon, 
 
 Bordentown. 
 
 Charles Fink, 
 
 Jersey City. 
 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Arnold Plnmmer, 
 
 Franklin, John G. Brenner, 
 
 Philadelphia, 
 
 Henry D. Foster, 
 
 Greensburg, 
 
 Orrin Jones, 
 
 
 D. R. Porter, 
 
 Harrisburg, 
 
 Thomas J. Roberts, 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 James L. Reynolds, 
 
 Lancaster, 
 
 John Rutter, 
 
 West Chester, 
 
 Edward G. Webb, 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Charles D. Manley, 
 
 Media, Del. Co. 
 
 John McCarthy, 
 
 Do. 
 
 John D. Stiles, 
 
 Allen town, 
 
 Jas. C. Vandyke, 
 
 Do. 
 
 Ed. Nicholson, 
 
 Bucks County, 
 
 C. McKibben,. 
 
 Do. 
 
 J. Glancy Jones, 
 
 Reading, 
 
 John Robbins, jr., 
 
 Kensington, 
 
 P. K. Miller, 
 
 Do. 
 
 Chas. W. Carrigan, 
 
 Philadelphia, 
 
 Jacob Forney, 
 
 Kittanning, 
 
 Joseph Lippincott, 
 
 Do. 
 
 John L. Dawson, 
 
 Brownsville, 
 
 Andrew Burke, 
 
 Pittsburg, 
 
 C. L. Ward, 
 
 Towanda, 
 
 Samuel W. Black, 
 
 Pittsburg, 
 
 W. F. Packer, 
 
 Williamsport, 
 
 M. C. Trout, 
 
 Sharon, 
 
 John H. Morrison, 
 
 
 J. L. Gillis, 
 
 Ridgway, 
 
 Henry Welsh, 
 
 York, 
 
 J. Porter Branley, 
 
 Meadville, 
 
 John Stuart, 
 
 Carlisle, 
 
 A. S. Wilson, 
 
 Lewistown, 
 
 A. P. Lusk, 
 
 
 H. B. Swan, 
 
 Lancaster, 
 
 John Cessna, 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 Joseph B. Baker, 
 
 Gap, 
 
 John C. Everhart, 
 
 Marti nsburg, 
 
 John Weidman, 
 
 Lebanon, 
 
 Richard White, 
 
 Hemlock, 
 
 J. M. Kreister, 
 
 Harrisburg, 
 
 Alex. McKinney, 
 
 Greensburg, 
 
 Wm. L. Dewar, 
 
 Sunbury, 
 
 William Hopkins, 
 
 Washington, 
 
 C. M. St.raub, 
 
 Pottsville, 
 
 Charles Barnett, 
 
 Pittsburg, 
 
 H. B. Wright, 
 
 Wilkesbarre, 
 
 James A. Gibson, 
 
 Allegheny Co. 
 
 J. G. Montgomery, 
 
 Danville, 
 
 John N. McGuffin, 
 
 New Castle, 
 
 John N. Hutchison, 
 
 Easton, 
 
 J. Y. James, 
 
 Warren, 
 
 H. B. Beardsly, 
 
 Honesdale, 
 
 Wilson Laird, 
 
 Erie. 
 
 W. E. Piolett, 
 
 Wyson. 
 
 
 
 DELAWARE. 
 
 
 
 
 
 George Riddle, 
 
 Wilmington. 
 
 Wm. H. Ross, 
 
 Seaford. 
 
 Gove Salisbury, 
 
 Dover. 
 
 James A. Bayard, 
 
 Wilmington, 
 
 Willard Salisbury, 
 
 Georgetown. 
 
 H. Ridgley, 
 
 Dover. 
 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 
 R. B. Carmichael, 
 
 
 James M. Buchanan, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Walter P. Snow, 
 
 Snow Hill. 
 
 William Byrne, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 William D. Merrick, 
 
 Allen's Fresh, 
 
 Rob't M. McLane, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Nathaniel Cox, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 C. J. M. Gwinn, 
 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Cathill Humphreys, 
 
 Salisbury. 
 
 J. Thompson Mason, 
 
 Annapolis. 
 
 James A. Stewart, 
 
 Cambridge. 
 
 S. Lewis Lowe, 
 
 Frederick City, 
 
 John A. J. Creawell, 
 
 Elkton,CecilCo. 
 
 Edward Hammond, 
 
 Ellicott's Mills. 
 
 Otho Scott, 
 
 Belle Air. John A. B. Leonard. 
 
 Poolesville, 
 
PROCEEDINGS OP THE 
 
 
 VIRGINIA. 
 
 
 T. S. Bocock, 
 
 Appomatton c.h. 
 
 Eppa Hunton, 
 
 Brentsville, 
 
 E. W. Hubbard, 
 
 Curdsville, 
 
 Thomas M. Isbell, 
 
 Rippon, Jeff. co. 
 
 W. H. Clark, 
 
 Scottsburgh, 
 
 J. Randolph Tucker, 
 
 Winchester, 
 
 W. P. Thompson, 
 
 Retreat, 
 
 Chas. W. Russell, 
 
 Wheeling. 
 
 John P. Barbour, Jr., 
 
 Alexandria. 
 
 James Nelson, 
 
 Fairmount. 
 
 B. W. Jackson, 
 
 Parkersburg. 
 
 J. L. Carr, 
 
 Kanawha c.h. 
 
 J. G.Jenkins, 
 
 Green Bottom. 
 
 Eustace Conway, 
 
 Fredericksburg 
 
 M. R. H. Garnett, 
 
 Loyds, Essex Co. 
 
 James A. Seddon, 
 
 Goochland Co. 
 
 Paulus Powell, 
 
 Amherstc. h. 
 
 R. A. Banks, 
 
 Madison c. h. 
 
 K. K. v eade, 
 
 Petersburg. 
 
 Lewis E. Harris, 
 
 Mattoac Depot. 
 
 Wm. B. Shands, 
 
 Southampton. 
 
 W. H. Edwards, 
 
 Baileysburg. 
 
 H. T. Hopkins, 
 
 Macon,Powhatn 
 
 M. W. Fisher, 
 
 Eastville. 
 
 George Booker, 
 
 Hampton. , 
 
 Archibald Graham, 
 
 Lexington. 
 
 Samuel C. Williams, 
 
 Woodstock, 
 
 A. A. Chapman, 
 
 
 Fayette McMullen, 
 
 Rye, Scott Co. 
 
 John B. Floyd, 
 
 Abington. 
 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 
 Wm. S. Ashe, 
 
 Wilmington. 
 
 W. W. very, 
 
 Morgantown. 
 
 B. R. Heath, 
 
 Edonton. 
 
 Bedford Brown, 
 
 Locust Hill. 
 
 Wm. Sloan, 
 
 Dallas. 
 
 H. G. Williams, 
 
 Hubbardstown. 
 
 J. T. Granberry, 
 
 Woodville. 
 
 F. A. Thornton, 
 
 Macon Depot. 
 
 M. Silby, 
 
 Lake Landing. 
 
 John Morrison. 
 
 Carthage. 
 
 Wm. J. Yates, 
 
 Fayetteville. 
 
 A. J. Stafford, 
 
 Winston. 
 
 T. D. McDowall, 
 
 Elizabeth town. 
 
 J. W. Neal, 
 
 Lawsonville. 
 
 Burton Craige, 
 
 Salisbury. 
 
 J. B. Gordon, 
 
 Wilkesboro. 
 
 Thos. L. Clingman, 
 
 Asheville. 
 
 J. T. Lewis, 
 
 Faulkner. 
 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 
 F. W. Pickins, 
 
 Edgefield c. h. 
 
 B. H. Brown, 
 
 Barnwell. 
 
 J. Gadberry, 
 
 Unionville. 
 
 J. L. Manning, 
 
 Fulton. 
 
 B. H. Wilson, 
 
 Georgetown. 
 
 J. D. Allen, 
 
 Barnwell. 
 
 C. W. Dudley, 
 
 Bennettsville 
 
 James Farrow, 
 
 Spartanburg. 
 
 W. D. Porter, 
 
 F. J. Moses, 
 
 Sumpterville. 
 
 C. McBeth, 
 
 Charleston. [E. G. Palmer, 
 
 Winnsboro. 
 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 
 J. W. H. Underwood, 
 
 Rome. James Gardner, 
 
 Augusta. 
 
 M. J. Wellborn, 
 
 Columbus. 
 
 L. Stephens, 
 
 Sparta. 
 
 John E. Ward, 
 
 Savannah. 
 
 A. H. Colquitt, 
 
 Newton. 
 
 K. F. Lyon, 
 
 Albany. 
 
 Hugh Buchanan, 
 
 Newnan. 
 
 W. K. DeGraffenried, 
 
 Macon. 
 
 J. W. Lewis, 
 
 Cartersville. 
 
 Charles Murphy, 
 
 Decatur. 
 
 Wm. H. Hull, 
 
 Athens. 
 
 Aug. R. Wright, 
 
 Rome. 
 
 A. E. Cochran, 
 
 Brunswick. 
 
 H. Strickland, 
 
 Hightower. 
 
 J. T. Irvin, 
 
 Washington. 
 
 A. S. Atkinson, 
 
 Langsbury. 
 
 R. J. Conout, 
 
 Atlanta. 
 
 John J. Gary, 
 
 Macon. 
 
 J. L. Rowland, 
 
 Cartersville. 
 
 
 ALABAMA. 
 
 
 John Forsyth, 
 
 Mobile. 
 
 James R. Powell, 
 
 Montgomery. 
 
 R. Chapman. 
 
 Huntsville. 
 
 Jarnes B. Martin, 
 
 Talladega. 
 
 David Hubbard, 
 
 Kenlock. 
 
 J. W. Portiss, 
 
 Suggsviile, 
 
 John Cochran, 
 
 Eufala. 
 
 A. L. Milligan, 
 
 Geneva, 
 
 Julius Hessee 
 
 Mobile. 
 
 J. B. Tale, 
 
 Uchee, 
 
 Boiling Hall, 
 
 Montgomery. 
 
 H. H. Clements, 
 
 Tuscaloosa, 
 
 A. B. Clitherall, 
 
 Garrullton. 
 
 Thos. H. Hobbs, 
 
 Athens, 
 
 H. D. Smith, 
 
 Florence. 
 
 W. Acklin, 
 
 Huntsville. 
 
 1 . J. Burnett, 
 
 Greenville. 
 
 H. W. Nelson, 
 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 E. LaSere, 
 P. Soule, 
 W. W. Pugh, 
 Chas. G. McHatton, 
 P. A. Moise, 
 W. S. Parham, 
 
 LOUIS 
 
 New Orleans. 
 New Orleans. 
 Assumption. 
 Baton Rouge. 
 Natchitoches. 
 Richmond. 
 
 MISS( 
 
 IANA. 
 
 A.. Derbis, 
 Ihos Cottman, 
 F. H. Hatch, 
 Alexander Mouton, 
 0. D. Block, 
 John L. Lewis. 
 
 DUEL 
 
 New Orleans. 
 Donaldsonville. 
 Darlington. 
 Vermillionville. 
 
 Minden. 
 
 W. A. Harris, 
 
 Bowling Green. 
 
 Thomas B. English, 
 
 Jackson. 
 
 E. D. Bevitt, 
 
 St. Charles. 
 
 Joseph Coffraan, 
 
 St. Genevieve. 
 
 James S. Greene, 
 
 Canton. 
 
 Thomas B. Hudson, 
 
 St. Louis. 
 
 A. W. Lamb, 
 
 Hannibal. 
 
 D. D. Berry, 
 
 Springfield. 
 
 P. H. McBride, 
 
 Columbia. 
 
 Ferdinand Kennett, 
 
 Old Mines. 
 
 William Shields, 
 
 Lexington. 
 
 W. Watson, 
 
 Georgetown. 
 
 R. H. Stevens, 
 
 Bellemonte. 
 
 James Craig, 
 
 St. Joseph. 
 
 S. R. Shrader, 
 
 Liberty. 
 
 John S. Phelps, 
 
 Springfield. 
 
 John S. McCracken, 
 
 Jefferson City. 
 
 Stark Manzey. 
 
 Brownville, 
 
 
 INDIANA. 
 
 
 Wm. Rockhill, 
 
 Fort Wayne. James Osborn, 
 
 Fairfield. 
 
 John Pettit, 
 
 Lafayette. 
 
 Alex. F. Morrison, 
 
 Indianapolis. 
 
 Jos. W. Chapman, 
 
 Madison. 
 
 Franklin Hardin, 
 
 Glenns Valley. 
 
 John L. Robinson, 
 
 Rushville. 
 
 G. T. Cookerly, 
 
 Terre Haute. 
 
 Turner Nelson, 
 
 Mt. Vernon. 
 
 Wm. M. Franklin, 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 John C. Hebertt, 
 
 Vincennes. 
 
 S. W. Telford, 
 
 Lafayette, 
 
 P. M. Kent, 
 
 New Albany. 
 
 M. D. Manson, 
 
 Crawfordsville. 
 
 D. S. Huffstetter, 
 
 Orleans. 
 
 A. A. Whitlock, 
 
 
 R. W. Aiken, 
 
 Bloomington. 
 
 N. 0. Ross, 
 
 Peru. 
 
 S. P. Mooney, 
 
 Brownstown. 
 
 G. W. McConnell, 
 
 Angola. 
 
 C. O'Brien, 
 
 Lawrenceburg. 
 
 J. W. Borden, 
 
 Fort Wayne. 
 
 A. Davidson. 
 
 Greensburg. 
 
 J. R. Slack, 
 
 Huntington. 
 
 James Elder, 
 
 Richmond. 
 
 W. Ryan, 
 
 Anderson. 
 
 
 OHIO. 
 
 
 Samuel Medary, 
 
 Columbus. 
 
 L. W. Safford, 
 
 Chillicothe. 
 
 Henry B. Paine, 
 
 Cleveland. 
 
 Wm. Medill, 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 James B. Stedman, 
 
 Toledo. 
 
 B. P. Hewitt, 
 
 McArthur. 
 
 C. L. Vallandigham, 
 
 Dayton. 
 
 Lewis Evans, 
 
 Newark. 
 
 Washington McLean, 
 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 W. A. Delap'aine, 
 
 Circleville. 
 
 J. L. Vattier, 
 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 H. C. Brumback, 
 
 Mt. Gilead. 
 
 J.J. Quinn, 
 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 John Mack, 
 
 Shelby. 
 
 Joseph Cooper, 
 
 Glendale. 
 
 D. B. Austin, 
 
 
 M. C. Ryan, 
 
 Hamilton. 
 
 J. A. Marchand, 
 
 Wooster. 
 
 R. S. Cunningham, 
 
 Eaton. 
 
 M. Hoagland, 
 
 Millersburg. 
 
 G. V. Dorsey, 
 
 Piqua. 
 
 Eli Miller, 
 
 Mt. Vernon. 
 
 J. Counts, 
 
 Sidney. 
 
 H.J. Jewel t, 
 
 Zanesville. 
 
 J. G. Haley, 
 
 Napoleon. 
 
 Amos Layman, 
 
 Marietta. 
 
 M. C. Whitley, 
 
 
 Wm. Lawrence, 
 
 Washington. 
 
 John W. Bell, 
 
 Hillsboro. 
 
 Jas. R. Morris, 
 
 Woodsfield. 
 
 George W. Hamer, 
 
 Georgetown. 
 
 Geo. W. Belden, 
 
 Canton. 
 
 J. M. Smith, 
 
 London. 
 
 R. O. Hammond, 
 
 Akron. 
 
 T. L. Carothers, 
 
 Wilmington. 
 
 Arthur Hughes, 
 
 Cleveland. 
 
8 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 John A. Corwin, 
 
 Urbana. 
 
 D. R. Paige, 
 
 Madison. 
 
 James Wood, 
 
 
 R. P. Ranny, 
 
 Warren. 
 
 M. P. Bean, 
 
 Bucyrus. 
 
 S. W. Gilson, 
 
 Canfield. 
 
 George W. Glick, 
 
 Tremont. 
 
 W. H. Gill, 
 
 New Lisbon. 
 
 J. W. Davis, 
 
 Portsmouth. 
 
 Geo. W. McCook, 
 
 Steubenville. 
 
 
 MISSISSIPPI. . 
 
 
 Powhattan Ellis, 
 
 Natchez. W. W. H. Linn, 
 
 Houston. 
 
 E. Barksdale, 
 
 Jackson. 
 
 W. L. Balfour, 
 
 Vernon. 
 
 0. R. Singleton, 
 
 Canton. 
 
 G. A. Sykes, 
 
 Austin. 
 
 James Drane, 
 
 Bankston. 
 
 J. A. Orr, 
 
 Houston, 
 
 G. F. Neill, 
 
 Carrollton. 
 
 Wm. A. Stone, 
 
 Monticello. 
 
 Jacob Thompson, 
 
 Oxford. 
 
 Sampson Parks, 
 
 
 A. G. Brown, 
 
 Newtown, 
 
 A. M. Clayton, 
 
 Marshall Co, 
 
 
 TEXAS. 
 
 
 R. B. Hubbard, 
 
 Tyler. 
 
 Wm. S. Oldham, 
 
 Austin. 
 
 Matt Ward, 
 
 Jefferson. 
 
 H. P. Bee, 
 
 Laredo. 
 
 W. C. Pollock, 
 
 Nacogdoches. 
 
 Jacob Wallder. 
 
 San Antonio. 
 
 Wm. Fields, 
 
 Galveston. Guy M. Bryan, 
 
 Brazona. 
 
 
 FLORIDA. 
 
 
 C. E. Dyke, 
 
 Tallahassee. 
 
 John H. Parkhill, 
 
 Tallahassee. 
 
 J. R. Brooks, 
 
 Pensacola. 
 
 S. St. George Rodgers, Ocola. 
 
 D. L. Yulee, 
 
 Homasassa. 
 
 J. T. Maybee, 
 
 Tampa. 
 
 
 TENNESSEE. 
 
 
 Thomas C. Lyon, 
 
 Knoxville. 
 
 W. B. Bate, 
 
 Gallatin. 
 
 E. L. Gardenhire, 
 
 Sparta. 
 
 T. W. Newham, 
 
 Winchester- 
 
 W. E. Travis, 
 
 Manleyville. 
 
 J. H. Thomas, 
 
 Columbia. 
 
 W. M. Lowrey, 
 
 Greeneville. 
 
 Thomas M. Jones, 
 
 Pulaski. 
 
 J. D. Goodpasture, 
 
 Livingston. 
 
 S. P. Allison, 
 
 Nashville, 
 
 H. M. Colquitt, 
 
 
 M. A. Quarles, 
 
 Clarksville. 
 
 Lewis Shepherd, 
 
 Chickamanga. 
 
 T. J. Freeman, 
 
 Trenton. 
 
 Austin Miller, 
 
 Bolivar. 
 
 B. F. Lamb, 
 
 Paris. 
 
 B. M. Moore, 
 
 Lawrenceburg. 
 
 J. Knox Walker, 
 
 Memphis. 
 
 E. G. Eastman, 
 
 Nashville. 
 
 L. C. Waggoner, 
 
 Franklin. 
 
 Jacob Miller, 
 
 Yellow Stone. 
 
 John C. Ramsey, 
 
 Knoxville. 
 
 W. W. Ferguson, 
 
 Carthage. 
 
 A. J. Vaughen, 
 
 Madison ville. 
 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 
 J. P. Bates, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 B. Spalding, 
 
 Lebanon, 
 
 Jas. H. Garrard, 
 
 Danville, 
 
 Luther Branner, 
 
 Boonville, 
 
 C. A. Wickliffe, 
 
 Bardstown, 
 
 German Baker, 
 
 Shelbyville, 
 
 J. P. Martin, 
 
 Prestonsburg, 
 
 L. B. Dickerson, 
 
 Georgetown, 
 
 Levy Tyler, 
 
 Louisville, 
 
 E. Whitaker, 
 
 Maysville, 
 
 B. L. Clarke, 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 J. C. Mason, 
 
 Owingsville, 
 
 J. C. Breckinridge, 
 
 Lexington, 
 
 J. W. Stevenson, 
 
 Covington, 
 
 Beriah Magoffin, 
 
 Harrodsburg, 
 
 G. B. Cook, 
 
 Princeton, 
 
 Wm. Preston, 
 
 Louisville, 
 
 John Chapeze, 
 
 Greenville, 
 
 T. C. McCreery, 
 
 Owensboro', 
 
 R. B. J. Twyman, 
 
 Paducah, 
 
 L. Desha, 
 
 
 S. Garfield, 
 
 Paris, 
 
 Nath'l. S. Strange, 
 
 Smith's Grove. 
 
 W. E. Frazer, 
 
 Columbia. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 9 
 
 
 ILLINOIS. 
 
 
 J. A. Mattison, 
 Wm. A. Richardson, 
 T. L. Harris, 
 J. W. Singleton, 
 H. B. L. Steward, 
 J. C. Walker, 
 L. F. Ross, 
 J. L. McCormier, 
 R. W. English, 
 S. Y. Baldwin, 
 W. Cockle, 
 C. T. Gibbs, 
 
 Springfield, 
 Quincy, 
 Pettesburg, 
 
 Chicago, 
 Bloomington, 
 Lewiston, 
 Jacksonville, 
 Alton, 
 Decatur, 
 Peoria, 
 Griggsville. 
 
 John S. Hacker, 
 T. R. Young, 
 W. B. Ficklin, 
 H. W. Dorsett, 
 Wm. R. Morrison, 
 J. B. Danforth, jr., 
 B. F. Fredley, 
 J. M. Campbell, 
 C. H. Lamphier, 
 T. S. Hick, 
 C. J. Houseman, 
 
 Cairo, 
 Marshall, 
 Charleston, 
 Waukegan, 
 Waterloo, 
 Rock Island, 
 
 Macomb, 
 Springfield, 
 New Haven, 
 Rockford. 
 
 
 WISCONSIN. 
 
 
 Nelson Dewey, 
 Paul Juneau, 
 James B. Cross, 
 Satterlee Clarke, 
 H. J. Shultyes, 
 
 Cassville, 
 Juneau, 
 Milwaukee, 
 Green Lake, 
 
 Schlersingerville, 
 
 Sam'l. Crawford, 
 Horace T. Saunders, 
 M. J. Thomas, 
 W. J. Gibson, 
 Beriah Brown, 
 
 Mineral Point, 
 Racine, 
 Fond du Lac, 
 La Crosse, 
 Madison. 
 
 
 IOWA. 
 
 
 T. S. Wilson, 
 W. F. Coolbaugh, 
 C. J. McFarland, 
 J. C. Ramsey, 
 
 Dubuque, 
 Burlington, 
 
 Agency City. 
 
 D. H. Solomons, 
 A. T. Walling, 
 R. M. Evans, 
 Bernhart Henn, 
 
 Glenwood. 
 Keokuk, 
 Iowa City, 
 Fairfield. 
 
 
 MICHIGAN. 
 
 
 W. F. Story, 
 F. C. Whipple, 
 John P. Cook,' 
 A. E.. Campbell, 
 C. C. Chatfield, 
 M. E. Crofoot, 
 
 Detroit, 
 Howell, 
 Hillsdale, 
 Battle, 
 Eaton Rapids, 
 Pontiac. 
 
 Wm. Hale, 
 J. S. Barry, 
 J. G. Thurber, 
 Jacob Beeson, 
 Geo. W. Peck, 
 Ebenezer Warren, 
 
 Detroit. 
 Constantine, 
 Monroe, 
 Niles, 
 Lansing, 
 Saut St. Marie. 
 
 
 ARKANSAS. 
 
 
 R. M. Gaines, 
 J. N. Embree, 
 C. A. Carroll, 
 R. E. Jackson, 
 J. P. Johnson, 
 
 Gaines Landing 
 Pine Bluff, 
 Fort Smith, 
 Valley Grove, 
 
 John Hutt, 
 John S. Roame, 
 T. B. Flournoy, 
 C. Caldwell, 
 
 Little Rock, 
 Pine Bluff, 
 Laconice, 
 Madison, 
 
 
 CALIFORNIA. 
 
 
 P. C. Rust, 
 Sam'l. H. Dosh, 
 D. E. Buel, 
 J. H. Hill, 
 
 Marysville, 
 Shasta, 
 Colema, 
 Sonoma, 
 
 P. L. Solomon, 
 J. Lancaster Brent, 
 J. N. Dawley, 
 S.W.Inge, 
 
 Sonora, 
 Los Angelos, 
 Nevada, 
 San Francisco. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OP THE 
 
 Mr. McLane said : " I have been requested by the Committee of 
 Arrangements to place in the hands of the Temporary Chairman of 
 this Convention a list of the delegates elected. I have also been re 
 quested to state that two papers have been presented to that Committee 
 by two different delegations from the State of New "York. The gentle 
 men composing the Committee of Arrangements desire to communi 
 cate to the Convention that they have regarded all papers which on 
 their face bear prima facie evidence of the regular election of the per 
 son presenting them, as entitling those persons to seats in this hall. 
 They considered it their duty to issue tickets to all delegates who pre 
 sented themselves with such prima facie evidence of election by the 
 people. By this rule, when the iState of Missouri presented itself the 
 Committee issued tickets to those who presented this prima fac>e evi 
 dence that they were delegates elect. Another set, also claiming seats, 
 presented themselves from the State of Missouri ; but as in the opinion 
 of the committee they did not present the necessary prima facie evidence 
 of election, tickets were refused to them. The same go veined in the 
 case of New York, as in that of others bearing prima facia evidence of 
 election. The New York delegations could not but be regarded as in 
 the same position as the delegations from other States which presented 
 the names of more than two delegates for each electoral vote. The same 
 thing was, therefore, required of New York as was required of the Mis 
 sissippi delegation that the delegation should select the proper number 
 to take seats on this floor. Mississippi complied with that requirement. 
 
 There are now here the proper number of delegates to occupy the 
 seats assigned to Mississippi, though there are in the city over sixty 
 members elected delegates from that State. 
 
 A Member Eighty. 
 
 It was the pleasure of the delegations from New York to intimate 
 that such an arrangement would not be altogether satisfactory, though 
 the committee does not understand that the arrangement was peremp 
 torily declined. I am requested by the committee to state it would 
 with great pleasure have given tickets to the whole of the one hundred 
 and forty delegates presenting themselves from the State of New York, 
 if the committee could in any way have selected seventy members to 
 occupy the seats assigned to New York. I desire only to say in con 
 clusion, from the Committee of Arrangements, that both sets of dele 
 gates from New York are without, and demand admission to this hall. 
 (Applause). 
 
