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settled by an express recognition of the principles decided by the Supreme Court. The North, on the other hand, refused to recognize this decision, and still maintained the power to be inherent in the people of a Territory to deal with the question of slavery according to their own discretion. The vote was then taken, and the minority report was substituted for that of the majority by a vote of one hundred and sixty-five to one hundred and thirty-eight. The delegates from the six New England States, as well as from New York. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, fourteen free States, cast their entire vote in favor of the minority report. New Jersey and Penn-ylvania alone among the free States east of the Rocky Mountains, refused to vote as States, but their delegates voted as individuals.

The means employed to attain this end were skillfully devised by the minority of the Pennsylvania delegation in favor of nominating Mr. Douglas. The entire delegation had, strangely enough, placed this power in their hands, by selecting two of their number. Messrs. Cessna and Wright, to represent the whole on the two most important committees of the Conventionthat of organization and that of resolutions. These gentlemen, by adroitness and parliamentary tact, succeeded in abrogating the former practice of casting the vote of the State as a unit. In this manner, whilst New York indorsed with her entire thirty-five votes the peculiar views of Mr. Douglas, notwithstanding there was in her delegation a majority of only five votes in their favor on the question of Territorial sovereignty, the effective strength of Pennsylvania recognizing the judgment of the Supreme Court, was reduced to three votes, this being the majority of fifteen on the one side over twelve on the other.

favor to two hundred and thirty-eight. Had the seven Southern States just mentioned voted, the negatives would have amounted to two hundred and eighty-two, or more than thirteen to one. Thus both the majority and the minority resolutions on the Territorial question were rejected, and nothing remained before the Convention except the Cincinnati platform.

At this stage of the proceedings (April 30th), the States of Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, and Arkansas, having assigned their reasons for the act, withdrew in succession from the Convention. After these seven States had retired, the delegation from Virginia made an effort to restore harmony. Mr. Russell, their chairman, addressed the Convention and portrayed the alarming nature of the crisis. He expressed his fears that we were on the eve of a revolution, and if this Convention should prove a failure it would be the last National Convention of any party which would ever assemble in the United States. "Virginia," said he, "stands in the midst of her sister States, in garments red with the blood of her children slain in the first outbreak of the 'irrepressible conflict.' But, sir, not when her children fell at midnight beneath the weapon of the assassin, was her heart penetrated with so profound a grief as that which will wring it when she is obliged to choose between a separate destiny with the South, and her common destiny with the entire Republic."

Mr. Russell was not then prepared to answer, in behalf of his delegation, whether the events of the day (the defeat of the majority report, and the withdrawal of the seven States) were sufficient to justify her in taking the irrevocable step in question. In order, therefore, that they might have time to deliberate, and if they thought proper make an effort to restore harmony The question next in order before the in the Convention, he expressed a desire Convention was upon the adoption of the that it might adjourn and afford them an second resolution of the minority of the opportunity for consultation. The Concommittee, which had been substituted for vention accordingly adjourned until the the report of the majority. On this ques- next day, Tuesday, May 1st; and immetion Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkan-diately after its reassembling the delega sas, Texas, Florida, and Mississippi re- tion from Georgia, making the eighth fused to vote. Indeed, it soon appeared State, also withdrew. that on the question of the final adoption of this second resolution, which in fact amounted to nothing, it had scarcely any friends of either party in the Convention. The Douglas party, without explanation or addition, voted against it. On the other hand, the old Democracy could not vote for it without admitting that the Supreme Court had not already placed the right over slave property in the Territories on the same footing with all other property, and therefore they also voted against it. In consequence the resolution was negatived by a vote of only twenty-one in its

In the mean time the Virginia delegation had consulted among themselves, and had conferred with the delegation of the other Southern States which still remained in the Convention, as to the best mode of restoring harmony. In consequence Mr. Howard, of Tennessee, stated to the Convention that "he had a proposition to present in behalf of the delegation from Tennessee, whenever, under parliamentary rules, it would be proper to present it." In this Tennessee was joined by Kentucky and Virginia. He should propose the fol lowing resolution whenever it would be in

order: 'Resolved, That the citizens of the United States have an equal right to settle with their property in the Territories of the United States; and that, under the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, which we recognize as the correct exposition of the Constitution of the United States, neither the rights of person nor property can be destroyed or inpaired by Congressional or Territorial legislation.""

