ALBANY ARGUS-EXTRA

[ Read and Circulate. ]

DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION,

HELD AT THE CAPITOL,

January 26 and 27, 1848.

PROCEEDINGS, ADDRESS, RESOLUTIONS & SPEECHES

AND THE ^ -

DEMOCRATIC STATE ELECTORAL TICKET,

PLEDGED TO THE NOMINEES OF THE

jy^TIOJWtL, nEMOCR^lTlC COJWEJVTIOAT.

Twenty thousand copies printed, by order of the Convention,

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f I ry.' '-■'. > > ‘,v > - I * . 14 ■i .V '^y■•'' J •'Xsi:A** ■ t V.' '‘.t'•V* V'i *•- 1* > ■ V *» ^ I» •■ \ >• • -H* V *A V »'-' 7 y* A i'i A {' •# • • •>.* A. i •y ■?: * ■. .1 j ^ >'• 1 • 'li. r» S 4 • V X t ■M . ' : J'y • 'y^ ^ ♦ ri- •» . !J t . \ f » I \^■eIj^a '■ \w •-■ , *,..1.'* I • ■ » A S '\-\“ >'. 4 *7a * ' 4 { ,^ - < . • ;■ ’■■ > « *. ' ■t ‘/•J' V’ > T^ •' ' , p;< 1,' '•€ •■ -.i;f.>1*'V *■ • . V 'T*' jagy ‘ >-4’:: ■ * • t N '• \ i FIRST DAY. Albany—Abraham Verplanck, Auj^uslus Pinck¬ ney, Erastiis Corning^, Henry L, Palmer. The Delegates to the Democratic State Con¬ Rroowe—Joseph E. Ely. Cattaraugus—Marcus H. Johnson. vention, chosen under the recommendation ot Cai/wga—Alexander Thompson, William H. the State Central Committee, organized tempo, Noble, Charles W. Pomeroy. rarily at the Mayor’s Court Room, in the City Chautauque—T. A. Osborne. Chenango—'EAisha B. Smith. Hall, on Wednesday morning, 26th of Janu¬ Clinton—Isaac W. R. Bromley. ary, 1848, at 10 o’clock a. m. Cofwwbio—Joseph D. Monell, Lucas Hoes. Cortland—Mathias Van Hoesen. Judge T. A. Osborne, of Chautauque, call¬ Dutchess—J. M, Ketchum. ed to order, and on his motion, Erie—William L. G. Smith, George W. Clin¬ Gen. CHARLES BORLAND, of Orange, ton, Jonathan Hoyt, Nathaniel M. Jones. Fulton and Hamilton—William Rob. was called to the chair, and ' Genesee—Mark Beecher, Frederick Follett. On motion of the Hon. J. D. Monell, of Greene—Sylvester Nichols, Matthew Yeomans. Columbia, Herkimer—George B. Judd, and J. M. Lyon. Jefferson—3. W. Tamblin, Isaac Munson, Har¬ GEORGE W. CLINTON, of Erie, and vey D. Parker. ELISHA B. SMITH, of Chenango, were ap¬ Aings—Joseph O. Hasbrouck, D. H. Feeks. Lewis—D. S. Howard. pointed secretaries. Madison—Henry T. Sumner, Ralph Tanner. On motion of Mr. S. C. Parker, of On¬ JUoTiroe—Joseph Sibley, Hubbard L. Allis,, ondaga, the counties were called, and the names Thomas Comes. of delegates enrolled—and credentials received. Montgomery—J. G. Snell, George Caldwell. New York—Andrew Clark, Thomas Hayes,. On motion of Mr. F. Follett, of Gene¬ Jesse 1 rush, William W. Dean, William Mc-- see, a committee of eight (one from each ju¬ Murray, Charles McVean, Dennis Garrison, Wil¬ liam D. Craft, William Furey, John Griffen,. dicial district) was directed to be appointed by Charles Hughes,Alexander M. Ailing, John T, the Chair, to report to the convention the Wymbs, Lorenzo B. Shepard. names of permanent officers thereof. Niagara—Milton Randall. Ojieida—Hiram Denio, Elon Comstock, Da¬ The Chair named the committee as fol¬ vid Moulton, Amasa S. Newberry. lows: Onondaga—Dorastus Lawrence, Sanford C, On the Organization of the Convention—Messrs. Parker, Miles W. Bennett. Follett, of the 8th; Alling, of the 1st; Hy¬ Ontario—George R. Parburt. att, of the 2nd; Bookstaver, of the 3rd; Brom¬ Orange—Charles Borland, J. C. Dimmick, ley, of the 4th; McWhorter, of the 5th; Pot¬ John W. Martin. ter, of the 6th; and Sibley, of the 7th. Osu'ego—Geo. H. M’Whorter, Isaac Hatch. Ofsego—Delos W. Dean, Benjamin D. North. On motion, the convention then adjourned Rensselaer—DaviCi L. Seymour, Isaac T. Grant, to meet in the Assembly Chamber at 3 o’clock Wm. Carmichael. in the afternoon. iSarafoga—Samuel Cheever, Joseph Baucus. Schenectady—Jo\\n C. Wright. Scbo/iarie—Thomas Lawyer, Joseph Bouck. Three o^clock, P. M. Steuben—Hiram Potter, F. C. Deninny, Alex¬ Tlie convention re-assembled in the Assem¬ ander H. Stevens. bly Chamber, at the Capitol, pursuant to ad¬ Tioga—Hiram A. Beebe. Tompkins—W. R. Humphrey. journment. Ulster—John L. Bookstaver, Samuel Reynolds. Gen. Borland, of Orange, the temporary Warren—Daniel G. Harris. chairman, called the convention to order. Washington—Jo\\n Mairs, Isaac W. Thompson.. Wayne—Frederick M. Smith. The roll of delegates was then called, as Westchester—Abraham Hyatt. follows: Yates—John L. Lewis. 4

Mr. Follett, of Genesee, from the com¬ tlemen, on which you have a right to speak—on which, I think it is your duty to speak—and to mittee on organization, reported the names of speak fearlessly, with firmness and plainness.— the following gentlemen as officers of the con¬ The causes of this state of things, I apprehend, should be fully developed, and so far as we can vention :— furnish facts, the public should be informed to For President. whose delinquency it is owing, (if there be ac- HIRAM DENIO, of Oneida. countabilily for it resting any where) that this great state is governed and its destinies :ind re¬ Vice-Presidents. sources wielded by authorities, elevated to place ^ 1st dist.—William McMurray, New York. by a minority of the people. And it will also ^ 2d dist.—Joseph O. Hasbrouck, Kings. be your duty to take such measures in reference 3d dist.—Joseph D. Monell, Columbia. to this matter, as to prevent, if possible, a re¬ 4ih dist.—Samuel Cheever, Saratoga. currence of a similar state of things. Tnis can 6th dist.—Dorastus Lawrence, Onondaga. be accomplished only by a steady inculcation of 6lh dist.—Mathias Van Hoesen, Cortland. the usages which have heretofore enabled the 7th dist.—William H. Noble, Cayuga. majority to triumph in our political contests. kh dist.—Marcus H. Johnson, Cattaraugus. Another feature of the times in which we are Secretaries. called to deliberate, is certainly of an unusual charater. We are now in a state of war—a state Hiram A. Beebe, of Tioga. of things much to be regretted. For my part, Samuel Reynolds, Ulster. and I believe in this I am not singular, 1 think Andrew Clark, New York. oui character, and settled habits, are unfavora¬ Isaac Munson, Jetferson. ble to a state of war. Our destiny I have no Mr. Dean, of New-York, moved the adop¬ doubt is to cultivate and carry onward the arts tion of the report—and it was adopted unani¬ of peace. Our triumphs must be mainly the tri¬ umphs of civilization. War is undoubtedly a mously. public calamity—one of the greatest that can be- The Chair designated Messrs. Corning fal a nation. There is however a misfortune greater than this. National degradation and dis¬ of Albany, and Monell of Columbia, as a honor is the inevitable consequence of the neg¬ committee to conduct the President to the lect of a government to fulfil its duly to all its chair. citizens—and to cause itself to be respected at home and abroad. Delinquency in this respect The President upon taking the chair, leads to repeated wars, and invites aggression; returned his acknov/ledgments, substantially as and whilst it degrades a people in their own eyes, renders them insignificant in the estimation of follows: the nations of the earth. That, I repeat, is a ca¬ Gentlemen of the Convention:—In returning lamity far greater than actual war. my acknowledgments to you for the honor con¬ It is matter of history, to which I need not ferred on me, I hope you will not suppose that I more than briefly allude, that this state of intend a mere formal remark, when I say ihat I things was brought about by repeated ag¬ regret that your choice had not fallen on one more gressions, calculated, if not intended to jirovoke experienced in the duties of the chair. It has rare¬ war, and followed up by an invasion of our ter¬ ly fallen to my lot to preside at a public meeting ritory, without any intent or prospect of attain¬ of any sort—and never at one of any considera¬ ing the ostensible object of that invasion, or any ble importance. 1 have never been a member other result than mutual hostility. It has been of any public assembly, so numerous or impor¬ brought about by repeated indignities towards us tant as to require the adoption for its govern¬ as a nation, superadded to a series of unredressed ment of the usual parliamentary rules of pro- outrages on the lives and property of our citi¬ • ceedirig. I shall therefore need a large meas¬ zens. When this people thought tit to ure of that indulgence, whichis usually extended unite their destinies with those of a neigh¬ (tended to an inexperienced presiding officer. boring Republic, as independent essentially You, gentlemen, have not failed to perceiv'e, as our ‘own, it was declared on the part that the period at which we have assembled is of Mexico that that act itself was a cause one, in some respects of an unusual character. of war, and that war must necessarily en¬ The Hall in which we have met, and those sue—and following up that declaration, the which surround it, ordinarily tenanted messengers of peace, sent to them to arrange officially by political friends, are at this time all matters of difference, and to avoid, if possi¬ occupied by political opponents. This is not ble, this last resort, W’ere dismissed with con¬ • strange; for it has occurred before. And if it be tumely and driven from the territory of Mexico. the result of the public voice—the fact fur¬ And this was followed, on their part, by menac¬ nishes no cause of complaint—scarcely of ing military movements, and war-like declara¬ ■regret. But the remarkable feature in the case tions and demonstrations and finally consumma¬ is that the public authorities now installed in ted by an open invasion.and the murder of Amer- this state, can hardly pretend to have been can citizens. It then became the duty of the con¬ called to their respective stations by the stituted authorities—a duty which they perfor¬ voice of a majority of the electors of the med with a unanimity almost unparalleled—for state. I apprehend that neither they, nor the vote in the national councils w^as nearly those who adhere to them, will pretend that unanimous—to declare that war existed between they were thus selected for the places they this country and Mexico, and by the act of Mexico (fill. This is certainly a remarkable fea¬ herself. If that declaration had been made by ture in the present state of things. It will, the ordinary majority in Congress, it should doubtless, iii the course of your delibera¬ have been respected by every citizen of this tions, be a subject of enquiry on your part, and country; and the government, whilst the contest a matter wnich you will make the subject of a continued, should have been supported, and communication to the constituent body—to all the warmly supported—by every man who claimed democrats of this state—what causes have con¬ to be a patriot:—Much more, when as the fact spired to bring about this anomalous and very was, scarcely a man in either house of Con¬ remarkable state of things. It is a subject, gen¬ gress dared to lift his voice either against 5 the declaration that war existed, or against resolutions for the consideration of the Convention, and the necessary measures for carrying on the a similar committee to report an address to the Demo¬ contest. It would be supposed by all who cracy of the State. were not familiar with, or who had not wit¬ The resolution was adopted. nessed exhibitions of the bitterness and mad¬ ness of party, that the same unanimity with The President then named the following which that state of things was declared, by Con¬ committees, in pursuance of the resolution just gress, would have been found in the community adopted: geuerally, until the war had terminated honor¬ ably anil successfully. If that had been the case On Organization—Messrs. Corning of Albany, '—if the people had stood by their government Alling and Hughes of JSew York, Feeks of as It was their duty to have done—and with the Kings, Martin of Orange, Nichols of Greene, same unanimity which characterized the nation¬ Caldwell of Montgomery, Thompson of Wash¬ al legislature—this war would at this time have ington, Judd of Herkimer, Comstock of Onei¬ been at an end. For it is most true—experience da, Smith of Chenango, Dean of Otsego, Smith teaches it—that when an adversary finds its ene¬ of Wayne, Sibley of Monroe, Smith of Erie mies divided among themselves—that there are and Randall of Niagara. those among them disposed to thwart the meas¬ On Resolutions—Mehsrs. Shepard of N. York, ures of the government in conducting the con¬ Borland of Orange, Wright of Schenectady, test—it takes encouragement to prolong the con¬ Snell of Montgomery, McWhorter of Oswego, test, in the hope that these ellorts to embarrass Sumner of Madison, Lewis of Yates and Os¬ and cripple the government, may eventually borne of Chautaiique. succeed—and thus the war be terminated to their On the Address—Messrs. Me Yean of N. York, advantage, and to the dishonor of their enemies. Dimmick of Orange, Seymour of Rensselaer, Mexico is no insignificant opponent. That coun¬ Bromley of Clinton, Parker of Onondaga, Ely try, at this time, has a population as large as the of Broome, Parburt of Orange and Clinton of American colonies at the period of the Revolu¬ Erie. tion—and has ten times as much in wealth and natural resources. Mexico, is in facta formida¬ And then, on motion of Mr. Wright, of ble opponent, and though by the bravery of our Schenectady, the convention adjourned to 7 army and the gallantry of our officers, she is now o’clock, P. M. reduced to a position which renders her unable to continue the war—yet the country contains a numerous people, mured to the art of war and Seven o’clock P. M. powerful in resources. That our ancient politi¬ The convention re-assembled at 7 o’clock. cal opponents should not have taken a national view of the matter—that the thirst for power Mr. McVean of New-York, from the com¬ should have prevented them from acting as it mittee appointed to prepare an Address, re¬ seems to me every patriotic citizen should act, ported that the committee had united in recom¬ will not be surprising to any one who has lived long enough to have known what has taken place mending for adoption an Address—which he on former occasions, when this country has been would read. at war. But that a portion of the party which placed the national administration in po wer,sho’d Mr. McVean read the following Address, be found, which by raising false issues, by which was listened to throughout with marked mere clamor, should seek to weaken and cripple attention by the Convention and by a large au¬ the government—to impair its efforts and to de¬ prive it of public confidence, is not a little re¬ dience, and received with applause: markable. It behooves the representatives of the democracy of this state—the repre¬ sentatives of the party that called the national ABBKESS, administration into power, to make a communi¬ cation also to the constituent body in relation to TO 7HE DEMOCRACY of NEW- this matter. You have the right to speak au- YORK. thorittaively, and I trust you will do so fearlessly The representatives of the whole people em¬ and decidedly on these points. You have been braced within the democratic party, in a regu¬ freely chosen by the various local constituen¬ cies in the State, in the manner long known and lar convention of delegates assembled at Syra¬ recognized by the democratic party, when they cuse in September last, appointed a state com¬ seek to express their opinions on great national mittee, in whom they reposed, without any oth- questions. I trust, therefore, that besides the or¬ er limitation than their discretion, the power to dinary duties which you are called upon to per¬ call future state conventions of the democratic form, relating more immediately to the support party. No other body since chosen repre¬ of the administration of your choice and to the senting or pretending to represent the demo¬ measures necessary to provide, when its term cratic party, has interfered in the power re¬ shall expire, for a succession of the same general posed in the state central committee. That character—that you will deem it your duty to committee, in pursuance of the power thus fully express in a loud voice, and a firm tone, the opinions of the representatives of the democracy vested in them, called this convention now here of the state, on these important subjects. [The assembled. Its authority as a convention of the address was received with decided and warm to¬ delegates of the democratic party is therefore kens of approbation.] unquestionable. A distinct separate and hostile party organi¬ Mr. Shepard of New-York, then offered zation of persons who w^ere lately members of the following resolution:— the democratic party, was afterwards made at Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee for Herkimer. The persons who formed this new the purpose of perfecting the organization oi the De¬ organization made no pretensions to regularity, mocratic party of the Slate, to consist of two delegates from each judicial district; also a committee to consist or that the movement which led to it was otL of one delegate from each judicial district, to report erwise than hostile to the preexisting organiza- 6