 Samuel Medary was then escorted to the chair, amid much applause; 
 and addressed the Convention in the following terms : 
 
 I can only return thanks to the Convention for the temporary honor 
 it has conferred upon me by selecting me to preside over its prelimi 
 nary deliberations. All that I can offer in return for the honor of the 
 position in which you have placed me, will be to the best of my ab'lity, 
 to preserve that order which is so necessary on j-uch occasions*. While I 
 am not a new visitor to conventions of this kind, I am yet new to the 
 position in whic-h your kindness has placed me. I have been a dele 
 gate to National Conventions, when the Republic extended but little 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 beyond the city in which we are now assembled, I was a delegate to 
 the first Convention that nominated General Jackson for the Presi 
 dency. I was then, as now, one of the representatives of the Demo 
 cratic party of the nation. It is now a grand party, grasping in its 
 arms the shores of the two oceans of the world. In this Convention 
 delegates are present from the Atlantic slope and the shores of the wide 
 Pacific thus manifesting in an unmistakable form, the progress of 
 Democratic institutions and constitutional government. These 
 are the institutions and this the government which it is our 
 mission to defend and maintain. I repeat, that as long as we are 
 governed by written constitutions and written laws, we should observe 
 that deportment both personal and political, which will justify the 
 expectation that we are capable of self-government. It is true that in 
 governments like ours, we may expect temporary ebulitions of popu 
 lar excitement. Like the great ocean, they cannot always be still. 
 There cannot be a perpetual calm. We may sometimes expect the 
 storms which purify the atmosphere. 
 
 Gentlemen, I will not detain you. I can only say that my highest 
 purpose in accepting this unexpected promotion, is to perform the 
 duties which it imposes on me, faithfully and impartially to all. 
 
 And now, while there is a brief silence and calm, allow me gentlemen, 
 to introduce the Reverend Mr. Nicholson, who will address the Throne 
 of Grace in behalf of the Convention. 
 
 The Reverend Mr, Nicholson, of the Episcopal Church, offered up 
 the following 
 
 PRAYER ; 
 
 O Eternal God, we, Thy helpless creatures, desire to make our supplications 
 unto Thee. Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. 
 While Thy tender mercies are over all Thy works, Thou art of purer eyes than 
 to behold iniquity, and Thou puttest away the wicked like dross. The very 
 heavens, we are assured, are not clean in Thy sight. Wherewith, then, shall we 
 come before the Lord, and bow ourselves before the High God ? For we have 
 erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much 
 the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy 
 holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and 
 we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and there is no 
 health in us. But oh ! what infinite love Thou hast manifested towards us ! for 
 Thou hast revealed to us the way of sahation through the death and sacrifice 
 ourof Lord Jesus Christ, Thine Eternal Son; in whom whoseverbelieveth with 
 the heart shall not die eternally. Oh, Lord God, for the sake of Thine only Son, 
 have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou those who confess their 
 faults. Restore Thou those who are penitent, according to Thy promises 
 declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, most merciful 
 Father, that hereafter we may lead a holy, righteous and sober life, to the 
 glory of thy holy name. 
 
 We approach Thee, Lord God, at this time in an especial manner, as the 
 universal Ruler of men and things. Thou conductest both in heaven and oa 
 earth after the counsel of Thine own will. Thou settest up one and Thou 
 pullest down another. Thou art the Avenger of Thy truth on the nations that 
 depart from Thy ways; while Thou art the Rewarder of all such as diligently 
 seek Thee. God, bless our beloved land! bless our beloved land! Let it not be 
 said of us, Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers.. 
 children that are corrupters; they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked 
 the Holy One to anger, they are all gone away backward. But let integrity, jus- 
 ice and the fear of God prevail in all our high places of authority, Rebuke, 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THB 
 
 throughout the land the daring spirit of infidelity insubordination, and of an 
 ezcessive worldliness. Let truth and righteousness flow down all our streets, 
 and the songs of the righteous be heard from all the habitations of the land. 
 
 Most gracious God, we humbly beseech Thee, as for the people of these 
 United States in general, so especially for those who, having come from all 
 parts of our country, are here in convention assembled, that Thou wouldst be 
 pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of 
 Thy glory, the good of Thy Church, the safety, honor and welfare of Thy peo 
 ple; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, on the 
 best and surest foundations ; that peace and happiness, truth and justice, 
 religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. To 
 these representatives of the views and interests of so large a proportion of our 
 fellow-citizens throughout the land, give a readiness of mind to follow the 
 counsels of wisdom and experience; take from them all self-conceit, and 
 shield their virtue from the assaults of the world, the flesh and the devil. 
 These and all other necessaries for them, for us and Thy whole Church, we 
 humbly beg in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord 
 and Savior. 
 
 Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from 
 whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspira 
 tion of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily mag 
 nify Thy holy name, through Christ our Lord. 
 
 Direct us, Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, and 
 further us with Thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued 
 and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our 
 Savior. 
 
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, 
 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
 bread; forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trepass against us; 
 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the king 
 dom and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. 
 
 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of 
 the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen. 
 
 Mr. Brown of Mississippi, offered a resolution that seat? be tendeied 
 to the delegates and alternates more than the several States are entitled 
 to, and have allotted to them without the bar. He stated that there 
 were vacant places within the Convention, and it was desirable that 
 the delegates should have an opportunity of consulting their friends, 
 and that all who came should participate in the great patriotic object 
 for which they were assembled. 
 
 Mr. Thomas L. Harris, of Illinois, suggested that there would not 
 be seats enough for them, and proposed to modify the motion so as to 
 refer the selection of such as should have seats, to the Committee of 
 Arrangements. 
 
 After some discussion, on motion, the resolution was for the present 
 laid on the table. 
 
 Thomas L. Harris, of Illinois, then proposed that a Committee of 
 Credentials, to be composed of a delegate from each State in which 
 there is no disputed delegation, to be designated by the delegation, be 
 appointed, whose duty it shall be to report to the Convention the 
 delegates that present the proper credentials, and are entitled to take 
 their seats in this body. Adopted. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 13 
 
 The several delegations then gave in the following names for the 
 Committee on Credentials : 
 
 Benjamin Wiggin, of Maine, 
 
 John H. George, of New Hampshire, 
 
 Bradley Barlow, of Vermont, 
 
 James S. Whitney, of Massachusetts, 
 
 G. S. Cannon, of New Jersey, 
 
 Edward A. Phelps, of Connecticut, 
 
 R. R. Heath, of North Carolina, 
 
 Wm. Acklin, of Alabama, 
 
 J. Lancaster Brent, of California, 
 
 G. F. Neal, of Mississippi, 
 
 G. M. Bryan, of Texas, 
 
 F. H. Hatch, of Louisiana, 
 
 James B. S ted man, Ohio, 
 
 John W. Stevenson, of Kentucky, 
 
 James H. Thomas, of Tennessee, 
 
 H. B. Wright, of Pennsylvania, 
 James A. Bayard, of Delaware, 
 Otho Scott, of Maryland, 
 Henry J. Burroughs of Rhode Island, 
 M. R. H. Garnett, of Virginia, 
 Samuel W, Telford, of Indiana, 
 Calvert Caldwell, of Arkansas, 
 Albert W. Lamb, of Missouri, 
 James Gardiner, of Georgia, 
 Franklin J. Moses, of South Carolina^ 
 Thomas L. Harris, of Illinois, 
 William Hale, of Michigan, 
 David L. Yulee, of Florida, 
 Bernhardt Henn, of Iowa, 
 Paul Juneau, of Wisconsin, 
 
 Immediately after the election of President pro tern, a number of per 
 sons without tickets of admission, had thrust aside the door-keeper and 
 rushed into the hall, claiming that they were delegates from Missouri. 
 They had taken possession of the vacant seats assigned to New York. 
 
 When the members to compose the Committee on Credentials were 
 announced, one of those claimants from Missouri arose and said that 
 he had not heard Missouri caller! . 
 
 Mr. Richardson, of Illinois, said : Mr. President, I have no desire to 
 interfere in the affairs of another State, but I must maintain, sir, that 
 this Convention owes it to its dignity and self-respect that no person 
 should be permitted to enter this hall, or take seats on this floor who 
 has entered in defiance of the power of the door-keeper. I have no de 
 sire, sir, to enter into a discussion of the matter, but I declare it as my 
 sentimeni and opinion that this Convention owes it to itself, and to its 
 dignity, to protect itself from insult. 
 
 The President I would inform the gentlemen from Missouri, with 
 all kindness, but with all determination, that according to the rules of 
 the Convention, seats have been provided for the delegations from each 
 State, and that only such as have tickets from the Committee of 
 Arrangements are admitted to seats on this floor. The delegates hav 
 ing tickets have quietly and peaceably taken their seats. The tempo 
 rary chairman cannot recognize any gentleman who is not entitled to 
 a seat under these rules. 
 
 The claimant from Missouri Mr. President 
 
 [Cries of "Order! order!"] 
 
 The President Let me say a few words, and if I am out of order 
 some one will doubtless correct me. I hope the claimants that have 
 gained admission to the Convention, from Missouri, without tickets, 
 will listen to the voice of an individual who certainly has no wish to 
 injure them or prejudge their case. These gentlemen must apply to the 
 Committee on Arrangements. That is the only application they can 
 make as the Convention is at present organized. I hope they will 
 abide by this rule. 
 
14 
 
 PROCEELINGS OF TUB 
 
 The Missouri claimant The delegation from Missouri cheerfully 
 bows to the decision of the Convention. And the whole contesting 
 delegation arose and retired from the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Bocock, of Virginia, called attention to the terms of the resolu 
 tion offered by Mr. Harris, whereupon the Missouri delegation to whom 
 seats had been given, withdrew the name of Mr. Lamb, as a member of 
 the Committee on Credentials, until the Convention should pass upon 
 the contested seats from that State. 
 
 C. A. Wickliff, of Kentucky, renewed the resolution, similar to that 
 offered by Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, to allow alternates seats in, the 
 body. 
 
 After some discussion said resolution was withdrawn. 
 
 Mr. Stedman, from Ohio, presented an invitation from the Young 
 Men's Mercantile Library Association, tendering the use of their hall 
 and library to the delegates of the convention. 
 
 Mr. McCook, of Ohio, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Rescind That a committee of one from each State be selected by the respective delegations, and 
 whose duty it shall be to select permanent officers of the Convention. Adopted. 
 
 The respective delegations announced the members to act as said 
 Committee as follows : 
 
 Maine, J. C. Talbot, jr. 
 New Hampshire, H. B. Rust. 
 Vermont, Robert Harvey, 
 Georgia, Alfred H. Holford. 
 Massachusetts, Isaac Davis. 
 Alabama, John Forsyth. 
 Rhode Island, A. S. 'Gallup, 
 Mississippi, E. Barksdale, 
 Connecticut, P. C. Childs, 
 New Jersey, Charles Fink, 
 Pennsylvania, John L. Dawson, 
 Delaware, Dr. C. Caldwell, 
 Louisiana, P. A. Moise, 
 Ohio, G. V. Dorsey, 
 Kentucky, B. L. Clarke, 
 
 Tennessee, J. K. Walker, 
 Maryland, James M. Buchanan, 
 Virginia, Paulus Powell, 
 North Carolina. James B. Gordon, 
 South Carolina, Charles McBeth, 
 Indiana, P. M. Kent, 
 Illinois, T. R. Young, 
 Missouri, John S. Phelps, 
 Arkansas, R. M. Gi.ines, 
 Michigan, J. G. Thnrber, 
 Florida, Charles E. Dyke, 
 Texas, R. P. Hubbard, 
 Iowa, James C. Ramsey, 
 Wisconsin, Wm. J. Gibson, 
 California, P. C. Rust. 
 
 Mr. McCook, of Ohio, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resofned, That the Committee on Organization be instructed to report rules for the Government 
 of this Convention; and that in the meantime the rules of the Jast Convention be the rules of this 
 fcody. Adopted. 
 
 Mr. Hallett, of Massachusetts, offered the following : 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee, of one delegate from each State, to be selected by the deleiation 
 thereof, be appointed to report resolutions, and that all resolutions in relation to the Platform of 
 Che Democratic Party, be referred to said Committee, on presentation, without debate. 
 
 Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, moved to lay the resolution on the table. 
 Carried. 
 
 Mr. Butler of Mass., demanded that the vote to lay the resolution, 
 offered by him, on the table, be taken by States, and the States voted as 
 follows : 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 15 
 
 YEAS. Connecticut, 6 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania, 27 ; Dela 
 ware, 3 ; Maryland, 8; South Carolina, 8; Mississippi, 7; Arkansas, 
 4 ; Michigan, 6 ; Texas, 4; Iowa, 4 ; Wisconsin, 5. Total, 84. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 8; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Massachusetts, 
 13; Rhode Island, 3; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; Georgia, 
 10 ; Alabama, 9; Louisiana, 6; Ohio, 23; Kentucky, 12; Tennessee, 
 12; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11; Missouri, 9 ; Florida, 3; California, 
 4. Total, 177. 
 
 The chair decided the motion to lay on ihe table lost. On motion the 
 resolution was then adopted, and the following delegates were selected 
 for the Committee on Resolutions : 
 
 Maine, A. G. Chandler, 
 New Hampshire, B. F. Aver, 
 Vermont, Charles G. Eastman, 
 Massachusetts, Benjamin F. Ilallctt, 
 Delaware, W. Salisbury, 
 Maryland, C. J. M. Gwinn, 
 Virginia, A. A. Chapman, 
 North Carolina, W. S. Ashe, 
 South Carolina, C. W Dudley, 
 Georgia, A. R. Wright, 
 Alabama, John Cochran, 
 Mississippi, Jacob Thompson, 
 Louisiana, Pierre Sotile, 
 Ohio, C. L. Vallandigham, 
 Kentucky, B. Magoffin, 
 
 Rhode Island, Wm. B. Lawrence, 
 Connecticut, A. B. Hyde, 
 New Jersey, E. R. V. Wright, 
 Pennsylvania, J. G. Jones, 
 Tennessee, W. A. Quarles, 
 Indiana, J. L. Robinson, 
 Illinois, 0. B. Ficklin, 
 Missouri, Thomas B. Hudson, 
 Arkansas, John Hutt, 
 Michigan, W. F. Story, 
 Florida, S. St. George Rodgers, 
 Texas, H. P. Bee, 
 Iowa, Thomas S. Wilson, 
 Wisconsin, S. Clarke, 
 California, S. W. Inge. 
 
 Mr. Black, of Pennsylvania, moved to reserve the front seats in the 
 galleries for the use of the ladies. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Pettit, the motion was laid on the table. 
 
 And then the Convention adjourned until ten o'clock, A. M., to 
 morrow. 
 
 SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDING. 
 
 CINCINNATI, June 3, 1856. 
 
 The Convention was called to order precisely at ten o'clock, by the 
 pro tern. President, Samuel Medary. Excellent order prevailed at the 
 opening of the session, and the temper of the members appeared calm 
 and sedate. 
 
 The President The first thing in order will be the report of the 
 Committee on Permanent Organization. If ready to report, the Con 
 vention will now receive it. 
 
 J. L. Davvson, of Pennsylvania The Committee appointed to re 
 commend suitable persons for permanent officers of this Convention, 
 respectfully report the following : 
 
16 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 FOR PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION, 
 
 HON. JOHN E.WARD, of Georgia. 
 
 FOR VICE-PRESIDENTS, 
 
 Jonathan Smith, of Maine, 
 
 Charles L. Woodbury, New Hampshire. 
 
 Jefferson P. Kidder, Vermont. 
 
 Henry H. Childs, Massachusetts. 
 
 Peleg W. Gardner, Rhode Island. 
 
 James T. Pratt, Connecticut. 
 
 John S. Darsey, New Jersey. 
 
 Arnold Plummer, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Wm. H. Ross, Delaware. 
 
 C. Humphries, Maryland. 
 
 Robert A. Banks, Virginia. 
 
 Bedford Brown, North Corolina. 
 
 B. H. Brown, South Carolina. 
 
 Dr. John W. Lewis, Georgia. 
 
 David Hubbard, Alabama. 
 
 Wm. L. Balfour, Mississippi. 
 Alex. Mouton, Louisiana. 
 George W. Belden, Ohio. 
 Levi Tyler, Kentucky. 
 Thomas C. Lyon, Tennessee. 
 William Rockhill, Indiana. 
 Joel A. Mattison, Illinois. 
 John S. Roame, Arkansas. 
 M. E. Crofoot, Michigan. 
 J. T. May bee, Florida. 
 Matthew Ward, Texas. 
 P. H. McBride, Missouri. 
 C. J. McFarland, Iowa. 
 Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin. 
 J. H. Hill, California. 
 
 FOR SECRETARIES. 
 
 Wm. K. Kimball, Maine. 
 
 H. Kimball, New Hampshire. 
 
 Isaac B. Bowditch, Vermont. 
 
 J. C. Abbott, Massachusetts. 
 
 Wm. J. Miller, Rhode Island. 
 
 Wm. D. Bishop, Connecticut. 
 
 Wm. Hanna, New Jersey. 
 
 John N. Hutchison, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Amos Layman, Ohio. 
 
 Samuel Williams, Kentucky. 
 
 Jacob Miller, Tennessee. 
 
 James Elder, Indiana. 
 
 0. H. Lamphier, Illinois. 
 
 Daniel D. Berry, Missouri. 
 
 R. E. Jackson, Arkansas. 
 
 W. P. Snow, Maryland. 
 
 Wm. F. Ritchie, Virginia. 
 
 H. G. Williams, North Carolina. 
 
 B. H. Wilson, South Carolina. 
 H. Buchanan, Georgia. 
 Julius Hessee, Alabama. 
 
 A. Derbis, Louisiana. 
 
 W. W. H. Dixon, Mississippi. 
 
 C. C. Chatfield, Michigan. 
 J. R. Brooks, Florida. 
 W. C. Pollock, Texas. 
 
 A. T. Walling, Iowa. 
 A. T. Gray, Wisconsin. 
 J. N. Dawley, California. 
 
 The Committee further recommends that the rules and regulations 
 adopted by the National Democratic Convention in 1852, be adopted 
 by this Convention for its government. 
 
 JOHN L. DAWSON, Chairman. 
 
 J. KNOX WALKER, Secretary. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Bordan, of Indiana, the report was unanimously 
 adopted. 
 
 The Chair then appointed Mr. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. 
 Yulee, of Florida, to conduct the President elect to the chair. 
 
 Before taking his seat, the President addressed the Convention as 
 follows : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Convention : The summons to preside over your delibera 
 tions is as unexpected as it is grateful to me. The distinguished gentleman 
 who yesterday presided, the connecting link between the past and the present, 
 carried us back to that period in our history when the Democratic party 
 assembled to give into the hands of its favorite son, its standard to go forth to 
 battle against a noble and gallant party. That party, with the issues which 
 then divided us, have passed away. Many of its leaders, one by one, have 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 17 
 
 stolen to their silent resting place, filled with years and honors, mourned by 
 political friends and political foes. 
 
 " How sleep the brave, who sink to rest 
 With all their countries' honors blest, 
 When Spring, with dewey fingers cold, 
 Returns to deck their hallowed mold, 
 She there shall find a sweeter sod 
 Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. 
 There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
 To deck the mold that wraps their clay; 
 And Freedom for a while repair 
 To dwell a weeping hermit there." 
 
 Many of that noble party who still survive are with us to-day. They are 
 with us in our deliberations, and they are prepared to go forth with us to 
 battle in behalf of the Constitution and the Union. Why, why, then, gentle 
 men of the Convention, with this party passed away, and these issues settled, 
 why are we environed with difficulties, and surrounded with dangers before 
 unknown? Our land is convulsed with factions. The one, recreant to the 
 Constitution, would build a wall around our country, and give a home to the 
 exile who seeks our shores, only on condition that he renounce all the privi 
 leges which are dear to freemen ; a party which, in the pride of power, 
 assumes to dictate to the consciences of men, and which would allow no man 
 to be fit to serve his country who bowed not with them at the same altar. 
 
 The other faction more dangerous only because it is more numerous 
 has liberty emblazoned on its banners and deadly treason festering in its 
 heart. It is engaged in an unholy crusade against the Constitution, which 
 has so long maintained its hold on the affections of the people, in the fond 
 hope that they may involve in one common ruin all the glorious recollections 
 of the past, and all our proud anticipations of the future. Insignificant and 
 contemptible in itself, it is formidable only for its tendency to unite with all 
 other factions in their opposition to a party which makes no concessions, 
 courts no alliances, asks no affiliations. 
 
 From the shores of the Pacific, from the mountains of the North, from the 
 plains of the South, from the valleys of the West, delegates have come up to 
 day to present a platform and to select a standard bearer in the great con 
 test against these factions. Uniting as a band of brothers around the altar 
 of our common country, let us lay upon that altar, as a willing sacrifice, our 
 personal aspirations, our sectional prejudices, and above and beyond all, our 
 private friendships. 
 
 With an abiding confidence that the kindness which has summoned me to 
 this place, will sustain me in the performance of its duties, and will gener 
 ously pardon my errors, I assume the trust committed to me. 
 
 The Vice Presidents and Secretaries were then invited to take seats 
 on the stand. 
 
 Mr. J. A. Bayard, of Delaware, submitted the following : 
 
 REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. 
 
 Your Committee proceeded yesterday, after the adjournment of the 
 Convention, in the performance of the duty assigned to them, and find 
 that all the States of the Union, except the State of New York, are 
 represented in the Convention hy delegates duly elected in the several 
 States, hy State or District organizations of the Democratic party, and 
 they append to this report, as part thereof, full lists of the delegates 
 so elected. 
 
 There were contesting claimants of the seats held by the delegation 
 
13 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 from Missouri, who claim to be admitted either in part or in whole as 
 delegates from the same State. 
 
 The following gentlemen, claiming to be the regular delegation from 
 the Democracy of Missouri, had, on prima facia evidence, been 
 assigned seats in the Convention by the Committee of Arrangements 
 viz : 
 
 Wm. A. Harris, E. D. Bevitt, James S. Green, A. W. Lamb, P. 
 H. McBride, Wm. Shields, R. H, Stephens, S. R. Shrader, John S. 
 McCracken, Thos. B. English, Joseph Coffman, Thomas B. Hudson, 
 D. D. Berry, Fred. Kennett, Dr. W. Watson, James Craig, John S. 
 Phelps, and were represented before the committee by Messrs. Green 
 and Phelps. 
 
 The contesting parties who claimed seats were B. Gratz Brown, 
 Barton Able, P. J. McSherry, Stephen Rice, S. J. Lowe, Jacob Hall, 
 Logan Clarke, John M. Richardson, A. McCoy, John D. Stevenson, 
 Thomas L. Price, John C. Walker, Patrick H. Davis, Madison Miller, 
 P. Harney, J. S. Foy, George Smith and Samuel Simmons, and were 
 represented before the committee by Messrs. Price and Brown. 
 
 The committee deem it unnecessary to recapitulate the arguments 
 and statement of facts of either side, and confine themselves to the con 
 clusion to which they have arrived. 
 
 After hearing fully the representatives of each contesting delegation, 
 the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic delegates from the State of Missouri, represented before the Com 
 mittee by Messrs. Green and Phelps, are the duly elected delegates of the Democracy of Missouri, 
 and are entitled to their seats in the National Convention, to the exclusion of the contesting claim 
 ants, represented by Messrs. Price and Brown. 
 
 The length of time occupied in hearing the parties to the contested 
 seats in Missouri has prevented any hearing of the two sets of delegates 
 from New York, who claim respectively to represent the Democracy 
 of New York, but that hearing has been commenced this morning, and 
 will be concluded as speedily as justice to the parties will permit, and 
 be made the subject of a further report. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 June 3, 1856. J. A. BAYARD, Chairman. 
 
 On motion of Mr. C. T. McFarland of Iowa, the report of the Com 
 mittee was, amid great applause, unanimously concurred in, and the 
 delegates from Missouri holding seats were declared entitled to the same, 
 to the exclusion of their contestants. 
 
 Mr. Bayard asked, in behalf of the Committee on Credentials, that 
 they be allowed 1o sit during the session of the Convention, which was 
 granted. 
 
 Mr. Green, of Missouri, moved that the name of A. W. Lamb be 
 now added to those of the Committee on Credentials. Adopted. 
 
 A delegate from Alabama moved a resolution to admit the delegates 
 from the District of Columbia into the Convention, to participate in 
 the deliberations and action of the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Twyman, of Kentucky, was opposed to the delegates from the 
 District of Columbia, who had no votes for the Presidency, partici 
 pating in the action of the Convention. He had no objection to their 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 19 
 
 admission, as lookers-on, in the hall. He moved to lay the resolution 
 on the table. 
 
 Mr. Thomas L. Harris, of Illinois, endeavored to address the Con 
 vention on this question, but the Chair decided that he was not in 
 order. 
 
 Mr. Harris said that he did not wish to discuss the question ; he 
 merely wished to read a telegraphic despatch which he held in his hand, 
 announcing that the Democracy of the District of Columbia had carried 
 the election in Washington by a handsome majority. (Great applause 
 and hurrahs.) 
 
 The motion to lay upon the table the resolutions admitting the dele 
 gates from the District of Columbia, was then put and adopted by a 
 large majority. 
 
 Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the seats in the galleries of this hall be declared vacant, and. that the National 
 Democratic Convention divide them, pro rata, among the States and Territories, and issue tickets 
 accordingly and deliver them to the delegations from the several States ; Provided, that no more 
 persons be admitted than can be conveniently and safely accommodated. 
 
 Mr. Mickle of New Jersey offered the following amendment : 
 
 Resolved, That the galleries on the right of the President be appropriated exclusively for the use 
 of the ladies, and gentlemen accompanying them. 
 
 Mr. Avery, of North Carolina, moved to lay the resolution and 
 amendment on the table. The votes by States being called for, resulted 
 as follows : 
 
 YEAS. Massachusetts, 13; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6; New 
 Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 21; Delaware, 3; North Carolina, 10; South 
 Carolina, 8; Georgia, 6; Louisiana, 6 ; Ohio, 12 ; Tennessee, 12; In 
 diana, 13; Illinois, 11; Arkansas, 4; Michigan, 6; Texas, 4; Iowa, 
 4; Wisconsin, 5; California, 4. Total, 159. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 8; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Pennsylvania, 6; 
 Maryland, 8; Virginia, 15; Georgia, 4 ; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 7;. 
 Ohio, 12; Kentucky, 12; Missouri, 9; Florida, 3. Total, 103. 
 
 And the resolution and amendment were laid on the table. 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia; moved that a ticket of admission be issued 
 to Mr. D. B. Layne, a delegate to the Convention, whose ticket had 
 been lost. Adopted. 
 
 Judge Mason, of Maryland, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved. That the galleries be cleared, and that the Committee on Organization be instructed to 
 issue three tickets to each delegate of the Convention, for distribution. 
 
