A more to nominate candidates for President and THE OPPOSITION IN 1836. In 1835, Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, of Ohio, was nominated for President, with Francis Granger, for Vice-President, by a Whig State Convention at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and also by a Democratic Anti-Masonic Convention held at the same place. A Whig State Convention in Maryland also nominated Gen. Harrison for President, with John Tyler, of Virginia, for Vice. Gen. H. also received nominations in New York, Ohio and other States. Maine, 10; New-Hampshire, 7; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 8; New York, 42; Pennsylvania, 30; Virginia, 28; North Carolina, 15; Louisiana, 5; Mississippi, 4; Illinois, 5; Alabama, 7; Missouri, 4; Arkansas, 8; Michigan, 3-Total 170. Gen. Harrison received the votes of Vermont, 7; New-Jersey, 8; Delaware, 8; Maryland, 10; Kentucky, 15; Ohio, 21; and Indiana, 9-Total, 78. Hugh L. White received the vote of Georgia, 11, and Tennessee, 15: total, 26. Mr. Webster received the vote of Massachusetts, 14. WHIG NATIONAL CONVENTION,--1839. A Whig National Convention representing twenty-one States met at Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 4, 1839. James Barbour, of Virginia, presided, and the result of the first ballot was the nomination of Gen. William H. Harrison, of Ohio, who received 148 votes to 90 for Henry Clay, and 16 for Gen. Winfield Scott. John Tyler, of Virginia, was unanimously nominated as the Whig candidate for Vice-President. The Convention adopted no platform of principles; but the party in conducting the memorable campaign of 1840, assailed the Administration of Mr. Van Buren for its general mismanagement of public affairs and its profligacy, and the result was the triumphant election of Harrison and Tyler, Van Buren receiving the electoral vote of only seven States; viz: *Ballots were repeatedly taken in committee throughout two or three days; but as no candidate received a majority, it was only reported to the convention that the committee had not been able to agree on a candidate to be presented to the convention. Finally, the delegates from New-York and other States which had supported Gen. Scott, generally went over to Gen. Harrison, who thus received a majority, when the result was declared, as above. New-Hampshire, 7; Virginia, 23; South Carolina, 11; Illinois, 5; Alabama, 7; Missouri, 4; and Arkansas, 3Total, 60. South Carolina refused to vote for Richard M. Johnson for Vice-President, throwing away her 11 votes on Littleton W. Tazewell, of Virginia. Harrison and Tyler received the votes of the following States: The Convention then nominated for Presi Hugh L. White, of Tennessee was nominated by the Legislatures of Tennessee and Alabama, dent James G. Birney, of New York, and for as the Opposition or Anti-Jackson candidate; Vice-President Francis J. Lemoyne, of Pennwhile Mr. Webster was the favorite of the Oppo-sylvania. These gentlemen subsequently desition in Massachusetts, and Willie P. Mangum, clined the nomination. Nevertheless they of N. C. received the vote of S. C., 11. The received a total of 7,609 votes in various Free result of the contest of 1836 was the election States. of Mr. Van Buren, who received the electoral votes of the States of Maine, 10; Massachusetts, 14; Rhode Island, 4; Con necticut, 8; Vermont, 7; New-York. 42; New-Jersey, 8: Pennsylvania, 30; Delaware, 8; Maryland, 10; North Carolina, 15; Georgia, 11; Kentucky, 15; Tennessee, 15; Ohio, 21; Louisiana, 5; Mississippi, 4; Indiana, 9; Michigan, 8-Total, 234. ABOLITION CONVENTION,-1839. A Convention of Abolitionists was held at Warsaw, N. Y., on the 13th of November, 1839, which adopted the following: Resolved, That, in our judgment, every consideration of duty and expediency which ought to control the of the U. S. to organize a distinct and independent poliaction of Christian freemen, requires of the Abolitionists tical party, embracing all the necessary means for nominating candidates for office and sustaining them by public suffrage. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, 1840. A Democratic National Convention met at Baltimore, May 5th, 1840, to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President. Delegates were present from the States of Maine, New-Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, and Arkansas. Gov. William Carroll, of Tennessee, presided, and the Convention, before proceeding to the nomination of candidates, adopted the following platform-viz. : 5. Resolved, That it is the duty of every branch of Government, and discriminating with special reference the government to enforce and practice the most rigid to the Protection of the Domestic Labor of the country economy in conducting our public affairs, and that no-the Distribution of the proceeds from the sales of the more revenue ought to be raised than is required to de- Public Lands-a single term for the Presidency-a refray the necessary expenses of the government. form of executive usurpations-and generally such an ad6. Resolved, That Congress has no power to charter a ministration of the affairs of the country, as shall impart "United States Bank, that we believe such an institution to every branch of the public service the greatest practione of deadly hostility to the best interests of the coun-cable efficiency, controlled by a well-regulated and wise try, dangerous to our republican institutions and the economy. liberties of the people, and calculated to place the busi- 2 The contest resulted in the choice of the Democratic candidates (Polk and Dallas,) who received 170 electoral votes as follows: Maine, 9; New-Hampshire, 6; New-York, 36; Pennsylvania, 26; Virginia, 17; South Carolina, 9; Georgia, 10; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 6; Louisiana, 6; Indiana, 12; Illinois, 9; Missouri, 7; Arkansas, 3; Michigan, 5—170. For Clay and Frelinghuysen: Vermont, 6; Massachusetts, 12; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6; New-Jersey, 7; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 8; North Carolina, 11; Tennessee, 13; Kentucky, 12; Ohio, 23-105. ness of the country within the control of a concentrated money power, and above the laws and the will of the people. 