tion known as the democratic party: On the tional administration had the first affections of contrary, they justified’their secession from^the the candidates. In these congressional districts, party on the ground that it held to principles so the state democratic ticket which they support¬ obnoxious to them, that a separation was ne. ed, had a large majority. The defeat of the cessary to the proper advancement of their ad¬ democratic candidates for Congress placed us as verse principles. Nothing has occurred since to a party in the minority in the present House of change their relation of hostility to the princi- Representatives. The wrong they in that cam¬ ' pies which in their judgment justified their vol- paign alleged as the cause of their fierce hostil¬ UKtary separation. They have indeed since ity during it, was, that President Polk had not changed their place of holding their state con¬ appointed Mr. Flagg Secretary of the Treasury, vention from Herkimer to Utica, but they do not and their friends generally to office. It is in¬ pretend that it is a diflferent organization, or deed true that Mr. Flagg was not appointed, that they have changed in any manner their but it is equally true that in the commercial me¬ principles which induced them to separate from tropolis, where the more important officers ex¬ the party. On the contrary the whole machine¬ ist, the larger portion of those officers were ap¬ ry of the Herkimer organization has been care¬ pointed at their request, and it is notorious fully put in motion to declare to the world that that the recent schemes for the disorganization it is their organization, and that the principles of the democratic party were planned and ma¬ which induced them to secede are the principles tured by some of the high federal officers in that of their existing organization at its changed city. place of meeting. They do not pretend that Their hostility had its origin prior to the in¬ the endorsement of their view's by several of the auguration of the President. It is well known members of thelegislature, has in the least aba¬ that in Congress, intermediate the election and ted their hostility to the party 1‘rom which they the inauguration of the President elect, on the went ibrth, or the organization which that party bill to annex the then Republic of Texas to the has kept up and under which we are assembled United Stales, the manifestations of treason in in this convention. We concede that their or¬ the Senate to the will of the People, as declared ganization is hostile to us to the fullest extent by the Baltimore Convention and sanctioned by they claim, that it is not only hostile in form the election, were so strong as to cause the gen¬ and in action, but hostile in principle. They eral belief that its passage was in peril. To have declared that their political principles are rebuke this incipient treason, and to vindicate irreconcilably opposed to ours, and as W'e are the supremacy of the popular will, the ever-re- determined to maintain ours at all hazards, and liable and patriotic demociacy of the City of exclude their narrow tests from the democratic New York agreed to hold a public meeting,— party, their secession was the inevitable result The same persons who personally labored for of the position. However much we may regret days unsuccessfully to break up the recent dem¬ that the cause for separation existed, itis better, ocratic State Convention at Syracuse, tried to the separation being eifected by their deliberate break up that assembly of the people. Their act, it should be so marked as to lead to no mis¬ treasonable letters from Washington, designed takes as to our several positions. to effect such a purpose, appeared in a news¬ The high position that some of them had in paper in New York on he day of the meeting the party by our influence as manifested in their previous to the meeting itself, although purport- long continuance in office, renders it proper on ing to be in answer to invitations to attend the this occasion, that we should briefly review the meeting! Their hostility to the democratic causes that led to the separation, and to the parly and the incoming administration, was as consequences that will follow it. clearly shadowed forth then, at it was enacted The occasion which led to their separation afterwards at Syracuse. was undoubtedly that which they avow'ed in At other times they assert and more frequent¬ their act of separation, namely, that the demo¬ ly, as the term of the administration approaches cratic State Convention at Syracuse refused to its close, that their hostility had its origin in the adopt as a political lest, or as a subject of poli¬ results of the Baltimore Convention itself — tical or party action, the test, issue, sentiment This is undoubtedly the primary cause to which or principle, involved in the Wilmot proviso, all others are accessories. These imaginary and determined that the democratic party should wrongs which exciled their passion, have all maintain the position of neutrality in regard to grown from that fundamental wrong. The pros¬ I. It is well known how'ever, that their hostil- pective loss of central power W'hich was made }y was as settled and active within the party inevitable by the result of the deliberations of )afore that event as after. They generally as- the Syracuse Convention, was however the prox¬ ^rt that they are or were actuated by a desire imate cause which led them to break the slender p avenge the W'rong that was inflicted on them ligament which yet bound them to the democrat¬ }y the party. That wrong they sometimes de- ic party. ^are to be the defeat of the late Gov. Wright The central power, which had grown up at U the general election preceding the last. Their Albany under the late Constitution at its com¬ hostility was as determined and as openly and mencement, and was wielded by those who held pjuriously manifested during the campaign that there the State executive offices, was one of prminated in that result, as after. In that those practical political despotisms which are very election the democratic candidates for Con¬ felt w'ithout being seen. The patronage W'hich gress in one of the New York districts, in the that constitution gave them officially, afl'orded Westchester district, in the Orange district, in them ample means to excite the hopes and fears the Dutchess district, and in the Jefferson dis¬ of the needy. To extend their patronage and to trict, were defeated by them for the sole reason secure further means to reward the obedient and that the national democratic party and the na¬ punish the refractory, the whole slate banking 7 power and Ihe banlis with their over-shadowing government, and be passionate, and it was nat¬ money influence were brousht within the official ural, also, that those who fell conscious that control of the central power. The model of they were actuated by the single desire to pro¬ party organization w’as the feudal system. The mote the public good, should treat them with lords paramount at the centre controlled the in* forbearance. Indeed nothing can better illus¬ termediate lords in the centre of each county, trate the spirit of generous toleration which gov¬ and they again controlled their minor divisions. erns the true democracy, than the mode in Like its model, its characteristic was strength, which the assaults of the central power were and like it, it produced a vassalage debasing and received and treated during the contest which degrading. To break up and disperse this pow¬ preceded and terminated in the Syracuse con¬ er, w’as one of the controlling motives that in¬ vention; and we may add, also, that nothing duced the call of a convention to form a new could more strongly illustrate the evil tendency constitution. of the state constitution under w hich these ru¬ Most effectually was that great work consum¬ lers came into and were continued in power, mated by thatinstrument. It is true itlelilhem than their course of conduct during and after in office, but their offices were the mere shadow that contest, and if there were any lingering of their former power. doubts among the people about the propriety of It was early foreseen however, that they would the reform provided in the new constitution, the struggle to retain their places, and as they ap¬ subsequent conduct of the central power has proached the crisis of their fate, they would be¬ forever dispelled them. come more desperate, and it w'as foretold that They ruled the party for twenty-five years, the event which would reduce them to the level and when they could rule no longer, left it be¬ of a common equality with other respectable cit¬ cause it refused to adopt the Wilmot proviso!— izens, would signalize their departure from a What is the Wilmot proviso? It will best be party which for a quarter of a century had defined by showing how its adherents have pampered their pride, that they would lose all sought to apply the principle involved in it.— sense of gratitude for the long continued ana When the bill known as the Three Million bill, multiplied favors of the past, in gratifying the was being discussed in the House of Represen¬ desire to revenge the omission at last to continue tatives, and which proposed to put at the dispo¬ them in place and power. sal of the President money to enable him to ne¬ The adoption of the new constitution clearly gotiate a treaty of peace with Mexico, with ter¬ pointed to their displacement, as necessary to ritorial indemnity, Mr. Wilmot offered as an complete the reform it was designed to accom¬ amendment to it, a proviso that slavery should plish. It was proper that the dispersion of the be forever excluded from the territory to be ac¬ monopoly should be followed by the dispersion quired under such treaty. The principle, then, of the monopolists. Those whose counsels pre¬ is this—they propose as an end, to exclude slave¬ vailed at the Syracuse convention, were govern¬ ry from the territory that may be acquired from ed by the best of motives. Their design was to Mexico, and as the means, a previous law of nntrammel the sources of political power.— congress prohibiting its introduction. It is They did not oppose the continuance in office of conceded by them that it is a well settled law, the representatives of the central power, be¬ that without any action on the part of our gov- cause they held their places for a quarter of a ernment, slavery w’ould be excluded from such century, or because they belonged to another territory by the laws of Mexico, which would generation; but because they constituted a com¬ be the law of the territory when annexed, until bination of persons habitually unfriendly to the changed. enjoyment of freedom of opinion, and were prac¬ This concession involves the admission that tised against freedom of action; because they their proposed end would be accomplished with¬ had wielded the central power, constituting the out using their means. It is an admission that central despotism, designed to be overthrown entire abstinence from political agitation, w’ould by the new constitution. secure the end which they deem so vastly im¬ The fulmination of the wrath of the central portant. power, the bitterest denunciation and the coars- The democratic party and its administration, est invective, with which democrats were as¬ have also an end which they consider of momen¬ sailed, who expressed the design to remove tous importance, to the accomplishment of their odious monopoly, by the exercise of the which they have devoted all their energies.— long-neglected duty of rotation in office, were That end is the acquisition of territory from allow’ed to pass without recrimination. Long Mexico by treaty, not for the sake of acquisi¬ possession of office and power had led them to tion, but as the only possible indemnity and sat¬ consider themselves the democratic party, the isfaction attainable. The end we propose, is whole of it in this state, and the most essential the acquisition of territory. The end they pro¬ part of it in the Union. They consequently re¬ pose, is the exclusion of slavery from such ter¬ garded the proposition to supersede them in of¬ ritory. We make no issue with them on their fice, as rebellion against the party itself, and an proposed end. Our issue is as to their means. insult to those to whom w^ere committed the sa¬ Their means, although entirely unnecessary by cred trust of governing. Those who were sub¬ their own admission for the accomplishment of jected mentally to their power, and whose pas¬ their end, are the most effectual that could be sive submission entitled them to the rank of true devised to prevent us from accomplishing ours. men, viewed them and the matter in the same It is well knowm, and to none better than to light. It was natural, entertaining such views them, that the agitation of the question of sla¬ of their position, that they should consider that very within the democratic party, is fatal to its the effort to remove them had its origin in a de¬ ascendancy. They are schooled in that truth. sire to injure them personally, as w'ell as good When they with us twice supported Mr. Van 8

Buren for the presidency, and desired again to which will assemble there, seek admission support him the third time, we (they with us) among them? They are intelligent enough to declared in the most solemn manner, by resolu¬ know that if their principles should get admis tions in Congress and out of it, that all politi¬ sioa in that convention, the democratic party cal agitation which tended to disturb the rela¬ would be broken up. They know’, also, that tion between the master and his slave in the the convention will exclude that principle.— several states, although not the object of the What will they then do? They abandoned the agitation, was in contravention of the spirit of Syracuse Convention for its refusal to adopt the constitution which it was our first duty to that principle. They will be bound, in honor, uphold, and was the worst incendiarism, be¬ also to abandon the National Convention for the cause it produced sectional divisions and discord same cause. The state convention was for state between the people of the several states. purposes, and they then abandoned it, because Is that which was unconstitutional when Mr. it refused to adopt a principle of a national Van Buren was our candidate, constitutional character, having nothing to do with state poli¬ now? Is that which was incendiarism then, tics. The cause that was good at Syracuse, less so now? These politicians may change, w ill be better at Baltimore—and they are since but principles never change; and the democratic pledged to its sufficiency. Those who believe party, standing fast to its integrity now as then, that they will abide by the Baltimore Conven- denounces such agi ation as treasonable and in¬ tion, under any circumstances, believe them to cendiary. Whatever others may do, that great be more infirm of purpose, and more dishonor¬ party will maintain the compromises of the con¬ able than we do. stitution. in their spirit, and with the candor of What other object, then, can they have in truth. This was the stone that was made the view, than a claim to the honor of political chief of the corner by the great apostles of lib¬ martyrdom, with a view of making them more erty, whom we humbly but sincerely follow. formidable for mischief in the approaching Nothing can better illustrate the entire aban- great struggle between the democratic party and donment by the seceders of their former princi¬ its enemies? They labored diligently for days ples, than to contrast their present conduct with at Syracuse for a show of martyrdom, but they their conduct immediately preceding the last were unsuccessful. E^xperience has since prov¬ Baltimore Convention. They then denounced ed to them that they would soon be powerless such agitation as incendiarism, because its ne¬ for injury to the democratic party, if they did cessary result was sectional division. They not endeavor to maintain a position within it. have since without provocation commenced the The principle which led them to abandon the same agitation, and point to that very result, party, is one they hold in common with the accomplished by their agitation, as their justifi¬ whig party. They and the whig party are alike cation for its commencement. hostile to those who oppose their principles.— They abandoned the democratic party, be¬ Where there is agreement in principle, there is cause, in the spirit of toleration and catholic a tendency in the law of politics to an union, liberality, it determined to maintain a platform which time will certainly accomplish. There broad enough for them to stand on wuth us.— can be but two parties in this country, and they The difference between us is this : we do not are a fragment of the one with wffiich they exclude them, but they have erected a new plat¬ agree. At one election they gave the wffiigs form, so narrow in its dimensions, that it will their present majority in the House of Repre¬ hold none besides themselves. It is possible for sentatives ; at the succeeding election they gave them to come to us. The design of their plat- the whigs all the Executive departments and form was to make it impossible for us to go to both houses of the legislature in this state; and them, and in that they w ere successful. at this very hour, when our country is engaged Why did the central power, after their open in a foreign war, they glory in both achieve¬ and undisguised abandonment of the democratic ments. party, as proclaimed at Herkimer, since seek Fellow citizens—The war forced upon us by the endorsement of members of the legislature the aggressions of Mexico, is the war of our who happened to be at Albany ? The men who country. He that will oppose it, or he that were then there were elected under the old con- hesitates in the support of it, is not of the coun¬ stitution. Two several state conventions of the try. He is an alien in sentiment within it, and ■^jemocratic party had been held, since their is unworthy of the association of Americans. flection, under the new constitution. Why were We are in favor of the acquisition of territory hese vestiges of a former political creation gal- as compensation and indemnity. Those who tanized into a show of life? Were they so cow- profess to be in favor of the acquisition of ter¬ k1 by the exhibition of public scorn for their ritory, and insist upon the agitation of a sub. hithlessness, that they resorted to an expedient ject which W’ill prevent it, cannot very strongly )o extreme and desperate, to give them a little commend themselves to the candid judgment of >f the coloring of that regularity which a month the intelligent. Those who openly advocate >efore they so boldly scouted? They again the no territory doctrine, are less to be feared, adopted at Albany the same narrow, proscript- for they can be met in the open field of argu- .ve and bigoted creed. They re-laid the same ment; the others are the more insidious and lorner-stone. The priests that minister at the subtle foes, being in ambuscade. altar are the same, and the worshippers are the Strongly as we are impressed with the pro¬ same. Did they intend to use this coloring as priety and justice of the acquisition of territory, the foundation of a claim for admission in the we would despise ourselves if we availed our- Baltimore Convention? Why should they, with selves of a conquest to secure that end, because a declaration of principles wholly at war with the weakness of our enemy yielded to our the principles of the entire national democracy strength. Such a motive is entirely repugnant 9