 Mr. Mason modified the resolution by inserting one instead of three. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard, of Iowa, moved to lay the resolution on the table. A 
 call by States being made, resulted as follows : 
 
 YEAS. New Hampshire, 5; Massachusetts, 13, Rhode Island, 4; 
 Connecticut, 6; New Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 27, Delaware, 3; North 
 Carolina, 11; South Carolina, 8; Georgia, 6; Louisiana, 6; Illinois, 11; 
 Missouri, 9; Michigan, 6; Texas, 4; Iowa, 4; Wisconsin, 2; Califor 
 nia, 4. Total, 136. 
 
20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 . Maine, 8; Vermont, 5; Maryland, 8; Virginia, 15, Georgia, 
 4; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 7; Ohio, 24; Kentucky, 12; Tennessee, 12; 
 Indiana, 13; Arkansas, 4; Florida, 3; Wisconsin, 2. Total, 126. 
 
 And the resolution was laid on the table. 
 
 Mr. Singleton, of Mississippi, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the galleries of this hall be declared free to all spectators. 
 
 Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, offered the following amendment : That the 
 question of admission of persons to- seats in the galleries, be referred to 
 the Committee on Organization, with directions to adopt some equal 
 and just plan for the admission of persons from the several States ; 
 and that said Committee report to the Convention as early as prac 
 ticable. 
 
 On motion the resolution and amendment were laid on the table. 
 
 Mr. Moore, of Maine offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Arrangements be instructed to i&sue no more tickets of admis 
 sion to this hall, without the special order of this Convention, 
 
 Mr. Pettit, of Indiana, moved that the galleries be cleared, which 
 motion was lost. 
 
 Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, moved to refer the resolution of Mr. Moore, 
 of Maine, and all other resolutions on the subject, to the Committee of 
 Arrangements. 
 
 Mr. McMullen, of Virginia, moved to lay the resolution on the table. 
 Carried. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee on Arrangements b& instructed to admit Mr. J. W. McDonald to 
 his seat as reporter from Mississippi. Adopted. 
 
 After several motions to amend, and considerable debate with refer 
 ence to the galleries, 
 
 Mr. McLane, of Maryland, said Gentlemen of the Convention, I 
 desire to say, on behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, that in 
 this hall it is absolutely impossible to seat a number of persons greater 
 than the number that has been provided for. I will state further, that 
 it was not the design of the Committee originally to apply the gal 
 leries to the use of the press. It was designed to seat the reporters for 
 the various newspapers on the platform on each side of the President. 
 That was the arrangement made for the press. If gentlemen will look 
 at the platform and consider that, in the plan of organization now 
 adopted, room must be made for three Vice-Presidents, and thirty -one 
 Secretaries, they will see that the press had as large a space as possible 
 devoted to their use. I would remark that over three hundred appli 
 cations were made for tickets by gentlemen, under the style of repor 
 ters for the press . In very few cases was it believed that these were 
 efficient reporters of the proceedings of this Convention. In very few 
 cases did they profess to be so. They simply professed to be attached to 
 corps of reporters. The Committee" of Arrangements, of which I am 
 not a member, but which I have been requested to represent on this 
 floor, deemed it proper that these gentlemen should be admitted as 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 21 
 
 reporters, and have seats in the galleries as such. The Committee did 
 not think it ought to take the responsibility of saying to these gentle 
 men who professed to be reporters of the press, that they could not 
 have seats when there was a place for them. But they understood very 
 well that it was the right of the Convention when organized to appro 
 priate the galleries to its own use. It is idle to suppose that the Con 
 vention has no such right. But it is the misfortune of this Conven 
 tion that there is no hall in the city of Cincinnati suitable for its ac 
 commodation. 
 
 With these views I have suggested to the honorable member from 
 Mississippi, and to the Convention, that this resolution be withdrawn, 
 and that the Committee of Arrangements be instructed to issue new 
 tickets for the galleries, under the direction of the President. The pre 
 sent gallery tickets will be cancelled after to-day. This suggestion was 
 adopted, and the Committee so instructed. 
 
 D. C. Buel, of California, moved that the Convention appoint one 
 Seargant-at-Arms, and two deputies, for the Convention- 
 
 Dr. Cottman, of Louisiana, suggested that the Committee of Ar 
 rangements appoint these officers. 
 
 Some one else proposed that the President make these appointments. 
 Adopted. 
 
 Mr. McMullen, of Virginia, moved that the Convention, when it 
 adjourns, adjourn to to-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M. Adopted. 
 
 A letter of invitation to use their hall, was read from the Young 
 Men's Democratic Association ; also, a letter from the Horticultural 
 Society of Ohio, inviting the members to attend their exhibition on 
 Elm street, on Thursday next. 
 
 Judge Clitherall, of Alabama, moved a resolution that each delegate, 
 when addressing the Convention, should proceed to the stand and ad 
 dress the body from that place. Rejected. 
 
 On motion of Hon. J. L. Dawson, f PeniL, the Convention took 
 a recess until four o'clock. 
 
 AFTERNOON SESSION. 
 
 At 4 o'clock the President called the Convention to order. 
 
 Hilliard Salisbury, of Delaware Mr. President, I desire to state 
 that, as I am informed, there are now in Cincinnati fifteen or twenty 
 members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 States, who have come here with the expectation of witnessing, or 
 participating in this Convention, I offer this resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 United States, who may be in Cincinnati during the session of the Convention, are invited to 
 take seats on the platform and floor of the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Chapman, of Alabama I move to amend, by inviting the mem 
 bers of the different State Legislatures who may be now in the city. 
 
 After some debate, Mr. A very of K C., said -As this Convention 
 has no time to send out and collect the balance of mankind, I move to 
 Jay the resolution and amendments on the table. 
 
 The motion to lay them on the table was carried. 
 
22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Mr. Petit, of Indiana I desire to inquire, for I have been informally 
 informed that such is the case, whether the Committee on Resolutions 
 is ready to report. If they are ready I desire to move that they be 
 permitted to report. 
 
 Mr. Wilson The Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, is 
 absent from his seat, and, therefore, cannot answer. I am informed, 
 however, that the Committee will not be prepared to report ^.till 
 to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. 
 
 Mr. P. C. Child of Connecticut, said Mr. President, I wish members 
 of this honorable body, assembled from all sections of the country, to 
 set apart a short period for communing with each other, and telling 
 each other their experience in the Democratic church. Certainly, the 
 time not devoted to the business which has called us hither, could not 
 be more usefully or profitably employed. I stand here, sir, in this 
 National Convention, composed of delegates from the democracy of 
 every State of our glorious confederacy, a representative of the State 
 of Connecticut a representative from the county of Wyndham, more 
 commonly called " Wolf Den" county, the county which was the 
 residence of that ever-to-be-remembered hero who fought shoulder to 
 ^ shoulder with the patriots of North Carolina, and the patriots of South 
 Carolina, in that revolutionary struggle by which was achieved the 
 freedom we now enjoy. It will be remembered here, on this occasion, 
 when we have again assembled in a spirit of harmony and fraternity, 
 in the defense of a common cause, and the pursuit of a common 
 object, that South Carolina was one of the immortal Thirteen. It 
 will also be remembered Connecticut, the State which I have the 
 honor to represent was also one of the immortal Thirteen. My object 
 in introducing this resolution is for the purpose of allowing time for the 
 different delegations from the various paits of this great Union, to com 
 pare notes with each other. I hope, as there is nothing else to occupy 
 the time and attention of this body, that an opportunity will be pre 
 sented for the accomplishment of this purpose, and for allowing mem 
 bers to tell their experience in the different States of the confederacy." 
 
 Mr. Child's resolution was one of invitation to the delegates from 
 the various States, to give their views on the present state of parties. 
 The resolution was not acted on. 
 
 Mr Phelps, of Missouri, proposed a resolution that the Committee 
 on resolutions be authorized to have their report printed so that it 
 could be laid before all the members, and made the order of the Con 
 vention to-morrow. 
 
 Mr. Hallett, of Massachusetts, stated that there would be one more 
 meeting of the Committee, that the resolutions were nearly all agreed 
 upon, and that steps had already been taken to have the resolutions 
 printed, and that they would be reported to-morrow at 10 o'clock. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Petit, of Indiana, the Convention then adjourned 
 till to-morrow, Wednesday, June 4, at 10 o'clock, A. M. 
 
ATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 23 
 
 THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 MORNING SESSION, JUNE 4, 1856. 
 
 At ten o'clock the Convention was called to order by the President, 
 General Ward. 
 
 After waiting some time, Mr. Stewart, of Maryland, called the 
 attention of the Convention to the necessity of transacting business in 
 its regular order, and as speedily as possible. He supposed the report 
 of the Committee on Resolutions was first in order, and if so, he would 
 now call for it. 
 
 Mr. Hallett, (who had ascended the platform) said He would state 
 that the Committee is prepared to make its repoit as soon as the 
 Convention is ready to receive it. 
 
 [Voices. Now ! Now !] 
 
 The President. The Convention must come to entire order before 
 the Chairman will proceed to read the resolutions. 
 
 The Convention having come to order, Mr. Hallett said: 
 
 I have been instructed, as the Chairman of the Committee on reso 
 lutions, to report to this Convention the platform of resolutions which 
 they have adopted. I am also instructed by the Committee to say 
 that the portion of the resolutions which relates toKanzas and Nebras 
 ka, and those propositions concerning the administration of the Gen 
 eral Government, have been adopted by the Committee with entire 
 unanimity, every member from every State having signified his perfect 
 acquiescence in these resolutions. There is another and very important 
 class of resolutions, relating to the foreign policy of the country. 
 While these resolutions have been recommended by the Committee as 
 as a portion of the platform, it is proper to state that they were not 
 adopted with entire unanimity. I am also instructed to report a reso 
 lution, as recommended by the Committee, concerning communica 
 tion between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 
 
 With these explanations I shall proceed to read the resolutions: 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 The Committee on Resolutions, by their Chairman, Mr. Hallett, of Massachusetts, 
 submit the following Report: 
 
 Resolved, That the American Democracy place their trust in the intelligence, 
 the patriotism, and the discriminating justice of the American people. 
 
 Resolved, That we regard this as a distinctive feature of our political creed, 
 which we are proud to maintain before the world, as the great moral element 
 in a form of government springing from and upheld by the popular will ; and 
 we contrast it with the creed and practice of Federalism, under whatever 
 name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of the constituent, and which 
 conceives no imposture too monstrous foi the popular credulity. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That, entertaining these views, the Democratic party of 
 this Union, through their Delegates assembled in a general Convention, coming 
 together in a spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines and faith of a free 
 representative government, and appealing to their fellow-citizens for the recti- 
 
24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 tude of their intentions, renew and re-assert before the American people, the 
 declarations of principles avowed by them when, on former occasions in 
 general Convention, they have presented their candidates for the popular 
 suffrages. 
 
 1. That the Federal Government is one of limited power, derived solely 
 from the Constitution; and the grants of power made therein ought to be 
 strictly construed by all the departments and agents of the government ; and 
 that it is inexpedient and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional 
 powers. 
 
 2. That the Constitution does not confer upon the General Government the 
 power to commence and carry on a general system of internal improvements. 
 
 3. That the Constitution does not confer authority upon the Federal Govern 
 ment, directly or indirectly, to assume the debts of the several States, con 
 tracted for local and internal improvements, or other State purposes; nor would 
 such assumption be just or expedient. 
 
 4. That justice and sound policy forbid the Federal Government to foster 
 one branch of industry to the detriment of any other, or to cherish the inte 
 rests of one portion to the injury of another portion of our common country; 
 that every citizen and every section of the country has a right to demand and 
 insist upon an equality of rights and privileges, and to complete an ample 
 protection of persons and property from domestic violence or foreign aggres 
 sion. 
 
 5. That it is the duty of every branch of the Government to enforce and 
 practice the most rigid economy in conducting our public affairs, and that no 
 more revenue ought to be raised than is required to defray the necessary 
 expenses of the Government, and for the gradual, but certain extinction of 
 the public debt. 
 
 6. That the proceeds of the public lands ought to be sacredly applied to the 
 national objects specified in the Constitution ; and that we are opposed to any 
 law for the distribution of such proceeds among the States, as alike inexpe 
 dient in policy and repugnant to the Constitution. 
 
 7. That Congress has no power to charter a national bank ; that we believe 
 such an institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of the country, 
 dangerous to our republican institutions and the liberties of the people, and 
 calculated to place the business of the country within the control of a concen 
 trated money power, and above the laws and the will of the people; and that 
 the results of Democratic legislation in this and all other financial measures 
 upon which issues have been made between the two political parties of the 
 country, have demonstrated to candid and practical men of all parties, their 
 soundness, safety, and utility, in all business pursuits. 
 
 8. That the separation of the moneys of the Government from banking 
 institutions is indispensable for the safety of the funds of the Government, 
 and the rights of the people. 
 
 9. That we are decidedly opposed to taking from the President the qualified 
 veto power, by which he is enabled, under restrictions and responsibilities 
 amply sufficient to guard the public interests, to suspend the passage of a bill 
 whose merits cannot secure the approval of two-thirds of the Senate and 
 House of Representatives, until the judgment of the people can be obtained 
 thereon, and which has saved the American people from the corrupt and tyran 
 nical domination of the Bank of the United States, and from a corrupting 
 system of general internal improvements. 
 
 10. That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the Declaration of 
 Independence, and sanctioned in the Constitution, which makes ours the land 
 of liberty, and the asylum of the oppressed of every nation, have ever been 
 cardinal principles in the Democratic faith, and every attempt to abridge the 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 25 
 
 privilege of becoming citizens and the owners of soil among us, ought to be 
 resisted with the same spirit which swept the alien and sedition laws from 
 our statute books. 
 
 And, WHEREAS, Since the foregoing declaration was uniformly adopted by 
 our predecessors in National Conventions, an adverse political and religious 
 test has been secretly organized by a party claiming to be exclusively Ame 
 rican, it is proper that the American Democracy should clearly define its 
 relation thereto, and declare its determined opposition to all secret political 
 societies, by whatever name they may be called. 
 
 Resolved, That the foundation of this union of States having been laid in, 
 and its prosperity, expansion, and pre-eminent example in free government, 
 built upon entire freedom in matters of religious concernment, and no re 
 spect of person in regard to rank or place of birth ; no party can justly be 
 deemed national, constitutional, or in accordance with American principles, 
 which bases its exclusive organization upon religious opinions and accidental 
 birth-place. And hence a political crusade in the nineteenth century, and in 
 the United States of America, against Catholic and foreign-born, is neither 
 justified by the past history or the future prospects of the country, nor in 
 unison with the spirit of toleration and enlarged freedom which peculiarly 
 distinguishes the American system of popular government. 
 
 Resolved, That we reiterate with renewed energy of purpose, the well con 
 sidered declarations of former Conventions upon the sectional issue of Domes 
 tic Slavery, and concerning the reserved rights of the States. 
 
 1. That Congress has no power under the Constitution, to interfere with or 
 control the domestic institutions of the several States, and that such States 
 are the sole and proper judges of everything appertaining to their own affairs, 
 not prohibited by the Constitution ; that all efforts of the abolitionists, or 
 others, made to induce Congress to interfere with questions of slavery, or to 
 take incipient steps in relation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most 
 alarming and dangerous consequences; and that all such efforts have an in 
 evitable tendency to diminish the happiness of the people, and endanger the 
 stability and permanency of the Union, and ought not to be countenanced by 
 any friend of our political institutions. 
 
 2. That the foregoing proposition covers, and was intended to embrace, the 
 whole subject of slavery agitation in Congress ; and therefore, the Democratic 
 party of the Union, standing on this national platform, will abide by and 
 adhere to a faithful execution of the acts known as the Compromise measures, 
 settled by the Congress of 1850 ; " the act for reclaiming fugitives from ser 
 vice or labor," included; which act being designed to carry out an express 
 provision of the Constitution, cannot, with fidelity thereto, be repealed, or so 
 changed as to destroy or impair its efficiency. 
 
 3. That the Democratic party will resist all attempts at renewing, in Con 
 gress or out of it, the agitation of the slavery question under whatever shape 
 or color the attempt may be made. 
 
 4. That the Democratic party will faithfully abide by and uphold, the prin 
 ciples laid down in the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of 1798, and in 
 the report of Mr. Madison to the Virginia Legislature, in 1799: that it adopts 
 those principles as constituting one of the main foundations of its political 
 creed, and is resolved to carry them out in their obvious meaning and import. 
 
 And that we may more distinctly meet the issue on which a sectional party, 
 subsisting exclusively on slavery agitation, now relies to test the fidelity of 
 the people, north and south, to the Constitution and the Union 
 
 1. Resolved, That claiming fellowship with, and desiring the co-operation of 
 all who regard the preservation of the Union under the Constitution as the 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 paramount issue and repudiating all sectional parties and platforms con 
 cerning domestic slavery, which seek to embroil the States and incite to trea 
 son and armed resistance to law in the Territories; and whose avowed pur 
 poses, if consummated, must end in civil war and disunion. The American 
 Democracy recognize and adopt the principles contained in the organic laws 
 establishing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska as embodying the only 
 sound and safe solution of the "slavery question" upon which the great na 
 tional idea of the people of this whole country can repose in its determined 
 conservatism of the Union NON-INTERFERENCE BY CONGRESS WITH SLAVERY IN 
 STATE AND TERRITORY, OR IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
 
 2. That this was the basis of the Compromises of 1850 confirmed by both 
 the Democratic and Whig parties in national Conventions ratified by the 
 people in the election of 1852 and rightly applied to the organization of 
 Territories in 1854. 
 
 3. That by the uniform application of this Democratic principle to the 
 organization of territories, and to the admission of new States, with or with 
 out domestic slavery, as they may elect the equal rights of all the States 
 will be preserved intact the original compacts of the Constitution maintained 
 inviolate and the perpetuity and expansion of this Union insured to its 
 utmost capacity of embracing, in peace and harmony, every future American 
 State that may be constituted or annexed, with a republican form of govern 
 ment. 
 
 Resolved, That we recognize the right of the people of all the Territories, 
 including Kansas and Nebraska, acting through the legally and fairly ex 
 pressed will of a majority of actual residents, and whenever the number of 
 their inhabitants justifies it; to form a Constitution, with or without domestic 
 slavery, and be admitted into the Union upon terms of perfect equality with 
 the other States. 
 
 Resolved, finally, That in the view of the condition of popular institutions in 
 the Old World (and the dangerous tendencies of sectional agitation, combined 
 with the attempt to enforce civil and religious disabilities against the rights 
 of acquiring and enjoying citizenship, in our own land) a high and sacred 
 duty is devolved with increased responsibility upon the Democratic party of 
 this country, as the party of the Union, to uphold and maintain the rights of 
 every State, and thereby the Union of the States ; and to sustain and advance 
 among us constitutional liberty, by continuing to resist all monopolies and 
 exclusive legislation for the benefit of the few, at the expense of the many, 
 and by a vigilant and constant adherence to those principles and compromises 
 of the Constitution, which are broad enough and strong enough to embrace 
 and uphold the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the Union as it shall 
 be, in the full expansion of the energies and capacity of this great and pro 
 gressive people. 
 
 1. Resolved, That there are questions connected with the foreign policy of 
 this country, which are inferior to no domestic question whatever. The time 
 has come for the people of the United States to declare themselves in favor of 
 free seas and progressive free trade throughout the world, and, by solemn 
 manifestations, to place their moral influence at the side of their successful 
 example. 
 
 2. Resolved, That our geographical and political position with reference 
 to the other States of this continent, no less than the interest of our commerce 
 and the development of our growing power, requires that we should hold as 
 sacred the principles involved in the Monroe Doctrine: their bearing and 
 import admit of no misconstruction; they should be applied with unbending 
 rigidity. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the great highway which nature, as well as the assent of 
 the States most immediately interested in its maintainance, has marked out 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 27 
 
 for a free communication between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, consti 
 tutes one of the most important achievements realized by the spirit of modern 
 times and the unconquerable energy of our people. That result should be 
 secured by a timely and efficient exertion of the control which we have the 
 right to claim over it, and no power on earth should be suffered to impede or 
 clog its progress by any interference with the relations it may suit our policy 
 to establish between our government and the Governments of the States within 
 whose dominions it lies. We can, under no circumstance, surrender our pre 
 ponderance in the adjustment of all questions arising out of it. 
 
 4. Resolved, That, in view of so commanding an interest, the people of the 
 United States can not but sympathize with the efforts which are being made 
 by the people of Central America to regenerate that portion of the continent 
 which covers the passage across the Interoceanic Isthmus. 
 
 5. Resolved, That the Democratic party will expect of the next Adminis 
 tration that every proper effort be made to insure our ascendancy in the Gulf 
 of Mexico, and to maintain a permanent protection to the great outlets through 
 which are emptied into its waters the products raised out of the soil, and the 
 commodities created by the industry of the people of our Western valleys, 
 and of the Union at large. 
 
 B. F. HALLETT, Chairman. 
 
 The following is the resolution with respect to overland communication with 
 the Pacific : 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic party recognizes the great importance, in a 
 political and commercial point of view, of a safe and speedy communication, 
 by military and postal roads, through our own territory, between the Atlantic 
 and Pacific coasts of this Union, and that it is the duty of the Federal Gov 
 ernment to exercise promptly all its constitutional power for the attainment 
 of that object. 
 
 The reading of the resolutions on Know-Nothingism and the Kansas- 
 Nebraska question was followed by long continued and enthusiastic 
 applause ; in which every delegation joined in the most earnest manner. 
 
 Mr. Hallett I am instructed by the 'Committee to lay these resolu 
 tions before the Convention. 
 
 W. F. Packer, of Pennsylvania I move that this report and resolu 
 tions be unanimously adopted, without the crossing of a t or the dot 
 ting of an *. 
 
 [Great applause.] 
 
 Mr. Conway, of Virginia I move that there be a division of the 
 question, and that the Convention first act upon the resolutions relat 
 ing to the domestic policy of the Nation. There were delegates here, 
 especially from the State which he in part represented, who were not 
 prepared to adopt all these resolutions ; and it would be necessary to 
 divide the body on the resolutions. 
 
 B. F. Butler, of Massachusetts As this report is the unanimous 
 result of the labors of a committee composed of delegates from all the 
 States, and I believe embodies principles which have obtained the acqui 
 escence of all the Democrats in every part of our Union, I shall move 
 the previous question. 
 
28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 M. R. H. Grarnett, of Virginia I rise to a point of order. A divi 
 sion of the question has been asked by my colleague, that takes prece 
 dence. 
 
 Mr. Garnett : Before such resolutions are forced upon us before 
 they are forced upon the Democracy of the Old Dominion, which has 
 steadily opposed the doctrines embraced in one of them that Old 
 Dominion which has never faltered in defense of the Democratic faith 
 before you force such resolutions upon us, I ask for a division of the 
 question. , 
 
 Several members here arose and called to order, and insisted that 
 there could be no debate pending a call for the previous question. 
 
 Mr. Hibbard, of New Hampshire, said that the call for a division of 
 the main question, under the rules of the House of Representatives, was 
 in order after the previous question was demanded and sustained, and 
 that any one member was entitled to have the main question divided. 
 
 The President said that the previous question having been demanded, 
 the question first in order was, shall the call for the previous qeestion 
 be sustained? Then, if it was sustained, the question should be, shall 
 the main question be now put? And if that was decided in the affirm 
 ative, the gentleman from Virginia was entitled to have the main 
 question divided. 
 
 Mr. Phelps, of Missouri Mr. President, I desire to suggest that the 
 right of a delegation from a State, which casts thirty-five votes upon 
 this floor, to be admitted, has not been settled, and I would ask whether 
 it is not premature to adopt the resolutions just read before New York 
 is heard. I think it is, and I appeal to the gentleman from Massachu 
 setts to withdraw the call for the previous question, that I may move 
 to postpone the further consideration of this platform until the New 
 York contested case is decided. 
 
 Mr. Butler refused to withdraw the call for the previous question. 
 
 Mr. A very, of North Carolina, moved that the Convention should 
 first consider the resolutions reported, and acted upon by the commit 
 tee, disregarding the extra resolution relative to a public road. 
 
 The Chair, however, would not entertain the motion, but the previ 
 ous question being seconded, was put to the body, and the body sus 
 tained it by a large majority. The order was that the Convention 
 would now vote upon the resolution relating to the domestic policy of 
 the country. 
 
 The call was for a vote by States. 
 
 The States were severally called, and each delegation unanimously 
 voted aye in favor of the resolutions. The Virginia and Mississippi 
 delegations alone retired to consult, but returned with their unanimous 
 approval of the resolutions. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 29 
 
 When the North Carolina vqte was announced, Mr. Avery, who was 
 the organ of the delegation, remarked, " North Carolina gives ten votes 
 for the resolutions, and will give ten thousand in November." [Ap 
 plause.] 
 
 When Alabama was called, Gov. Chapman cried out, " Alabama 
 votes nine votes for the resolutions, and in November, as usual, s-he 
 will roll up her fifteen thousand Democratic majority." [Cheers.} 
 
 When Kentucky was called, the Hon. C. A. Wicklifte announced 
 that Kentucky gave her twelve votes for the resolutions, and all she 
 could promise would be a majority in November next. [Loud ap- 
 plause.j 
 
 The President then announced that the several delegations had voted 
 unanimously, to-wit : two hundred and sixty-one votes in favor of the 
 resolutions reported by the committee relating to the domestic policy 
 of the country. 
 
 Mr. Wickliffe Before we are called on to vote on the remaining 
 portions of the resolutions, I think we should have time from now till 
 three o'clock, in order that in a pure air and a clear atmosphere we 
 may look at them with some degree of deliberation, and appreciate the 
 importance of our action in either accepting or rejecting them. 1 ask 
 for my State a recess until 4 o'clock. Rejected. 
 
 Mr. Phelps, of Mo., moved to adjourn to 4 o'clock. Lost, ayes 7S r 
 nays 193. 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia, moved a recess for one hour. If the vote 
 was taken on the other resolutions without a recess, he should ask leave 
 for the Virginia delegation to retire, to consult for at least that time. 
 Lost. 
 
 Mr. Ingersoll, of Connecticut, demanded that under the division of 
 the question, the remaining resolutions should be voted on separately. 
 
 The President said that a vote upon each would be so taken. 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia, asked leave for the delegation to retire for 
 the purpose of consultation as to their action upon the remaining reso 
 lutions. 
 
 Leave was given by the Convention ; and the same was requested for 
 the like purpose by the delegations of Maryland and Missouri, which 
 was acceded to. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Barksdale, of Mississippi, the Convention took a 
 recess until two o'clock. 
 
30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 AFTERNOON SESSION JUKE 4TH. 
 
 The Convention met at two o'clock, and was called to order by the 
 President. 
 