7. Resolved, 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 pertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by the Constitution; that all efforts, by 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 inevitable 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 to our Political Institutions. 8. Resolved, 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. Resolved, 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 present privilege of becoming citizens, and the owners of soil among us, ought to be resisted with the same spirit the Alien and Sedition Laws from our statute book. The Convention then unanimously nominated Mr. Van Buren for reëlection as President; but, there being much diversity of opinion as to the proper man for Vice-President, the following preamble and resolution were adopted: Whereas, Several of the States which have nominated Martin Van Buren as a candidate for the Presidency, have put in nomination different individuals as candi. dates for Vice-President, thus indicating a diversity of opinion as to the person best entitled to the nomination; and whereas some of the said States are not represented in this Convention, therefore, Resolved, That the Convention deem it expedient at the present time not to choose between the individuals in nomination, but to leave the decision to their Republican fellow-citizens in the several States, trusting that before the election shall take place, their opinions will become so concentrated as to secure the choice of a Vice-President by the Electoral College. BALLOTS. WHIG NATIONAL CONVENTION, 1844. A Whig National Convention assembled in Baltimore, on the 1st of May, 1844, in which every State in the Union was represented. Am- Resolved, That we are decidedly opposed to taking brose Spencer, of New-York, presided, and Mr. from the President the qualified veto power by which he Clay was nominated for President by acclama-sufficient to guard the public interest, to suspend the is enabled, under restrictions and responsibilities amply tion. For Vice-President, there was some di- passage of a bill, whose merits cannot secure the apversity of preference, and Mr. Frelinghuysen, of proval of two-thirds of the Senate and House of RepreN. J., was nominated on the third ballot as fol-tained thereon, and which has thrice saved the Amerisentatives, until the judgment of the people can be oblows: can People from the corrupt and tyrannical domination of the Bank of the United States. 44 288 Mr. Van. Buren's name was withdrawn after the 8th ballot. The platform adopted by the Convention was the same as that of 1840, with the following additions: Resolved, 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 the laws lately adopted, and to any law for the Distribution in policy and repugnant to the Constitution. of such proceeds among the States, as alike inexpedient Resolved, That our title to the whole of the Territory of Oregon is clear and unquestionable; that no portion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power; and that the reoccupation of Oregon and the reannexation of Texas at the earliest practicable period are great American measures, which this Convention recommends to the cordial support of the Democracy of the Union. 275 275 274 Total,..... The principles of the party were briefly summed up in the following resolve, which was LIBERTY PARTY NATIONAL CONVENadopted by the Convention: Resolved, That these principles may be summed as comprising a well regulated National currency-a Tariff TION, 1843. for revenue to defray the necessary expenses of the at Buffalo, on the 30th of August. Leicester King, of Ohio, presided, and James G. Birney, of Michigan, was unanimously nominated for President, with Thomas Morris, of Ohio, for VicePresident. Among the resolves adopted were the following: Florida, or on the high seas, are unconstitutional, and all attempts to hold men as property within the limits of exclusive national jurisdiction, ought to be prohibited by law. Resolved, That the provision of the Constitution of the United States, which confers extraordinary political powers on the owners of slaves, and thereby constituting the two hundred and fifty thousand slaveholders in the Slave States a privileged aristocracy; and the provision for the reclamation of fugitive slaves from service, are Anti-Republican in their character, dangerous to the liberties of the people, and ought to be abrogated. Resolved, That the practical operation of the second of these provisions, is seen in the enactment of the act of Congress respecting persons escaping from their mas Resolved, That the Liberty Party, placing itself upon this broad principle, will demand the absolute and un-ters, which act, if the construction given to it