to tiiose principles of moral justice which are single object of alienating the affections of the the life of the democratic faith and democratic people of the section of the country who are its practice. supporters, cannot, by an intelligent communi¬ The title of the Mexican government is a title ty, be regarded in any other light than as being by conquest, from those who held it by conquest. its secret but most determined foes. If we took it and held it by the same title, they No one can be regarded as a true democrat could not complain. Their title is legal, and who at any time would insist upon the political our title would be also legal. As a moral ques¬ agitation of a moral abstraction, as of para¬ tion, if they have wronged us, if they owe us a mount importance, when the direct tendency of debt which they are morally bound to pay, and such agitation is to create sectional dissensions brought upon themselves the ‘war, violating a and divisions between us and our natural allies moral duty, then our moral right to retain the in upholding and advancing the great doctrines territory in the payment of the debt, is as strong of the democracy; and the agitation of such an as is the moral duty to pay where payment is abstraction during w'ar can be regarded as little due. less than treasonable. Those who agitated it From the very nature of our institutions, and during the war with England, and those who the form and design of our government, such agitate it now, history will consign to a common territory when acquired, would not be held by condemnation. Tho&e who wield “fire-brands” conquest, as such tenure is knownin the interna¬ now are no better than those who burned ‘‘blue- tional code. We would hold it, not for our use, lights” then. When the war shall be crowned but for the use of man, be he there or come he with a lasting and honorable peace, and territo¬ whence he may. It would be held only to be ry shall have been acquired, those who may surrendered to the government of the occupants then occupy it may pass all such laws of a local of the land. Can territory be held by con¬ nature and application as to them may seem quest which is alike free to all, and is governed just, without interference from us, and without or is to be governed by its occupants by a gov being subjected to the tender mercies of the de¬ ernment of their own? We deny that such a luded fanatics or the revengeful partizans who tenure is a tenure by conquest, as such tenure have volunteered their undesired services ir has been known in the world. It is no more their behalf. They will be no more useful t( than the restoration of moral rights by legal the inhabitants of such territory in that day means. We (the American people) have de¬ than they are to their country in this. Theif volved upon us the great work of restoring to philanthropy is as spurious as their patriotism man his long lost rights. The means by which and leads to nothing but mischief. They an! we are to accomplish this end, ought to be le¬ those who act with them support no war but t gally as well as morally just. The field is in war upon their country, and when it is engage^ part opened to us by the conduct of Mexico, and in a foreign war, they wage their war upon i( such moral and legal means are offered for our the fiercer. use. Shall we occupy it? Shall we now run When the political power of the state waf with manly vigor the race that is set before us? wielded for the benefit of individuals, it was < Or shall we yield to the suggestions of a sickly necessary part of the system that the delegates fanaticism, and sink into an enervating slum¬ to the national convention should express the ber? Labor was the consecrated means of central will, which was single. Under the new man’s subsistence when he was created. To constitution, power has been so diffused that replenish the earth and subdue it, was his or¬ the smallest civil division may have and express dained mission and destiny. We feel no emo¬ its own will by the agent ol its own selection. tion but pity for those whose philanthrophy or The remnants of the ancient regime adhere to patriotism or religion, has led them to beleive their old system of centralism, and insist that it that they can prescribe a better course of duty is democracy, as they practised it, that dele¬ than that of the God who made us all! They gates should be chosen by a state convention. whose representatives we are, are ready to per¬ They seem unconscious that this last remnant form that for which they were ordained. They of feudality is inconsistent with the new order feel all the strength that the consciousness of qf things, and pertinaciously cling to the shadow being right can impart, and are anxious to press after the substance has departed. They may onward in fulfillment of destiny. conduct their internal party affairs as they Fellow citizens, speaking in the name of the please, free from our interference. We have great party to which we belong, w’e declare no veneration for their system or their practice. ourselves in favor of free trade. We have no We prefer the progressive spirit of this age to wish, in this exigency of our public affairs, to the proscriptive spirit of the last. We think it alter the tariff of 1846, except so far as may be decidedly better to be democrats in our action, necessary to make it more conformable to the than in our professions. We go where demo¬ revenue standard. We are nevertheless in fa¬ cracy leads us, and we are content that they re- vor of free trade as the ultimate settled policy main where an exploded system left them. of the country. We regard free trade as the Whatever force there may be in the argument means of giving bread to Europe and wealth to that as between the democratic parly and the America, and the certain means of establishing whig party, the state should give a united vote that brotherhood between the citizens of the by a general ticket, in electing a President, it world, which will assimilate all governments, is w’ithout force in a friendly struggle between make them all free, and expunge from the inter¬ the members of the same party in selecting a national code the relics of barbarism that linger candidate for President. Nothing can be more there. proper or more democratic than that each local¬ Those who profess to be in favor of free trade, ity should be distinctly heard and felt in such a and whose political efforts are directed to the struggle. The district system of electing dele- 10 gates Will accomplish this end, and the slate sys¬ action a far worse calamity. We are satisfied tem will prevent it. This system is in conform¬ that with union we will soon regain our strength. ity with the practice of the democracy of other They have defeated us \vhile they remained with states, and we do most cordially endorse the re- us, and would have done so again had they not commendation of ihe state convention in respect departed from us. It is impossible to lose any. to it. thing by their going out from among us. We Fellow citizens, the democratic party, reno¬ have now the prospect of success, by a cordial vated by the action of a new state constitution union of effort directed to the same end. and the desertion of some assumed leaders, is If there are any out of this State who believe taking a new start in its career of progress.— that the separation is a separation for local Those who would have imparted to its councils causes, let them be undeceived. We have shown the feebleness of a morbid fanaticism, and to its that the hostility of the seceders had its origin action the imbecility of age in the vigor of its in the action of the national democratic party youth, have voluntarily departed from it. They itself, and that the avowed object of their se¬ will take w’ith them only those whose habitual paration is on a principle of national politics.— servility has made them passive. The demo¬ Their hostility to us as a local party is less bit^ cratic party wants no leaders. Principle is the ter than their hostility to the national party to only leader that never deceives. Nine out of which we belong. We are more subject to the every ten who in this emergency will quit the exhibition of their hostility, for the reason that party, will follow leaders whom they have long we as a part of the whole are locally within the regarded as the democratic party, entirely re¬ sphere of their political action. gardless of all principles. Had the seceders, in a fit of passion arising The system of leaders, of lords and little from their defeat in some personal scheme, for¬ lords, is exploded. Henceforth the people will med a new irregular party organization, in our be their own leaders, and their own rulers.— strong desire to uphold the democratic party, Hitherto the road to favor was central influence. we would willingly sacrifice all personal feel¬ Henceforth the aspirant for popular favor will ings to unite with them; but their hostility is appeal to the people, the true source of power. worse than mere irregularity. It is fundamen¬ Public opinion, which hitherto was elaborated tal. They are not onfy irregular in their action, at the centre and compelled to the extremes, but their hostility to the democratic party itself henceforth will be the aggregation of individual and its principles is determined. They have opinions, flowing in free and healthy channels not only adopted the creed of the opposition in from the extremes to the centre. The new gen¬ its different phases of federal, whig, and aboli¬ eration to which the management of the party tion, but its worst practices in all those phases, is committed, is imbued with a belter .spirit, as exhibited in impeding the action of the gov¬ more tolerant, more catholic, and more progres¬ ernment in conducting a foreign war, and in the sive than was that of its predecessors. When agitation of a disturbing sectional question.— the shackles of the mind which they imposed, Their opposition to the National democratic par¬ shall have been fairly broken, and when all our ty is as determined as is that of the whig party citizens shall stand upright in the full conscious¬ proper, and more bitter. We regard them as ness of the possession of mental freedom, the the enemies of the democratic party, not tempo¬ value of the great reformation by the new con- rarily, but permanently. Their hostility to the stitution, will be fully appreciated. Men will principles of the party is fixed, and is the cause then no longer form their opinions by a calcula¬ and not the result of their separation from it. tion of profits, nor conceal them for fear of loss. We appeal to the great masses of the demo- The power of the few will have gone forever. cratic party to remain within it. We ask yon The mental power of the many wdll then reign not to follow us who are but humble members supreme. The triumph of the principle of the of it. We desire to remain with you as co-equals diffusion of power over its monopoly, will have in that party, whose ancient renown is our com¬ been established, and a government of opinion mon property. Follow not leaders, but fol¬ will be substituted for a government of men, low’ principles. We desire to be emphatic with We have made this exposition of theaffairs^f you in our appeal not to follow leaders, but to the democratic party in this state, in justice to follow principles, the ancient principles which itself, and that the propriety of its conduct may are the sure foundation of the democratic faith. be vindicated in the judgment of the democracy We desire henceforth as heretofore to act W’ilh of the Union, wdiose confidence we are as proud you in harmonious effort to uphold that great to know that we have, as we are to feel that we national party, upon which is devolved the ex- deserve. We do not apply, or design to apply, elusive duty of advancing the interests of this any portion of these remarks to such as have great country in peace, and vindicating its honor been misled by the arts or misrepresentations of in war. Remem ber that the recurrence of a war leaders or by a too confiding reliance upon them. is a national event, that tries men’s souls, and That class of our fellow citizens we desire to divides them into two parties, one for the coun¬ reclaim from error or misapprehension, and to try, and the other against it. And although invite their co-operation in an earnest effort to men under such circumstances may temporarily sustain our cause, and the principles and candi¬ vote a lie” to shield them from the punish¬ dates of the Democratic Party. ment which they feel they deserve, yet in the We desiie peace. We desire no other con¬ end, instinct, sentiment, or habit prevails, and troversy with those that differ from us than the they are found openly in the ranks of the ene- controversy which ought to exist between those my, where their hearts were at the beginning. whose principles, aims and purposes are essen¬ In such a struggle, he that is with us, with a tially different. Their separation may leave us condition or a proviso, is no better than an open in a minority, but we consider disunion in party enemy. He that is not for the country uncondi- 11 tionally, is against it. He that is not for the democratic party of this State—a portion of those democratic party and its administration, without who formerly acted politically with ns—had as¬ a cavil, is against them. Be assured, happen sumed towanls us the attitude which Mexico did towards the United States—not that we declare what will, the national democratic party will war on them, but that they have brought on the stand. It will stand upon the rock of its owm war by their own act—and that we are compelled integrity, the monument of all that is good in to recognize its existence. [Applause.] the past, a beacon to all that is glorious in the We, I trust, [continued Mr. McV.] are all ani¬ future. Its triumphs in reserve, are as bright mated by the same feeling of kindness and for¬ as those it has achieved. Its victories are the bearance towards those who may have been victories of patriotism. Its triumphs are the once associated with us in political action. I, triumphs of principle. for one, am willing to this hour, to extend to every individual who occupied the position Mr. Judd, of Herkimer, moved the adoption assigned to the Central Power, in the address of the Address, and it was adopted unanimous¬ read and adopted this evening, provided they come back, and unite cordially with us in up¬ ly, and with much cheering. holding principles long recognized by the dem¬ The committee on resolutions being now ocratic party, as lying at the foundation of free called on to report, government, the right hand of fellowship. My intercourse with them, during my whole life, has Mr. Shepard, of New York, stated that been one of personal kindness, and to a great ex¬ the committee had not yet completed their la¬ tent also of personal confidence. They have had my entire respect, and I believe t have shar¬ bors; but by to-morrow morning, they would ed some of theirs. But so long as they continue be prepared to report. separated from us, and persevere in a course calculated, if not designed, to paralyse and dis¬ Mr. Corning, from the committee on or¬ tract the democratic party, and defeat its candi¬ ganization, stated that that committee were not dates—I have no alternative but to ti’eat them as prepared to report this evening. democrats should treat those who differ wdh them in political sentiment. And in this con¬ Mr. Parburt of Ontario, expressed a de¬ nection, allow me to say, that there is one thing sire to have at least a report in part from the in which I desire to see progress made— and that is, in the decencies of political discus¬ committee on resolutions to-night. sion. I hdpe, sir, that those who act with us Mr. Shepard replied th«t such a sugges¬ in the democratic party, however much they tion was made in committee, but it was thought may be provoked—whatever epithets may be applied to them, and however bitter the denun¬ best, as the convention no doubt would preter, ciations of those from whom we differ—will not before adopting any of the resolutions, to hear retort in kind. All know that the best way to the whole series, not to report in part. He improve mankind, in any direction, is to teach by example—and I hope to see, in the conduct would state however, that the resolutions would and course of every true democrat, such an atti¬ conform generally to the spirit of the address tude of moral elevation, in speech and in action, as shall challenge respect and imitation. Such which had just been read, and adopted with a course, let me say, involves no compromise of such entire unanimity. principle—no concession of the essential grounds Mr. Parburt waived his suggestion, and of party difference—on these points, there can be no concession by sincere and honest demo¬ Mr. Corning of Albany, moved that when crats. And the present position of the demo¬ this Convention adjourns, it adjourn to me^t in cratic parly, in reference to those who have gone forth from us, is illustrative of this truth. the Mayor’s Court Room in the City Hall, at It is an anomaly in the history of party, that men 11 o’clock to-morrow morning. originally brought together because of a union of sentiment and fefeling, should be separated Mr. McVean remarked that as neither com¬ as we were, when the men to whom I have mittee was ready to report, and as the most im¬ alluded seceded, and undertook to form a sepa¬ portant labors of every deliberative body fell up¬ rate organization. The idea of men being asso¬ on Its committees, it would be well to adjourn un¬ ciated as partizans, except to advance common til to-morrow, and to name a later hour in the principles, is absurd and^unnatural. I say also, morning than had been suggested, to give both that it is impossible that men differing in princi¬ eommittees ample time to deliberate and confer ple should act together. A party necessarily together. There was another reason which im¬ must be congruous—composed of those who pelled him to desire it. We had come together agree in sentiment—not of those who quarrel.— from different sections of this greatstate—having The principle of brotherhood is the bond of no other acquaintance with each other, than that union, with political as with other associations. which grew out of common sympathies and From those who differ with us, we have nothing common objects, as fellow democrats. He should to expect but denunciation. This is rather to be be glad—and he knew that others felt as he did— desired than deprecated—because it defines the to renew and extend a personal acquaintance relative positions of the assailed anil the assail¬ with his associate delegates to this convention, ants. No doubt the central power will fulmi¬ and to interchange views and sentiments in re¬ nate its wrath against us as heretofore. No gard to the present position of our po itical af¬ doubt, we shall be the object of renewed assault fairs. We were in the midst of an important from that quarter. No doubt every man of us era in the history of the Democratic Party of this will be the target of abuse and insult, for daring State. We had 'found ourselves impelled to de¬ to uphold in this emergency, the true democra¬ clare, as it were to the world, the existence of cy. What I wish to inculcate, is this—not only such a state of things as induced Congress, under union among ourselves, but forbearance towards similar circumstances, to recognize the existence our adversaries—that we may, by such a course, of war with Mexico—to announce to our breth¬ commend ourselves and our principles to the ren in and out of the State that a fragment of the commendation of mankind. We are now going 12 forward, as I trust, in a course, which will rally itating and calculating and higgling as to the ef¬ around us every man in the community who has fect of supporting his country and its constituted the interests of the democratic parly a't heart.— authorities, rest assured his heart isagainst you. If we have been heretofore led by those who [Applause.] He has gene over to the enemy.— held official position and power, we, I trust, are And though now they may not believe it—I now entering' upon a new era, in which every know— man is to perform that part in the government [Here the lights were suddenly extinguished, of the country, whicli belongs to a republican. leaving the chamber in total darkness—some per¬ He is to think, act and decide for himself. His son doubtless of the free speech” and “corner opinions are not to be moulded by other men.— stone” faction, having found access to the lower We are thus destined, I trust, to give a moral room in the Capital, where the gas is conducted tone of elevation to our whole community—and to the Hall, and cut off' the supply—to the great make ourselves practically, what we are in delight of a knot of the same partizans who theory, a people governing ourselves. This is formed a select party in the gallery, who shout¬ true democracy. The people must become sub¬ ed and stamped in exstacies at this characteristic stantially—as they are in name—the rulers. The specimen of New-Scotlandism—and by prolong¬ impress of the popular will, truly expressed, ing the din, sought to disperse the convention in must be stamped upon our governmental policy. confusion. But the device failed—every person Then shall we have a republic in its highest present, audience and delegates, retaining their perfection and essence—then shall we have a places until the hall was re-lighted.] government controlled by the people them¬ Mr. MeVEAN resumed:—I understand (said selves—a government as perfect as it is practi¬ he) that this is a weak device of the enemy—of cable to make any thing human. It is our duty men who love darkness rather than light be¬ in this emergency, to support a party—not for cause their deeds are evil. [Laughter and ap¬ party’s sake—not that we may secure the places plause.] The broad glare of the light of truth or the spoils of office—for party is only the ofifended them. [Renewed laughter and ap¬ means, the instrument, for the advancement of plause.] But I learn also who they are that principles, which we hold to be essential and have done this thing. I understand that there right—but to cany out high governmental pur¬ is good evidence that they are of the guerilla poses, having relation to the well-being of man, school of politicians—and that they exhibit one not only here, but abroad. of the characteristic tiaits of that class of out¬ Our country is now engaged in a foreign war. laws. One of the officers of this House, on go¬ Our army is in Mexico. When this war com¬ ing to (he place of ambuscade, found them on menced, our people, through their representa¬ the retreat! [Laughter and cheers.] The main tives, all with one voice—I may say with one body are in yonder chapparal. [Pointing to the voice—for the exceptions were so few as to make gallery.] But what else are we to expect of the vote all but unanimous—declared that this such men? They who feel that their position is war was brought on us by the wrongful act of desperate, naturally resort to desperate means— Mexico. Every heart beat in unison with the and srenerally fail at that. I am mistaken if this action of the government, when it declared that exhibition of the rowdyism which had its full war existed—and in unison with the sentiment, development at New Scotland, will not re-act that it W’as the duty of every American citizen with the force of that disgraceful affair, on the to stand forward boldly and openly in vindica¬ heads of all concerned, directly or remotely. tion of the national honor and rights. Sir, that Mr. McV. went on. I was speaking, when was a proud day in th'e history of our republic. this interruption occurred, of the duty of sua- Every patriotic heart rejoiced, that whatever tainiiig the honor of the country in the present heretofore had been the history of the country war. I remarked that this duty had devolved, in times past, we at least, had so far advanced in as heretofore in time of war, on the democratic a spirit of patriotism and devotion to the nation¬ party. 1 wish to say now that I did not intend al honor, that every man seemed ready to stand in that remark to include in the scope of its by h is country, at all hazards. We rejoiced that censure, those who from misapprehension or there were none of those left among us, who had from the habit of following men whose designs heretofore had no vision except to see their are evil, and evil only, have plaeed themselves country always in the wrong, and its enemies in the opposite category. I intended to speak always in the right. [Applause.] But original ouly of that class of men who assume to be lead- sin is not yet eradicated from the United States. ei's-some of whom, stung by my allusions to The old leaven of federalism still remains, and them, were probably concerned in turning this that little leaven has leavened the whole lump. darkness on us. [Applause.] Sir, one of the [Laughter.] Contrast the attitude of our repre¬ greatest evils of the central power, was the con¬ sentatives in Congress now with what it was on trolling influence which it exerted over well- the day to which I have alluded. What a morti¬ meaning men—men who had been taught, un¬ fying—what a humiliating contrast! All the old der the old regime, habitually to look on the in¬ sentimentality-all the old fanaticism—all the dividuals composing that potent engine, as the old blue-lights—with the modern “fire-brands ” dispensers not only of patronage, but of sound to boot—are shedding their glare around us.— views and opinions. I may be wrong, sir, but I Sir, who are they that are our reliance lor the fear we shall still suffer under the evil of this old support of the honor of the country in this cri¬ habit. You will perceive from the current of the sis? Who? Sir, do not we, with a few honora¬ address read here this afternoon, what my ideas ble exceptions in the whig ranks, occupy our are on this suViject. They are briefly these— old position in-the last war, on the side of the that the new constitution, when it shalt go into country? It is the democratic party, and the full and practical operation, will so far emanci¬ democratic party alone, that now sfanils by the pate the public mind as toleave it comparatively government. When I say the democratic parly, at least free and virtuous. The struggle now go¬ I mean the real democratic party—not your ing on in this state, is a struggle to shake off spurious, proviso, conditional democrats. [Ap¬ the pernicious influences, which under the old plause.] I mean those who would support the Constitution, were exerted over freedom of country, as the whigs in ’40 sustained Harrison opinion. And I may venture to say, that no par¬ and Tyler, without a why or wherefore. [Ap¬ ty could come into power under that Constitution plause.] These are the democrats of the real from the very nature of the government itself, genuine stamp. And where you see a man hes* without being invested with and exercising the 13