 In conformity with the resolution empowering the President to 
 appoint a Sergeant-at-arms and two assistants, the following appoint 
 ments were made : principal Sergeant-at-arms, George W. Palmer ; 
 assistants, John R. Johnson and Stephen S. Ayres. 
 
 Mr. Hibbard, of New Hampshire, moved to reconsider the vote on 
 the first part of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, and that 
 said motion be laid on the table. The motion prevailed unanimously. 
 
 The Chair then proceeded to take the vote on the questions relative 
 to foreign policy. The first resolution was as follows : 
 
 1. Resolved, That there are questions connected with the foreign policy of this country which 
 are inferior to no domestic questions whatever. The time has come for the people of the United 
 States to declare themselves ki favor of free seas and progressive free trade throughout the 
 world, and, by solemn manifestations, to place their moral influence at the side of their successful 
 example. 
 
 The vote by States being called, the following States voted unani 
 mously in the affirmative : 
 
 Maine 8, New Hampshire 5. Vermont 5, Massachusetts 13, New 
 Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 27, Virginia 15, North Carolina 10, South 
 Carolina 8, Louisiana 6, Ohio 23, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, Missouri 9, 
 Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Florida 3, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, 
 Kentucky 12. 
 
 The following States divided : Connecticut 1 aye, 5 nays ; Tennes 
 see 11 ayes, 1 nay. The following States voted in the negative: 
 Rhode Island 4, Delaware 3, Maryland 6, Georgia 10. 
 
 The Chair proclaimed the resolution adopted, by 230 ayes, 29 nays. 
 
 The second resolution, which is as follows, was then voted on by 
 States : 
 
 2. Resolved, That our geographical and political position with reference to other States of this 
 continent, no less than the interest of our commerce, and the development of our growing 
 power, requires that we should hold as sacred the principles involved in the Monroe doctrine; 
 their bearing and import admit of no misconstruction; they should be applied with unbending 
 rigidity. 
 
 The following was the vote : 
 
 AYES Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts 12, Con 
 necticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
 Carolina, Georgia 6, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky, 
 Tennessee 11, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, 
 Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, California 239. 
 
 NAYS Massachusetts 1, Rhode Island 4, Delaware, Maryland, Geor 
 gia 4, Tennessee 1 21. 
 
 C. A. Wickliffe, of the Kentucky delegation, asked leave to change 
 their vote on first resolution from the negative to the affirmative. 
 Granted. [Applause.] 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 31 
 
 The Mississippi delegation asked leave to change their vote to the 
 affirmative, which was granted. [Applause.] 
 
 The vote was then taken on the following resolution : 
 
 3. Resolved, That the great highway which nature, as well as the assent of the States most 
 immediately interested in its maintenance, has marked out for free communication between the 
 Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, constitutes one of the most important achievments realized by 
 the spirit of modern times and the unconquerable energy of our people. That result should be 
 secured by a timely and efficient exertion of the control which we have the right to claim over it, 
 and no power on earth should be suffered to impede or clog its progress by any interference with 
 the relations it may suit our policy to establish between our government and the governments of 
 the States within whose dominions it lies. We can, under no circumstances surrender our pre 
 ponderance in the adjustment of all questions arising out of it. 
 
 AYES Maine 7, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts. Connec 
 ticut 4, New Jersey, 7, Pennsylvania 27, North Carolina 10, Georgia 
 10, Alabama 9, Mississippi 7, Tennessee 7, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, 
 Missouri 9, Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Florida 3, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wis 
 consin 5, California 4, Louisiana 6, Ohio 23 180. 
 
 NAYS Maine 1, Khode Island 4, Connecticut 2, Delaware 3, Mary 
 land 6, Virginia 15, South Carolina 8, Kentucky 12, Tennessee 556. 
 
 The vote by States was then taken on the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That in view of so commanding an interest, the people of the United States cannot 
 but sympathize with the efforts which are being made by the people of Central America to regen 
 erate that portion of the continent which covers the passage across the Interoceanic Isthmus. 
 
 AYES Maine 8, New Hampshire 5, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 13, 
 Connecticut 4, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 27, Virginia 15, North 
 Carolina 9, Georgia 10, Alabama 9, Mississippi 7, Louisiana 6, Ohio 
 23, Tennessee 10, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, Missouri 9, Arkansas 4, 
 Michigan 6, Florida 3, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, California 4 
 221, 
 
 NAYS Rhode Island 4, Connecticut 2, Delaware 3, Maryland 6, 
 North Carolina 1, South Carolina 8, Kentucky 12, Tennessee 2- 38. 
 
 The vote was then taken by States, on the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic party will expect of the next administration that every proper 
 effort will be made to insure our ascendency in the Gulf of Mexico, and to maintain a permanent 
 protection to the great outlets through which are emptied into its waters the products raised out 
 of the soil, and the commodities created by the industry of the people of our Western valleys and 
 the Union at large. 
 
 AYES Maine 7, New Hampshire 5, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 11, 
 Connecticut 4, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 27, Virginia 15, North 
 Carolina 9, Georgia 10, Alabama 9, Mississippi 7, Louisiana 6, Ohio 
 23, Kentucky 12, Tennesssee 9, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, Missouri 9, 
 Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Florida 3, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, 
 California 4229. 
 
 NAYS Maine 1, Massachusetts 2, Rhode Island 4, Connecticut 2, 
 Delaware 4, Maryland 8, North Carolina 1, South Carolina 8, Ten 
 nessee 3 33. 
 
 The following resolution then coming up, H. Salisbury, of Dela 
 ware, moved to lay it on the table : 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic party recognizes the great importance, in a political and com 
 mercial point of view, of a safe and speedy communication by military and postal roads, throug n 
 our own territory, between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of this Union, and that it is the duj_. 
 of the Federal Government to exercise promptly all its constitutional powers for the attainment,;, 
 hat object. 
 
32 PROCEEDINGS OP THE 
 
 On this motion the vote was as follows : 
 
 AYES Maine 1; New Hampshire 4, Massachusetts 17, Ehode Island 
 4, Connecticut 6, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 27, Delaware 3, Vir 
 ginia 15, North Carolina 10, South Carolina 8, Georgia 6, Alabama 
 (under protest of Judge Clitherall) 9, Mississippi 7, Ohio 16, Kentucky 
 8, Tennessee 3, Florida 3 154 yeas. 
 
 NAYS Maine 7, New Hampshire 1, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 12, 
 Maryland 6, Georgia 4, Louisiana 6, Ohio 6, Kentucky 4, Tennessee 9, 
 Indiana 13, Illinois 11, Missouri 9, Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Texas 4, 
 Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, California 4- 120 nays. 
 
 So the resolution was laid on the table. 
 
 Mr. Colquitt, of Georgia, moved to reconsider the vote on the three 
 last resolutions on the foreign policy of the Government, and G. W. 
 Peck, of Michigan, moved to lay on the table the motion to reconsider. 
 
 On this motion the vote was as follows : 
 
 YEAS. Maine, 8 ; New Hampshire, 5 ; Vermont, 5 ; Massachu 
 setts, 5 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania, 27 ; Maryland, 1 ; North 
 Carolina, 10 ; Mississippi, 7 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Ohio, 23 ; Tennessee, 
 10; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11 ; Missouri, 9; Arkansas, 4; Michigan, 
 6 ; Florida, 3 ; Texas, 4 ; Iowa, 4 ; Wisconsin, 5 ; California, 4 
 -171. 
 
 NAYS. Massachusetts, 4; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6 ; Dela 
 ware, 3 ; Maryland, 7 ; Virginia, 15 ; South Carolina, 8 ; Georgia, 
 9 ; Alabama, 9 ; Kentucky, 12 ; Tennessee, 2 79. 
 
 So the motion to reconsider was laid on the table. 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia, offered the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the resolutions in regard to the foreign policy of this Government are the ex 
 pressions of opinion of this Convention, and are not to be exacted as articles of party faith. 
 
 G. W. Peck, of Michigan, objected that this resolution could not be 
 entertained, but must, under the rules, go to the Committee on Reso 
 lutions. 
 
 Mr. Meade after in vain asking to be heard on the resolution, the 
 Chair deciding that the question could not be debated, but must go to 
 the committee moved that the rules be suspended. 
 
 A vote by States was called for and resulted as follows : 
 
 AYES. Delaware, 3 ; Maryland, 7 ; Virginia, 15 ; South Carolina, 
 8 ; Kentucky, 12 ; Tennessee, 9 ; Missouri, 9 ; Arkansas, 4 ; Florida, 
 3 ; Texas, 474. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 8 ; New Hampshire, 5 ; Vermont, 5 ; Massachu 
 setts, 13 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; Connecticut, 6 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Penn 
 sylvania, 27 ; Maryland, 1 ; North Carolina, 10 ; Georgia, 10 ; 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 33 
 
 Alabama, 9 ; Mississippi, 7 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Ohio, 23 ; Tennessee, 3 : 
 Indiana, 13 ; Illinois, 11 ; Michigan, 6 ; Iowa, 4 ; Wisconsin, 5 ; 
 California, 4 171. 
 
 So the motion to suspend was lost, and the resolution was referred 
 to the Committee on Resolutions. 
 
 Mr. Lowe, of Maryland, sent to the Chair ihe following resolution, 
 adopted by the Maryland Delegation, which he had been instructed to 
 present, as explanatory of the vote of that State, and to ask that the 
 same be spread on the records of the Convention. No objection being 
 made, it was so ordered : 
 
 Resolved. That without expressing any opinion in regard to the principles involved in the last 
 five resolutions of the proposed platform, we deem it inexpedient to adopt said resolutions as part 
 of said platform, and that the Chairman of this Delegation be directed to cast its vote in the nega 
 tive upon said resolution, and that he is further instructed at the proper time to request the reading 
 of this resolution to the Convention, as the ground upon which the action of this Delegation is 
 based. 
 
 Judge Borden, of Indiana, moved the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of one from each State, to be selected by the Delegates thereof, be 
 appointed to report the names of persons to constitute the Democratic National Committee, and 
 the mode of constituting and calling the next Democratic Convention. Adopted. 
 
 The following names were proposed under this resolution by the 
 various delegations : 
 
 Maine, Dudley F. Leavitt. | Mississippi, 0. R. Singleton. 
 
 New Hampshire, J. H. Smith. 
 Vermont, John Cain. 
 Massachusetts, Whiting Griswold. 
 Rhode Island, William J. Miller. 
 Connecticut, J. P. C. Mather. 
 New York, 
 
 New Jersey, John W. Mickle. 
 Pennsylvania, H. D. Foster. 
 Delaware, Henry Ridgely. 
 Maryland, E. Hamilton. 
 Virginia, Archibald Graham. 
 North Carolina, Burton Craige. 
 South Carolina, B. H. Wilson. 
 Georgia, John H. W. Underwood. 
 Alabama, James R. Powell. 
 
 Louisiana, W. W. Pugh. 
 Ohio, Wm. Lawrence. 
 Kentucky, T. C. McCreery. 
 Tennessee, T. M. Jones. 
 Indiana, G. T. Cookerly. 
 Illinois, W. Cockle. 
 Missouri, William Watson. 
 Arkansas, Jordan N. Embree. 
 Michigan, A. E. Campbell. 
 Florida, C. E. Dyke. 
 Texas, William Fields. 
 Iowa, D. H. Solomons. 
 Wisconsin, M. J. Thomas. 
 California, D. E. Duel. 
 
 A delegate, calling attention to the quantity of work already done, 
 and that the Committee on Credentials not being ready to report on 
 the New York controversy, moved that the Convention adjourn. 
 
 Mr. Hibbard, of Texas, was enforcing the necessity of having a full 
 vote on the great question of selecting the Presidency, when he was 
 interrupted by Mr. Petit, of Indiana, who said : 
 
 Mr. President If the New Yorkers are not ready to come into the 
 Convention and participate with us in its labors, there are other States 
 that are ready, and I move that we proceed to vote for the candidate 
 for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. 
 3 
 
34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Mr. Hibbard resumed The motion is to proceed to vote for a can 
 didate for President and Vice President. In the Baltimore Convention 
 of 1852, when there were contested votes from New York and Georgia, 
 the Convention decided that it would not proceed to the nomination 
 of a candidate for the Presidency, until the contested elections were 
 determined. New York sends two sets of delegates, whose claims are 
 under consideration by the Committee on Credentials. Whatever 
 may be the decision, at least one of the delegations will be entitled to a 
 seat, and perhaps both. New York has a right to be heard on the 
 momentous question of the nomination of a candidate for the Presi 
 dency. We thought that there was sufficient soundness in the Democracy 
 of New York to recognize the platform adopted by the Convention 
 without the formality of their voting. But on the nomination of the 
 candidates we have no right to deny them a hearing. I trust that the 
 gentleman will withdraw his motion. 
 
 Mr. Petit withdrew his motion. 
 
 H. Salisbury, of Delaware Sir, we have done more to-day than 
 has generally been done by Democratic Conventions. We have gone, 
 iu the adoption of our resolutions, beyond the precedents of previous 
 Conventions. It would be wise for us not to proceed further and too 
 rapidly, but to act calmly and discreetly ; and he was therefore in 
 favor of adjourning to hear the Committee on Credentials. 
 
 H. B. Wright, of Pennsylvania, said he was one of the Committee 
 on Credentials, and the committee had been much engaged in hearing 
 the parties in the contested case of New York, but that it would be 
 prepared to make a report on to-morrow at two o'clock. 
 
 Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, was in favor of adjourning, but he added that 
 he was against waiting any longer on those gentlemen who could not 
 settle their quarrels at home. He would not wait a day longer for 
 them than to-morrow. If they were not prepared to come into the 
 Convention and arrange their difficulties after a reasonable time he 
 hoped that the other States would proceed to perform their duty, and 
 discharge the trust for which they were sent here. 
 
 The vote to adjourn to to-morrow 10 o'clock, A. M.. was then taken 
 and carried. 
 
 FOURTH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 MORNING SESSION, June 5th, 1856. 
 
 At 10 o'clock the President called the Convention to order. 
 
 Mr. J. W. Stevenson, of Kentucky, after some preliminary remarks, 
 offered, on the part of a majority of the Committee on Credentials, the 
 following resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the duty of the entire Democracy of New York to unite; and, as a beginning 
 of that union, that the two delegations from that State be now consolidated. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 35 
 
 Resolved, That that portion of the Democracy of New York represented by the delegation, of 
 which the Hon. Horatio Seymour is chairman, are entitled, on the score of numbers, to forty-four 
 delegates, and that portion of the Democracy represented by the delegations, of which the Hon. 
 Samuel Beardsley is Chairman, is entitled on the score of numbers to twenty-six delegates in the 
 Convention, and that said delesation be admitted in proportion aforesaid to seats in the Conven 
 tion, the persons so to be admitted to be designated by the respective delegations, and that, in 
 counting the vote of the State of New York in the Convention, the minority shall not be subject 
 to the majority without their consent. 
 
 Resolved, That the delegation from New York, when admitted, be permitted to record their 
 votes upon the resolutions adopted yesterday by the Convention. 
 
 Mr. James A. Bayard, on behalf of the minority of the Committee 
 on Credentials, offered the following resolution as a substitute for those 
 presented by Mr, Stevenson: 
 
 Resolved, That the two delegations from New York be authorized to select each thirty-five 
 delegates, and that the seventy delegates thus selected be admitted as the delegation of the two 
 sections of the New York Democracy to this Convention, and that they be allowed one hour to 
 report their selections. The two delegations to vote separately, each to be entitled to seventeen 
 votes, the remaining vote of this State to be cast alternately by the two delegations, the Softs 
 casting it the first time. 
 
 Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, moved the adoption of the majority 
 resolutions and called for the previous question. 
 
 At the request of Mr. Richardson, said motion was withdrawn. 
 
 Mr. McLane, of Maryland, rose to a point of order, and submitted 
 that the gentleman from Massachusetts had not the power to demand 
 the previous question upon the majority resolutions. The resolution 
 of Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, being an amendment, the vote on that 
 must he first taken. 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia, concurred in this view and he had before 
 risen to say so. As the resolution of Mr. Bayard would be first voted 
 upon, he would move the previous question. 
 
 The Convention sustained the call for the previous question, and the 
 President decided that the main question should now be put, first upon 
 the minority resolution of Mr. Bayard, of Delaware. 
 
 Pending the call of the roll, Mr. Robinson, of Indiana, moved to lay 
 the whole subject on the table. 
 
 The President entertained the motion, it being to lay the whole sub 
 ject upon the table. 
 
 The vote being taken on this motion by States, resulted as follows : 
 
 AYES. Massachusetts 2; New Jersey, 4; South Carolina, 8; Louisi 
 ana, 6; Ohio, 1; Kentucky, 7; Indiana, 13; Arkansas, 3. Total, 44. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 8; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Massachusetts, 
 11; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6; New Jersey, 3; Pennsylvania, 27; 
 Delaware, 3; Maryland, 8; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; Georgia, 
 10; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 7; Ohio, 22; Kentucky 12; Tennessee, 5; 
 Arkansas, 1; Illinois, 11; Missouri, 9; Michigan, 6; Florida, 3; Texas, 
 4; Iowa, 4; Wisconsin, 5; California, 4. Total, 217. 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 The motion being lost, the question came upon the adoption of the 
 minority resolution of the Committee on Credentials, reported by Mr. 
 Bayard, and the vote being called by States, resulted as follows : 
 
 AYES. Maine, 6; Massachusetts, 3; Rhode Island, 1; Connecticut, 
 6; New Jersey, 6; Pennsylvania, 27; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 6; Vir 
 ginia, 15; Georgia, 4; Ohio, 10; Kentucky, 6; Tennessee, 10; Indiana, 
 13; Missouri, 6; Arkansas, 2; Texas, 3; Wisconsin, 5; California, 4. 
 Total, 137. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 2; New Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Massachusetts, 
 10; Rhode Island, 3; New Jersey, 1; Maryland, 2; North -Carolina, 10; 
 South Carolina, 8; Georgia, 6; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 7; Louisiana, 
 6; Ohio, 13; Kentucky, 5; Tennessee, 2; Illinois, 11; Missouri, 3; Ar 
 kansas, 2; Michigan, 6; Florida, 3; Iowa, 4. Total, 123. 
 
 The President proclaimed the resolution of the minority, reported by 
 Mr. Bayard, as adopted. 
 
 Mr. Preston, of Kentucky, moved to reconsider this vote, and that 
 the motion lay on the table. Adopted. 
 
 The question was then put on the adoption of the resolution as 
 amended, and the same was carried. 
 
 Mr. Preston moved to reconsider this vote, and that the motion lie 
 on the table. Adopted. 
 
 Mr. Preston moved that a committee of seven of the Convention be 
 appointed to wait upon the New York delegations, and inform them of 
 the decision of the Convention. 
 
 The Chair announced the following as the committee to wait on 
 the New York delegations and acquaint them with the decision of the 
 Convention : 
 
 Preston, of Kentucky ; Butler, of Massachusetts ; Richardson, of 
 Illinois ; Gardner, of Georgia ; Meade, of Virginia ; WicklifFe, of Ken 
 tucky ; Pickens, of South Carolina. 
 
 George McCook of Ohio, moved the following resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That at two o'clock P. M., this day, this Convention will proceed, by a call of 
 the States, to nominate a candidate for the Presidency. [Adopted. 
 
 On motion the Convention then took a recess until two o'clock, 
 P.M. 
 
 AFTERNOON SESSION, JUNE 5, 1856. 
 
 Mr. Preston, of Kentucky, reported from the committee to acquaint 
 the New York Delegations of the decision of the Convention in the 
 New York contest, that the committee had performed their duty, and 
 that the contesting delegations had declared their acquiescence in the 
 decision, and would be prepared to comply with it. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 37 
 
 The following is the list of Delegates, from New York, as reported 
 to the Convention by the respective delegations from that State. 
 
 The delegation of which Hon. Horatio Seymour was at the head 
 
 was 
 
 Horatio Seymour, of Utica, 
 Nicholas Hill, Jr., Albany, 
 Wm. H. Ludlow, 
 Samuel E. Johnson, 
 Thomas Byrns, 
 George H. Purser, 
 Stephen H. Feeks, 
 John Cochran, New York, 
 Lorenzo B. Shepherd, do., 
 Daniel F. 
 
 J. N. Fowler, New York, 
 John C. Holley, 
 Thomas R. Westbrook, 
 Dean Richmond, Buffalo, 
 Charles L. Me Arthur. 
 John V. L. Pruyn, Albany, 
 Lemuel L. Jenks, 
 Timothy Hoyle, 
 
 William C. Grain, 
 John C. Wright, 
 Horatio Bullard, 
 John Stryker, 
 Horace G. Prindle, 
 Sands N. Kenyon, 
 DeWitt C. West, 
 Dennis McCarthy, 
 Elmore P. Ross, 
 William C. Dyer, 
 John J. Taylor, 
 William C. Rhodes, 
 Simon B. Jewett, 
 L. P. Weatherby, 
 William Vandervert, 
 Israel T. Hatch, 
 N. Sackett. 
 
 The delegation of which the Hon. Samuel Beardsley was at the 
 head, was 
 
 Samuel Beardsley, Utica, 
 George W. Clinton, Buffalo, 
 Legrand Gr. Capers, 
 Henry C. Murphy, 
 Joseph Blackburn, 
 Thomas Wheeler, 
 Robert W. Allen, 
 Augustus Schell, New York, 
 Elijah Ward, 
 
 Daniel B. Taylor, New York, 
 Robert H. Ludlow, 
 Samuel Fowler, 
 William F. Russell, 
 George W. Petton, 
 David L. Seymour, Troy, 
 David Hamilton, 
 Orville Clark, Sandy Hill, 
 Putnam B. Fisk, 
 
 | Charles Gray. 
 
 Thomas B. Mitchell, 
 
 Samuel S. Brown, 
 
 John Rice, 
 
 Ausburn Birdsall, Binghampton, 
 
 Delos DeWolf, 
 
 Lysander H. Brown, 
 
 John J. Peck, 
 
 Charles W. Pomeroy, 
 
 Wm. Clark, 
 
 Erastus Evans, 
 
 John A. Vanderlip, 
 
 Nicholas E. Pain, 
 
 James G. Shepherd, 
 
 Harvey Goodrich, 
 
 Henry A. Rogers, Buffalo, 
 
 Benjamin Wai worth. 
 
 Mr. Inge, of California, moved that the resolution relative to the 
 establishment of a public road across our territory be reconsidered. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, insisted that the motion was not in 
 order ; that by the decision of the Convention this morning, the order 
 of the hour was to ballot for the Presidency. 
 
 The President so decided. 
 
 Mr. Callehan, of Pennsylvania, arose to a privileged question. The 
 New York delegation had been admitted, but they had not yet signified 
 their acquiescence in the platform, and they ought to be permitted to 
 do so. [Applause. Yes, yes.] 
 
38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Mr. Meade, of Virginia, then moved that New York be now permit 
 ted to vote on the resolutions constituting the platform, which motion 
 was unanimously adopted. 
 
 New York was then called for her vote on said resolutions, and by 
 her respective Chairmen, cast her entire thirty-five votes in the affirma 
 tive, which was received with great applause. 
 
 Mr. Inge, of California, moved for a suspension of the rules, with a 
 view to reconsider the vote laying upon the table, the resolution in 
 favor of an overland communication between the Atlantic and Pacific 
 coasts and he called for a vote by States. 
 
 Ayes : Maine, 1, Vermont 5, Massachusetts, 11, New York 35, 
 Maryland 8, Georgia 1, Louisiana 6, Ohio 6, Tennessee 5, Illinois 11, 
 Missouri 9, Michigan 6, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, California 4 
 121. 
 
 Noes : Maine 7, New Hampshire 5, Massachusetts 2, Rhode Island 
 4, Connecticut 6, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 27, Delaware 3, Vir 
 ginia 15, North Carolina 10, South Carolina 8, Georgia 9, Alabama 
 9, Mississippi 7, Ohio 17, Kentucky 12, Tennessee 7, Iowa 13, Ar 
 kansas 4, Florida 3 175. 
 
 So the motion to suspend the rules was lost. 
 
 Mr. Ludlow, of New York, alluding to the conciliatory spirit which 
 had influenced the Convention in its action on the question so happily 
 adjusted, asked that in the same spirit the Convention would not suffer 
 some seventy good Democrats, who had been sent here as delegates, 
 to wander through the streets of Cincinnati without permission to 
 enter the hall. 
 
 The President decided that the gentleman was out of order. 
 
 The Chair then announced that the order of the hour was the vote 
 on the nomination for Presidency. 
 
 R. Kidder Meade, of Virginia I am charged by my delegation with 
 the duty of presenting to this Convention, as a candidate for the 
 Presidency, the name of that honest and eminent statesman, James 
 Buchanan. [Applause.] 
 
 Harry Hibbard, of New Hampshire In the name of the Democracy 
 of New Hampshire I present the name of Franklin Pierce. [Applause.] 
 
 Mr. Inge, of California I am unanimously instructed by the dele 
 gation from California to put in nomination the great champion of 
 American progress, Lewis Cass, of Michigan. [Applause.] 
 
 Mr. Richardson I propose Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, for the 
 nomination for the Presidency. [Applause ] 
 
 The Convention then proceeded to vote for a candidate for Presi 
 dent. The first ballot was as follows : 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 39 
 
 IST BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 There being no choice the Chair ordered a 2d ballot. 
 
 2n BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 There being no choice, a 3d ballot was ordered. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 W 
 
 || 
 
 p 
 
 rt 
 
 O PT* 
 
 S 
 11 
 
 ? > 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 j Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 Stephen A. 
 Douglas. 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 Maine 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 17 
 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 6 
 13| 
 
 13 
 6 
 3 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 44 
 5 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 3 
 
 11 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 1 
 4 
 
 Maine 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 18 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 G 
 15 
 
 6 
 13 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 9 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3i 
 4 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 4i 
 3 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 2 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, . . 
 
 New Hampshire,.. 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, 
 Connecticut, 
 New York 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, 
 
 
 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 
 
 
 Virginia, 
 North Carolina,... 
 South Carolina,... 
 
 North Carolina,... 
 South Carolina,.. . 
 Georgia, 
 
 
 
 
 
 Louisiana, 
 
 Ohio 
 
 \ . PP ' 
 
 Ohio 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Illinois 
 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 
 Michigan 
 
 
 
 Florida 
 
 
 Texas, 
 
 
 
 
 
 California 
 
 
 
 
 125i 122^1 33 
 
 5 
 
 139 119i 3H 
 
 6 
 
 3D BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 A 4th ballot was then had. 
 
 4ra BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 A 5th ballot was then directed. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 03 
 
 2 
 
 II 
 > 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 Q 
 
 STATES. 
 