by the qualified divorce of the General Government from Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Prigg slavery, and also the restoration of equality of rights,vs. Pennsylvania be correct, nullifies the habeas corpus among men, in every State where the party exists, or acts of all the States, takes away the whole legal security may exist. of personal freedom, and ought therefore to be immediResolved, That the Liberty Party has not been organ-ately repealed. ized for any temporary purpose by interested politicians, but has arisen from among the people in consequence of a conviction, hourly gaining ground, that no other party in the country represents the true principles of American liberty, or the true spirit of the Constitution of the United States. Resolved, That human brotherhood is a cardinal principle of true Democracy, as well as of pure Christianity, which spurns all inconsistent limitations; and neither the political party which repudiates it, nor the political system which is not based upon it, can be truly Democratic or permanent. Resolved, That the Liberty Party has not been organized merely for the overthrow of slavery; its first decided effort must, indeed, be directed against slaveholding as the grossest and most revolting manifestation of despotism, but it will also carry out the principle of equal rights into all its practical consequences and applications, and support every just measure conducive to Individual and social freedom. Resolved, That the peculiar patronage and support hitherto extended to Slavery and Slaveholding, by the General Government, ought to be immediately with drawn, and the example and influence of National authority ought to be arrayed on the side of Liberty and Free Labor. Resolved, That the practice of the General Government, which prevails in the Slave States, of employing Slaves upon the public works, instead of free laborers, and paying aristocratic masters, with a view to secure or reward political services, is utterly indefensible and ought to be abandoned. Resolved, That freedom of speech, and of the press, and the right of petition, and the right of trial by jury, are sacred and inviolable; and that all rules, regulations and laws, in derogation of either are oppressive, unconstitutional, and not to be endured by free people. Resolved, That we regard voting in an eminent degree, as a moral and religious duty, which, when exercised, should be by voting for those who will do all in their power for Immediate Emancipation. Resolved, That the Liberty Party is not a sectional party but a national party; was not originated in a desire to accomplish a single object, but in a comprehensive regard to the great interests of the whole country; is not a new party, nor a third party, but is the party of 1776, reviving the principles of that memorable era, and striving to carry them into practical application. Resolved, That it was understood in the times of the Declaration and the Constitution, that the existence of slavery in some of the States, was in derogation of the principles of American Liberty, and a deep stain upon the character of the country, and the implied faith of the States and the Nation was pledged, that slavery should never be extended beyond its then existing limits, but should be gradually, and yet, at no distant day, wholly abolished by State authority. Whereas, It is a principle of universal morality, that the moral laws of the Creator are paramount to all human laws; or, in the language of an Apostle, that "we ought to obey God rather than men;" and, Resolved, That the faith of the States and the Nation thus pledged, was most nobly redeemed by the voluntary Abolition of Slavery in several of the States, and by the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787, for the government of the Territory northwest of the river Ohio, then the only Whereas, The principle of common law-that any Territory in the United States, and consequently the only contract, covenant, or agreement, to do an act derogaterritory subject in this respect to the control of Congress tory to natural right, is vitiated and annulled by its inby which Ordinance Slavery was forever excluded from herent immorality-has been recognized by one of the the vast regions which now compose the States of Ohio, justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, who Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and the Territory of Wiscon- in a recent case expressly holds that " any contract sin, and an incapacity to bear up any other than freemen, that rests upon such a basis is void ;" and, was impressed on the soil itself. Whereas, The third clause of the second section of Resolved, That the faith of the States and Nation the fourth article of the Constitution of the United thus pledged, has been shamefully violated by the omis-States, when construed as providing for the surrender of sion on the part of many of the States, to take any a Fugitive Slave, does "rest upon such a basis," in that measures whatever for the Abolition of Slavery within it is a contract to rob a man of a natural right-namely, their respective limits; by the continuance of Slavery his natural right to his own liberty; and is, therefore, in the District of Columbia, and in the Territories of absolutely void. Therefore, Louisiana and Florida; by the Legislation of Congress; by the protection afforded by national legislation and negotiation to slaveholding in American vessels, on the high seas, employed in the coastwise