same pernicious influence over the public will. ernment, encouraging the enemy to continue the I do not intend to say that the men who war, and retarding the advent of peace. If they wiehled the central power in this state were who are so fond of peace, and so much opposed of themselves bad men. They were good to war, would only unite with tlie democratic men. I'he fault was not theirs. It was the party in bringing it to a close, by the prompt fault of the system. And the great fault of supply of men and means, the war would very that system was, that they who acquired pow¬ soon terminate. I concur in the remark of the er under it, could themselves perpetuate it in President of this convention in his Opening ad¬ in their own hands—and diil so perpetuate it.— dress, that war is at any time a calamity. Nor This is human nature. The whole history of has this mode of settling difficulties come down man is an exemplification of the fact that he to us with much to commend it to favor. I hope will cling to power, with the grasp of death.— to live to see the day when under the benign in¬ The struggle against power is the struggle of fluences of a free commercial system and free freedom, and in that struggle, all governments trade, we shall have other arbiters than armies and all people are more or less engaged. I to settle national controversies. I believe that think sir, when the evils of the old system shall the United States of America are now going be entirely eradicated, that we shall have better forward in a c areer of enlightened and liberal times, so far as regards ourselves, and the peo¬ policy that will ultimately lead to such results. ple of the whole Slate also, from the fact that in¬ Mr. McVean apologized for having occupied dividual opinion will then be entirely free—and so long the time of the convention—and for the thus free, will be right, and inevitably result in desultory manner in which he had expressed good government. And I beg leave to impress himself—and thanking the convention for the at¬ upon all democrats, and upon all others, the tention which had been given him throughout, great duty of putting forth our best efforts, to yielded the floor. carry out the doctrines and principles of free government. Mr. Thompson followed Mr. McVean. He And here let me suggest what to me appears fully concurred in the remark of the gentleman to be our duty in reference to the existing dilfi- from New York, that this was a good time to be¬ culty with Mexico. In this, I am sure the whole come acquainted personally with each other, and democratic party will agree with me—that to interchange views freely on the great subjects it is our duty to turn this war to the best advan¬ now in agitation before the people and, to the tage, not for ourselves only, but for mankind.— democratic party of the State and Union, of such I do not think the acquisition of Texas or Mex¬ high moment and interest. I believe, (said he,) ico, or an}' portion of either, is to be desired so that this convention is about to form an epoch in much for the benefit of ourselves, as for the the history of the democratic party of this State. benefit of mankind. Our army is now in posses¬ I feel—perhaps it is a mere matter of feeling or sion of the larger portion of Mexico. What is sentiment with me, growing out of the peculiar our duty to Mexico? No man can tell what a views which I entertain of what that great party day or a week may bring forth. We are bound is destined to accomplish—that such is to be the to take and occupy such adjacent portions of result of this gathering of the representatives of Mexico as shall besi conduce to advance the in¬ the democracy of the State. I, sir, regard the terests of man. Individually, I hold, that hav¬ success of the democratic party as the success of ing got possession of a portion of Mexico, in the cause of humanity itself. And I think the consequence of her having brought a war on us, scene of the great work on our hands lies out¬ by her own wrong act—holding now that terri¬ side of our own State, and beyond the limits of tory by conquest and of right—we are bound this Union. Sir, let us see if I have over-esti¬ to make such use of it as shall best promote mated the responsibilities devolving upon us, as the interests of man at large. I mean that we democrats, and the duty we owe to ourselves and should secure a portion of her territory which to mankind. I regard the democratic principle is fertile, not for the use of our own inhabitants, of the equality of man, which has ever pervaded but for the use of the inhabitants of the world. the masses of our people, as the true secret of What is now the condition of mankind? A large the progress of this great nation to its present portion of our fellow-beings are starvina:. Mex¬ high position of prosperity and happiness; and ico and the United States both possess territory I regard the continued practical operation of of a character so fertile as to be capable of feed¬ that principle as the sure guaranty of its future ing the whole world. Yet the institutions of prosperity and greatness. The first formal the old world have reduced a large portion of promulgation of that fundamental principle of their population to absolute want. Now, I say, the democratic creed, was made in the immor¬ it is our first duly in advancing the interests of tal Declaration of ’76. The effect of that de¬ man, to hold that country by such a tenure as claration was at once felt, far and wide.— will allow all the inhabitants of the world, now It taught men to respect and appreciate them- starving for bread, to go there and enjoy its seives, and to take that position which belong¬ abundance I insist that it is our duty to turn our ed to them, as the legitimate source of all poli¬ advantages to the benefit of mankind at laige, tical power, and the rightful arbiters of their and not to our own aggrandizement. We are own political destinies. The next, and the in¬ bound to hold our acquisitions in trust tor the evitable result of the promulgation of the great benefit of those who may occupy it. And it is principle of human rights, was the achievement our duty to support and uphold the administra¬ of the Independence oif the thirteen colonies.— tion of our government, in conducting the war Nothing but a proper appreciation of the rights to a^successful close. That is the duty of every of the masses, carried us through the great Re¬ patriot in time of war. And I do hope, though volutionary struggle, and gave to these United the prognostications are not favorable, that there States a place among the nations of the earth.— will be patriotism enough in our public councils The next great result, following in the great to furnish the means to place our Government in train of events which the democratic principle a high and ennobling position before the world— has developed, was the effort to secure to pos¬ that such supplies of men and money will be voted terity free institutions. That was accomplished as will bring the war to a speedy determination. iu the adoption of the constitution of the U. S.—» We may rest assured, that so long as we present to an instrument, which, though it did not accom¬ Mexico and the world, the spectacle of a divided plish all that the friends of equality could have people, we are crippling the power of our gov¬ wished, did all that it was possible to secure, ia 14 a bond of union between the diversified and in paratively of slaves, arrest the onward march of some aspects conflicting- intrests and views of democracy and its extension over this great con¬ diflferent sections of the country. It was the re¬ tinent? [Applause.] I trust not, sir. And from sult of compromise and concession, as all know what I see around me, the indications are as de¬ —and whatever of feeling may have been exhib¬ cided as they are gratifying, that we are prepar¬ ited at the time, or may exist now, because it ed and eager to do what we can to give an im¬ did not secure to an unfortunate race all that petus to democratic progress in Mexico. Ev'ery was then or may now be desired—all concur that friend of man must say—‘avail yourselves of the the result of the compact has been to secure to opportunity presented in the south-west to do the Union, now and forever, incalculable bless¬ the most good to humanity—take the whole of ings—blessings whose influences have been felt it.’ [Applause.] But what means this Proviso all over the civilized world. Our progress from agitation? What is the object and effect of it? that moment has indeed been onward and upward. Who does not know that it originated in hostili¬ New territory has been acquired, all over which ty to the administration? Who does not know our free institutions have been extended. The that it was designed to embarrass the prosecution pur chase of Louisiana was the first advance made of the war, to clos: the appropriation bills, to in the enlargement of the republic. The annex¬ stop supplies to our gallant army, to force them ation of Texas followed, and the area of the from the field of glory into a disgraceful retreat— Union extended still further. But I hold, sir, and failing in that, to make it the pretext for re¬ that the destiny of the republic is not yet accom¬ fusing indemnity? In a word that it is the cry of plished. The genius and tendency of the De¬ no territory and no indemnity? It is so under¬ mocratic principle is progress, expansion, and stood where I live. It is so understood by the there is much ground yet left for its triumph on abolitionists and whigs. [Laughter.] Ifes sir, this continent. If I thought otherwise, I should I have heard some of these politicians say—I not be here. I think its destiny and office is to mean those who make no secret of their hostili¬ give free institutions to all parts of this conti¬ ty to the government and the war—I have heard nent, and when that is done, to give free institu¬ these men deridingly say—‘ this war and this tions to the world. [Applause.] I trust we are glory are expensive luxuries—we shall be taxed about to contribute to this result, and it is be¬ for it, by and by, and then we ’ll see what its cause 1 think so, that I am here, and am proud all worth.’ Rely upon it these partizans, as to be here. Now sir, providentially, as I view well as the proviso democrats, are not only at it, events have taken such a turn, as to present a heart opposed to the war, not so much on ac¬ new opening in Mexico, where free institutions count of the war itself or the expense of it—as can be extended over more territory. [Ap¬ because they fear the acquisition of more terri¬ plause and laughter]. And yet there are those tory, the extension of democratic principles, and among us and in other states of the Union, who the glory which thev fear will accrue from such would resort to provisoes and other devices to a consummation to the national administration. retard and embarass this glorious consummation I believe all this provisoism is whiggery in dis¬ —who would prevent, if they could, the acquisi¬ guise—and worse than whiggery, because more tion of more territory, and thus impede the pro¬ covert in its assaults upon the government and gress of free government and free institutions. the country, and coming from those of our own For that reason sir, we should takd a position on household, more difficult to meet* It is a scheme this great question which will give an impulse to arrest the march of free institutions—and to the destinies of this republic. Sir, it is not to therefore am I here to contribute what I can be disguised that we have among us those who to strengthen the administration—and expose view with distrust and fear this tendency to ex¬ and foil its enemies. I go for the Address— pansion in our system, and who to prevent it are the whole of it—as I go for the whole of busy in efforts, open or covert, to embarass the Mexico. [Laughter ami applause.] 1 in¬ prosecution of the war. But for this, I should sist, sir, that we should take this broad and have felt little or no interest in this convention. liberal view of this question. We should But seeing this effort and these pretexts to arrest look to the interests of humanity at large, in this the war, to recall our troops, to assume a defen¬ matter of the acquisition of territory, and when¬ sive line and relinquish all our acquisitions so ever Providence points out the way, as 1 believe nobly won, Itconfess sir, that I have felt a deep most religiously Providence does now point the interest to contribute all my efforts in the oth¬ way to Mexico, we should follow it up, and if er direction. Sir, who desires to conquer we should happen to anticipate a little the bene- Mexico, for the mere sake of conquest? Who ficient designs of Providence, [applause] nobody desires to subjugate Mexico for the purpose can complain, provided we give Mexicb free in¬ of making her people slaves? For one, sir, stitutions. [Renewed applause]. Fifty years and I am not alone in this, I desire to see our hence, sir, this Union will number one hundred free institutions extended over that beautiful millions of people. The energy and enterprise country, or some part of it. Nor would I of this people will more than overrun this conti¬ stop at a line either, [Applause,] but would take nent, by that time. I sir, am a ‘ manifest desti¬ the whole. [Renewed applause and laughter.] ny’ man. [Laughter.] I believe we are destined Understand me, gentlemen, I would not take it to Overspread this continent, and lhal everything for ourselves—but for the benefit of the Mexi¬ within and around us points to that result. We cans themselves—and for the oppressed of all want room for this expansion, and we are call¬ nations who choose to go there. [Applause.] — ed upon by every considaration as democrats, Whilst there is a scarcity of land in other coun¬ and as men, to make all the acquisitions of terri¬ tries, and millions of the human family are in a tory which opportunity shall offer, in every and starving condition, why should not these exten¬ all directions, north ae well as south. I regard sive and fertile regions be opened to them, to the vigorous prosecution of this war, and the • enjoy them under the benign sway of our gov¬ support of the administration which has the ernment? What if there are three millions of management of it, as a great national question, slaves at the south. Should the progress of de • involving interests far beyond the present gen¬ • mocratic principles be arrested in tneir course eration or age. I regard it as a question in on that account? They are slaves, and will re¬ which all mankind are alike interested. And it main slaves, whether we lake Mexico or not— is a question, on which we are peculiarly called whether we take part of it or not. Shall we, be¬ on to speak out. The democratic party of this cause we cannot give freedom to a handful com¬ State aided in—may I not say decided the ques- 15 tion of the presidency at the election in ’44. The SECOND DAY. democratic party of this State turned the scale in favor of James K. Polk. Upon his administra¬ tion has devolved the conduct of this war with Thursdayy A. M. Mexico—and gloriously has it met the expecta¬ The convention re-assembled in the Mayor’s tions of the democracy, in this crisis. But in this the administration has incurred hostility, Court Room in the City Hall, at 11 o’clock, not from open enemies alone, but from pretend¬ A.M. ed friends. The proviso men have substantially gone over to the opposition on this question, and Mr. McVean read the following letters;— by dint of clamor and a renewal of sectional and Oqdensbukgh, 20th Jan,, 1848. irritating issues, have sought to bring the war E. Croswell, esq. : and the administration into disfavor and re¬ proach. In this emergency, even a whig gov¬ Dear sir—Please say to the democracy on the ernor, to his honor be it spoken, has felt called 26th, that there are yet left some true democrats upon, in an official message, to come out boldly in old St. Lawrence. The county organization for the war, and its rigorous prosecution. [Ap¬ is as yet in the hands of the corner stone, or Wit- plause.] Shall it be said that we—the friends of mot Proviso faction, but still we have a few good the administration—the party that placed it in and true democrats, that are not under the lead power—have less of patriotism or democracy of Judson, King & Co. We live in hopes of a than a whig executive? Shall we not speak out brighter day. We trust and believe that old also? In this connection, I must be permitted to St. Lawrence will come right side up, in the sey—that the present whig governor is not campaign of 1848. The democratic masses in alone in the course he has taken—but that the this county have been deceived—there is no whig party is becoming humanized. [Laugh¬ doubt but they are with us, if we had the means ter.] They do not all burn blue lights. [Re¬ to reach them. The old and pampered leaders. newed laughter. I do not pretend to account King, Judson & Co., the assumed abolitionist and for this—but whether it be from motives of Wilmot proviso champions in this county, are policy or patriotism, I care not. I honor those against us. The whole government patronage, of the opposite party who contribute their in¬ in this county, is in the hands of the disorgani- fluence to sustain the war—no matter what the zers. We have no means of defending ourselves. motive—and I point to their example, as a rebuke We have no democratic paper in the county.— and a scandal to those who pretending to be But we will stand by the cause, and the masses with us, have deserted their country and their will come to the standard of the true democracy. party, in time of war. [Applause.] We intended to send a delegate to Albany.— But (said Mr. T.) I have detained the conven¬ The democracy selected myself as such delegate, tion too long. My views, I believe are pretty but it is impossible for me to leave home at the well understood. They are mine, and I speak present time. The absence of delegates from for nobody but myself and a few democrats up this county, is not owing to want of patriotism. in Washington county. [Laughter.] We never We have the utmost anxiety for the success of get a chance, up there, to be heard on any of true democratic principles. We will do every these questions. [Renewed laughter.] Seeing, thing in our power to carry out the plan that therefore, an opening here, I availed myself of may be adopted by the convention to send dela- the opportunity to speak out for myself and gates to the national convention. Hoping that them. [Applause.] the course of the convention may be such as to meet the entire approbation of the democracy of Mr. CoRNiNG’s motion was adopted. the state and Union, Mr. Shepard, of New York, offered the 1 remain, yours respectfully, following: P. ROBBINS. Whereas, misrepresentations intended to pre¬ judice and mislead the public mind have been Ellicotttille, Jan. 23, ’48. industriously circulated in relation to the regu¬ Dear sir:—I regret to inform you that David larity and high ground of democratic right on Day, esq., who was intending to start this morn¬ which this convention rests its proceedings and ing for the State Convention at Albany, met with action—therefore be it a serious accident on Saturday evening, which Resolved, That a committee of eight members will prevent his attending as he anticipated. He of this convention—one from each judicial dis¬ came on here for the purpose of starting from trict—be appointed by the chair, to prepare and this place, and on turning the corner of the publish at their convenience, a statement of facts street where a pit hole had been dug for a base¬ setting forth the grounds of regular democratic ment cellar, walked off in the dark, and was so proceeding and duty to the democratic cause, injured that he is at present in a very critical which characterize this convention, and con¬ situation. I regret this not only on his own ac¬ stitute its vindication from the aspersions and count, but on account of our district, which, by misstatements of those who have openly desert¬ this accident, will not be represented. ed that cause, derided its usages, and defeated its tickets. Yours very truly, R. H. SHANKLAND. On motion of Mr. Caldwell, of M®nt- gomery, the restitution was adopted, and E. Croswell, esq.: The President named the committee as Dear sir—I have been appointed a delegate to« follows:— the State Convention at Albany on the 26th inst. Committee on Mr. Shepard's Resolution—Messrs. from the southern assembly district of Allegany Shepard, of New York; Borland, of Orange; county. It would afford me great pleasure to Bromley, of Clinton; Lawyer, of Schoharie; be there, and join with the true democracy of Moulton, of Oneida; Humphrey, of Tompkins; the state in the objects of the proposed conven¬ Stevens, of Steuben; Follett, of Genesee. tion, but the circumstances of my business and The convention then adjourned, to meet at family at this time will not permit my absence* from home. the Mayor’s court room, in the City Hall—to¬ Yours, respectfully, morrow morning at 11 o’clock. Almowd, 20 January, 1343. J. ANGELL. 16