 * James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 Stephen A. 
 Douglas. 
 
 Lewis Cass 
 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 17 
 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 6 
 13J 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 3 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 tt 
 
 4 
 
 Maine, 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 18 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 6 
 
 m 
 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 9 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 4 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 3 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, . . 
 Vermont, 
 
 New Hampshire, . 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, 
 
 New York 
 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 Delaware, 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 North Carolina, . . . 
 South Carolina,... 
 
 North Carolina, . . . 
 South Carolina,.... 
 
 
 Alabama 
 
 
 Mississippi, 
 
 Louisiana 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Ohio 
 
 
 Kentucky, 
 
 
 Indiana, 
 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 Arkansas, 
 
 
 
 Florida 
 
 Flor ida 
 
 
 
 
 j Kas ' 
 
 
 i^ wa ' 
 
 California, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 
 
 rnia, 
 
 |]39i!ll9 
 
 32 
 
 5* 
 
 
 14H1119 
 
 30 
 
 5i 
 
40 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 5th BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 A 6th ballot was then had. 
 
 GTH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 A 7th ballot was then taken. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 If 
 fj 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 1 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 cc 
 |f 
 
 CJQ & 
 
 F 3 
 '? > 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 Maine, 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 17 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 6 
 
 13* 
 3* 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 
 8 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 it 
 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 1* 
 4 
 
 Maine 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 6 
 13* 
 5* 
 12 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 
 8 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 10 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 5^ 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 1 
 
 11 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 Vermont, 
 Massachusetts, . . 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania,... 
 Delaware, 
 Maryland, 
 Virginia 
 North Carolina,.. 
 South Carolina,.. 
 
 Massachusetts, . . 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut, .... 
 
 New York 
 
 New Jersey 
 Pennsylvania,... 
 
 Maryland, 
 Virginia 
 
 North Carolina,. 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 
 
 Mississippi . * . 
 
 Mississippi, 
 
 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 
 
 Tennessee, 
 
 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Missouri 
 
 
 
 
 Michigan, 
 Florida, 
 
 Michigan, 
 Florida, 
 
 Texas, 
 
 Texas, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 
 
 
 Il40 
 
 119*1 31 
 
 5* 
 
 
 155 107* i 28 
 
 5 
 
 - 
 
 TTH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 The States were then called for the 8th ballot. 
 
 STH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 After the result of the 8th ballot Mr. Yulee moved an adjournment, which was lost, and 
 the Oth'ballot ordered. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 li 
 |> 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 y S" 
 
 it 
 ?t 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 02 
 If 
 
 IS 
 f ^ 
 
 Lewis Cass 
 
 Maine 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 17 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 6 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 13 
 3* 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 4* 
 8* 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 1* 
 4 
 
 Maine, 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 IS 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 | 
 15 
 
 s 
 1 
 
 ]3 
 tt 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 L47i 
 
 2 
 5 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 t\ 
 i 
 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 1* 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire,. 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 Vermont, 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 New Jersey, .... 
 Pennsylvania,.. . 
 Delaware, 
 
 Massachusetts, . . 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut 
 New York 
 
 New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania.... 
 
 Maryland, 
 Virginia 
 
 Virginia 
 
 North Carolina,. 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 North Carolina,.. 
 South Carolina,. 
 
 \labama, 
 
 
 
 Mississipp', 
 Louisiana, 
 Ohio, 
 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 
 Kentucky, 
 Tennessee, 
 
 
 
 Illinois, 
 Missouri, 
 Arkansas, 
 
 Illinois 
 
 
 
 
 Florida, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 
 143* 
 
 89 
 
 58 
 
 5* 
 
 
 87 
 
 56 
 
 N 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 41 
 
 9rn BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 The 10th ballot was then taken. 
 
 10TH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 The llth ballot was then taken. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 ; Buchanan. 
 
 || 
 * a' 
 
 2 
 5 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 CO 
 JQ fD 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 Maine, 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 17 
 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 7 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 Maine, 
 
 New Hampshire 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 7 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 31 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 5 
 
 n 
 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island . . 
 Connecticut,. .. 
 New York, 
 New Jersey,.. .. 
 Pennsylvania . . 
 Delaware, 
 
 Pennsylvania,... 
 
 
 Virginia, 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 Georgia, 
 
 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 
 Mississippi, 
 
 Mississippi, . .. 
 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 
 Kentucky, 
 
 
 
 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Florida, 
 
 Florida 
 
 Texas 
 
 Iowa 
 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 
 
 
 146 87 1 56 
 
 7 
 
 
 | I47*i 80i GSii 5i 
 
 HTH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 o> 
 
 CO 
 
 1 
 I 
 
 j 
 
 12TH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 * 
 
 STATES. 
 
 W 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 17 
 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 8 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 13 
 
 4* 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 If 
 
 n 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 co 
 II 
 
 s. 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 7* 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 Lewie Cass. 
 
 ifier the 12th ballot Mr. Burnett, of Alabama, moved an adjournment ; but objection 
 ng made, it was withdrawn and the 13th ballot called for. 
 
 Maine, 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 18 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 4 
 
 1* 
 
 4 
 
 Maine 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 18 
 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 8 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 12i 
 4* 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 o 
 5 
 
 7 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 It 
 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 Vermont, 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut,... . 
 New York 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 Vermont, 
 
 Massachusetts,.. 
 Rhode Island,... 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania,.. . 
 
 New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania,.. . 
 Delaware, 
 Maryland, 
 Virginia, 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 Maryland, 
 Virginia 
 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 
 
 Mississippi, 
 
 Mississippi, 
 Louisiana, 
 Ohio 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 Kentucky, 
 Tennessee, 
 
 
 
 T r b ' 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 
 At U ' 
 
 Michigan, 
 Florida, 
 
 Michigan, 
 Florida 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wisconsin, ...... 
 California, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 
 147*1 80 
 
 63 
 
 51 
 
 
 148 
 
 79 
 
 63 
 
 5* 
 
42 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 13xH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 Maine, 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 
 Vermont, 
 
 Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, 
 Connecticut,.. 
 New York,... 
 New Jersey, . 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 Delaware, 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 Georgia, 
 
 Alabama, 
 
 Mississippi, 
 
 Louisiana, 
 
 Ohio,. 
 
 Kentucky, 
 
 Tennessee, 
 
 Indiana, 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 Arkansas, 
 
 Michigan, 
 
 Florida, 
 
 Texas, 
 
 Iowa, 
 
 Wisconsin,, 
 
 California, 
 
 13 
 
 ill 
 
 18 
 
 150 77*1 63 
 
 AFTER THE 13TH BALLOT, Mr. McMullen,of Virginia, moved an adjourn 
 ment. The vote by States being called for, resulted as follows : 
 
 YEAS. New Hampshire, 5 ; Vermont, 5 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; New York, 
 17 ; North Carolina, 5 ; South Carolina, 8 ; Georgia, 10 ; Alabama, 9 ; 
 Mississippi,?; Ohio, 8 ; Kentucky, 5; Tennessee, 12 ; Illinois, 11 ; 
 Missouri, 9 ; Arkansas, 4 ; Florida, 3 ; Texas, 4 ; Iowa, 2 ; California, 
 4 Total, 132. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 8 ; Massachusetts, 13 ; Connecticut, 6 ; New York, 18; 
 New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania. 27 ; Delaware, 3 ; Maryland, 8 ; Virginia, 
 15 ; North Carolina, 5 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Ohio, 15 ; Kentucky, 7 ; Indiana, 
 13; Michigan, 6; Iowa, 2 ; Wisconsin, 5. Total, 164. So the motion 
 was lost. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 43 
 
 14TH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 Maine, 
 
 Sew Hampshire, 
 
 Vermont, 
 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island,... 
 
 onnecticut, 
 New York,... 
 New Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania 
 Delaware, . . . 
 Maryland, . . 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 North Carolina,. 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 Georgia, 
 
 Alabama, 
 
 Mississippi...... 
 
 Louisiana, 
 
 Ohio,. 
 
 Kentucky, 
 
 Tennessee, 
 
 Indiana,., 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Missouri, 
 
 Arkansas, 
 
 Michigan, 
 
 Florida, 
 
 Texas, 
 
 Iowa, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 
 California, 
 
 13 
 
 18 
 
 1S2*| 75 
 
 AFTER THE 14TH BALLOT, Mr. Flournoy, of Arkansas, moved that the 
 Convention do now adjourn until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. A call 
 for votes by States being made, resulted as follows : 
 
 YEAS. Maine, 1 ; New Hampshire, 5 ; Vermont, 5 ; Massachusetts, 
 8 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; New York, 17 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania, 27 ; 
 Delaware 5; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, 8; 
 Georgia, 9 ; Alabama, 9 ; Mississippi, 7 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Ohio, 15 ; Ken 
 tucky, 12 ; Tennessee, 6 ; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11 ; Missouri, 9 ; Ar 
 kansas, 4 ; Florida, 3 , Texas, 4 ; Iowa, 4 ; Wisconsin, 5 ; California, 4 
 Total, 231. 
 
 NAYS. Maine, 7 ; Massachusetts, 5 ; Connecticut, 6 ; New York, 18 ; 
 Maryland, 8; Georgia,!; Ohio,8; Tennessee, 6; Michigan, 6. Total, 65. 
 The Convention adjourned until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. 
 
44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 FIFTH DAY'S PKOCEEDINGS. 
 
 MORNING SESSION, JUNE 6, 1856. 
 
 The Convention was called to order precisely at nine o'clock. The 
 President said that they would now proceed to the fifteenth ballot. 
 
 Mr. Hibbard, of New Hampshire, arose and said : 
 
 Mr. President New Hampshire has thus far given her votes for 
 Franklin Pierce, in accordance with the wishes of the entire body of the 
 democracy of our State. In common with other friends, tried and true, 
 she has supported him steadfastly and earnestly. But, sir, strong as is 
 her preference for her own distinguished son, abiding as is her confidence 
 in his patriotism and statesmanship, warm as is her attachment to him 
 personally, she is willing to defer even these considerations for what 
 may seem the more practicable method of advancing cherished princi 
 ples. She lays them all as an offering upon the altar of our common 
 cause. In so doing, she acts in accordance, not only with the dictates 
 of her political duty, but with his own expressed desire. The unani 
 mous adoption by this Convention of our noble platform, is the most 
 comprehensive and emphatic sanction of the administration of Presi 
 dent Pierce. Beyond this, there needs no tongue to speak his eulogy. 
 I therefore withdraw his name from the present contest. And, sir, by 
 the unanimous instruction of our delegation, I cast the five votes of 
 our State for the man we regard as the next best exponent of the prin 
 ciples and measures so nobly illustrated by the administration of 
 Franklin Pierce the bold, efficient and ever faithful statesman of 
 Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas. [Great Applause.] 
 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 45 
 
 15-TH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 There being no choice, the 16th ballot was called for. 
 
 16TH BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT. 
 
 No choice being made, the 17th ballot was had. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 j Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 Stephen A. 
 Douglas. 
 
 S' 
 
 Q 
 
 STATES. 
 
 James 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Franklin 
 Pierce. 
 
 Stephen A. 
 j Douglas. 
 
 Lewis Cass. 
 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 4 
 6 
 17 
 
 27 
 3 
 8 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 m 
 
 12 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 at 
 
 5 
 5 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 7 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 6t 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 4 
 6 
 
 18 
 7 
 27 
 3 
 8 
 15 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 15 
 
 12 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 
 5 
 5 
 3 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 7 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 12 
 
 11 
 9 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 323 
 
 2 
 4 
 
 New Hampshire, 
 Vermont, 
 Massachusetts,... 
 Rhode Island,.. . 
 Connecticut, 
 New York 
 
 New Hampshire,. 
 
 Massachusetts, . 
 Rhode Island,.. 
 Connecticut, 
 New York, 
 New Jersey,.. .. 
 Pennsylvania,.. 
 Delaware, 
 Maryland, 
 
 New Jersey, .... 
 Pennsylvania 
 Delaware, 
 Maryland, 
 
 North Carolina, . 
 South Carolina, . 
 
 North Carolina, 
 South Carolina, 
 
 Alabama, 
 Mississippi, 
 
 
 Mississippi, 
 Louisiana, 
 Ohio 
 
 Ohio, 
 
 
 Kentucky, 
 Tennessee, 
 
 Tennessee, 
 
 Illinois, 
 
 Illinois . 
 
 
 
 Arkansas, 
 Michigan, 
 Florida, 
 
 
 
 Florida 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 Wisconsin, 
 California, 
 
 
 168 
 
 3*!ll8il 4i 
 
 168 
 
 
 6 
 
 When Mr. Preston, of Kentucky, said ; Mr. President As one of 
 the friends of Mr. Douglas, I have become sufficiently satisfied by the 
 evidences presented here, that it is the wish of this Convention that 
 James Buchanan should be the nominee for President of the United 
 States;! believe that Judge Douglas himself, and the friends of Judge 
 Douglas, and when I say this, I speak with some degree of know 
 ledge on the subject I believe that the friends of Mr. Douglas will be 
 among the first to come forward, and in a spirit of liberality, put an 
 end to the useless contest. I will now give way to the gentleman from 
 Illinois, the friend of Mr. Douglas. 
 
 During Mr. Preston's remarks there were loud expressions of dissa 
 tisfaction and cries of "No, no !" " Don't withdraw !" " Don't with 
 draw !" 
 
 Here W. A. Richardson, of Illinois, arose, and waiving his hand, 
 there was immediate and general silence. In a solemn and impressive 
 manner that gentleman proceeded to address the Convention as follows: 
 
 Mr. Richardson Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention : 
 Before undertaking to advise any gentleman on this floor what he ought 
 to do, I consider that I have a duty which I owe to my constituents, 
 and which, since it is now imposed on me, I feel it is due to- the Demo 
 cratic party and friends of Stephen A. Douglas, that I should dis 
 charge. Whatever may be the opinion of the gentleman as to the 
 
4(3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 contest, I am satisfied that I cannot advance his interests or the inte 
 rests of the common cause, or the principles of the Democratic party, 
 by continuing him in this contest. I will, therefore, state that I have 
 a dispatch from Judge Douglas, which I desire, may be permitted to 
 be read, and I shall then withdraw his name from before the Conven 
 tion. I desire, gentlemen, after that, to decide on what course they 
 may deem it proper to pursue. [Tremendous applause profound 
 sensation.] 
 
 The dispatch was sent to the Chair to be read, and is as follows : 
 
 LETTER OF S. A. DOUGLAS TO W. A. RICHARDSON, OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 WASHINGTON, June 4, 1856. 
 
 Dear Sir : From the telegraphic reports in the newspapers, I fear that an 
 embittered state of feeling is being engendered in the Convention, which 
 may endanger the harmony ond success of our party. I wish you and all my 
 friends to bear in mind that I have a thousand fold more anxiety for the tri 
 umph of our principles than for my own personal elevation. 
 
 If the withdrawal of my name will contribute to the harmony of our party 
 or the success of our cause, I hope you will not hesitate to take the step. 
 Especially it is my desire that the action of the Convention will embody and 
 express the wishes, feelings and principles of the Democracy of the Republic ; 
 and hence, if Mr. Pierce or Mr. Buchanan, or any other statesman who is 
 faithful to the great issues involved in the contest, shall receive a majority of 
 the Convention, I earnestly hope that all my friends will unite in insuring 
 him two thirds, and then in making his nomination unanimous. Let no per 
 sonal considerations disturb the harmony or endanger the triumph of our 
 principles. 
 
 S. A. DOUGLAS. 
 
 To Hon. W. A. RICHARDSON, Burnet House, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 The reading of this dispatch was interrupted by frequent and tre 
 mendous applause. It was some time before order could be re 
 stored. When the Convention had subsided into something like or 
 der, the Prasident announced that they would proceed with the seven 
 teenth ballot. 
 
 Mr. Preston I move that James Buchanan be nominated as the 
 candidate of the democratic party, for President of the United States, 
 by acclamation. 
 
 Voices Go on with the call go on with the call ! 
 The roll was then called for the seventeenth ballot : 
 Maine cast her eight votes for James Buchanan. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 47 
 
 When New Hampshire, was called, Mr. Hibbard said: Mr. Presi 
 dent: New Hampshire has steadily supported the favorite of her peo 
 ple, until it was apparent that he was not the choice of the convention. 
 She then withdrew his name and went heartily for the champion of 
 the North West. The ballottings have shown a like disposition with 
 regard to him. His name, too, is now withdrawn. It is apparent 
 that Mr. Buchanan is the candidate of the Convention. The will of 
 the majority becomes now the choice of all. New Hampshire, sir, 
 bows most respectfully to that decision. She will support the great 
 statesman of Pennsylvania with the same fidelity and determination she 
 has devoted to the cause of her own cherished son. She throws 
 her five votes for James Buchanan, and she will roll down for him her 
 majority of thousands in November next, like an avalanche from her 
 granite hills ! [Great applause.] 
 
 Vermont being called, Mr. Smalley rose and said : Vermont cast 
 her unanimous vote for nine successive ballots for Franklin Pierce, 
 because they regard his Administration, both in its domestic and 
 foreign policy, as entitled to the entire confidence and approbation of 
 every true Democrat. He has, in a perilous crisis, maintained firmly our 
 honor abroad, fearlessly confronted all the intestine factions that have 
 for the last three years distracted our Republic, and nohly sustained the 
 constitutional rights of every part of our common country. He is our 
 neighbor, and we know him to be a man, a patriot, and a statesman 
 without reproach. But we became convinced that he was- not the 
 choice of this Convention, and therefore Vermont gave her five votes 
 for a favorite son, who was born and educated amid her Green Moun 
 tains the bold, the eloquent, and the successful champion in the United 
 States Senate of the great principle of Popular Sovereignty Stephen 
 A. Douglas. But his name has been, for the purpose of conciliation, 
 harmony and unity of action, at his request, withdrawn from the Con 
 vention. Vermont now comes cordially and earnestly to the support 
 of the ripe, able and accomplished statesman of Pennsylvania. And 
 though her Democracy can promise but little, will yield to none in the 
 fidelity and zeal with which they will battle for his election. I am 
 unanimously instructed to cast the five votes of Vermont for James 
 Buchanan. [Loud cheers.] 
 
 Massachusetts was next called, when Mr. Butler answered as follows : 
 Massachusetts has heretofore shown that she reposes faith and confi 
 dence in the distinguished statesman of her own section of the country; 
 yet she has no factious opposition to make to the wishes of the great 
 Democratic party, as indicated in this convention. And though, sir, 
 she cannot promise much, yet, when the nomination is made, she will 
 say, in the language of one of her gallant sons at Lundy's Lane, when 
 ordered to take a British battery "We will try." I am instructed to 
 cast the thirteen votes of Massachusetts for James Buchanan. [Ap 
 plause.] 
 
 When the vote of Rhode Island was called for, Mr. Lawrence said : 
 Mr. President : Rhode Island, during twelve ballots, manifested her 
 
48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 approval of the administration of our distinguished President, whose 
 nomination which she ratified by her electoral vote her delegates 
 four years ago were among the first to sustain. She would have con 
 tinued to cast the same vote had she not been convinced that General 
 Pierce could not unite the requisite support in this Convention. She 
 therefore, last evening transferred her votes to the eminent citizen of 
 Pennsylvania, who, I am free to declare, is, under existing circum 
 stances, the only one of the candidates that have been before us that can 
 redeem our State, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that the dele 
 gation of Rhode Island congratulate their fellow citizens that the nomi 
 nation of James Buchanan is now unanimously responded to. 
 
 Connecticut then cast her six votes for James Buchanan. 
 
 New York was next called, whereupon Mr. Horatio Seymour rose 
 and said : The State of New York, in many respects divided, has at 
 last become united on one point, the moral necessity of confining the 
 nomination within the circle of the three distinguished gentlemen 
 whose names were first presented to the people as candidates for the 
 Presidency, Speaking, in this convention, for one section of the Demo 
 cratic party of the State of New York, I have felt it to be my duty 
 L state that we have felt it our duty to cast our votes for Franklin 
 Pierce. So long as his name continued before the convention, we 
 unfalteringly adhered to him. When his nomination became impos 
 sible, we felt it our duty to give our support to the nomination of 
 Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. His name is now formally with 
 drawn by the person authorized to speak for him; indeed, he has spoken 
 for himself. While we have the strongest desire to continue our sup 
 port for him, we feel that we should be recreant to ourselves and to 
 those whom we represent, if the State of New York should go beyond 
 the limits of the three names originally presented to the people of the 
 United States for nomination. At this stage of the proceedings, in 
 view of this statement, in view of the exigencies of the case, in view of 
 the position in which we are now placed, I ask that we may be per 
 mitted to retire and consult, in order that this nomination may go forth 
 with that moral force and influence which we have so much at heart. 
 
 Hereupon that part of the delegation from New York, of which Mr. 
 Ltidlow was chairman, withdrew for consultation, and on returning to 
 the Convention, 
 
 Mr. Ludlow of New York, said Mr. President, The wing of the 
 Democratic party of the State of New York, represented by the dele 
 gation of which I have the honor to be chairman, has come into this 
 Convention under great disadvantages. It has, Sir, ever been a strong 
 distinctive feature of our Democracy of New York, to stand with 
 reliable truth and firmness by those whom we have reason to regard 
 our friends, and Sir, in this view having had no candidate of our own 
 to present, and without any pledges to others, we have been content 
 and pleased to support the nominees of our friends. We have done 
 so, honorably and honestly, and now that those nominees are with 
 drawn from the further consideration of this Convention, we shall 
 assume no factious attitude, and I take pleasure in following out the 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 49 
 
 sentiment of this Convention, as now indicated, and give eighteen 
 votes from New York, for James Buchanan. 
 
 New Jersey then casts her seven votes for James Buchanan. 
 
 When Pennsylvania was called, 
 
 Hon. John L. Dawson, said Mr. President, The venerable chair 
 man of our delegation, Gov. Porter, not much accustomed to public 
 speaking, has devolved upon me the duty of expressing to this Con 
 vention our high appreciation of the honor conferred upon our State 
 in the selection of its distinguished citizen as the nominee of the Demo 
 cratic party. [Great applause.] We are more than gratified that 
 the time has arrived in the deliberations of this body, when the sacrifice 
 of personal preferences and predilections becomes a virtue. Ardent 
 attachment to distinguished, able and well-tried leaders is a noble 
 characteristic of our people, and is only to be waived at the call of 
 patriotism and necessity. [Cheers.] In this case that harmony and 
 unanimity which is essential to our action, and the surest harbingers 
 of success, has generously secured this surrender. 
 
 The chiefs of the Democracy present many honored names, either 
 of whom would worthily have supported the banner upon which are 
 inscribed the principles to which we own allegiance that banner now 
 reared to be borne by the distinguished son of our own State, the far 
 beaming effulgence of its legend will penetrate the remotest retreats of 
 the land, and quickly rally around it an invincible host, filled with the 
 enthusiasm inspired by a great cause and by the memory of former 
 triumphs and glories, [Great cheering.] 
 
 Mr. Buchanan is a man upon whom all can unite, and in doing so 
 there is no expectation that there will be any surrender of the confi 
 dence in or admiration of those whom we pass by. 
 
 There is not a heart in this Convention that does not glow with full 
 and grateful recognition of the eminent services, to the Democratic 
 party, of Cass, Hunter, Douglas, Bright, Pierce and others whose 
 names have been mentioned. 
 
 The first is, indeed, a mighty name which was long since voluntarily 
 withdrawn from the contest, and whose brilliant efforts in patriotic 
 devotion to the national interest will forever brighten the pages of our 
 country's history. [Tremendous cheers.] In Mr. Hunter we recog 
 nize the model Senator, the distinguished Statesman, a chivalric 
 son of old Virginia, he has been nurtured in the school of her sages 
 who laid the foundation and shaped the superstructure of the con 
 federacy. [Applause.] 
 
 The clear-sighted boldness, the skilful battle for the right that has 
 marked the public career of Douglas, would have made him a gallant 
 leader in the contest, whom we should all have delighted to follow ; 
 [renewed applause ;] while in Bright we recognize those high qualities 
 that mark the rising statesmen of the West, and see in him the true 
 representative of her gigantic and advancing power. [Great applause.] 
 4 
 
5Q PROCEEDINGS OP THE 
 
 The Administration of General Pierce requires no eulogium from 
 me. True to the Constitution, to the principles and policy of the 
 Democratic party, we say in a spirit of justice: " Well done, good 
 and faithful servant/* [Loud cheers.] 
 
 As Pennsylvanians, the representatives on this floor of a State, 
 which, in all the elements of greatness, we claim in a spirit of patriotic 
 attachment, is inferior to none in the Union one of the " Old 
 Thirteen" are proud that the towering greatness of her son has 
 secured to her the well-merited and distinguished honor. [Loud and 
 long continued applause.] His nomination is a guaranty to the 
 country of an administration of the Constitution in its purity, with a 
 just regard to all sections, and without partial and modern construc 
 tions of its spirit and provisions. [Renewed applause.] His election 
 will restore confidence, secure peace to a restless people, and kindle 
 anew the fires of patriotism and love of the Union in bosoms where 
 those sentiments had begun to smoulder. He will receive a large and 
 overwhelming majority in the Keystone State. [Enthusiastic cheers.] 
 A majority demanded by her numerical power consistent with the 
 integrity of her people and their loyalty to the Constitution and the 
 Union of the States. Her gallant sons will rally from the Delaware 
 to the Ohio ; on the loftiest summit of her mountain range they nvill 
 fling our banner to the breeze, bearing upon it the inscription of the 
 honored name of " James Buchanan, our country and the Constitu 
 tion," and victory as certain as that which attended the American 
 arms upon the immortal battle fields of our national history will 
 brighten in letters of living light upon its broad and ample folds as it 
 will wave so gracefully and gallantly in triumph over the land. 
 [Hearty and long-continued applause.] 
 
 Delaware casts her 3 votes for James Buchanan, Maryland 8, 
 and Virginia 15. 
 
 When North Carolina was called, 
 
 Mr. Avery, Chairman of the North Carolina delegation, said Mr. 
 President, The delegation of North Carolina appeared in this Conven 
 tion, with the view to battle for great principles, not for men. The 
 platform adopted by the Convention commanded their most hearty 
 approval ; it is broad enough to hold every national man within the 
 limits of the republic ; nothing can be taken from it without impairing 
 its symmetry ; nothing can be added to it without marring its fair 
 proportions. Under these circumstances we have been prepared to 
 sustain the nominee who may be placed upon that platform with no 
 ordinary zeal. We adhered to Franklin Pierce through many ballot- 
 ings, not only as a matter of choice as being preferred by us above all 
 others at this time, but because we conceived it a duty imposed upon 
 the South to support him in view of the bold and manly stand taken 
 by his Administration in maintaining the laws under the Constitution, 
 and upholding the rights of all the States in this Union. When the State 
 of New Hampshire, in a spirit of conciliation, abandoned her favorite 
 son, we felt it a duty to pay a tribute of respect and gratitude to the 
 distinguished son of Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas. And, General 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 51 
 
 Pierce out of the way, we could not have returned to our constituents 
 without having manifested in some way our high appreciation of the 
 eminent services rendered to his country by the author of the Kansas 
 and Nebraska bill. 
 