Slave Traffic; and by the extension of slavery far beyond its original limits, by acts of Congress, admitting new Slave States into the Union. Resolved, That we recognize as sound, the doctrine maintained by slaveholding jurists, that slavery is against natural rights, and strictly local, and that its existence and continuance rests on no other support than State Legislation, and not on any authority of Congress. Resolved, That the General Government has, under the Constitution, no power to establish or continue Slavery anywhere, and therefore that all treaties and acts of Congress establishing, continuing or favoring Slavery in the District of Columbia, in the Territory of Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the friends of Liberty in all those Free States where any inequality of rights and privileges exists on account of color, to employ their utmost energies to remove all such remnants and effects of the Slave system. Whereas, The Constitution of these United States is a series of agreements, covenants, or contracts between the people of the United States, each with all and all with each; and Resolved, That we hereby give it to be distinctly understood by this nation and the world, that, as abolitionists, considering that the strength of our cause lies in its righteousness, and our hope for it in our conformity to the laws of God, and our respect for the RIGHTS OF MAN, we owe it to the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, as à proof of our allegiance to Him, in all our civil relations Resolved, That the fundamental truths of the Declara-and offices, whether as private citizens or as public tion of Independence, that all men are endowed by their functionaries sworn to support the Constitution of the Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are United States, to regard and to treat the third clause of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, was made the the fourth article of that instrument, whenever applied fundamental law of our National Government, by that to the case of a fugitive slave, as utterly null and void, amendment of the Constitution which declares that no and consequently as forming no part of the Constitution person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, of the United States, whenever we are called upon oi without due process of law. sworn to support it. Resolved, That the power given to Congress by the Constitution, to provide for calling out the militia to suppress insurrection, does not make it the duty of the Government to maintain Slavery by military force, much less does it make it the duty of the citizens to form a part of such military force. When freemen unsheath the sword it should be to strike for Liberty, not for Despotism. Resolved, That to preserve the peace of the citizens, and secure the blessings of freedom, the Legislature of each of the Free States ought to keep in force suitable statutes | proposition. This appeal was also laid on the rendering it penal for any of its inhabitants to transport, table. Resolved, That the Whig Party, through its representatives here, agrees to abide by the nomination of Gen. Zachary Taylor, on condition that he will accept the nomination as the candidate of the Whig Party, and adhere to its great fundamental principles-no extenPhila-sion of slave territory-no acquisition of foreign territory by conquest-protection to American industry, and opposition to Executive usurpation. BALLOTINGS. Total.... .279 279 Mr. Fillmore was nominated for Vice-President on the second baliot, by the following vote: 1st. .115 ...109 50 4th. 171 32 63 13 2d. 173 4 After Gen. Taylor had been nominated, Mr. Charles Allen, of Massachusetts, offered the following: lution out of order, and no further notice was The president immediately decided the reso taken of it After the nomination for Vice-President had been made, Mr. McCullough, of New-Jersey, offered the following: On the evening of the last day of the session (9th June), a ratification meeting was held at Philadelphia, at which Gov. Wm. F. Johnston, delivered by Governor Morehead, Gen. Leslie of Pa., presided, and at which speeches were Coombs, of Ky., and several others, and at Price, of Pennsylvania, were adopted : which the following resolves, reported by W. S. 1. Resolved, That the Whigs of the United States, here assembled by their Representatives, heartily ratify the nominations of Gen. Zachary Taylor as President, and Millard Fillmore as Vice-President of the United States, and pledge themselves to their support. Whig Candidate for President, we are glad to discover 2. Resolved, That in the choice of Gen. Taylor as the sympathy with a great popular sentiment throughout the tion of great military success, has been strengthened by nation-a sentiment which, having its origin in admirathe development, in every action and every word, of sound conservative opinions, and of true fidelity to the great example of former days, and to the principles of the Constitution as administered by its founders. 8. Resolved, That Gen. Taylor, in saying that, had he voted in 1844, he would have voted the Whig ticket, gives us the assurance-and no better is needed from a May. with us then is with us now, and we have a soldier's word security. 