change in its municipal laws, but only in the Resolutions. allegiance of its people. Mr. Shepard, from the committee on res¬ Resolved, That we give our most cordial and hearty support to the administration of our olutions, submitted the following-, which he country in the existing war; that the contest read. They were received with marked tokens was begun by the act of Mexico; that by the annexation of Texas we were pledged to pro¬ of approval: tect her territory to the Rio Grande, that be¬ Resolved, That the proposed Utica conven¬ ing her boundary, as declared by the act of De¬ tion is factious in its organization and its ob¬ cember 19th, 1836, and recognized by repeated jects, and that if delegates from that body shall acts of her sovereign jurisdiction; that the ad¬ claim admission to the next Democratic Balti¬ vance of our army to the Rio Grande was not more Convention, we rely with entire confidence only entirely proper, but eminently demanded upon their rejection, because the Utica conven¬ by the menaces of the Mexican Government, tion was called by a minority of the members of which before the annexation of Texas had de¬ the democratic caucus of the last legislature, and clared that they would regard that act as a cause directed to assemble at a period after the term of war, and hold us responsible therefor. And if of office of those who called it had expired, not¬ under these circumstances,the administration had withstanding an unvarying democratic usage to neglected to protect the soil of the Union, or even the contrary; and also, because the late Syracuse to occupy debateable ground, which it was advi¬ Convention, chosen ten months after the elec¬ sed would be wrested from us by the hostile act tion of the members of assembly for the year of Mexico, it would have proved recreant to its 1847, appointed a State Central Committee, in high duties and unworthy the further confidence accordance with established custom, and clothed of the people. the same with power to call this convention. Resolved, That there are but three modes of Resolved, That the late Herkimer convention terminating the war with Mexico, namely—a merits the severe condemnation of the democ¬ withdrawal of our troops—a defensive line, and racy of this state, because it was held for the an entire subjugation of that country, unless we purpose of defeating a state ticket regularly can obtain an honorable treaty of peace from an nominated by the Syracuse Convention—a body effective Mexican government; That the first is chosen by the whole democratic party, and of a whig proposition, receiving the sanction of which the leaders of the Herkimer faction re¬ only those professing democrats with whom the cognized the validity, by participating in its ac¬ honor of the country is secondary to their own tion to the last moment of its existence,—thus interests and prejudices—it proposes to cast^ the binding themselves upon principle to the will expenses of the war upon us—to leave undecided of the majority there expressed; and also, be¬ the questions of difficulty with Mexico, and to cause it was held for the purpose of introducing deprive our people of manifold advantages prov¬ the Wilmot proviso as a test of democracy—a identially cast in their way: The second mode principle first promulgated by the whig party,— would require an expenditure of money esti¬ fterwards adopted by them in this state as a mated at from $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 per an¬ distinctive tenet of their creed, and of which the num, for years, or until a treaty of peace could inevitable consequence must be to prevent the be effected,—it would protract the war by re¬ acquisition of any territory from Mexico, since moving its seat from the vital parts of the ene¬ it is not for a moment to be believed that two- my’s country,—it would turn away from the na¬ thirds of the National Senate will ratify a treaty tional treasury the revenues of the Mexican Go¬ of peace securing any cession of territory sub¬ vernment, estimated at from $10,000,000 to $15,- ject to the principle of that proviso. 000,000 per annum,—and it would entail a mer¬ Resolved, That the institution of slavery is do¬ ciless border warfare upon our people, the cause mestic in its character, and the subject of legis¬ of numberless pronunciamentos and revolutions lation by the people of the States and Territo¬ in Mexico: The third mode, therefore, only re ries where the same may exist. That we regard mains to us. If we cannot obtain peace by any attempts of the abolitionists of the North, to force, we must occupy the country as a con¬ remove it either by direct interference with it quered province, and such an occupation, by as an existing institution, or by a denial to the opening ready avenues to our trade, our manu¬ people of the States and Territories of the factures, and agricultural skill, would prove a right to legislate upon it, as hostile to the re¬ vast benefit to the people of Mexico as well cognized sovereignty of the people—as a viola¬ as to ourselves: That in the event of a treaty of tion of the compromises of the constitution—as peace contracted by a responsible government, repugnant to the welfare of that Union which with ample securities for its performance, we are had its origin in a just consideration and ac¬ in favor of a complete repayment of the expenses knowledgment of the rights of every section, of the war by a cession of Mexican territory, with and which has risen to its present grandeur and a view to secure the rising commerce of the Pa¬ dignity among the nations of the earth by a mu¬ cific, and draw from Asia her hoarded wealth tual spirit of conciliation and forbearance, with¬ lor the benefit of our people. out which it could not have been maintained— Resolved, That the Chief Magistrate of the that the injustice of making the Wilmot proviso United States and the Cabinet, merit the warmest an essential element of the democratic belief, as commendation of the people for the energy and the Herkimer convention have already done, and the wisdom with which the war has been con¬ as the leaders of that movement propose to do in ducted, and for the stern and unswerving de¬ the Utica convention, is only equalled by its ab¬ mocracy of their principles, and that we are surdity, because as we have before stated, it wilt highly gratified that this state has given to the unavoidably prevent that indemnity for the ex¬ cabinet a citizen who has proved himself ade¬ penses of the war, and for the claims of our citi¬ quate to every exigency of his position. zens, which is now one of (he purposes of the Resolved, That the deeds of our brave armies contest—because the soil and climate of Califor¬ in Mexico reflect an undying lustre upon the nia will not permit the development of its re¬ American name and character—that they have sources by slave labor—and because the laws of borne their long and painful marches through a that territory prohibit slavery, and it is a well- hostile country, their exposure to the rigors of settled principle of jurisprudence, that the mere the Mexican climate, and their sufferings from act of acquiring a foreign province works no loathsome and deadly disease, with a fortitude 17