On a subsequent day (May 3d), Mr. Russell informed the Convention that this resolution had, "he believed, received the approbation of all the delegations from the Southern States which remained in the Convention, and also received the approbation of the delegation from New York. He was informed there was strength enough to pass it when in order."

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Mr. Howard, however, in vain attempted to obtain a vote on his resolution. When he moved to take it up on the evening of the day it had been offered, he was met by cries of "Not in order,' "Not in order." The manifest purpose was to postpone its consideration until the hour should arrive which had been fixed by a previous order of the Convention, in opposition to its first order on the same subject, for the balloting to commence for a Presidential candidate, when it would be too late. This the friends of Mr. Douglas accomplished, and no vote was ever taken upon it either at Charleston or Baltimore.

votes, 202 votes being necessary to a nomination.

Until 1824 nominations had been made by Congressional caucus. In these none participated except Senators and Democratic States, and Representatives from Democratic Congressional districts. The simple majority rule governed in these caucuses, because it was morally certain that, composed as they were, no candidate could be selected against the will of the Democratic States on whom his election depended. But when a change was made to National Conventions, it was at once perceived that if a mere majority could nominate, then the delegates from AntiDemocratic States might be mainly instrumental in nominating a candidate for whom they could not give a single electoral vote. Whilst it would have been harsh and inexpedient to exclude these States from the Convention altogether, it would have been unjust to confer on them a controlling power over the nomination. To compromise this difficulty, the two-thirds rule was adopted. Under its operation it would be almost impossible that a candidate could be selected, without the votes of a simple majority of delegates from the Democratic States. This was the argument of its friends.

It had now become manifest that it was impossible to make a nomination at Charleston. The friends of Mr. Douglas adhered to him and would vote for him Before the balloting commenced Mr. and him alone, whilst his opponents, apHoward succeeded, in the face of strong prehending the effect of his principles opposition, with the aid of the thirty-five should he be elected President, were equally votes from New York, in obtaining a vote determined to vote against his nomination. of the Convention in re-affirmance of the In the hope that some compromise two-thirds rule. On his motion they re-might yet be effected, the Convention, on solved, by 141, to 112 votes, "that the Pre- the motion of Mr. Russell, of Virginia, sident of the Convention be and he is here- resolved to adjourn to meet at Baltimore on by directed not to declare any person Monday, the 18th June; and it was nominated for the office of President or spectfully recommended to the Democratic Vice-President, unless he shall have re-party of the several States, to make proceived a number of votes equal to two- vision for supplying all vacancies in their thirds of the votes of all the electoral col- respective delegations to this Convention leges." It was well known at the time when it shall re-assemble." that this resolution rendered the regular nomination of Mr. Douglas impossible.

The balloting then commenced (Tuesday evening, May 1st), on the eighth day of the session. Necessary to a nomination, under the two-thirds rule, 202 votes. On the first ballot Mr. Douglas received 145 votes; Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, 42; Mr. Guthrie, of Kentucky, 354; Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, 12; Mr. Dickinson, of New York, 7; Mr. Lane, of Oregon, 6; Mr. Toucey, of Connecticut, 21; Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, 14, and Mr. Pearce, of Maryland, 1 vote.

The voting continued until May 3d, during which there were fifty-four additional ballotings. Mr. Douglas never rose to more than 1521, and ended in 151

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The Convention re-assembled at Baltimore on the 18th June, 1860, according to its adjournment, and Mr. Cushing, the President, took the chair.

the Convention, Mr. Howard, of Tennes Immediately after the reorganization of see, offered a resolution, "that the Presi dent of this Convention direct the sergeant-at-arms to issue tickets of admission to the delegates of the Convention, as originally constituted and organized at Charleston." Thus the vitally important question was distinctly presented. It soon, howlution could prevail. In the absence of ever, became manifest that no such resothe delegates who had withdrawn at Charleston, the friends of Mr. Douglas constituted a controlling majority. At the

The committee, through their chairman, Mr. Krum, of Missouri, made their report on the 21st June, and Governor Stevens, of Oregon, at the same time presented a minority report, signed by himself and eight other members.