4. Resolved, That we look on Gen. Taylor's administration of the Government as one conducive of Peace, Cass.. Prosperity and Union. Of Peace-because no one bet 5. Resolved, That standing, as the Whig Party does, on the broad and firm platform of the Constitution, braced up by all its inviolable and sacred guarantees and compromises, and cherished in the affections because protective of the interests of the people, we are proud to have, as the exponent of our opinions, one who is pledged to construe it by the wise and generous rules which Washington applied to it, and who has said, (and no Whig desires any other assurance) that he will make Washington's Administration the model of his own. 7. Resolved, That in support of such a nomination we ask our Whig friends throughout the nation to unite, to co-operate zealously, resolutely, with earnestness in behalf of our Candidate, whom calumny cannot reach, and with respectful demeanor to our adversaries, whose Candidates have yet to prove their claims on the grati tude of the nation. This election resulted in the choice of the Whig Candidates, as follows: Andrew Stevenson of Va., presided. New-York had sent a double delegation: ("Barnburners" for Van Buren and Hunkers for Dickinson). The Convention decided to admit both delegations, which satisfied neither, and both declined to take part in the proceedings. The two-third rule was adopted, and Gen. Lewis Cass was nominated for President on the 4th ballot as follows: [170 votes necessary to a choice.] Taylor and Fillmore-Vermont, 6; Massachusetts, 12; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 6; New-York, 86; NewJersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 26; Delaware, 8; Maryland, 8; North Carolina, 11; Georgia, 10; Lousiana, 6; Tennessee, 18; Kentucky, 12; Florida, 3-163. Cass and Butler-Maine, 9; New-Hampshire, 6; Virginia, 17; South Carolina, 9; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 6; Ohio, 28; Indiana, 12; Illinois, 9; Missouri, 7; Ar kansas, 8; Michigan, 5; Texas, 4; Iowa, 4: Wisconsin, 4-127. DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, 1848. The Democratic National Convention for 1848, assembled in Baltimore on the 22d of Dallas.... Butler of Ky.... The first ballot for Vice-President resulted as follows: William O. Butler...... 114 29 William R. King. 6. Resolved, That as Whigs and Americans, we are proud to acknowledge our gratitude for the great military services which, beginning at Palo Alto, and ending at Buena Vista, first awakened the American people to a just estimate of him who is now our Whig Candidate. In the discharge of a painful duty-for his march into the enemy's country was a reluctant one; in the com3. Resolved, Therefore, that, entertaining these views mand of regulars at one time, and volunteers at another, the Democratic party of this Union, through the delegates and of both combined; in the decisive though punctual assembled in general convention of the States, coming. discipline of his camp, where all respected and beloved together in a spirit of concord, of devotion to the dochim; in the negotiation of terms for a dejected and trines and faith of a free representative government and desperate enemy; in the exigency of actual conflict, appealing to their fellow-citizens for the rectitude of when the balance was perilously doubtful-we have their intentions, renew and reassert before the American found him the same-brave, distinguished and conside-people, the declaration of principles avowed by them, rate, no heartless spectator of bloodshed, no trifler with on a former occasion, when in general convention, they human life or human happiness; and we do not know which to admire most, his heroism in withstanding the presented their candidates for the popular suffrage. assaults of the enemy in the most hopeless fields of Buena Vista-mourning in generous sorrow over the graves of Ringgold, of Clay, or of Hardin-or in giving in the heat of battle terms of merciful capitulation to a vanquished foe at Monterey, and not being ashamed to avow that he did it to spare women and children, helpless infancy, and more helpless age, against whom no American soldier ever wars. Such a military man, whose triumphs are neither remote nor doubtful, whose virtues these trials have tested, we are proud to make our Candidate. Then follow resolutions 1, 2, 3, 4, of Platforms of 1840 and '44. The 5th resolution is that of 1840 with an addition about providing for war debts, and as amended, reads as follows: No choice. Gen. Butler was unanimously nominated on the third ballot. The Convention adopted the following platform: their trust in the intelligence, the patriotism, and the 1. Resolved, That the American Democracy place discriminating justice of the American people. ture of our political creed, which we are proud to main2. Resolved, That we regard this as a distinctive feaform of government springing from and upheld by the tain before the world, as the great moral element in a 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 for the popular credulity. Resolved, 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 debt created by the prosecution of a just and necessary war, after peaceful relations shall have been restored. The next (Anti-National Bank and pro-SubTreasury) was amended by the addition of the following: 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. 13 Here Hollow resolutions, of the plat form of 1840, which we omit. Resolved, 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 inexpedient in policy and repugnant to the Constitution. Resolved, 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 ap |
Get this book in print
0 Reviews Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified Write review |