equal to that which distinguished our fathers in revenues of the state to the completion of its ca¬ the Revolution—that in every battle from Palo nals. Alto to the last fierce struggle before the gates of Mexico, they have shown an unflinching cour¬ Mr. CLINTON said he ro.se to urge (he adop¬ age and an undying enthusiasm which prove be¬ tion of these resolutions, which in their gener¬ yond doubt that the Republic may rely with en¬ al scope and tenor, met with his entire approba¬ tire confidence, in every national contest, tion. But (said he) I am sorry to say that I do upon the arms of its citizen soldiery: That all this with a proviso—and my democratic breth¬ we rejoice that the sons of New York in ren here assembled in convention, will I am Mexico have signalized themselves by all these sure, understand at once, that this is not a Wil- qualities, and by their heroism elevated the cha¬ niot proviso. [Applause.] Mr. President, the racter of their state, and triumphantly repelled last resolution read, I am not perfectly prepared the aspersions of an unscrupulous federal press: either to oppose or adopt. It involves a topic, I That the Republic owes a sacred debt to the am free to confess, which I have not so fully families of those soldiers who have fallen or be- considered as to pronounce a definitive opinion became crippled while sustaining the glory of on it. But so far as these resolutions cover mat¬ our arms, and that it is bound to make provision ters of national moment, I have no ifs, nor buts, for the maintenance of their wives and the ed¬ I nor provisos about it. [Applause.] I rise sir, ucation of their children. with mingled feelings. I am rejoiced to find so Resolved, That the revenue prineiple is the much—notwithstanding the dissensions existing only one upon which a tariff can be wisely laid among us—of the good old staunch democracy by our national government—that we approve of left, who are ready to assert and vindicate dem¬ the tariff of 1846 because it is framed upon this ocracy—to stand by its oUl usages, and to main¬ principle—because it has aided the agricultural tain its time honored principles. I rise too with interest of our country—which we believe ought regret, in view of the fact that a portion of the to be peculiarly regarded as the source of wealth democracy are not with us. It is a painful con¬ and national power, and because it is a gratifying sideration that this great parly, undoubtedly pre¬ evidence of the progress of the people towards dominant in the Slate and the Union, is not a free trade. unit, and prepared to come forward as one man Resolved, That the Independent Treasury to the maintenance of its principles. This, sir, has answered the anticipations and desires of the is a matter of deep and sincere regret. To bring democracy of this state; that it has rendered the about the old state of things—to witness again the currency more sound and healthy, by bringing sublime spectacle which over and overaarain the it nearer to the constitutional standard; that it democracy have presented, when pressing for- has removed the pernicious influences of the w'ard shoulder to shoulder in support of the con¬ banks over the government, which were amongst stitution, in its spirit and vigoi—I would be wil¬ the worst features of the National and State Bank ling sir to sacrifice any thing—any thing—with deposite systems; that it has exercised a healthy this proviso—any thing but the principles in influence upon our commerce, by preventing ex¬ which I was nurtured—any thing but the sacred cessive importations, and that it promises to ar¬ compromises of the constitution—any thing but rest, in a considerable degree, those violent those docrines and principles which lie at the ve¬ expansions and contractions of our jiaper money ry foundation of our party. [Applause.] Those system, which have so many times involved all who have voluntarily separated themselves from the great interests of our country in one common it, are separated on two points. One is the ques¬ calamity. tion of regularity. That they are wrong there, Resolved, That we recommend to the demo¬ is a matter too clear for argument. But that cratic electors of this state the district system of many honest and sincere men may have been choosing delegates to the Baltimore convention deluded on this point, T do not question. Anoth¬ —because it is democratic and in accordance er dilfercnce—the main difference—is the Wil- with the principles of popular government; be¬ mot Proviso. And with reference to that— cause it takes from those who have been consid¬ though I trust there are others here compe¬ ered the leaders of the democratic irarty in this tent to do it more effectually than I can hope state, the jiower to nominate a set of delegates in to—I will venture to take my share in the de¬ violation of the feelings and opinions of large bates of this convention. sections of the state who are entitled to be heard This Proviso, Mr. Presivent, is an abstraction fairly upon every question of party politics; and —and like all abstractions is somewhat Protean because it gives to the humblest citizen the right in its character. It is not a thing that you can to express his preferences in reference to candi¬ grasp, and be sure you have got it. It is at one dates for the Presidency, at the primary election time a proviso—at another time it is a sentiment in his own district. —and now I believe it has subsided into a crisis. That the objection that the vote of the state of It IS a crisis. We will meet it, sir, as a crisis. New York might be divided in the electoral col¬ There is a crisis—not one that demands that the lege, has no application to the selection of del¬ North should assault or attack the South—not any egates to a party convention, and that it would thing that requires a democrat to abandon his be better far that the delegates chosen to the party and throw the power of the government Baltimore convention from this state should de¬ into the hamls of the old enemy—but there is a cide by a majority of voices the Presidential crisis which calls upon every good citizen to candidate of our democracy, than that a few men come up to the aid of the country in time of by their influence should control the matter ac¬ war—no matter what administration may for the cording to their own interests, and without re¬ time being conduct its afiairs—a crisis that im- ference to th« wishes of the people. jiels every citizen, without regard to party, to Resolved, That we regard with just pride the press forward to the aid of that administration. rapid advance in the revenues from our works I, sir, am a northern man—I have northern feel¬ of internal improvement, inducing as it lioes the ings. I am proud, sir, of having been born in certain and early completion of our unfinished the State of New York. There are perhaps some canals, under the just and equitable tuovisions hereditary obligations resting on me to love and of the constitution; and we are entirely opposed to honor the state. [Applause.] And I do love to the creation of an\" debt, and to any and every and honor it. But whilst I am juoud of my con¬ attempt to disturb the provisions of the constitu¬ nection whh it, I cannot hut lemember that I am tion in relation to the apjilication of any of the also citizen of the United States—and I have •• 18

an affection for every portion of my broad and founders of the democratic party? They laid beautiful country. I am proud of the people of the corner of the country and its people, and the States of this Union. Sir, I love every por¬ called it ‘compromise;’ and on that has been tion of it, from Maine to Texas. [Applause.] reared the fabric under which the states of I will maintain the interests of every part of it. this Union have lived and flourished. When I will oppose those who would sow dissension you talk about laying a new corner stone, reflect between its several sections. I will fight for whether you do not contemplate pulling down Texas—I will fight for Georgia—for South Car¬ to its foundations this noble edifice. [Applause.] olina—as readily and freely as I would fight for Mr. President, a crisis has come. Our coun¬ New Hampshire—for Nevv—no not New York try demands our support in this war. An ad¬ [Applause]—but as freely as I would for any ministration which you honor, not so much for other state in the confederacy. I will except the men who compose it, though we honor those “ my own dear native land.” [Renewed ap men, as that it is the administration of the demo¬ plause.) cratic party. That administration invokes our Mr. President, there are those who talk about aid, and our support. Will we not give it free¬ being guided by northern principles and north¬ ly? There are those in, as well as out of the ern lights. I know not, sir—perhaps I do not democratic party, I am sorry to say, who sneer exactly comprehend—to what allusion is intend¬ at that administration. There are many things ed. But, sir, if they mean those new lights I could say about it, which in my position I will which have flickered up in New Hampshire, or not say. But sir, defend it generally, I will.— at Herkimer—I say that they are not bright Let me ask, what has that administration done to enough nor broad enough to point out to me, as impair the confidence in it of any good demo¬ a democrat, any new course of duly. Sir, they crat, who looks to the attainment through an ad¬ may be truly called northern lights. They flame ministration of his choice, only of the advance¬ up, as do those phosporescent lights of the bar¬ ment of democratic measures and principles?— ren north, when the earth is divested of verdure What pledges did this administration make, and stern winter reigns—shedding a ghastly and which it has not nobly and completely fulfilJeci? unnatural, a useless, light on our frozen scenery. Texas was to be annexed. That was the issue [Applause.] They are not for me, nor for you. emblazoned on the banner under which we so Thank God, we have belter lights to go by. manfully contended in the last campaign, and [Renewed applause.] We have, sir, a light, Under which we triumphed. Texas has been an¬ which like the sun at its meridian, shines on our nexed. A tariff, founded on revenue principles, whole country—which illuminates equally and and meeting the approbation of the democracy alike. North and South, East, West and Centre— every where, has been established. The finan¬ which beautifies and irradiates all, and blesses ces of the government have been divorced from all. [Prolonged applause.] We have the bril¬ the affairs of banks. An independent treasury liant, genial, vivifying expositions of political has been, we trust, immovably established.— doctrine and precept, emanating from the fathers What then remains? What has been left un¬ of the Republic, and the founders of the demo¬ done? Scrutinize the conduct of the administra¬ cratic party. These are my lights. [Cheers and tion—it is not for me to do it—minutely from the applause.] There may be a dim and sickly radi¬ beginning down to this hour—and you find it es¬ ance about these northern lights; but they after sentially democratic. What else has it done?— all are but a dull halo, if halo it be,—not unlike The honor of the country has been vindicated in that which shines from the face of an arc-angel a war forced on us by the wrongful acts of Mex¬ ruined. [Applause.] ico. It is not for me to discuss the subject of Mr. President, with regard to this Wilmot the origin of this war. We have some evidence Proviso, I can recognize no crisis that has ar¬ as to what is considered by the people at large, rived requiring that the democratic party, which its origin, in the last gubernatorial message.— has heretofore opposed all sectional divisions Sir, it is true that this war had its origin in the and irritations, should now step forward to main¬ shedding of American blood on American soil, tain it. I see no cause of controversy between by Mexican hands. There is one passage, allow the North and South. 1 am not aware that the me to say, in that gubernatorial message—and I South has injured us; and certainly I am not need not quote it here—for no man who hears one of those who would volunteer to carry fire¬ me has not read it with gratification, if not sur¬ brands into the South. And I trust we are not of prise—which will carry down to posterity, with those who are cursed with a pharasaic spirit— honor, the name of John Young. [Applause.]— who are continually saying to their neighbors— What sir, have been the results of this war? I stand thou there, lam holier than thou.” I am speak not now of our victories. What have proud to think there is not a slave within this been its results? Glorious, every way glorious state.' I wish that slavery were abolished every to our country—glorious to our arms—glorious where. But, sir, 1 will leave that matter where to the noble men who have carried forward our lights have left it—where our constitution our conquering eagles to the very ‘ Halls of the left it; nor would I do any thing to sow dissen¬ Montezumas’—glorious to the administration sions between sections of our country. This which has conducted and controlled these bril¬ Wilmot Proviso is represented as a new ^corner liant movements—glorious above all in this— stone.’ It is a new one, if it is to be adopted. that it has been conducted in a spirit of magnan¬ By whom was it laid? I ask not this in a spirit imity and forbearance unparalleled in the annals of enmity, or with any wish whatever to assail of civilized warfare. No unnecessary bloodshed those who deemed it their duty with all the —no arbitrary restrictions or interdicts—no op¬ form and solemnity they could muster, to lay it pressive interference vvith the business, or trade, at Herkimer. But I ask by w’hom was it laid? or religious observances, of the peaceable in¬ Was it not laid at an insignificant gathering of habitants. We have proved ourselves as merci¬ politicians fl will not say of what creed or per¬ ful in the hour of triumph, as terrible and irre- suasion) but was it not laid by angry politicians? sistable in battle. [Applause.] Sir, the conse¬ How was our corner stone laid? On what was quences of that war are now being felt, not only erected the noble democratic fabric? Was it in our country, but throughout the world. Two not founded on the constitution of the country; great consequences have flown from it. Our laid by those who founded our constitution; laid reputation as a military nation, without which in solemn deliberation by men of world-wide it is impossible for a people to exist without minds, of exalted intellects, of undoubted pa¬ being continually insulted and permanently des¬ triotism; by the fathers of the country and ihe pised—our reputation as a military nation is in- 19 controvertably established. Go where an Ame¬ trable barrier, and their hands, and their hands rican will—no n)atter into what corner ol the alone can remove it. I wish they could triumph globe he goes—he will find that the name of his with us in the next election—for that triumph country is known, and that the very name of an must come, whether New York be with us or * American citizen’ throws around him a shield against us. [Applause.] But triumph, I am and a protection, stronger and more effectual frank to confess, would lose something of its than was ever the tile of a ‘Roman citizen.’— value in my estimation, if the great democratic [Applause.] Another consequence may be state of New York, with the ability to do it, found in this. It enables us now, because we should not contribute to that result. 1 am wil¬ have fully demonstrated the position which be¬ ling to do much to heal our dissensions; and longs to us among the nations of the earth—to therefore let me ask—and I do it in a spirit of carry out the spirit of the principle asserted by kindness—if there be any good old democrat Jackson, of asking- nothing but what is right, and present, [the hall was crowded with listeners,] submitting to nothing that is wrong, [renewed with whom 1 have heretofore acted—but who applause] without incurring the hazard of break¬ is now alienated from his party—oh, let me ing the bonds of peace which bind us to other ask him, ‘why will you perish?’ [Laughter nations. In a worti, we now occupy a more ad¬ and applause.] We adjure you to come back vantageous and commanding position before the to the old fold of democracy, where w-e world—having shown the physical ability to en¬ have so long wintered and summered to¬ force, and therefore having the moral power of gether. Oh, I admit every thing now! I vvjll compelling, respect for our national rights and concede that you are going forward on the full for the rights and personal safety of our citizens tide of successful experiment; That this agita¬ everywhere. tion which your leaders have blown up, is fast But the consequences of this war have in no spreading—and that you will carry every thing wise interfered to change the pervading senti¬ before you—in a word, that you are going to ment of our people. We are a great but not a carry a President of this Union on the Wilmot revengeful people. We are a magnanimous peo¬ proviso plan! [Laughter.] And you are ple. When compelled to fight, we will fight it going to have a majority of the congressional out to the last. But we love peace. We pray districts represented by Wilmot proviso men! for peace. And nothing would be more satis¬ But with all that, what have you effected? factory to this whole nation, at this day, than to What have you done for the Wilmot proviso? yield to Mexico, when she comes in a proper What have you done for the democratic party? position to ask for it, an honorable, an equitable, Have you even carried the Wilmot proviso?— a just peace. [Applause.] Now sir, where does My friend, you have not taken the initiative step this Wilmot proviso lead us? Is this a peace toivards it. It is an impracticability, and you proviso? If seriously agitated and carried out, can’t do it. To do it is disunion—and disunion will it aid us in attaining peace, and healing the is impossible, thank God ! [Prolonged applause.] wounds of Mexico? I fear me not. I see nothing But grant that you have effected an impossibili¬ pacific in this proviso. Take it into our nation¬ ty, and dissevered this free and hajipy republic. al halls of legislation, and what can you effect Then there are two confederacies—there is a with it? Southern men have feelings, and places, great northern confederacy and a great southern thank God! in our halls of legislation at Wash¬ confeileracy ! Oh ! if you carry out this Wilmot ington. They are men. They are patriotic men. proviso, what is to become of sunjugated Mexi¬ They are men who have their sectional feelings. co, on whose account you have done this great Will they submit to what they deem an insult? mischief; on whose account you have torn down With the representatives of fourteen slave states the consecrated fabric which your forefathers in the U. S. Senate, or any portion of them, form erected and cemented with their blood? W here a part of the two-thirds necessary to sanction a is subjugated Mexico? Far off in the south¬ treaty, embracing this proviso, which they re¬ west. Whom does she approach in territory? gard as an insult and a wrong to the South? No, Does she not border on these very slaveholding sir, they will sit there forever, before they will states? Will she, can she, cross the broad line assent to such a treaty. And may I not add, that of slave states intervening between us and her, there are some Northern men, who have such a to annex herself to the free North? It seems to sense of what belongs to the true dignity of this me not. Then, Wilmot proviso men ! you have nation, that they will not concede to Mexico, or this dread alternative; You must complete the any foreign nation whatever, the rigid, by trea¬ sacrifice you have commenced for this abstrac¬ ty stipulation, to step in and say what the United tion !—this victory ! You must war on your breth¬ States shall do with territory she may acquire.— ren of the south, to maintain the rights of Mex¬ [Applause.] Sir, this proviso is impracticable. ico, for whose sake you have destroyed the It is not a peace measure. It is a war measure. union! But grant that you have achieved this Carry it out, and what have you done for ‘ bleed¬ direst of all calamities—this catastrophe which ing, wronged Mexico,’as the whigs have it. You the wise and good men who framed our consti¬ have on the part oT the United States, perpetual tution regarded as the greatest that could befal war. And this is your new corner stone!— their country—what, aye, what will you have [Applause.] What must the building be that done for the democratic party? I grant that you is to spring from such a foundation, when the have succeeded so far as to break down the de¬ very first act is to sprinkle it with blood? [Ap¬ mocratic party of the Empire State; that her vote plause.] I bring here no feeling to this conven¬ has been given to those with whom you have tion, save a feeling for my party and my coun¬ long been politically antagonistic; that whigs try. I will do any thing-any thing that 1 can and Wilmot proviso men are installed in power. do consistently with my principles and the good Suppose you succeed in effecting a similar of my party, to conciliate the democracy. I result in the approaching Presidential contest? long, sir, to see the democratic party united, What then? Where is anything and every¬ wholly and entirely, and moving together as thing for which you have heretofore contended? one man, in the great contest that is coming on. Where is your revenue tariff? Where is your 1 regret being separated from those with whom independent treasury? Where are all the other I have heretofore marched in phalanx, shoulder measures and doctrines of the democratic party? to shoulder. I regret the desertion of those You, if you are carried further by this stiange whom I have heretofore lookeil up to as leaders. and unnatural excitement, will contribute to the But 1 thank God that they, not I, have demanded destruction of your party and principles, and I this separation. They have put up this impene¬ leave it to you to say, if that time shall come? 20