It is unnecessary to give in detail these conflicting reports. It is sufficient to state that whilst the report of the majority maintained that the delegates, by withdrawing at Charleston, had resigned their seats, and these were still vacant; that of the minority, on the contrary, asserted the right of these delegates to resume their seats in the Convention, by virtue of their original appointment.

threshold they resisted the admission of the original delegates, and contended that by withdrawing they had irrevocably resigned their seats. In support of this position, they relied upon the language of the resolution adjourning the Convention to Baltimore, which, as we have seen, recommended to the Democratic party of the several States to make provision for supplying all vacancies in their respective delegations to this Convention, when it shall reassemble." On the other hand, the advocates of their readmi-sion contended that a simple withdrawal of the delegates was not a final renunciation of their seats, but they were still entitled to reoccupy them, whenever, in their judg- On the next day (June 22), the imporment, this course would be best calculated tant decision was made between the conto restore the harmony and promote the flicting reports. Mr. Stevens moved to success of the Democratic party; that the substitute the minority report for that of Convention had no right to interpose be- the majority, and his motion was rejected tween them and the Democracy of their by a vote of 100 to 150. Of course no respective States; that being directly re-vote was given from any of the excluded sponsible to this Democracy, it alone could States, except one half vote from each of accept their resignation; that no such re- the parties in Arkansas. signation had ever been made, and their authority therefore continued in full force, and this, too, with the approbation of their constituents.

In the mean time, after the adjournment from Charleston to Baltimore, the friends of Mr. Douglas, in several of these States, had proceeded to elect delegates to take the place of those who had withdrawn from the Convention. Indeed, it was manifest at the time, and has since been clearly proved by the event, that these delegates represented but a small minority of the party in their respective States. These new delegates, nevertheless, appeared and demanded seats. *

The resolutions of the majority were then adopted in succession. Among other motions of similar character, a motion had been made by a delegate in the majority to reconsider the vote by which the Convention had adopted the minority report, as a substitute for that of the majority, and to lay his own motion on the table. This is a common mode resorted to, according to parliamentary tactics, of defeating every hope of a reconsideration of the pending question, and rendering the first decision final.

Mr. Cessna with this view called for a vote on laying the motion to reconsider on the table. Should this be negatived, then After a long and ardent debate, the the question of reconsideration would be Convention adopted a resolution, offered open. The President stated the question by Mr. Church, of New York, and modi- to be first "on laying on the table the mofied on motion of Mr. Gilmore, of Penn- tion to reconsider the vote by which the sylvania, as a substitute for that of Mr. Convention refused to amend the majority Howard, to refer "the credentials of all report of the Committee on Credentials by persons claiming seats in this Convention, substituting the report of the minority." made vacant by the secession of delegates On this question New York, for the first at Charleston, to the Committee on Cre- time since the meeting at Baltimore, voted dentials." They thus prejudged the ques- with the minority and changed it into a tion, by deciding that the seats of these majority. "When New York was called," delegates had been made and were still says the report of the proceedings," and revacant. The Committee on Credentials sponded thirty-five votes" (in the nega had been originally composed of one dele- tive) "the response was greeted with loud gate from each of the thirty-three States, cheers and applause." The result of the but the number was now reduced to twen- vote was 1133 to 138-"so the Convention ty-five, in consequence of the exclusion of refused to lay on the table the motion to eight of its members from the States of reconsider the minority report." The ConGeorgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Car-vention then adjourned until evening, on olina, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and motion of Mr. Cochrane, of New York, Florida. The committee, therefore, now stood 16 to 9 in favor of the nomination of

Mr. Douglas, instead of 17 to 16 against it,
according to its original organization.
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amidst great excitement and confusion.