 We have sustained by our votes thus far these two eminent men, in 
 no factious spirit ; and as it is apparent that the feeling of this Con 
 vention is in favor of the distinguished son of the Keystone State, we 
 acquiesce in that manifestation of preference made by our political 
 brethren here assembled. The Hon. James Buchanan was the first 
 choice of North Carolina for President four years ago. fie has under 
 gone no change in political sentiments since that time, and our confi 
 dence in him has not been in any wise impaired, for the Democracy 
 of North Carolina loves James Buchanan still. Pending his stay in 
 Europe, events transpired which identified Messrs. Pierce and Douglas 
 more prominently than others with certain leading issues before the 
 country, and according to the views we entertained respecting their 
 services in that behalf, we could not consistently abandon them while 
 the name of either of them was before the Convention ; they are now 
 bot h withdrawn, and we come a united delegation with a hearty good 
 will to the support of the man for whom North Carolina did battle 
 four years ago. On behalf of the North Carolina delegation I cast ten. 
 votes for James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. [Applause. 
 
 When South Carolina was called, Governor Manning addressed the 
 President as follows : 
 
 South Carolina, determined as she is to support the candidates 
 placed upon the platform of principles erected by this Convention, has 
 given that support in the first instance to Franklin Pierce of New 
 Hampshire, and then to Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, and she would 
 have continued to yield to them an unfaltering support as long as their 
 names were presented by their friends to the Convention. But there 
 is something else that South Carolina has at heart, as much as her 
 attachment to persons or friends in this contest the preservation of 
 the Constitution and the Union. By the action of this Convention, 
 and by the presence here of South Carolina, the bond of brotherhood 
 among all the States of this Union is undivided. South Carolina, Sir, 
 casts her eight votes for James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. [Loud 
 applause.] 
 
 The State of Georgia being then called, Mr. Gardner said : The 
 Georgia delegation, Sir, came here pledged to the support of the gen 
 tleman for whom her vote was first cast, and for whom her warm and 
 cordial sympathies were enlisted. Next to him, the delegation, or at 
 least a large portion of them, thought it their duty to come to the sup 
 port of Judge Douglas, of Illinois. They considered it their duty to 
 do so, in view of the fact that this gentleman had manfully battled for 
 great constitutional and conservative principles. But we love not 
 Pierce and Douglas alone ; we have a warm and cordial Southern heart 
 for James Buchanan. From the broad ocean's shore from the mid 
 land counties of the State from its mountains and its valleys, with a 
 loud and exulting shout of triumph, the Democracy will come forward 
 in support of James Buchanan ; and we pledge to him the ten electoral 
 votes of Georgia. [Applause.] 
 
52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 The State of Alabama was then called by the Secretary. Mr. Chap 
 man, of Alabama, said : I hope, Sir, I shall be indulged by the Con 
 vention while I make a brief statement in regard to the position of 
 Alabama. The delegation from that State came here united in support 
 of Franklin Pierce. After he was withdrawn, they voted for Stephen 
 A. Douglas. These votes, Sir, were not given on account of any hos 
 tility to the distinguished son of Pennsylvania, but because those gen 
 tlemen were, in our opinion, more immediately identified with the 
 new question which has recently arisen. There is no State in the 
 Union where the son of Pennsylvania is held in higher esteem and 
 honor than the one from which I come. We still have confidence in 
 him ; he is still a favorite of Alabama. We have seen the unanimity 
 with which the delegation from Pennsylvania have come to the support 
 of our platform of principles, and this alone would be sufficient to 
 impart confidence in the candidate they have presented to the Conven 
 tion. W T e remember, too, that in the last Convention, James Bu 
 chanan was the first choice of Alabama ; we remember that he was 
 the favorite candidate of the lamented William K. King, who was 
 associated on the same ticket with Franklin Pierce. And, humble as 
 I am, I claim that no one excels me in confidence and esteem for the 
 eminent statesman for whom Alabama is about to cast her vote. Not 
 reluctantly, but with pleasure she gives her votes to James Buchanan, 
 of Pennsylvania. [Cheers.] <, 
 
 The Secretary then called Mississippi, when Mr. Clayton, for the Mis 
 sissippi delegation, said that by the vote of Mississippi, now about to 
 be given, she desired to give one more evidence of her devotion to 
 Democratic principles. She had thus far voted first for Pierce, next 
 for Douglas, because she regarded them as the exponents and embodi 
 ment of her principles ; but she never had any opposition to Mr. Bu 
 chanan. Four years ago she had voted for him twenty-seven times in 
 the Baltimore Convention. She now again casts her vote for him, 
 with a pledge that her people will ratify it by six thousand majority. 
 
 Mr. Matthews, of Mississippi, added : I desire to state, Sir, that 
 Mississippi, in casting her vote first for Franklin Pierce, and then for 
 Judge Douglas, wishes not to be understood as having any opposition 
 to Pennsylvania's favorite son. She voted for those gentlemen as 
 representatives of that great principle which claims to lie at the very 
 foundation of American liberty. She did not for a moment suppose 
 Mr. Buchanan to be opposed to that principle ; but she considered Mr. 
 Pierce and Mr. Douglas to be more intimately identified with it. Mis 
 sissippi will support the nominee. With pride and pleasure she will 
 take up the banner which the Democracy have entrusted to the hands 
 of James Buchanan, and carry it in triumph through nearly every 
 county in the State. Mississippi casts her seven votes for James 
 Buchanan. [Loud cheering.] 
 
 President. Let Louisiana be called. 
 
 Secretary. Louisiana. 
 
 Gov. Marston. Louisiana, as heretofore, casts her six votes for 
 James Buchanan. 
 
 Ohio was next called, and she answered by Mr. Medary : It is with 
 great pleasure, I announce to you, Mr. President, and the honorable 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. " 53 
 
 delegates to this Convention, that Ohio has no longer to cast fractional 
 votes. With the platform that you have given us as a bond of union for 
 the Democracy of this great country, we are willing to fight under any 
 leader that this Convention may select for us. I assure you, Mr. 
 President, that as a personal friend of that Little Giant of the north 
 west, for whom so many of us have cast our votes, or for whom I am 
 willing to do battle even single-handed, that no one will yield more 
 pleasantly to the decision of the Convention ; and I can speak also for 
 the whole of the delegation with which I am associated, and that none 
 will more readily and zealously support the nominee presented to us 
 to-day. I pledge you, in behalf of the Democracy of Ohio, that as 
 they have been so exact in casting their vote here, they will be equally 
 exact in casting their whole vote for James Buchanan, and though 
 divided here, they will be united at the polls, and will not consider 
 their duty discharged till they have deposited their whole vote in the 
 ballot box; and they will carry the State next November by at least 
 twenty-five thousand majority. They will unite not only with their 
 neighbors in Pennsylvania, but will stretch out their hands to the 
 extreme South, the West and the East, to meet their Democratic 
 brethren, and to assist in giving the death-blow to fanatacism in this 
 country. Ohio casts her twenty-three votes for James Buchanan, of 
 Pennsylvania. [Tremendous cheers.] 
 
 Kentucky, when her name was called, through Gov. Wickliffe, said: 
 Kentucky, though she cannot promise her thousands in November 
 next, yet she says to the Democracy of the Union now, that when the 
 hour of battle arrives, she will give a majority to James Buchanan, 
 for whom she now casts her 12 votes. 
 
 The Secretary then called Tennessee, and Mr. Bate, of Tennessee, 
 said : We came here, gentlemen of the Convention, representing the 
 spirit of the Democracy of Jackson and of Polk. I wish to state, on 
 behalf of the Democracy of Tennessee, that they voted for the distin 
 guished individual who now occupies the Executive chair, as the repre 
 sentative of the great principle which now presents the prominent issue 
 before the country, and afterward, for the same reason, testified their 
 appreciation of the eminent gentleman who introduced the measure. 
 Tennessee, Sir, has not cast her vote for a Democratic candidate for 
 the Presidency, since she voted for her own son, the illustrious Jack 
 son. But standing here now, the representative, in part, of the De 
 mocracy of Tennessee, I promise that she will give for the nominee of 
 this Convention, a Democratic majority of ten thousand votes. While 
 here, we have cast the vote of Tennessee as a unit. There has been 
 some division of opinion in the delegation. We now, however, give 
 a heartfelt and entire vote to James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Secretary. Indiana. 
 
 Judge Borden. Thirteen votes for James Buchanan, of Pennsylva 
 nia, now, and the same in November next. 
 
 Illinois was then called for, and Col. Kichardson rose, in behalf of 
 that State, and responded as follows : I am instructed by the delega 
 tion from the State of Illinois, to return to this Convention their heart 
 felt acknowldgements for the complimentary vote their distinguished 
 son has received; and above and beyond all to return their thanks that 
 
54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 while he has received one hundred and twenty-two votes as a candidate 
 for the Presidency, before the highest tribunal known to the Democratic 
 party; the adoption of the great principle embodied in that platform, 
 which received the assent of every member of the Committee on Reso 
 lutions, and of every member of the Convention, has endorsed the 
 political opinions of Stephen A. Douglas. While he has been com 
 plimented by that vote, the fact that the principles for which he has 
 battled in the Senate and before the whole country, are made by the 
 Democratic party the leading principles of its political faith, is a still 
 higher compliment, which might excite sentiments of pride in the 
 bosom of any man. We h%ve come here, Sir, animated by no sectional 
 spirit. We have come here in the full belief that the spirit of the 
 Democratic party resides in its principles more than in its men. We 
 have come to say to the Democratic party all over this Union that, as 
 in times past, the Democratic banner has never been torn in Illinois, 
 so it will not be torn in November next. Illinois joins her voice to 
 the voices of the delegates of the other States, and casts her eleven 
 votes for James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Missouri was then called, and Mr. W. A. Harris answered : That 
 before he cast the vote of his State, he was instructed to offer a few 
 words of explanation. He said that it was known to the Convention 
 that although the vote of Missouri had been cast as a unit for Judge 
 Douglas, that there were on that delegation many friends of President 
 Pierce, and also a large minority who preferred Mr. Buchanan as their 
 first choice. Yet, having determined among themselves not to depart 
 from the list of names before the Convention, they had from the begin 
 ning decided to vote for Mr. Pierce, or Mr. Douglas or Mr. Buchanan, 
 till the one or the other was nominated. Mr. Douglas has endeared 
 himself to the State of Missouri and to the whole country, in manfully 
 standing up for all the great principles of the Constitution, in juftly 
 interpreting and enforcing all its guarantees and powers, with a con 
 stancy and fidelity never surpassed by any statesman of the country. 
 But it was by his authorship of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and his argu 
 ments of transcendent ability and eloquence in its support, and the 
 moral heroism with which he has constantly met and vanquished the 
 enemies of our peace, and the enemies of our Union, that he has estab 
 lished himself in the hearts and affections of the people. But, in a spirit 
 of manly self-denial, he has directed his friends to withdraw his name 
 from the list of those now before the Convention for nomination. We 
 surrender him, therefore, to be warmed and cherished in the hearts of 
 the people, to still further add to his glorious record of sound states 
 manship, until his countrymen call upon him for the performance of 
 still greater duties in higher spheres. 
 
 Thus, then, we are free to cast our united vote for him who, from 
 the beginning and for many years, was the honored and long- cherished 
 first choice of a large minority of us a statesman of the greatest tal 
 ents and ability, the most enlarged experience, and the most pre-emi 
 nent qualifications for the high office of President of the United States. 
 His record of forty years is but the record of his wisdom and services as 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 55 
 
 a statesman, his ability and sagacity as a diplomatist, and his devotion 
 to the Union and the rights of the States. It is a record without a 
 blemish and without a stain. The hearts of his countrymen are warmed 
 and drawn to him with a force and a fervor which will bear him with 
 shouts and acclamations into the Presidential chair. Being one of his 
 original, ardent and long-devoted friends, my delegation has kindly 
 accorded to me the grateful pleasure of casting our unanimous vote for 
 that noble son of a noble State, James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 President Call Arkansas. 
 
 Secretary Arkansas ! 
 
 Mr. Flournoy, of Arkansas It is known, sir, to this Convention, 
 that the delegation from Arkansas came here instructed to cast their 
 vote for the present Executive, Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire. 
 In accordance with those instructions, they faithfully adhered to him 
 until they saw he no longer had a chance to obtain the nomination of 
 the Convention. They then came enthusiastically and harmoniously 
 to the support of the Little Giant of Illinois. They have voted for him 
 since that time, and wherever his banner was seen to float, there were 
 we seen to battle. But, sir, we have had no factious opposition to 
 make to any candidate. Our vote was merely the expression of a per 
 sonal preference. It was well known to us, and well appreciated, that 
 James Buchanan was a pure patriot and a great man, and that he was 
 in every way worthy of our support and our vote. While, for a time, 
 we did battle against him, we never meant our vote to go beyond the 
 circle of the three names which were originally presented to this Con 
 vention, and we always intended, whenever there-should be a firm and 
 decided majority in favor of Mr. Buchanan, to show that we were ani 
 mated by no factious spirit of opposition, and to add our vote to those 
 of his supporters. We are now as enthusiastic friends of Mr. Buchanan 
 as can be found on this floor. There is, sir, an anecdote in history 
 which would well illustrate the position of Arkansas. When the 
 Prince and Princess of Armenia were captured by Cyrus, and led out 
 to receive the sentence of death or of banishment that might be imposed 
 on them by the conqueror, and the Prince was asked what he had to 
 say why sentence should not be pronounced, he answered that for him 
 self he had nothing to say, but for the Princess he asked that she might 
 be permitted to return to her own country "as for me," he said, "do 
 with me as you please." After she had returned, when all were ex 
 pressing admiration for Cyrus, who was said to be the man of most 
 gallant bearing in the world, the Princess was asked what she thought 
 of him. She replied that she had never seen him. When surprise was 
 manifested that she, who had been in his presence, had not seen him, 
 she answered that she had no eyes except for the man who had been 
 willing to sacrifice his own life to save hers. Thus, sir, it is with 
 Arkansas. From this time till November, she will have no eyes except 
 for James Buchanan. I pledge myself that, in November next, she 
 will give for him in proportion to her vote a larger majority than any 
 other State in the Union. And, sir, as I am always willing to back 
 my judgment, I will bet a banner, to be worked by the fairest hands in 
 Arkansas, that such will be the case. 
 
5(3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Many members We take the bet. 
 
 Mr. Flournoy Well, sir, the banners will be ready to send to the 
 States that win them, and I predict that after the election, we* shall be 
 overwhelmed with flags from every State in the Union. As I have 
 said, we have hitherto been opposed to the nominee of this Convention, 
 but our opposition has been guided by dignity and moderation. We 
 expect and we have some reason to expect it that we shall meet with 
 noble and generous conquerors, and that some little favor will be ex 
 tended to us when we express a choice for the second office in the gift 
 of the Convention. I now cast the four votes of Arkansas for James 
 Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Secretary : Michigan ! 
 
 Mr. : Michigan still casts her six votes for James Buchanan. 
 
 Secretary : Florida ! 
 
 Response : Florida casts her three votes for James Buchanan. 
 
 When the vote of Texas was called, Mr. Waelder, of Texas, said : 
 
 Mr. President : In 1852, when the final vote of the National Con 
 vention was taken, Texas had no speech to make, neither does she desire 
 to impose a long speech upon the Convention of 1856 ; but, sir, as 
 chairman of the Texas delegation, I desire to say these few words : 
 
 Heretofore the State of Texas has cast her four votes, first for Frank 
 lin Pierce, next for Stephen A. Douglas. In thus casting her vote, she 
 did not regard James Buchanan as less pure, as less true to our com 
 mon Constitution; but, sir, she voted for Franklin Pierce and Stephen 
 A. Douglas, because they had been more actively engaged in the strug 
 gle which has of late convulsed every section of our country. 
 
 We heartily concur in the nomination of James Buchanan. As the 
 Democracy of Pennsylvania have heretofore done battle for the consti 
 tutional rights of the South, and of every section of the Union, so the 
 Democracy of the " Lone Star " do battle for that favorite, noble son 
 of the " Keystone of the Arch." Sir, from the flowered prairies of the 
 South-west we extend the Democratic hand of fellowship to the Demo 
 cracy of every section of this Union. 
 
 As to the vote of Texas on the first Monday of November next, I 
 will make no pledges. But that our majority for the Democratic cause 
 will out-rival even that of the native State of the nominee, in propor 
 tion to the population of the two States, I have no doubt. 
 
 I now cast the four votes of the State of Texas (and I do so with 
 great pleasure) for James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Iowa next cast her four votes for James Buchanan. 
 Wisconsin being called : Five votes for James Buchanan. 
 
 The Secretary then called for California, when she answered as fol 
 lows : 
 
 Mr. Inge, of California Mr. President : California came here for 
 the purpose of giving a frank, loyal and united support to the eminent 
 statesman who is now receiving by general acclaim from this Conven 
 tion the enthusiastic tribute of generous hearts, vindicating him as 
 their unanimous choice for a position higher in moral grandeur than 
 the loftiest of the imperial thrones of this Earth. 
 
 The expression of preference for Mr. Buchanan, on the part of our 
 State Convention, left the delegation in no doubt as to the course pro- 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 57 
 
 per for them to pursue. But the State Convention, at the same time 
 that it expressed, in distinct terms, its preference for Buchanan, virtual 
 ly instructed us to obtain from this National Convention of the great 
 Democratic party, a full endorsement of the policy of a safe and speedy 
 communication, through our own territory, between the Atlantic and 
 Pacific coasts of this confederacy. It must be conceded that no achieve 
 ment of American arms or diplomacy, has redounded more to the 
 prosperity and glory of our country than the acquisition of California. 
 [Here Mr. Inge was called to order by the President, who remarked, 
 that he was traveling beyond the record, and could not proceed with 
 out the unanimous consent of the Convention. Cries of leave ! leave ! 
 accompanied with applause, from all parts of the hall, invited the 
 Speaker to proceed with his remarks, who continued as follows : 
 
 I am deeply grateful to this Convention for the consideration 
 accorded to the distant State of California. This Convention remem 
 bers, Mr. President, that we have traveled six thousand miles, travers 
 ing two oceans, and braving the fiery sun and the deadly malaria of the 
 tropics, to meet our democratic brothers here, and to aid in this glorious 
 consummation. [Applause.] The acquisition of California, as I have 
 said, was justly regarded as the most brilliant achievement of the 
 American arms. To accomplish it much of the most precious blood 
 of the republic has been shed, and millions of treasure have been lavishly 
 expended. From the year 1800, from the days of Jefferson to the treaty 
 of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the acquisition of that territory, has been a 
 paramount object of American diplomacy. It has ever been the dream 
 of our statesmen, and an object dear to the hearts of our people to 
 make America an ocean-bound republic. [Applause.] 
 
 Well sir, that country has been acquired. She is now a member of 
 our ocean-bound confederacy the brightest star in the glorious con 
 stellation of American States. [Applause.] There she lies before 
 you sir, filled with an industrious and energetic population ; with her 
 vast commercial and agricultural resources ; and with a climate, whose 
 geniality attests, more than any other creation of Omnipotent power, 
 the beneficence of God to his creatures. Above all she is distinguisha 
 ble from her sisters, by the golden treasures, sparkling in exhaustless 
 profusion upon her surface, and which lie embedded in her snow 
 capped mountains. But with all these facts entitling California to the 
 favorable consideration of the federal government, after having been 
 a sovereign member of the confederacy for nearly six years, after con 
 tributing five hundred millions of dollars to the wealth of the country. 
 What has been done to facilitate communication between the Atlantic 
 and Pacific coasts of the confederacy ? California, at this day, remains 
 isolated in position, and practically out of the Union, by the failure of 
 Congress to establish the means of an overland communication. On 
 this subject the masses of the American people are united. State 
 legislatures, mass meetings, the press of the country with its thousand 
 tongues, have urged upon Congress prompt and efficient legislation, 
 for the attainment of this great national object. Look, for a moment, 
 at her present condition. The route across the plains, infested with 
 hostile Indians, is no longer open to the adventurous march of the 
 emigrant. In Nicaragua civil war rages ; in the midsi of which them 
 
58 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 is no protection to life or property. The emigrant can only pass there, 
 between files of contending soldiers, and with feet stained with human 
 blood. At Panama, the brutal and savage negro, animated by the 
 hope of plunder, have recently assailed our unarmed countrymen, 
 inflicting death indiscriminately. Upon both the Isthmus routes, dan 
 ger, disease and death stand in frightful array along the pathway of the 
 emigrant. Sir, we ask that the federal government may exercise all its 
 constitutional power, to provide a safe and speedy communication 
 over our own territory between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of this 
 Union. A resolution embracing that policy, has been laid on the 
 table by a vote of this Convention, the delegation from Pennsylvania, 
 voting aye upon the motion to lay upon the table. With the vote of 
 Pennsylvania, thus recorded, against a policy so vital to the interests 
 of our State, the delegation from California have not felt it consistent 
 with their own self respect, or with the dignity of the State which they 
 have the honor to represent, to cast their votes for James Buchanan. 
 But they have assurances now, that Mr. Buchanan does not concur in 
 the opposition to that measure, indicated by the votes of the Pennsylva 
 nia delegation, and we therefore cordially acquiesce in his nomination, 
 and pledge our State to his support. Sir, we do more, we pledge her 
 to an overwhelming majority. When the shouts of victory from the 
 East boom across the plains and ascend the lofty summits of the Cor 
 dilleras, they will be met by responsive shouts of triumph from the 
 golden valleys of the Pacific State. [Tremendous applause.] 
 
 [Subsequently the proposition for an overland communication, within our 
 own territory between the Atlantic and Pacific, was voted upon, directly, by 
 the Convention, the Pennsylvania delegation voting unanimously against 
 laying the same on the table; and, on its final passage a portion of said dele 
 gation voted for, and a portion against its adoption ; said proposition having 
 been carried ; ayes 205, noes 87.] 
 
 The President of the Convention Gentlemen : The result of the 
 seventeenth ballot is as follows: James Buchanan has received 296 
 votes, which being the whole vote cast, and the entire vote of the Con 
 vention, I announce with pleasure, that James Buchanan, of Penn 
 sylvania, is unanimously nominated as the Democratic candidate for 
 President of the United States. [Vociferous cheering; long continued.] 
 
 Here shouts were raised for Col. Black, of Pennsylvania ; whereupon 
 after silence was restored, the Hon. Samuel Black rose and spoke as 
 follows : 
 
 Col. Samuel W. Black, of Pennsylvania Mr. President: At the 
 unanimous request of the Pennsylvania delegation, I rise to express 
 their thanks for the high honor conferred upon our State, in the unani 
 mous vote of this Convention, now recorded for James Buchanan. I 
 do not design, sir, to weary the well tried patience of this assembly 
 with a set speech. Your labors have been protracted and severe. It 
 is desirable and just that we should bring them to a speedy and har 
 monious conclusion. Pennsylvania, in whose name and stead I am 
 permitted to speak, offers from her heart, to every other state of the 
 confederacy, this public acknowledgment of deep and sincere gratitude. 
 Every portion of our country is here represented. I do not say sec- 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 59 
 
 tion, for, sir, with the Democracy of Pennsylvania that term is 
 abhorred, and the spirit of sectionalism is a by-word and reproach. We 
 recognize, and will forever maintain and defend every several right of 
 every sovereign State of the American Union. And we will vindicate, 
 with the same spirit that leads us to assert the sovereign rights of our 
 own State, the rights of the people of every territory to settle for them 
 selves their own form of Government to choose their own Democratic 
 institutions and to manage them according to the council and pleasure 
 of their own will they, like as we do, submitting in all things to the 
 guidance and control of the Constitution of the United States. We 
 believe that sentiments similar to these will form amongst the Ameri 
 can people a prevailing aud perpetual bond of Union. Universal confi 
 dence and kindness will take the place of distrust and jealousy. It is 
 only by an open and manly recognition of the rights that belong to 
 every State and Territory, that we can hope for a peaceful perpetuity 
 to our Union. 
 
 That we may attest our earnestness, Pennsylvania, in the presence of 
 her country's star-lit flag, and in his presence who is the pattern of his 
 country and the father also to the Constitution, though not its author, 
 we renew our vows of fidelity to the Union and the Constitution. (A 
 portrait of Washington, festooned with flags, was directly in front of 
 the speaker). 
 
 If the evil day should come, which God mercifully avert, when we 
 should see the rights of any State abused or crushed, her appeal to 
 Pennsylvania will not be in vain. If she is feeble, her weakness will 
 strengthen our attachment and love. Our beloved State will say from 
 the heart to the heart "Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to return 
 from following after thee ; where thou goest I will go, where thou 
 lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my 
 God. Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried. The 
 Lord do so to me and mine also, if aught but death part thee and me." 
 (Great emotion and applause). 
 
 But, sir, I have wandered from my duty, and returning to it I renew 
 our thanks to every State represented in this Convention. Before I 
 close allow me to vindicate Pennsylvania's favorite son against the 
 charge of having failed in that higher duty which every man owes to 
 himself, to society and to the sweeter sex. Mr. Buchanan, we confess, 
 is a bachelor. But the reason is a complete vindication as will, I am 
 sure, satisfy every gentleman here present. It is this as soon as James 
 Buchanan was old enough to marry, he became wedded to the Con 
 stitution of his country, and the laws of Pennsylvania do not allow a 
 man to have more than one wife. 
 
 For some time the cheers, long and loud, from without, and the roar 
 of cannon, had announced that along the telegraphic wires the glad 
 news was streaming to every part of the Republic that James Buchanan 
 was the unanimous choice of the American Democracy for President 
 of the United States. 
 
 After the vote had been duly recorded, there was such a general sen 
 sation, that it was difficult to proceed with other business. 
 
 B. F. Hallett, from the Committee on Resolutions, reported the fol 
 lowing : 
 
60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Resolved, That the administration of Franklin Pierce has been true to the great interests of the 
 country. In the face of the most determined opposition it has maintained the laws, enforced econo 
 my, fostered progress, and infused integrity and vigor into every department of the government at 
 home. It has signally improved our treaty relations, extended the field of commercial enterprise, 
 and vindicated the rights of American citizens abroad. It has asserted with eminent impartiality 
 the just claims of every section, and has at all times been faithful to the Constitution. We there 
 fore proclaim our unqualified approbation of its measures and its policy. 
 