How will you feel when called on to clamor in Mr. Lewis, of Yates, moved the adoption triumph w’ith the whigs—to band, hand in hand, and to shout through a common throat with the of the resolution. abolition agitators? How then will you feel?— Mr. Hughes, of New York, called for [Applause.] When you see a higii protective the ayes and noes on the resolution. larili' overriding the interests of the many for the benelit of the few—when you see a monster Mr. J. C. Wright, of Schenectady, sug¬ bank re-constructed on the ruins of the old— gested, that if there was any difference of how then will you feel? When you see the lib¬ erties of the country jirostrate and bleeding by opinion on this question—it being a new one, your parricidal hand, tell me not that you will probably, to some of the delegates—that it not regret deeply the part j'ou have taken in this would be well to take a short recess, to allow controversy. Mr. President—or rather Mr. Wilmot Proviso gentlemen an opportunity to confer together, man—for I have not yet done with you—I speak believing, that upon a free interchange of in kindness but in all sincerity and firmness— ou have chosen your new higij-priests—you views, there would be no difference of opinion. ave laid your corner stone, and you are now Mr. Seymour, of Rensselaer, did not un¬ erecting your frail edifice of worship, and in¬ vite me to worship with you. I have scanned derstand that the gentleman who called for the the foundation of that temple. I have entered ayes a 'd noes, was opposed to the resolution, its portals, and have looked at the false idol you or that there was any opposition to it in any have erected there. Beautiful! beautiful is that idol! But there is too much bloodly ievolution quarter. in its eye. [Prolonged applause.] She requires Mr. Judd, of Herkimer, suggested that hav¬ too many and costly sacrifices at her bloody shrine. I abjure it. It is a false god. Oh, come ing agreed to organize the districts with a rather with me. Come back to the good old de¬ view to a representation in the Natirnal Con¬ mocratic temple, erected on the corner stone of vention, and having thus virtually agreed to the constitution of the country. Enter into com¬ munion with the democracy there, as of old; and abide by the nomination of that convention, no there, aye, there invoke a blessing on your coun- one could object to going lurther and perfect¬ try, your whole country, your expanded and ex¬ panding country, from the true God of benevo¬ ing the necessary arrangements for giving full lence and love. effect to that action, by nominating electors [Mr. Clinton resumed his seat under an out¬ pledged to sustain the national nominees. burst of applause which shook the hall, and which was prolonged for some minutes.] Mr. Wright said he made the suggestion Mr. Cltmton having concluded, the reso¬ under the supposition that there might be op¬ lutions were adopted unanimously. position to the resolution. For himself, he had Mr. Corning, from the committee on or¬ no doubt about the expediency of nominating ganization, submitted the following resolutions, an electoral ticket. whieh were also adopted:— Mr. McMurray of New York, suggested Resolved, That this convention cordially re¬ that if the resolution were referred back, and spond to the recommendation adopted by the late democratic State Convention held at Syracuse, a recess taken, the resolution, with a slight that the democratic electors of each Congress¬ modification, could be put in a shape which ional district select therein a delegate to the would secure for it the unanimous concurrence Democratic National Convention, for the nomi¬ nation of President and Vice President. And be of the convention. He therefore moved a re¬ it further cess of an hour, and a re-commitment. Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying out more fully the recommendation of the Lyracuse Mr. Griffin of New York spoke briefly Convention, a committee consisting of one for to the question. each Assembly district, or ward, be appointed by Mr. Shepard sustained Mr. McMurray*s this convention, in each congressional district, whose duty it shall be to designate the time and proposition—and place for holding the convention in each congres¬ The convention took a recess of one hour. sional district for the appointment of a delegate to the National Convention—and that said com On the re-assembling of the convention, mittees in their discretion, call the local conven¬ Mr. Corning, from the committee on or¬ tions or caucuses for the choice of delegates to ganization, reported that the committee had the respective Congressional district conven¬ tions. corae to the conclusion unanimously to recom¬ Resolved, That the delegates to the National mend the adoption of the following resolution: Convention who shall be chosen under and in furtherance of the foregoing resolutions, shall Resolved, That it is expedient that this Con¬ meet at a time and place to be designated by the vention nominate Electors of President and State Committee, for the purpose of electing Vice-President; subject to the right of any con¬ State deleffates, and to fill any vacancies that may gressional district to designate a different candi- from any cause exist, in the representation of date for elector for said district at the democra¬ the Congressional distriets. tic congressional district convention to be called by the congressional district committee appoint¬ Mr. Corning also reported for the consid¬ ed by this convention, for the appointment of eration of the convention, a resolution declar¬ delegates to the democratic National Conven¬ tion; and that such electors be and are hereby ing it expedient for this convention to nominate instructed to vote for the nominees of the Demo¬ a ticket of electors. cratic National Convention, 21

This resolution was received with applause, The motion was agreed to, and and unanimously adopted. The President named the committee as Mr. Corning also reported the following follows:— resolution, which was adopted:— Messrs. Sibley of Monroe, McVean of New Resolved, That the State Committeee be and York, Hyatt of Westchester, Verplanck of are hereby authorized to fill any and all vacan¬ Albany, Wright of Schenectady, Judd of Her¬ kimer, Smith of Chenango, and Follett of cies that may occur in the electoral ticket. Genesee. On motion of Mr. Shepard, the conven¬ Mr. Clinton, from the committee hereto¬ tion took a recess until 4 p. m. fore appointed, reported the names of Presi¬ 4 o'clock P. M. dential Electors for the state at large, Mr. Clinton moved the appointment by as follows:— the chair, of a committee of eight, (one from CAMPBELL P. WHITE, of New York; each judicial district^ to report the names ol HEMAN J. REDFIELD, of Genesee. two Presidential Electors for the state at large. The report was received with applause, and Agreed to, and the President named the unanimously adopted. committee as follows:— On motion of Mr. Parburt, the districts Messrs. Clinton, of Erie; McMurray, of were called, and the names of electors were New York; IIasbrouck, of Kings; Monell, of proposed by delegates, for each, under the re¬ Columbia; Seymour, of Rensselaer; Comstock, of Oneida: Bennett, of Onondaga, and Smith, solution heretofore adojited, as follows:— of Chenango. 1st District—HUGH HALSEY, of Suffolk. 2nd do JOHN A. LOTT ofKings. Mr. Follett, of Genesee, offered the fol¬ 3rd do FRAXCI'^ R CUTTING, of New York. lowing: 4lh do ALEXANDER F VACHE, do Resolved, That this convention approve of the 6th do TOWNSEND HARRIS, do 6th do CHARLES O’rONOR, do positions assumed in the resolutions offered by 7lh do BENJ HRANDP.ETH, of Westchester. the Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson in the U. S. Sen¬ 8th do HAMEL o. AIKEN, of Dutchess. ate, as recognizing the true principle of free 9lh do ALEXANDER iHOMPSON, or Orange. government, amt as harmonizing with the letter 10th do PHILIP DUBOIS, of Ulster. and spirit of our federal constitution. 11th do OLIVER WISW ALL, of Columbia, 12th do HENRY VAIL, of Rensselaer. Mr. Parburt cf Ontario offered the fol¬ 13th do PETER WENDELL, of Albany. lowing as an addition thereto: J4th do TIMOTHY EDDY, of Washington. )5th do I-iAAC W Pi. BROMLEY, of Ciinton. And that his able and unanswerable argument 16lh do WILLIAM L. F. WARREN, of Saratoga. in the U. S. Senate on the 12th inst., in support 17th do THOS. B MITCHELL, of Montgomery. of said resolutions, has honorably won for him ISth do ALBURN FO'.TER, of Lewis. the proud and patriotic appellation of “ the bold 19th do JOSEPH GRAVES, of Jefferson. and eloquent exponent of a Nation’s will.” 2 )th do JOHN D LELAND, of Oneida. 21st do LYM'-N SANFORD, of Schoharie. The amendment was accepted by Mr. Fol¬ 22nd do STEPHEN STRONG, of Tioga lett, and the amended resolution was unani¬ 23rd do t^AMUEL FRENCH, of Madison. 24th do MILES W. BENNETT, of Onovidaga. mously adopted. 26lh do JOHN THOMPSON, of Cayuga. 26th da EBENEZER MACK, of Tompkins. Mr. Follett offered the following, which 27th do THOMAS ARMSTRONG, of Wayne. was also adopted: 28th do HORACE GAY, of Monroe. Resolveil, That the thanks of this Convention 29th do LUCIUS WARNER of Ontario. be and they are hereby tendered to the Hon. the 30fh do HIRAM POTTER, of Steuben. 31st do EBENEZER A LESTER,ofChautauque. Assembly for the use of the Assembly Chamber 32nd do CUSHING SWIFT, of Erie. on the 2(>tli inst. 33rd do RUFU> H. SMITH, of Wyoming. Mr. NiCHOL%offered the following, which 34th do NATHAN DAYTON, of Niagara. was also adopted: The names having been read, were, with the Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention two state electors, unanimously agreed to, as be and they are hereby tendered to the Common the Democratic State Electoral Ticket. Council of this city, for the use of this room, for the sitting of the Convention. Mr. Corning offered the following, which Mr. Craft moved that the proceedings of was adopted: this convention be published in all the demo¬ Resolved, That a commitlee of three be ap¬ pointed by the Chair, to inform the several Elec¬ cratic papers of the state, in the Washington tors of their nomination by this convention, and Union, and in pamjihlet form. of the fact that they are instructed to vote for the nominees of the Democratic National Con¬ Mr. McWhorter of Oswego, suggested vention, and to request a response from each of that jirovision should be made for the publica- them. lion of a large number in pamphlet form. He The Presidf.nt named Messrs. Corning tliought 10,000 copies not too many. of Albany, Monell of Columbia, and Pom¬ Mr. Sibley, of Monroe, subsequently mov¬ eroy of Cayuga, as the committee. ed the printing of 20,000 copies in pamphlet Mr. Corning reported from the committee —and that a committee of eight, one from each on organization the following, and it was adop¬ judicial district, be appointed to raise a fund to ted : Resolved, That in all cases where county or defray the exjiense, and to superintend the pub- district committees refuse to recognize the re¬ Kcation and distribution of them. gular and legitimate organization, emanating

V 22

from a regularly called and delegated state con¬ Sixteenth District. vention, by declining or neglecting to call county Saratoga—E. F. Bullard, John A. Corey. or district conventions when recommended by Schenectady—George McQueen. an authorized committee of said state conven¬ Fulton—Wic^h Thompson. tion, it is the province of the democratic elec¬ Seventeenth District. tors of said county or district to assemble in Herkimer—J. M. Lyon, Lambert Sternberg. pursuance of the recommendation of said state Montgomery—George D. Ferguson, Morgan L. committee, to carry out the objects recommend¬ Harris. ed. Eighteenth District. Mr. Corning now reported a list of con¬ St. Lawrence—Pliilander Robbins. Lewis—Francis Seger. gressional district committees, as prepared by Nineteenth District. the committee on organization, which was Jeferson—A. P. Burlingame, William Carlyle, agreed to, as follows:— J. C. Dann. First Congressional District. Twentieth District. Oneida—Horatio Seymour, Delos DeWolf, Jes¬ Suffolk—He.nry Landon, Joshua B. Smith. se Armstrong, Squire Utley. Queens—Elbert F. Jones. Twenty-first District. Second District. Otsego—Charles C. Noble, Schuyler Crippen, Richraond—'Remy Cole. Sumner Ely. Kings—C. Boswell, Williamsburgh; Wil¬ Schoharie—David Deitz, John Westover. liam Marshall, William M. Harris, Brooklyn. Twenty-second District. Third District, New York. Chenango—WilWsim Cook, Charles B. Miller. First Ward—E. R. Carpentier. Broome—John R. Dickinson. Second Ward—D. R. Floyd Jones. Tioga—Erastus Evans. Third Ward—James Donley. Fourth Ward—Florence M’Carty. Twenty-third District. Fifth Ward—Emanuel B. Hart. Madison—Z. T. Bentley, Sylvanus Henrv. Oswego—Alvin Lawrence, Ransom H. Tyler. Fourth District, New York. Sixth Ward—Matthew Murray. Twenty-fourth District. Seventh H’orrf—Edmund S. Driggs. Onondaga—James Lynch, Hicks Worden, Ca¬ Tenth Ward—Richard J. Smith. leb N. Potter, William Porter, jr. Thirteenth Ward—Wm. W. Fream. Twenty-fifth District. Fifth District, Neio York. Cayuga—Charles VV. Pomery, David Gould, Dennis Robinson. Eighth Ward—ioho B. Haskins. Cortland—Orrin Reynolds. Ninth Ward—James L. Miller. Fourteenth Ward—James Callaghan. Ticenty-sixth District. Tompkins—Daniel Jackson, Cyrus Beers. Sixth District, New York. Chemung—Lyman Covill. Eleventh Ward—Thomas W. Brennan. Yates—Darius A. Ogden. Twelfth Ward—Garrett H. Stryker, jr. Twenty-seventh District. Fifteenth Ward—John J. Parsels. Seneca—Charles A. Gibbs. Sixteenth Ward—Stephen V. Conkwright. Wayiie—George W. Cuyler, Eron N. Thomas. Seventeenth Ward—George Montgomery. Eighteenth Ward—William G. Wood. Twenty-eighth District. Seventh District. Monroe—J. B. Crosby, Erastus Ide, ls.aiic Jos- lin. Westchester—John F. Yoe, Manuel Noah. Rockland—Ahi'dim B. Conger. Twenty-ninth District. Ontario—George M. Horton, Asa R. Butler. Eighth District. Livingston—E. Faulkner, Henry Chamberlain, Putnam—Ebenezer Foster. Dutchess—J. M. Ketchum, Ulysses Cole, Wm. Thirtieth District. B. Platt. Steuben—John D. Higgins, John M’Burney, Nint District. Robert L. Brundage. Orange—Charles Borland, Wm. Murray, jr., Allegany—C. T. Chamberlai^. Alsop V. Asbell. Thirty-first District. Sulivan—Archibald C. Niven. Cattaraugus—Tho\na.s J. Wheeler, David Day. Tenth District. Chautauque—W. W. Hawkins, Benjamin Wal¬ Ulstei—Sol. S. Hommell, Daniel "Wurts. worth. Delaware—J. B. Howe, Marlin Keeler, jr. Thirty-second District. Eleventh District. Erie—Ashev P. Nichols, J. Goold Mather, Columbia—Alexander S. Rowley, Peter Groat. Joseph Foster, Moses M’Arthur. Greene—John Adams, Lyman Tremain. Thirty-third District. Twelfth District. Wyoming—Joels. Smith. Rensselaer—John B. Townsend, J, M. Mott, Genesee—William G. Bryan, Perrin M. Smith. Martin Springer. Thirty-fourth District. Thirteenth District. Orleans—L. A. G. B. Grant. Albany—John Niles, Rufus W. Peckham, B. P. A^iagara—Augustus A. Boyce, A. V. E. Hotch¬ Staats, David Hamilton. kiss. Fourteenth District. Mr. Wright of Schenectady, off3red a Washington—E. D. Baker, Alexander P. Rob resolution of thanks to the presiding' and other inson. Essex—C. A. Trimble. officers of the convention, and himself put the Fifteenth District, question, and it was unanimously adopted. Warren—Cyrus Burnham. Franklin—J. R. Flanders. Mr. Rob of Fulton, moved that the conven¬ Clinton—William Hedding. tion now adjourn. 23