This vote of New York, appearing to indicate a purpose to harmonize the party by admitting the original delegates from the eight absent States, was not altogether unexpected. Although voting as a unit, it

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was known that her delegation were greatly | performance of his duties, stated that notdivided among themselves. The exact withstanding the retirement of the delegastrength of the minority was afterwards tions of several of the States at Charleston, stated by Mr. Bartlett, one of its members, in his solicitude to maintain the harmony in the Breckinridge Convention. He said: and union of the Democratic party, he "Upon all questions and especially upon had continued in his post of labor. "To the adoption of the majority report on cre- that end and in that sense," said he, "I dentials, in which we had a long contest, had the honor to meet you, gentlemen, here the line was strictly drawn, and there were at Baltimore. But circumstances have thirty on one side and forty on the other." since transpired which compel me to pause. The position of New York casting an un- The delegations of a majority of the States divided vote of thirty-five, with Dean Rich- have, either in whole or in part, in one mond at their head, had been a controlling form or another, ceased to participate in the deliberations of the Convention. power from the commencement. Strong expectations were, therefore, now In the present circumstances, I deem entertained that after the New York dele-it a duty of self-respect, and I deem it gation had recorded their vote against a still more a duty to this Convention, as at motion which would have killed the mi-present organized, to resign my nority report beyond hope of revival, they seat as President of this Convention, in would now follow this up by taking the order to take my place on the floor as a next step in advance and voting for its re-member of the delegation from Massachuconsideration and adoption. On the even-setts. I deem this above all a ing of the very same day, however, they duty which I owe to the members of this reversed their course and voted against its Convention, as to whom no longer would reconsideration. They were then cheered my action represent the will of a majority by the opposite party from that which had of the Convention." cheered them in the morning. Thus the action of the Convention in favor of the majority report became final and conclusive.

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Governor Tod, or Ohio, one of the VicePresidents, then took the vacant chair, and was greeted with hearty and long-continued cheers and applause from members of the Convention.

Mr. Cessna, of Pennsylvania, at once moved "that the Convention do now pro- Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, now anceed to nominate candidates for President nounced that a portion of the Massachu and Vice-President of the United States."setts delegation desired to retire, but was Mr. Russell rose and stated, "It has become my duty now, by direction of a large majority of the delegation from Virginia, respectfully to inform you and this body, that it is not consistent with their convic-ident and Vice-President. tions of duty to participate longer in its deliberations."

interrupted by cries of "No," "No," "Call the roll." Mr. Cessna called for the original question, to wit, that the Convention now proceed to a nomination for Pres

The President here ordered the Secretary to call the States. Maine, New HampMr. Lander next stated "that it became | shire, and Vermont were called, and they his duty, as one of the delegates from North gave an unbroken vote for Stephen A. Carolina, to say that a very large majority | Douglas. When Massachusetts was called, of the delegation from that State were Mr. Butler rose and said he had a respectcompelled to retire permanently from this Convention, on account, as he conceived, of the unjust course that had been pursued toward some of their fellow-citizens of the South. The South had heretofore relied upon the Northern Democracy to give them the rights which were justly due them; but the vote to-day had satisfied the majority of the North Carolina delegation that these rights were now refused them, and, this being the case, they could no longer remain in the Convention."

ful paper in his hand which he would desire the President to have read. A scene of great confusion thereupon ensued, cries of I object" being heard upon all sides. Mr. Butler, not to be baffled, contended for his right at this stage to make remarks pertinent to the matter, and cited in his support the practice of the Conventions at Baltimore in 1848 and 1852, and at Cincinnati in 1856. He finally prevailed, and was permitted to procee. He then said he would now withdra v from the ConThen followed in succession the with-vention, upon the ground that there had drawal of the delegations from Tennessee, been a withdrawal, in who. e or in part, of Kentucky, Maryland, California, Oregon, a majority of the States; and further, and Arkansas. The Convention now adjourned at half-past-ten o'clock until the next morning at ten.

Soon after the assembling of the Convention, the President, Mr. Cushing, whilst tendering his thanks to its members for their candid and honorable support in the

which was a matter more personal to himself, he could not sit in a convention where the African slave trade, which was piracy according to the laws of his country, was openly advocated."

Mr. Butler then retired, followed by General Cushing and four others of the

Massachusetts delegation. All of these States of the Union, for the purpose of

had voted with the South and against Douglas.