 Adopted, with long and rapturous applause, and unanimously. 
 
 The Committee on Resolutions, to whom was referred the resolution 
 submitted by the delegation for Virginia, have instructed their Chair 
 man to ask that they be discharged from its further consideration. 
 
 June 5, 1856. B. F. HALLETT, Chairman. 
 
 Which Report was concurred in. 
 
 H. B. Wright, of Pennsylvania, with remarks, offered the following 
 resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings in this Convention, relating to the conflicting delegations from 
 the State of New York, be stricken from the record thereof, and that we earnestly recommend to 
 both delegations here present to unite in a call for a single State Convention to nominate an elec 
 toral ticket and ticket for State officers. 
 
 The following are the remarks of Mr. Beardsley, Mr. Ludlow and 
 Governor Seymour, of New York, upon the resolution offered by Mr. 
 Wright, of Pennsylvania, to expunge from the reports of the Commit 
 tee on Credentials all but the resolutions in the New York case : 
 
 Mr. Beardsley rose deliberately and said For the representatives of 
 our section of the Democracy of New York, I am ready to avow here, 
 that they have every wish to unite the Democracy of New York on 
 sound principles, and to sustain the nomination made here and all who 
 stand firmly on the platform which has been erected by the Conven 
 tion. They, sir, have no reproaches to make. They honestly agree to 
 act as they believe to be the wish of their brethren throughout the 
 Union, and they entertain the firm conviction that the vote of New 
 York will exhibit a glorious Democratic victory at the coming election. 
 I have said enough to show what we feel, and I do not mean to imply 
 a doubt that our brethren in New York will participate in these feel 
 ings, and act in accordance with the pledge we have given. 
 
 Mr. Ludlow On behalf of the delegation which I have the honor to 
 represent, I most cordially and most heartily reciprocate the sentiments 
 avowed by the Chairman of the other delegation. Sir, I congratulate 
 the Democracy of New York ; I congratulate the Democracy of Penn 
 sylvania ; I congratulate the Democracy of the whole Union, that the 
 proposition has been introduced by the gentleman who has been repre 
 senting Pennsylvania on this floor. The introduction of that resolution 
 is a pledge on the part of the friends of Mr. Buchanan that whatever 
 differences may have grown up, are eradicated forever. By the adop 
 tion of that resolution, New York stands pledged next fall to elect the 
 Democratic nominee. As an accompaniment to that resolution, not 
 as an amendment, but I hope it will be accepted by the mover of the 
 resolution now before the Convention, I have one in my hand, which 
 I wish to offer. Divided as we have been, it may give rise to some 
 embarrassment in New York to choose a member of the National Com 
 mittee. I propose that the election of that member may be referred to 
 the next State Convention held under that resolution. 
 
 Which proposition being opposed by Mr. Beardsley, of N. Y., was, 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 61 
 
 at the request of Horatio Seymour, of N. Y., and others, withdrawn by 
 Mr. Ludlow, and the original resolution unanimously adopted. 
 Thereupon the Convention adjourned until 2 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 AFTERNOON SESSION, JUNE 6, 1856. 
 At 2 o'clock the Convention was called to order. 
 
 Mr. Shields, of Missouri, rose and said Mr. President, I have heen 
 unanimously instructed by the Delegation from Missouri to offer in 
 their name, the resolution which I now send to the Clerk's table to be 
 read, and I ask this Convention to adopt the same, not only as an act 
 of justice to the Great West and our Pacific brethren, but as a measure 
 to bind more closely together our wide-spread Union in enduring 
 bonds. It has been framed with a view to secure, if possible, the 
 unanimous approval of this body. The President decided that under 
 the rules, the resolution must go, without debate, to the Committee on 
 Kesolutions. The resolution was as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the duty of the Federal Government to construct, so far as it has constitu 
 tional power so to do, a safe overland communication within our own territory bvtween the Pacific 
 and Atlantic States. 
 
 Mr. Saunders of Wisconsin I offer the following amendment to 
 the resolution of the gentleman from Missouri, and I move that the 
 Committee on Resolutions be instructed to report it back to the Con 
 vention with the recommendation that the same be adopted. 
 
 Resolved, That the Democratic party recognizes the great importance, in a political and com 
 mercial point of view, of a safe and speedy communication through our own territory between the 
 Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Union, and that it is the duty of the Federal Government to 
 exercise all its constitutional power to the attainment of that object, thereby binding the Union of 
 these States in indissoluble bonds, and opening to the rich commerce of Asia an overland transit 
 from the Pacific to the Mississippi River, and the great lakes of the North. 
 
 Here Gov. Chapman raised a point of order, viz.: that under the 
 special order of the Convention we must now proceed to the nomina 
 tion of Vice President. 
 
 President There is no such special order. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, moved to lay the whole subject on- 
 the table. 
 
 Mr. Shields accepted the resolution of the gentleman of Wisconsin, 
 as an amendment of his own. 
 
 On the motion to lay on the table, the votes by States being taken, 
 resulted as follows Ayes 74, nays 220. 
 
 AYES New Hampshire 4, Massachusetts 1, Rhode Island 2, Con 
 necticut 4, New Jersey 7, Delaware 1, Virginia 15, North Carolina 10, 
 South Carolina 8, Georgia 7, Mississippi 7, Ohio 6, Tennessee 1 
 Florida 374. 
 
 NAYS Maine 8, New Hampshire 1, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 12, 
 Rhode Island 2, Connecticut 2, New York 35, Pennsylvania 27, Del 
 aware 2, Maryland 8, Georgia 31, Alabama 9, Louisiana 6, Ohio 17, 
 Kentucky 12, Tennessee 11, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, Missouri 9,' 
 
62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, California 
 4220. 
 
 So the motion to lay on the table was lost. 
 
 Mr. Phelps of Missouri If my friend from Michigan will withdraw 
 his motion, which is out of order, I will move to suspend the rules, 
 which will bring the Convention to a direct vote on the resolution 
 itself. 
 
 President The motion of the gentleman from Wisconsin is out of 
 order does he give way for the gentleman from Missouri. 
 
 Mr. Saunders I withdraw my motion, and make that suggested 
 by the gentleman from Missouri that the rules be suspended. 
 
 The vote was called for by States, and was as follows : 
 
 AYES Maine 8, New Hampshire 1, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 11, 
 Rhode Island 2, Connecticut 3, New York 35, Pennsylvania 6, Del 
 aware 2, Maryland 8, Georgia 3, Alabama 9, Missouri 7, Louisiana 6, 
 Ohio 19, Kentucky 12, Tennessee 11, Indiana, 13, Illinois 11, Mis 
 souri 9, Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, 
 California 4 208. 
 
 NAYS New Hampshire 4, Massachusetts 2, Rhode Island 2, Con 
 necticut 3, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 21, Delaware 1, Virginia 15, 
 North Carolina 10, South Carolina 8, Georgia 7, Ohio 4, Tennessee 1, 
 Florida 388. 
 
 So the rules were suspended, by a vote of two -thirds. 
 
 Mr. Inge, of California, then moved the adoption of the resolution, 
 and on this motion called for the previous question. 
 
 The call for the previous question being sustained, the vote was 
 taken on the resolution, and resulted as follows : 
 
 AYES Maine 8, New Hampshire 1, Vermont 5, Massachusetts 11, 
 Rhode Island 2, Connecticut 3, New York 35, Pennsylvania 6, Del 
 aware 1, Maryland 8, Georgia 6, Alabama 9, Mississippi 7, Louisiana 
 6, Ohio 14, Kentucky 12, Tennessee 11, Indiana 13, Illinois 11, 
 Missouri 9, Arkansas 4, Michigan 6, Texas 4, Iowa 4, Wisconsin 5, 
 California 4205. 
 
 NAYS New Hampshire 4, Massachusetts 2, Rhode Island 2, Con 
 necticut 3, New Jersey 7, Pennsylvania 21, Delaware 1, Virginia 15, 
 North Carolina 10, South Carolina 8, Georgia 4, Ohio 6, Tennessee 1, 
 Florida 3 87. 
 
 So the resolution was adopted by the Convention. 
 
 Mr. Phelps, of Missouri I now move to reconsider the vote adopt 
 ing the resolution, and move further that said motion be laid on the 
 table, so as to clinch the passage of said resolution. Adopted. 
 
 The President then announced that the next business in order was 
 the nominations for Vice President. 
 
 Mr. C . A. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, arose and said, I am instructed 
 unanimously by the delegation to present to the Convention, for the 
 second office in the gift of the Democracy, that tried Democrat of their 
 own State, Linn Boyd, of Kentucky. [Loud applause.] 
 
 Thomas L. Harris, of Illinois. Mr. President : By the unanimous 
 vote of the delegation from Illinois, I present to the Convention for 
 the Vice Presidency the name of a gentleman who, though born on the 
 banks of the Hudson, now lives on the banks of the Mississippi. He 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 was a gentleman of whom the whole nation was proud; who was 
 equally distinguished for the boldness, as for the goodness of his heart; 
 whose nature was as warm and affectionate as it was true and gallant. 
 1 have had the honor to serve under him in the perilous scenes of a 
 fierce conflict in a hostile and distant land, and I can bear personal 
 testimony to his patriotism, his fidelity to duty, his dauntless bravery 
 he was ever foremost where danger and duty called. He it was who 
 so nobly led the gallant volunteers of his country through such appall 
 ing dangers into the very heart of the enemy's capital, and there first, 
 on one of the loftiest citadels of the Montezumas, planted the banner 
 of the Republic. This name, which Illinois, with her unanimous voice 
 and all her heart, presented to the Convention for the Vice Presidency, 
 was John A. Quitman, of Mississippi. [Immense and prolonged 
 applause.] 
 
 Gen. J. L. Lewis, of Louisiana, was instructed by his delegation to 
 present the name of John 0. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, for the Vice 
 Presidency. [Applause.] 
 
 Mr. Breckinridge arose amid great applause. It was some time 
 before the cheering ceased and be could be heard. He said : 
 
 Mr. President : How can I adequately express my gratitude to the 
 noble State of Louisiana, for this flattering manifestation of their good 
 will ? But, Sir, I have always held tbat promotion should follow 
 seniority. Besides, I am already a candidate for the votes of the peo 
 ple, having been designated by the Democracy as the elector in my 
 district, and expect soon to enter upon an active campaign to traverse 
 the valleys and climb the mountains of my native State, in behalf of 
 the distinguished and noble candidate we have already selected for the 
 Presidency, and, in advocacy of the glorious State Rights Platform, 
 which we have adopted with such signal unanimity. There is still 
 another reason why my name should not be pressed for this high post. 
 The delegation of my own State, with which I cordially concur, have 
 already presented the name of one of her sons a tried and able cham 
 pion of Democracy for this very office. I can never consent that my 
 name should be placed in opposition to, or my merits in competition 
 with his. I beg, therefore, with grateful acknowledgements for the 
 high compliment offered me by the delegation from Louisiana, that my 
 name may be withdrawn. [Great applause.] 
 
 Mr. Chapman, of Alabama Mr. President : In behalf of the Ala 
 bama delegation, I am proud to present for the consideration of the 
 Convention, the name of one of her tried and talented statesmen; one 
 who has already in the high office he so worthily fills evinced his 
 fidelity to the faith of the Democracy; I name Benjamin Fitzpatrick. 
 With such a name associated with that of Pennsylvania's great and 
 wise statesman, Alabama, in the next contest, will roll up a majority 
 of fifteen thousand. In answer to the objection that the last Vice 
 President was taken from Alabama, I would remind the Convention of 
 the melancholy event by which the nation was deprived of the services 
 of that distinguished statesman, so long the intimate and confidential 
 friend of James Buchanan. [Applause.] 
 
 A delegate from Tennessee nominated A. V. Brown, and spoke of 
 his fidelity to the Democracy for thirty years; his intimacy and cor- 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 dial co-operation with Jackson and Polk, and declared that, with his 
 name, the Democratic party would, in the next election, achieve one of 
 the most brilliant triumphs in the history of political victories. 
 
 Mr. Wilson, of South Carolina Mr. President : In behalf of the 
 delegation of South Carolina, I beg to present to the Convention the 
 name of one of the distinguished sons of the Old Dominion, whom 
 genius, eloquence and sound Democracy commend him to the people, 
 as the man for the high position for which we are now about to nominate 
 the candidate. Sir, I allude to James A. Seddon. [Great applause.] 
 
 Jas. A. Seddon of Virginia Mr. President, I appreciate profoundly 
 the honor conferred by the nomination just made, and am especially 
 gratified by the source whence it has proceeded. To receive the appro 
 ving plaudits of the "gallant Percy of the South" is inestimably grate 
 ful to my feelings, and till my heart's last throb must be borne in 
 indelible remembrance. I must, however, decline the nomination ten 
 dered, and beg the honorable gentleman to withdraw my name from the 
 candidacy. The Virginia delegation, with my entire assent, have con 
 curred in the sentiment that, considering the circumstances under which 
 she has acted and the position she has occupied in relation to the nomi 
 nation for the Presidency, it would be more consistent with her dignity 
 and honor that no son of hers should be placed in nomination for the 
 Vice-President. In addition, I may add as my private judgment, that 
 it would be more judicious and disinterested that no nomination for the 
 Vice-Presidency should be made from among the delegates to the nomi 
 nating body. In deference, therefore, both to the ascertained sentiment 
 of my co-delegates and to my personal conviction, I beg, with all respect 
 to the gallant State proposing me, that my name be withdrawn, and I 
 am happy to be able to illustrate in my own case the principle of dis 
 interestedness commended by my State and my own judgment. 
 
 Mr. Avery, of North Carolina I am instructed by the delegation of 
 North Carolina to call the attention of the Convention to the merits 
 and qualifications of one of her distinguished sons, whose ability and 
 high administrative talents have been so conspicuously displayed in that 
 department of the Executive Government which is most intimately 
 connected with the interest and feelings of the people. North Carolina 
 was a modest State ; she rarely obtruded her pretensions on her brothers 
 of other States ; but the great attainments, eminent services and wide 
 popularity of her son, induced her delegation now to present his name 
 for the second office in the gift of the Democracy. North Carolina pre 
 sented the name of James C. Dobbin. [Loud cheers.] 
 
 Mr. Underwood, of Georgia Mr. President : Since the Government 
 was established, Georgia has had but three Cabinet or excutive offices 
 in the Government. Her recent brilliant triumphs for the Democracy 
 give some claims to be considered in the choice of the candidate for at 
 least the second office in the Government, I will, therefore, present the 
 name of one of her sons who, in two of the severest political battles 
 ever fought in the State, bore with his stalwart arm and dauntless heart 
 the flag of Democracy to glorious victory, that man who had met one 
 of the fiercest and most dangerous factions that ever raised its grim 
 front in the land, and sent it howling back to its den. 
 
 I propose the name of Herschell V. Johnson, [Loud applause.] 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 65 
 
 Mr. Moore, of Maine, presented the name, and gave the eight votes 
 of his State for Thomas J. Rusk, of Texas. 
 
 A delegate from Texas said that, while the delegation from Texas 
 felt highly honored in having her favorite son named for the Vice-Pre 
 sidency, they felt it their duty to that distinguished citizen to beg that 
 his name be withdrawn. General Rusk had recently received the unani 
 mous vote of the Legislature of his State for the United States Senate, 
 and he felt it to be his duty to remain at his post and fulfill the wishes 
 and guard the honor and interests of his State in that important sphere. 
 
 Mr. G. Salisbury, of Delaware, nominated Jas. A. Bayard, of his 
 State, for the Vice-Presidency. 
 
 Mr. W. Salisbury, of Delaware I nominate that eminent son of 
 Delaware, and distinguished Democrat of Missouri, the standard-bearer 
 of its gallant Democracy, Trusten Polk. 
 
 Mr. Phelps, of Missouri : Missouri highly appreciates this compli 
 ment to her distinguished citizen, coming as it does from his native 
 State ; but that gentleman had already been placed in nomination by 
 the Democracy of Missouri for the Governorship of the State. He was 
 already in the field, and the Democracy of Missouri could not spare him 
 for any other post. He begged, therefore, that his name might be 
 withdrawn. 
 
 In that State the contest is a peculiar one. Our geographical position 
 and the strange effort made there by those upon whose pretensions this 
 Convention has already passed, demands that the eloquent voice of our 
 nominee for Governor shall continue to be heard, arousing her true 
 Democracy as by a trumpet blast to the great battle, in which all friends 
 of the Constitution and Union are now to engage under the national 
 championship of the honored son of Pennsylvania. The Democracy 
 of Missouri, by acclamation, put their standard into his hands they 
 mean to respond with enthusiasm to his appeals. Only a few weeks 
 are to elapse before the election. It is too late for them in that vast 
 State to change front now, by substitution of a new Gubernatorial 
 candidate. Knowing his devotion to the cause, as manifested in the 
 self-sacrifice he made, in consenting to bear our State banner, notwith 
 standing the situation of his private affairs, and knowing that his pure 
 patriotism always beats exultant to the call of duty, regardless of self, 
 the Missouri Delegation, profoundly thankful for the warm regard 
 expressed by his native State, as well as others, beg his friends from 
 Delaware to withdraw his name. Missouri, in her State election, must 
 meet the first shock of the conflict. It is important that she should 
 meet it triumphantly. The Democracy of the Union need Trusten Polk 
 where he now is, and where Missouri has placed him. [Cheers.] 
 
 The President. The Convention will now proceed to ballot for a 
 candidate for the Vice Presidency. The Secretary will call the States. 
 
 Maine. Rusk, 8 votes. 
 
 New Hampshire.- Quitman, 1; Fitzpatrick, 2; Dobbin, 2. 
 5 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 When Vermont was called, Mr. Smalley said The delegation of 
 Vermont believing that no Democrat has a right to refuse his services 
 when his country calls, have instructed me to cast the five votes of 
 Vermont for the talented, accomplished and eloquent son of Kentucky, 
 John C. Breckinridge. [Loud applause.] 
 
 John 0. Breckinridge, 5. 
 
 Massachusetts Quit,man, 1; Fitzpatrick, 2; Brown, 6: Johnson, 1: 
 
 Bayard, 1 ; Rusk, 2. 
 Rhode Island Johnson, 4. 
 Connecticut Johnson, 6. 
 New York Quitman, 7 ; Bayard, 18. 
 New Jersey Boyd, 2 ; Polk, 5. 
 Pennsylvania Butler, 27. 
 Delaware Bayard, 3. 
 Maryland Johnson, 8. 
 Virginia Breckinridge, 15. 
 North Carolina Dobbin, 10. 
 South Carolina Quitman, 8. 
 Georgia Johnson, 10. 
 Alabama Fitzpatrick, 9. 
 Mississippi Quitman, 7. 
 Louisiana Breckinridge, 6. 
 
 Ohio Quitman, 8 ; Boyd, 6 ; Johnson, 2 ; Breckinridge, 7. 
 Kentucky Boyd, 12. 
 Tennessee Brown, 12. 
 Indiana Boyd, 13. 
 Illinois Quitman, 11. 
 Missouri Bayard, 9. 
 Arkansas Quitman, 4. 
 Michigan Brown, 6. 
 Florida Dobbin, 4. 
 Texas Quitman, 3; Brown, 1. 
 Iowa Breckinridge, 4. 
 Wisconsin Rusk, 5. 
 California Brown, 4. 
 
 Before the vote was announced, Maine changed her 8 votes from Husk 
 to Breckinridge ; and New Hampshire changed her 5 votes, and cast 
 them also for Breckinridge. 
 
 Total. Quitman, 59; Boyd 33; Fitzpatrick, 11; Brown, 29; Dobbin, 
 13; Johnson, 31; Breckinridge, 51; Bayard, 31; Polk, 5; Butler, 27; 
 Rusk, 7, 
 
 On the second ballot, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont led off 
 for Breckinridge Massachusetts followed with eleven out of thirteen 
 votes Rhode Island followed with her four, then the New York Softs 
 gave him eighteen. Delaware, Maryland and Virginia voting in the 
 same way, it became quite obvious that he was the choice of the body, 
 and though several of the remaining States voted for other candidates, 
 they quickly, one by one, changed their votes ; the several delegates 
 making neat and appropriate speeches in announcing the change of the 
 vote. The entire vote being polled for John C. Breckinridge, of Ken 
 tucky. 
 
 Then commenced the withdrawal. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 
 
 Mr. Salisbury withdrew the name of Bayard, and threw the vote of 
 Delaware for Breckinridge. 
 
 When Connecticut was called, P. C. Childs said: Mr. President 
 Let the South say whom they desire for this office, and we will put 
 him through in a minute. If they don't agree, Connecticut will put 
 Isaac Toucey in the field. 
 
 Another delegate from Connecticut Oh, no : we will keep Toucey 
 for some higher game. 
 
 Chapman, of Albania, withdrew Fitzpatrick and threw the vote of 
 that State for Breckinridge. 
 
 Col. Bates, of Tennessee, withdrew A. V. Brown, pledging his cor 
 dial support of the ticket and declaring the vote for Breckinridge. 
 
 Governor Matthews, of Mississippi, after returning thanks to Illinois 
 for placing Mississippi's favorite son in nomination, withdrew the 
 name of Quitman. 
 
 All the other candidates were severally withdrawn by the gentlemen 
 who had nominated them. 
 
 Quickly all the other States changed their votes, wheeled into line, 
 and before the roll was concluded there was a solid column of all the 
 delegations, and TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX votes were given for John 
 C. Breckinridge. (Immense cheering, long continued, enthusiastic and 
 overwhelming.) 
 
 The whole Convention rose, and with waving of handkerchiefs and 
 and the loudest calls, directed its gaze upon the tall and graceful dele 
 gate from Kentucky, who had been so unexpectedly nominated for such 
 an exalted post. 
 
 It was long before these demonstrations subsided so as to allow a 
 word to be heard. At last the manly form of Mr. Breckinridge stood 
 above the surrounding crowd, and silence and profound attention mark 
 ing the aspect of the vast assembly, he spoke as follows : 
 
 Mr. President, and gentlemen of the Democratic National Conven 
 tion : The result just announced is quite as unexpected to me as it 
 could be to any gentlemen on this floor. In the inferior and personal 
 aspect of the matter, I beg you to consider all said that ought to be said 
 on such an occasion. I am truly and sincerely without words to con 
 vey to you my profound gratitude for such an unexpected and signal 
 testimonial of your confidence and favor. I may say sincerely, and 
 call upon my associates in this body to bear witness to its truth, that 
 in my course as a member of this body, I have made no concealments 
 of my preferences, nor used any art or taken one step toward bringing 
 about this result. 
 
 But it is not my purpose to make a speech. I merely arose to ex 
 press to you the thanks of a true heart. I may add, too, the declara 
 tion of my high appreciation of the association of my humble name 
 with that of the distinguished and tried statesman of Pennsylvania. I 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 have always regarded Mr. Buchanan as the last survivor of that noble 
 band of American statesmen and orators, whose names are associated 
 with the brightest glories of our country, and whose deeds constitute 
 its most cherished memorials. He has come down from that genera 
 tion to transmit and guide us of the present. He has lived down 
 calumny and detraction, and now stands forth the peerless champion 
 of Democracy. Honored and beloved by all his countrymen, and only 
 waiting a few months to be clothed with the highest dignity the nation 
 and the people can confer. . 
 
 The platform you have so unanimously adopted I need not, as a 
 State-Rights man, say I cordially approve and indorse. With these 
 true Jeffersonian principles, and with the temper of Jackson to enforce 
 and maintain them , Democracy will enter the contest with the determina 
 tion to add another to the brilliant victories which have so often crowned 
 their efforts. It would not be appropriate to discuss any general prin 
 ciple or enter further upon the issues which will be involved in this 
 contest. I will therefore conclude by expressing my purpose to devote 
 all my heart and niind to the great duty which has been so unexpectedly 
 conferred upon me, and to strive to justify the confidence which you 
 have manifested. [Immense applause. Loud cheers within and with 
 out the hall.] 
 
 During the delivery of the speech of Mr. Breckinridge, the cannon of 
 the Empire Club were thundering their approval of the nomination, 
 and the Convention was boisterous in its applause. 
 
 When Mr. Breckinridge resumed his seat, there w r as a loud call for 
 Mr. Preston of Kentucky, when that gentleman came forward and 
 addressed the Convention in an eloquent off-hand speech, which pro 
 duced the most thrilling effect. 
 