The balloting now proceeded. Mr. Douglas received 173 votes; Mr. Guthrie 9; Mr. Breckinridge 63; Mr. Bocock and Mr. Seymour each 1; and Mr. Dickerson and Mr. Wise each half a vote. On the next and last ballot Mr. Douglas received 1814 votes, eight of those in the minority having changed their votes in his favor.

To account for this number, it is proper to state that a few delegates from five of the eight Scates which had withdrawn still remained in the Convention. On the last ballot Mr. Douglas received all of their votes, to wit: 3 of the 15 votes of Virginia, 1 of the 10 votes of North Carolina, 14 of the 3 votes of Arkansas, 3 of the 12 votes of Tennessee, 3 of the 12 votes of Kentucky, and 24 of the 8 votes of Maryland, making in the aggregate 14 votes. To this number may be added the 9 votes of the new delegates from Alabama and the 6 from Louisiana, which had been admitted to the exclusion of the original delegates.

Mr. Douglas was accordingly declared to be the regular nominee of the Democratic party of the Union, upon the motion of Mr. Church, of New York, when, according to the report of the proceedings, "The whole body rose to its feet, hats were waved in the air, and many tossed aloft; shouts, screams, and yells, and every boisterous mode of expressing approbation and unanimity, were resorted to.'

Senator Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, was then unanimously nominated as the candidate for Vice-President; and the Convention adjourned sine die on the 23d June, the sixth and last day of its session. On the same day, but after the adjournment, Mr. Fitzpatrick declined the nomination, and it was immediately conferred on Mr. Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, by the Executive Committee. Thus ended the Douglas Convention.

But another Convention assembled at Baltimore on the same 23d June, styling itself the "National Democratic Convention." It was composed chiefly of the delegates who had just withdrawn from the Douglas Convention, and the original delegates from Alabama and Louisiana. One of their first acts was to abrogate the two-third rule, as had been done by the Douglas Convention. Both acted under the same necessity, because the preservation of this rule would have prevented a nomination by either.

Mr. Cushing was elected and took the chair as President. In his opening address he said: "Gentlemen of the Convention, we assemble here, delegates to the National Democratic Convention, duly accredited thereto from more than twenty

nominating candidates of the Democratic party for the offices of President and VicePresident of the United States, for the purpose of announcing the principles of the party, and for the purpose of continuing and re-establishing that party upon the firm foundations of the Constitution, the Union, and the coequal rights of the several States."

Mr. Avery, of North Carolina, who had reported the majority resolutions at Charleston, now reported the same from the committee of this body, and they "were adopted unanimously, amid great applause."

The Convention then proceeded to select their candidates. Mr. Loring, on behalf of the delegates from Massachusetts, who with Mr. Butler had retired from the Douglas Convention, nominated John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, which Mr. Dent, representing the Pennsylvania delegation present, "most heartily seconded." Mr. Ward, from the Alabama delegation, nominated R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia; Mr. Ewing, from that of Tennessee, nominated Mr. Dickinson, of New York; and Mr. Stevens, from Oregon, nominated General Joseph Lane. Eventually all these names were withdrawn except that of Mr. Breckinridge, and he received the nomination by a unanimous vote. The whole number of votes cast in his favor from twenty States was 103).

General Lane was unanimously nominated as the candidate for Vice-President. Thus terminated the Breckinridge Convention.

The Chicago Republican Convention.

The Republicans had named May 16th, 1860, as the date and Chicago as the place for holding their second National Convention. They had been greatly encouraged by the vote for Fremont and Dayton, and, what had now become apparent as an irreconcilable division of the Democracy, encouraged them in the belief that they could elect their candidates. Those of the great West were especially enthusiastic, and had contributed freely to the erection of an immense "Wigwam," capable of holding ten thousand people, at Chicago. All the Northern States were fully represented, and there were besides partial delegations from Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia, with occasional delegates from other Slave States, there being none, however, from the Gulf States. David Wilmot, of Penna., author of the Wilmot proviso, was made temporary chairman, and George Ashman, of Mass., permanent President. No differences were excited by the report of the committee on platform, and the proceedings

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