 Wm. E. Preston, of Kentucky said : Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Con 
 vention, I am at present laboring under much physical debility, but I can not 
 feel insensible to the honor you have done me, by thus unexpectedly calling 
 me to the stand. Although by this expression of your esteem, so genially 
 given, I feel as much surprised as my friend and comrade must have been, 
 by the great testimonial which you have but just now given by his selection 
 I will not say nomination for the office of Vice-Presidency of the United 
 States. For myself, I stand here comparatively a stranger amongst you ; but 
 he had a right by inheritance to the favorable opinions of the Democracy, 
 and his elevation to the second office in the Government, is an auspicious 
 augury of the return of Kentucky to the Democratic faith of her fathers. 
 (Great applause.) It is the preliminary announcement of the return of my 
 native State to the honored principles of the past, those principles which were 
 in the ascendant, when John Breckinridge of Kentucky, the grand-father of 
 the nominee, asserted with all the strength of a virtuous purpose and signal 
 ability the celebrated resolutions of 1798, the foundation upon which yet 
 repose the principles of the Democratic party, and their theory of the Consti 
 tution. I do not appropriate to myself personally the loud acclaims which 
 have greeted me in this assembly, but I regard it as a generous earnest of that 
 magnanimous regard which the Democracy have exhibited for all that true 
 and loyal band of old Whigs whose honorable existence as a party having 
 closed are now compelled to choose between the factions, I will not flatter them 
 with the name of parties, that are struggling in unprincipled confusion for 
 political ascendancy, and the great party of the national Democracy. I am 
 proud to avow that I belong to those old Whigs who, revering the Constitution 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 69 
 
 of our country, look alone to its principles as the true safeguard of the Union, 
 rather than to the bigoted and trenchant rituals of a secret organization. 
 You know, Mr. President, the glories of the men to whom I allude. They 
 have come forward animated alone by love of Rebublican freedom, and dis 
 daining the senseless mummeries of the Know Nothng order, and the treasona 
 ble doctrine of the Black Republican party, as honorable auxilliaries, to swell 
 the ranks that to-day array themselves under the banner of the National 
 Democracy, and under the brilliant leadership of Buchanan and Breckinridge. 
 (Cheers.) I feel, sir, a profound satisfaction that we came to the aid of the 
 party now assembled, and joined its standard in the hour of darkness and 
 peril, without terms or compromise, neither asking honors, no longer as 
 enemies but as friends determined to stand by that party which did not hesi 
 tate to sustain the Union and the Constitution. In many an honorable field, in 
 many a tough contest, the old Whig party, led by its venerated statesmen, 
 have encountered the Democracy, and sometimes with success. The policy of 
 both were based on the Constitution, and were patriotic and comprehensive, 
 but different. No blush of shame rose either to the cheek of the victor or the 
 vanquished party when the fight was over but a manly acquiescence in the 
 verdict of the people was yielded to the successful party. No oaths to pro 
 scribe the friendless, no obligations to infringe religious freedom stain their 
 history, no treasonable dogmas like those of the Black Republicans, impairing, 
 if carried into effect, the equality of the States and violating the Constitution, 
 marked the race, but a free and honorable difference of opinion as to the 
 commercial, financial and domestic policy which should be pursued by the. 
 nation. Against such factions, however, it now becomes the duty of the Whig 
 party to do battle or send in servile capitulation. It is between them and 
 the Democracy that the old Whigs of the country are compelled to decide. 
 My choice is made, (cheers) and when I see around me the numbers of dele 
 gates who once were members of that organization when I see them 
 seeking refuge in the unshaken battalions of the Democracy when I know 
 that two or three hundred thousand of the old Whig party share our senti 
 ments, I cannot, doubt result. It would be unjust in me, to refuse the testi 
 mony I offer to the gallant and patriotic stand made by the Democracy during 
 the last two years of the darkest hours that threatened the country. Stand 
 ing as it does this day, it is more glorious far, than at any former period of its 
 history. It occupies a grander position than when by the foresight of Jeffer 
 son, it secured the bright and fertile plains of Louisiana, or when it added the 
 beautiful savannahs of Texas to the Union, or when it planted in triumph our 
 standard upon the turrets of Mexico, or when it completed the continental 
 breadth of the empire, by giving it an ocean boundary on either side, or 
 when it impressed the arts, the arms, the civilization and the free institutions 
 of our people upon the golden shores of California. (Applause.) Yes, Mr. 
 President, grander by far stands the Democratic party of to-day, than at 
 either of those proud epochs ; because in the day of gloom and disaster it 
 courageously confronted domestic dissentions, trampled under foot the foul 
 theory of factions, and now prepares, in this hall, by these principles, and 
 under the leaders to-day chosen, to maintain to the last extremity those prin 
 ciples upon which rest the prosperity of our country and the peaceful union 
 of these States. It is true that, remembering rather the animosities of the 
 past than the emergencies of the present, there are some of the old Whig 
 guard that, like John Bunyan's pilgrims, yet halt at Doubting Castle ; but 
 when the telegraph bears upon its wings the result of this day's deliberations, 
 their cheeks will no longer be sicklied with irresolution, but they will rush to 
 your standard and join you for the common cause of their country. (Great 
 applause.) 
 
 Permit me to add another remark : There were in the States of the North 
 a company of gallant men feeling the full force of constitutional obligations 
 and recognizing the sovereign right of the States of the Confederacy both to 
 regulate their own internal affairs and to lend the impress of our institutions 
 to the common territory of the country, without sectional distinction, who, 
 when Douglas, with the intrepidity of genius and the foresight of a statesman 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 sought to remove forever the irritating causes which for thirty years, had 
 produced festering discontent at the North and the South, came forward as 
 a forlorn hope, in the passage of the Nebraska-Kansas act. I shall never 
 forget the deep emotions of respect and admiration with which I saw them 
 repair to resist the sectional prejudices of the people they represented. It 
 exhibited a moral grandeur worthy of the best days of the Republic. They 
 prepared to execute at once and forever an act which was the logical conse 
 quence of the compromise of 1850, and to remove forever from the domination 
 of Congress to the tribunals of the territories, the decision of the only great 
 question which has disturbed the fraternal love of our country. All knew 
 that the act was of such magnitude that it could not be performed without 
 hearing a loud outcry of fanatics, mal-contents and demagogues, but they 
 proved themselves equal to the occasion. 'The tempest burst forth with all 
 its fury; every foul element of religious rancor and hatred of race, was in 
 voked to increase its strength. The treasonable wave of the Black Republican 
 party united with the fierce fanatacism of the miscalled American order, 
 swept over the land, and few were able to withstand the shock. I see many 
 around me who were the victims of the misguided vengeance of the people. 
 Let such men be remembered in your coming hour of victory. If they should 
 never arise from their prostrate position, they have fallen because of their 
 patriotism and courage, and the epitaph which marked the spot where the 
 immortal three hundred fell at Thermopylae, might well be inscribed to com 
 memorate their deeds: "Go, stranger, and at Lacedsemon tell that here, obe 
 dient to her laws, we fell." But I can not believe that such injustice would 
 ever mark the history of the Democracy. I believe that the people, when 
 the public reason is restored, will again lift them in their arms, bind up their 
 wounds, and amid the clangor of the approaching Presidential contest, will 
 hail them as leaders in the greatest battle which it has ever been the fortune 
 of the Democracy to offer in behalf of the Constitution and the union, against 
 all comers. The first duty of the Democracy is to restore those to honor who 
 who were the first to maintain, at all hazards, the principles and honor of the 
 Democratic party, and whom the enemies of the Democracy first ovewhelmed. 
 In conclusion, I return thanks, Mr. President, once more for the high kind 
 ness with which I have been signalized by this Convention; and, in tender 
 ing co-operation and allegiance to the Democratic party, I shall attempt, as 
 far as lies within my humble power, to ride deep into the ranks of our adver 
 saries, and win my spurs in the approaching battle. I shall do this in no 
 inimical spirit, but I trust with all the fervor and sincerity of a man who 
 appreciates the priceless blessings that our Union confers, believes that they 
 can only be preserved by regarding all our people as equal without respect to 
 institutions or sections, and is determined while his heart beats to know no 
 friends or political associations which do not struggle to attain this end and 
 preserve the Union by the only means it can be preserved, which is by a strict 
 observance of the Constitution under which we live. I thank heaven that 
 while I stand here to-day and gaze across at the hills of my native Kentucky, 
 I stand with a party which by the unanimous voices of the delegates of thirty- 
 one States, has emblazoned its policy upon its banner, by the party which, by 
 a unanimous voice, has selected its leaders leaders of known worth, ability 
 and patriotism, .as the exponents of its ideas, and a party which is the same, 
 both in principles and in candidates, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from 
 Canada to the Gulf a party that stands majestic in its strength and simpli 
 city, divided by no chain of mountains, severed by no river, while all the 
 other contending factions that hover around it, find that Southern institutions 
 are the boundaries of their patriotism, and the Ohio river the frontier of their 
 nationality. (Tremendous cheering.) 
 
 Mr. Petit, of Indiana, said Mr. President, I thank you for the honor 
 you have done me in calling me up on this occasion. There is in the 
 history of the past of our party but little to bring a blush mantling 
 upon the cheek ; while if we look forward there is much to beckoa 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. 71 
 
 onward, and invite us to new hopes, new trials, new victories and 
 rewards. With the platform you have presented, you will march to 
 victory, and give repose to the country. 
 
 You have crushed out the viper of a secret organization which 
 disseminated itself through the land, poisoning the springs of liberal 
 and virtuous political action ; and you stand upon a firm foundation 
 with your candidates before the country, certain to triumph in the 
 approaching contest. [Mr. Petit spoke further, but in consequence of 
 confusion upon the floor we were unable to catch his remarks.] 
 
 Mr. Richardson, of Illinois, moved that the Chair appoint a com 
 mittee of nine to officially inform Messrs. Buchanan and Breckinridge 
 of their nomination. Carried. 
 
 The President appointed the following gentlemen to constitute said 
 Committee : 
 
 Richardson of Illinois, Hibbard of New Hampshire, Lawrence of 
 Rhode Island, Brown of Mississippi, Tucker of Virginia, Forsyth of 
 Alabama, Manning of South Carolina, Preston of Kentucky, Horatio 
 Seymour, of New York. 
 
 At the unanimous and earnest request of the Convention, the name 
 of the Piesident, John E. Ward, was added to the Committee as 
 Chairman thereof. 
 
 The Special Committee appointed to select a National Committee 
 submitted the following report : 
 
 Resolved, That the next Democratic National Convention, be held at Charleston in the State 
 of South Carolina. 
 
 Resolved, That the rule adopted by the Convention of 1852, and acted upon in this Convention, 
 be the rule for the number of delegates each state shall be entitled to in the next Democratic Na 
 tional Convention, and that the National Committee, in calling the next Convention, shall provide 
 seats therein for each State equal to t\vice the number of its electoral votes, and no more. 
 
 Resolved, That the time of holding the next Convention be designated by the Democratic Na 
 tional Committee, and that, in their call, the resolutions of 1852, providing for the number of dele 
 gates, be inserted as the rule for choosing delegates. 
 
 Resolved, That the National Democratic Committee cause an official report of the proceedings 
 of this Convention to be prepared, published and distributed among members, for their respective 
 States, and that said report shall contain a list of the names of and the post office address of each 
 delegate, and the number of electoral votes of each State. 
 
 Resolved, That the first State Convention to be held in New York under one undivided Demo 
 cratic organization, be authorized by this Convention to appoint a member of the National Com 
 mittee from that State. (Signed,) 
 
 THOS. McCREERY, Chairman. 
 W. M. POGH, Secretary. 
 
 After reading the report Mr. McCreery said : 
 
 In selecting a place for holding the next Convention, the Committee 
 was divided between New York and Charleston. The Democracy of 
 both have been recently distracted and divided ; let this be received by 
 them as an offering and incentive to union and continued exertion 
 in the great Democratic cause. In the name of the Committee he 
 presented the report. 
 
 Judge Beardsley would make an explanation as to New York with 
 regard to this matter. It will be understood by the Convention that 
 until quite recently the Democracy of New York to which I belong, 
 did not comprehend that proposition by which it is intended to send 
 
72 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE 
 
 the question of the selection of a National Committeeman to the next 
 State Convention to be held in New York. We are prepared to live 
 up to the arrangement into which we have entered. 1 hope that it 
 may have the effect of producing that harmony among us which is so 
 much to be desired ; but I hope this Convention will not send to New 
 York for decision the trivial matter of selecting a Committeeman. 
 It would be a thorn in the side of the Democracy there, and likely to 
 cause fresh irritation and disagreement. He would move that all that 
 part of the report relating to the New York National Committeeman 
 be stricken out. 
 
 Mr. Ludlow opposed this motion. If the matter was so trivial of 
 itself, why should it be stricken out ? This matter relating to New 
 York, should be sent to New York for decision. He assured them that 
 New York had been out of communion with the Democracy of the 
 Union too long, and they did not desire to have no committeemen for 
 four years longer, but wished to be in communication with other States 
 in the National Committee. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Meade, of Virginia, the following resolution was 
 offered for the one reported by the committee on the subject : 
 
 Resolved, That each delegation report a name to the Chairman to be placed by him in a hat, and 
 that he draw one of the names, the same to be declared duly elected a member of the Committee. 
 
 The resolution was adopted and the report was then agreed to. 
 
 Thereupon, the President requested each delegation from New York 
 to send one name to the President's table, so that the choice might be 
 made. The delegation represented by Judge Beardsley, submitted the 
 name of Augustus Schell. Mr. Ludlow said those whom he repre 
 sented would yield to the other members of the New York delegation 
 the member of the committee for that State, rather than trouble the 
 Convention with such a matter. And the President then announced 
 that Augustus Schell was selected as the member of said committee 
 on the part of New York. 
 
 The National Democratic Committee, as chosen, was composed of 
 the following gentlemen : 
 
 NAMES OP NATIONAL COMMITTEE. 
 
 STATE. NAME. POST OEFICE. 
 
 Maine John Babson Wiscasset. 
 
 New Hampshire John H.George Concord. 
 
 Vermont David A. Smalley Burlington. 
 
 Massachusetts James Cheever Boston. 
 
 Rhode Island Elisha R. Potter South Kingston. 
 
 Connecticut James T. Pratt Rocky Hill. 
 
 New York Augustus Schell New York City. 
 
 New Jersey Jacob Vanatta Morristown. 
 
 Pennsylvania C. L. Ward Towanda. 
 
 Delaware Wm. D. Ochiltree New Castle. 
 
 Maryland Richard B. Carmichael....Centreville. 
 
 Virginia Wm. H. Clark Halifax Court House. 
 
 North Carolina Thos. D. McDowell Elizabethtown. 
 
 South Carolina Benjamin H. Wilson Georgetown. 
 
 Georgia Wm. K. DeGraffenried Macon. 
 
 Alabama Henry D. Smith Florence. 
 
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION 73 
 
 Mississippi Wm. R. Cannon Columbus. 
 
 Louisiana Thomas E. P. Cottman Donaldsonyille. 
 
 Ohio C. L. Vallandigham Dayton. 
 
 Kentucky George A. Caldwell Louisville. 
 
 Tennessee Randal W. McCavock Nashville. 
 
 Indiana James R. Stack Huntington. 
 
 Illinois Thomas Dyer Chicago. 
 
 Missouri John M, Krum St. Louis. 
 
 Arkansas Albert Rust El Dorado. 
 
 Michigan Jacob Besan ..Niles. 
 
 Florida A. E. Maxwell Pensacola. 
 
 Texas Wm. S. Oldham Austin. 
 
 Iowa Wm. Thompson Burlington. 
 
 Wisconsin ,, Geo. B. Smith Madison. 
 
 California Sam'l H. Dosh Shasta. 
 
 Mr. White, of Connecticut, offered a resolution pledging the exer 
 tions of the Democracy to bring about the single term system. 
 Referred. to the Committee on Resolutions without debate. 
 On motion of Mr. Riddle, of Delaware, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the unanimous thanks of this Convention, be and are hereby extended to the 
 Hon. John E. Ward, the presiding officer, and his able assistants, and also to the Hon. A.I*. 
 Edgerton, and associates, Committee of Arrangements, and all other rfficers, for the able, dignified 
 and efficient manner in which they have discharged their respective duties. 
 
 The resolution was adopted unanimously. 
 On motion of S. W. Inge, of California, 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are due, and are hereby specially tendered to Mr, 
 Julius Hessee, of Alabama, and to Alex. F. Gray, of Wisconsin, principal Secretaries, for their 
 energy, zeal, and attention to the laborious duties of the Convention. 
 
 Adopted unanimously. 
 
 A vote of thanks to the citizens of Cincinnati for their hospitality 
 and kindness during the session of the Convention, was also passed. 
 On motion, the Convention then adjourned sine die. 
 
 JOHN E. WARD, President. 
 
 WM. K. KIMBALL. W. H. H. DIXON. 
 
 H. KIMBALL. AMOS LAYMAN. 
 
 ISAAC B. BOWDITCH. SAMUEL WILLIAMS. 
 
 J. C. ABBOTT. JACOB MILLER. 
 
 WM. J. MILLER. JAMES ELDER. 
 
 WM. D. BISHOP. ' C. H. LAMPHEIR. 
 
 WM.-HANNA. DANIEL D. BERRY. 
 
 JOHN N. HUTCHISON. R, E. JACKSON. 
 
 W. P. SNOW. C. C. CHATFIELD. 
 
 WM. F. RITCHIE. J. R. BROOKS. 
 
 H. G. WILLIAMS. W. C. POLLOCK. 
 
 B. WILSON. A. T. WALLING. 
 
 H. BUCHANAN. A. T. GRAY. 
 
 JULIUS HESSEE. J N. DAWLEY. 
 
 A. DERBIS. Sectaries. 
 
PROCEEEDINGS OP THE 
 
 After the motion to adjourn was declared to be carried, the President, 
 on the enthusiastic and repeated call of the Convention came forward 
 and spoke, in substance, as follows : 
 
 I have occupied too much of your time to trespass longer on your 
 patience. I came among you an unknown stranger, without a herald 
 to announce me. I have been received by you in a manner, and hon 
 ored by you with a position far beyond what my fondest hope could 
 have anticipated. New as I was to the duties which belong to that 
 station, I have found you ready and willing, at all times, to forget my 
 errors, and to sustain me in the discharge of those duties. I have 
 made errors which appear as facts on the record ; but I trust I have 
 no faults to be fastened on your recollections. The struggst here has 
 been nobly and manfully contested. Three of the greatest names that 
 adorn our country have been presented to this Convention. They 
 came before it with ardent, noble, devoted friends. Our enemies said 
 in their hearts, like the foes of David, " Ah ha ! Ah ha ! So we would 
 have it." They anticipated what they classically termed a fight of 
 the Kilkenny cats. But what was the result ? The moment the Con 
 vention designated a man as the choice of the majority, the minority 
 stepped forward and offered on the altar of their country, a sacrifice 
 of their friendship the strongest feeling that can animate a man. 
 Though the contest has been warm, it has not been an embittered one ; 
 and when we pass beyond these walls, and go forth to rally around 
 the standard which is borne aloft by that glorious old son of Penn 
 sylvania, and beneath whose mighty shade this whole nation will find 
 repose from the distractions which have agitated it, let us forget the 
 past, and let our quarrels belike those between man and wife violent 
 while they last, but tending to a closer and sweeter communion. 
 
 These remarks were received with loud cheers, after which the crowd 
 of delegates and other spectators separated. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 - LANCASTER, June 13th, 1856. 
 
 SIR : The National Convention of the Democratic party, which assembled 
 at Cincinnati, on the first Monday in June, unanimously nominated you as a 
 candidate for the office of President of the United States. 
 
 We have been directed by the Convention to convey to you this intelligence, 
 and to request you, in their name, to accept the nomination for the exalted 
 trust which the Chief Magistracy of the Union imposes. 
 
 The Convention, founding their action upon the time-honored principles of 
 the Democratic party, have announced their views in relation to the chief 
 questions which engage the public mind; and, while adhering to the truths of 
 the past, have manifested the policy of the present in a series of resolutions, 
 to which we invoke your attention. 
 
 The Convention feel assured, in tendering to you this signal proof of the 
 respect and esteem of your countrymen, that they truly reflect the opinion 
 which the people of the United States entertain of your eminent character 
 and distinguished public services. They cherish a profound conviction that 
 your elevation to the first office in the Republic, will give a moral guarantee 
 to the country, that the true principles of the Constitution will be asserted 
 and maintained; that the public tranquility will be established; that the 
 tumults of faction will be stilled; that our domestic industry will flourish; 
 that our foreign affairs will be conducted with such wisdom and firmness as to 
 assure the prosperity of the people at home, while the interests and honor of 
 our country are wisely but inflexibly maintained in our intercourse with other 
 nations ; and, especially, that your public experience and the confidence of 
 your countrymen, will enable you to give effect to Democratic principles, so 
 as to render indissoluble the strong bonds of mutual interest and national 
 glory which unite our confederacy and secure the prosperity of our people. 
 
 While we offer to the country our sincere congratulations upon the fortu 
 nate auspices of the future, we tender to you personally, the assurances of the 
 respect and esteem of 
 
 Your fellow-citizens, 
 
 JOHN E. WARD. 
 
 W. A. RICHARDSON. 
 
 HARRY HIBBARD. 
 
 W. B. LAWRENCE. 
 
 A. G. BROWN. 
 
 JNO. L. MANNING. 
 
 JOHN FORSYTH. 
 
 W. PRESTON. 
 
 J. RANDOLPH TUCKER, 
 
 HORATIO SEYMOUR. 
 HON. JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
MR. BUCHANAN'S ACCEPTANCE. 
 
 WHEATLAND, (near Lancaster,) 1 
 June 16, 1856. / 
 
 GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your commu 
 nication of the 13th instant, informing me officially of my nomination by the 
 Democratic National Convention, recently held at Cincinnati, as the Demo 
 cratic candidate for the office of President of the United States. I shall not 
 attempt to express the grateful feelings which I entertain towards my Demo- 
 C -atic fellow-citizens for having deemed me worthy of this the highest politi 
 cal honor on earth---an honor such as the people of no other country have 
 the power to bestow. Deeply sensible of the vast and varied responsibility 
 attached to the station, especially at the present crisis in our affairs, I have 
 carefully refrained from seeking the nomination either by word or by deed. 
 Now, that it has been offered by the Democratic party, I accept it with diffi 
 dence in my own abilities, but with an humble trust, that in the event of my 
 election, I may be enabled to discharge my duty in such a manner as to allay 
 domestic strife, preserve peace and friendship with foreign nations, and pro 
 mote the best interests of the Republic. 
 
 In accepting the nomination I need scarcely say that I accept in the same 
 spirit, the resolutions constituting the platform of principles erected by the 
 Convention. To this platform I intend to confine myself throughout the can 
 vass, believing that I have no right, as the candidate of the Democratic party, 
 by answering interrogatories, to present new and different issues before the 
 people. 
 
 It will not be expected that in this answer, I should specially refer to the 
 subject of each of the resolutions ; and I shall therefore confine myself to the 
 two topics now most prominently before the people. 
 
 And in the first place, I cordially concur in the sentiments expressed by the 
 Convention on the subject of civil and religious liberty. No party founded 
 on political or religious intolerance towards one class of American citizens, 
 whether born in our own or in a foreign land, can long continue to exist in 
 this country. We are all equal before God and the Constitution ; and the 
 dark spirit of despotism and bigotry which would create odious distinctions 
 among OUT fellow-citizens, will be speedily rebuked by a free and enlight 
 ened public opinion. 
 
 The agitation on the question of Domestic Slavery has too long distracted 
 and divided the people of this Union and alienated their affections from each 
 other. This agitation has assumed many forms since its commencement, but 
 it now seems to be directed chiefly to the Territories ; and judging from its 
 present character, I think that we may safely anticipate that it is rapidly 
 approaching a " finality." The recent legislation of Congress respecting 
 domestic slavery, derived, as it has been, from the original and pure fountain 
 of legitimate political power, the will of the majority, promises ere long, to 
 allay the dangerous excitement. This legislation is founded upon principles, 
 as ancient as free government itself, and in accordance with them, has sim 
 ply declared that the people of a Territory, like those of a State, shall decide 
 or themselves, whether slavery shall or shall not exist within their limits. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 77 
 
 The Nebraska-Kansas Act does no more than give the force of law to this 
 elementary principle of self-government; declaring it to be a the true intent 
 and meaning of this act not to legislate slavery into any Territory or State, 
 nor to exclude it therefrom ; but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to 
 form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only 
 to the Constitution of the United States." This principle will surely not be 
 controverted by any individual of any party professing devotion to popular 
 government. Besides how vain and illusory would any other principle prove 
 in practice in regard to the Territories ! This is apparent from the fact ad 
 mitted by all, that after a territory shall have entered the Union and become 
 a State, no Constitutional power would then exist which could prevent it from 
 either abolishing or establishing slavery, as the case may be, according to its 
 sovereign will and pleasure. 
 
 Most happy would it be for the country if this long agitation were at an 
 end. During its whole progress it has produced no practical good to any 
 human being, whilst it has been the source of great and dangerous evils. It 
 has alienated and estranged one portion of the Union from the other, arid haa 
 even seriously threatened its very existence. To my own personal knowledge, 
 it has produced the impression among foreign nations that our great and glo 
 rious confederacy is in constant danger of dissolution. This does us serious 
 injury, because acknowledged power and stability always command respect 
 among nations, and are among the best securities against unjust aggression 
 and in favor of the maintenance of honorable peace. 
 
 May we not hope that it is the mission of the Democratic party, now the 
 only surviving conservative party of the country, ere long to overthrow all 
 sectional parties and restore the peace, friendship, arid mutual confidence 
 which prevailed in the good oil time, among the different members of the con 
 federacy. Its character is strictly national, and it therefore asserts no prin 
 ciple for the guidance of the Federal Government which is not adopted and 
 sustained by its members in each and every State. For this reason it is 
 everywhere the same determined foe of all geographical parties, so much and 
 so justly di-eaded by the Father of his Country. From its very nature it 
 must continue to exist so long as there is a Constitution and a Union to pre 
 serve. A conviction of these truths has induced many of the purest, the ablest 
 and most independent of our former opponents, who have differed from us in 
 times gone by upon old and extinct party issues, to come into our ranks and 
 devote themselves with us to the cause of the Constitution and the Union. 
 Under these circumstances, I most cheerfully pledge myself, should the nomi 
 nation of the Convention be ratified by the people, that all the power and in 
 fluence, constitutionally possessed by the Executive, shall be exerted in a 
 firm but conciliatorv spirit, during the single term I shall remain in office, to 
 restore the same harmony among the sister States which prevailed before this 
 apple of discord, in the form of slavery agitation, had been cast into their 
 midst. Let the members of the family abstain from intermeddling with the 
 exclusive domestic concerns of each other, and cordially unite, on the basis of 
 perfect equality among themselves, in promoting the great national objects of 
 common interest to all, and the good work will be instantly accomplished. 
 
 In regard to our foreign policy, to which you have referred in your commu 
 nication, it is quite impossible for any human foreknowledge to prescribe 
 positive rules in advance, to regulate the conduct of a future administration 
 in all the exigencies which may arise in our various and ever changing rela 
 tions with foreign powers. The Federal Government must of necessity exer 
 cise a sound discretion in dealing with international questions as they may 
 occur; but this under the strict responsibility which the Executive must 
 always feel to the people of the United States and the judgment of posterity. 
 You will therefore excuse me for not entering into particulars; whilst I hear 
 tily concur with you in the general sentiment, that our foreign affairs ought 
 to be conducted with such wisdom and firmness as to assure the prosperity of 
 the people at home, whilst the interests and honor of our country are wisely 
 but inflexibly maintained abroad. Our foreign policy ought ever to be based 
 
78 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 upon the principle of doing justice to all nations, and requiring justice from 
 them in return; and from this principle I shall never depart. 
 
 Should I be placed in the Executive Chair, I shall use my best exertions to 
 cultivate peace and friendship with all nations, believing this to be our high 
 est policy as well as our most imperative duty ; but at the same time, I shall 
 never forget that in case the necessity should arise, which I do not now appre 
 hend, our national rights and national honor must he preserved at all hazards 
 and at any sacrifice. 
 
 Firmly convinced that a special Providence governs the affairs of nations, 
 let us humbly imploi-e his continued blessing upon our country, and that 
 he may avert from us the punishment we justly deserve for being discontented 
 and ungrateful whilst enjoying privileges above all nations, under such a 
 Constitution and such a Union as has never been vouchsafed to any other 
 people. 
 
 Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
 Hon. JOHN E. WARD, W. A. RICHARDSON, HARRY HIBBARD, W. B. LAWRENCE, 
 A. G. BROWN, JOHN L. MANNING, JOHN FORSYTH, W. PRESTON, J. RAN 
 DOLPH TUCKER, and HORATIO SEYMOUR, Committee, &c. 
 
THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
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 LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS 
 
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 Democratic Party. 1856 
 National convention, 
 Cincinnati, 1856. 
 
 Official proceedings. 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
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