Mr. Judd of Herkimer, before that motion votes, was the natural climax of any such aban was put, moved three cheers for " our corner donment of tried and true friends, to conciliate stone”—the constitution—and three cheers for demagogueism and disorganization. our army in Mexico—which were e;iven witli The first democratic state convention was a will. held on the 1st of October, 1826, at Herki¬ The President addressed a few parting mer. The democratic members of the legis¬ words to the convention, and put the question lature in April, o/ the same year,issued an ad¬ on adjourning, when dress recommending a change of mode and The convention adjourned, sine die. recommending also that a convention be held HIRAM DENIO, President. as above. At that time, Wm. B. Rochester WILLUM McMURRAY, was nominated for governor, and Nathaniel JOSEPH O. HA'BROUCK, JOSEPH D. MON ELL, Pitcher for lieut. governor. Judge Rochester SAMUEL CHEEVER, was defeated, and Gen. Pitcher elected. DORASTUS LAWRENCE, MATHIAS VAN HOESEN, From this period, down to the adoption of WILLIAM H. NOBLE, the present constitution, in 1846, the demo¬ MARCUS H. JOHNSON, Vice Presidents. HIRAM A. BEEBE, cratic members of the legislature every two SAMUEL REYNOLDS, years recommended a slate convention, within ANDREW CLARK, ISAAC MUNSON, Secretaries. the same year, for the nomination of candi¬ dates for governor and lieut. governor. TilE DEJIOIRITIC PARTY, Thus in 1828, a caucus held on the 15lh of ITS USAGES, PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTS. April, recommended a state convention at Herkimer on the 24th Sept., of the same Efforts having been made of late to torture year, at which Martin Van Buren was nomi¬ the history of the usage and practice of the nated for governor, and Enos T. Throop for Democratic Party in this state, to the purposes lieut. governor. At this second state conven¬ of bolting and disorganization, it is proper to tion, “a corresponding committee,” of one recur to it, and to slate the facts, so that all from each senate district, was appointed, but may understand their true import. no other powe. was conferred upon them. At Prior to the adoption of the amended consti¬ (his convention, Gen. Jackson was nominated tution in 1821, the nominations of candidates for president. for governor and lieut. governor were made by In 1830, on the I3th of April, a legislative a legislative caucus. So also, the presidential caucus recommende 1 that a state convention electors being chosen by the legislature, were be held on the 8(h of “^ept. in the same year, nominated either by a caucus, or appointed di¬ at which Enos T. Throop was nominated for rectly without an intermediate nomination. — governor, and Edward 1 . Livingston for lieut. There was then a reason for the state nomina¬ governor. tions by the legislative caucus, which ceased In 1832, the caucus was held on the 19fh to have force after the adoption of the constitu¬ of April, and a state convention for the nomi¬ tion of 1821: The annual election being in nation of candidates for governor and lieut. April, the nominations of candidates by a leg governor, and presidential electors, recom¬ islative caucus, a few months or weeks prioi mended to be held at Herkimer on the 19th to the election, was the most convenient and at September, in the same year. That con¬ that time attainable mode. The last legisla¬ vention nominated Wm. L. Marcy for govern¬ tive caucus nomination of a governor and lieut. or and John Tracy for lieut. governor, and a govej iioi , was at the second gubernatorial elec¬ ticket foi presidential electors. In this year, tion under the new constitution, and it was held Mr. Van Buren was the candidate for vice- on the 13lh of April, 1824. At that caucus. president, and the nominees for electors were Col. Young was nominated over the then Gov. required to pledge themselves to vote for An¬ Yates; the inducing causes for which were the drew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. A fact that Col. Y. was plotting with the “peo “state corresponding committee,” consisting of pie’s party,” a third faction, who had split off two from each senate district, was appointed, from the democratic party, under their “chief but no specific power was conferred upon them. stone of the corner,” the electoral law and their In 1834, a legislative caucus was held on candidate, Mr. Clay, and it was believed that the 30th of April, and a state convention rec¬ tlie best way to quiet fiction or bolting, was to ommended at Herkimer, on the 10th of Sep¬ minister to it and seize upon their candidate. tember, of the same year. Wm. L. Marcy The defeat of Col. Young by nearly 17,000 and John Tracy were nominated for governor 24

and lieut. governor. No corresponding com¬ convention, as the shibboleth of the democratic mittee was appointed. faith, and that issue being refused by the ma¬ In 1836, on the 24th of May, a caucus was jority, the “ proviso” partizans assembled at held, which recommended a state convention Herkimer, denounced the democratic state for the nomination of candidates for governor ticket, under the leadership of John Van Bu¬ and lieut. governor, and for presidential elec¬ ren, a rejected delegate at Syracuse, and uni¬ tors, to be held at Syracuse, on the 24th of ting with the whigs upon the “ corner-stone” September, of the same year. The electors issue, defeated the democratic ticket, and placed placed in nomination were instructed to vote the state in the hands of the whigs. for Martin Van Buren for president. No cor¬ From 1824, when the last congressional responding committee was appointed. caucus was held, down to 1832, no general In 1838, the caucus was held on the 21st mode of designating the national candidates April, and a state convention recommended to was acted upon. This was the less necessary, be held at Herkimer, on the 12th of Sept, m the sentiment of the democracy of the nation the same year. Gov. Marcy and Lt. Gov. having clearly indicated Gen. Jackson for the Tracy were nominated. presidential office. In 1832, the friends of In 1840, the state convention of April 9, Mr. Van Buren, desirous to vindicate him from for the appointment of national delegates, called the intended stigma of a rejection by the U. the state convention on the 2nd of September, S. Senate as Minister to England, proposed a of the same year, and Wm. C. Bouck was national convention to be held at Baltimore on nominated for governor and D. S. Dickinson the 3d Monday in May of that year. The for Lieut. Governor. proposition, started by tlie legislature of New In 1842, the caucus was held on the 25th Hampshire, was concurred in by the republi¬ of April, and the state convention on the 7th can members of the legislature of this state. of Sept, in the same year. Wm.C. Bouck The caucus was held on the 3rd of Feb., and and D. S. Dickinson were again nominated for a state convention for the choice of delegates governor and lieut. governor. to the national convention, recommended to be In 1844, the caucus was on the 6th of held at the capitol in Albany, on the 21st of May, and the state convention on the 4th of March of the same year. The state con¬ September, in the same year. Silas Wright vention was held, a proposition to choose by and Addison Gardiner were nominated for gov¬ the democrats of the districts overruled, another ernor and lieutenant governor. Electors for to appoint the committee tor selecting the na¬ president and vice-president were nominated, tional delegates by the delegates of each dis¬ each congressional district, on motion of Mr. trict also overruled, and the national delegates Russell, of St. Lawrence, presenting its candi¬ appointed. date for elector. At the next presidential election, the na¬ In 1846, the caucus was held on the 12lh tional convention w^as held a year in advance of May, and the state convention on the first of of the election. It was called for the 20th October, of the same year. Gov. Wright May, 1835. The democratic members of the and Lieut. Gov. Gardiner were again nomina¬ legislature held a caucus on the 16th of Feb., ted. recommended a state convention to be held at In 1847, the caucus w^as held on the lllh Albany, on the 9ih of April of the same of May, and recommended a state convention year, at which delegates to the National Con¬ at Syracuse on the 29th of Sept, in the same vention were appointed. year, “ for the purpose of nominating state In 1840, a legislative caucus, held on the officers, and transacting such other busi¬ 26th Feb., recommended a state convention ness as shall come before the convention.^’ on the 9(h of April of the same year, to ap¬ The history and results of this convention are point delegates to the national convention.— known to the democracy of the state and the The convention met at the time designated, and Union. It nominated, by a clear and fair ma¬ appointed delegates; but so far departed from jority, an unexceptionable ticket for state offi¬ the rule of the previous convention, as to ap¬ cers; it recommended the district mode of point such as were presented by the delegates appointing delegates to the national conven¬ from each district. tion, and it appointed a state central commit¬ In 1843, the caucus held on the 17th of tee, to call future state conventions. A fac¬ April, recommended a state convention on the tious minority, after having insisted that the 2nd Tuesday of Sept, o/ the same year, with “ Wilmol Proviso’’ should be adopted by the authority to choose delegates to the national 25 convention, or to determine the manner in were to be regarded as a consideration para¬ which they should be chosen. The state con¬ mount to all others, and above and beyond the vention was held in Sept, and the delegates to rights of the people of the district, no man can the national convention appointed. Gov. Mar- suppose it attainable except in one way: and cy was chosen president of the convention by that way the most repugnant to all just demo¬ a large majority over Col. Young, who was cratic equality and fair representation—/Aro agh the candidate of the “ peculiar” democracy, a packed delegation, selected by a few which has since taken ground for “ provisos” managers in a state convention. In this and “secret circulars,” and equally open manner, a few industrious and assuming per¬ ground against the regularly nominated state sons, having objects to attain or revenges to ticket. gratify, might select a delegation to the Na¬ It will be observed, that in each of these tional Convention, but with no regard to, conventions, from 1832 to 1843 inclusive, the rather with the utter disregard of, the wishes state of New-York presented its candi¬ and preferences of the democracy of the state date in the person of Mr. Van Bxiren.— at large or ot the different districts. It was regarded as material that the state So viewing this important question, the de¬ should present an undivided vote for its own mocratic state convention which assembled at candidate. This feeling was naturally more Syracuse in September last, passed a resolu¬ potent than the desire to give to the people of tion recommending the choice in each con¬ each district, their right to a direct representa¬ gressional district, of a delegate to the Nation¬ tive in the national convention. It was con¬ al Convention, at such time and place as the ceded also that as the democrats of the state democratic electors of such district should di¬ would as a body go for their own state can¬ rect: the delegates so chosen to assemble at didate, the general preference of the democ¬ such place as the state committee should de¬ racy of the state would be consulted in a signate, and appoint the two state delegates. choice of delegates by a state convention, al¬ The same state convention appointed a state though the same persons might not be selected central committee, and conferred upon it ex- in a choice by districts. These considerations [)ressly the power “ to call future state con¬ overruled all others; and in the four conven¬ ventions.” tions, in which the selection of delegates to The passage of these resolutions, and the Baltimore were all made with a direct refer¬ right to pass them, cannot be controverted. ence to Mr. Van Buren, the choice was made They were clearly within the scope of the pow¬ by the state convention, of delegates either re¬ ers of the convention, and they were passed by quired to be pledged or supposed to be com¬ a decisive majority of the delegates present, mitted in his favor. 58 to 31 or 2. The idea that delegates can Now the question presents itself in anew and remain in their seats and refuse to vote, for the entirely different shape. We have no state purpose of preventing the presence of a quo¬ candidate, and there is no reason of that sort rum, on the plea of not being present, will for refusing to the democrats of the several avail all such partizans nothing at all, and will districts their clear right to be represented in be, as it has been, altogether disregarded. the National Convention. Undoubtedly popu¬ It will be observed, that since the adoption lar and democratic in itself, it is neither just of the caucus mode of calling state conven¬ nor democratic to refuse to acknowledge and tions, no legislative caucus has ventured to ex¬ act upon it, unless some paramount reason can tend its sphere of operations beyond the year be assigned for such refusal. None certainly of its official existence. Thus, every recom¬ exists now. There are several democratic mendation of a state convention by the demo¬ candidates in the field for nomination, all of cratic members of the legislature, has been them of high prominence, and each of them within the legislative year. No definite having friends in every district of the slate. power or body having been designated by pre¬ In some districts the friends of one candidate vious state conventions to call future conven¬ predominate, and in other districts the friends tions, that duty, in the form of a recommenda¬ of another. As a matter of justice to the pre¬ tion, devolved upon the democratic members ferences of each district, it should be allowed of the legislature; but those elected for one to carry them through its own chosen dele¬ year, have never ventured to call those for the gate, in such manner as it may deem most in next, or for a subsequent year. accordance with the wishes of the democracy If the principle be admissable for the of the district. Besides, if an undivided vote next year, it may be for any future year; 26

and a few designing’ persons, who may secure mer disorganization, and coOperafors with a greater number of a legislature,—a number the whigs by refusing to vote the reg¬ ready to assume power, and perform subser¬ ular democratic state ticket, to call a vient service—might arrange conventions and slate convention in the next A'car, for the the action of the democratic party of the state same purpose, emanating from the same source, for any future time. They have precisely as and actuated by the same design, and only dif¬ much power for all time as for the next year ; fering from it in the day and place. To this and they have no more right to usurp the pro¬ end, or ratlier to all these schemes of faction, vince of the legislative caucus of the next year, this minority did not hesitate to contribute ; so far as that caucus would be empowered to and the Herkimer Bolters, the enemies of the act at all, than to act for the second or third or democratic cause and ticket, the partizans w'ho any future year thereafter. insisted upon an open bolt from the state ticket, because the Syracuse convention refused to But a minority of the democratic members recognize the Wilmot Proviso as a party test, of the late legislature, were quite of another and who on that issue, as their “ chief stone of qiinion. The democratic state convention, the corner” defeated the democratic tickets, chosen one year after the election of the mem¬ assemble at Utica, on the IGih of Feb., under bers of the legislature, and representing nearly the spurious and unauthorised call of a minori¬ all the counties in the state, declared a prefer¬ ty of the democratic merribers of a legislature ence for the district mode of selecting dele¬ who have gone out of official existence. gates to the national convention, and recom¬ mended that the democracy assemble in their These partizans exhibit this anomolous sort of consistency: They defy all usage and regu¬ respective districts and appoint such delegates. larity in a mass meeting at Herkimer, and re¬ They also appointed a state central committee, ** to call future state conventions.’’ A mi¬ new their defiance and disregard of all legisla¬ nority of the legislature, however, greedy of tive caucuses and precedents, by calling, thro’ pow'er, and forward to exercise it beyond the this irregular and non descript assemblage of period of their existence, disregarding the bolters from a regular state convention, a state recommendation of the delegated state conven¬ convention at that somewhat notorious locality, tion, called a state convention to be held at for the appointment of delegates to some nation¬ Utica on the 16f^ of February, 1848, to al convention. From this position, (awkw’ard choose delegates to the national convention, or and uncomfortable they found it,) they became to determine the manner in wdiich tliey shall suddenly enamoured of a legislative caucus, be chosen. The design of this minority pro and prodigious stickler.? for “ regular nomina¬ ceeding was to counteract the recommendation tions’’ and the “ ancient usages of the demo¬ of the Syracuse state convention, and to resist cratic party !” So much so, that fresh from its proceedings, as the same partisans had re¬ the most shameless violation of democratic sisted and op[)Osed its ticket. It w as a factious usages and democratic faith, these bolting movement, designed to perpetuate division in partizans employ three of the vapid columns of the democratic ranks, and to present antagonist the Atlas to show that the moment they leaped sets of delegates to the national convention.— from the Herkimer “corner stone,” and fell It W'as more than that. These partizans, with back upon a minority legislative caucus, they Preston King, Geo. Rathbun and John Van had established their exclusive regularity for Buren at their head, having violated all party the last quarter of a century. faith and usage, by repudiating and denouncing Of the right of a state convention, composed the democratic state ticket, and by contribu¬ of delegates from nearly all the counties of ting to the triumph of the w'higs in carrying the the state, and representing the voice of the entire political branch of the state government, great democratic majority, to change the mode assembled in disregard of all usage at Herki¬ of appointing delegates to the National Con¬ mer, and called a stale convention at that vention, and to appoint a committee, from place, on the 22d Feb., to appoint delegates different sections of the state, to call future to the national convention. Conscious of the state conventions, rather than leave that duty utter spuriousness of their proceeding, anxious in the hands of members of the legislature, and to escape from it, and yet resolved to strike at especially in the hands of a minority of the {he regularity of the Syracuse convention, they democratic members, no one, justly regarding prevailed upon this minority of the democra¬ the rightful source of political power, the tic members of the legislature of 1847, most People, will deny. In the present instance, of them the partizans of the Herki¬ the minority which assumed to act and call 27

a state convention at Utica, in derogation of ers, and intended to arrest and counteract the the decisions of a duly constituted and full proceedings and recommendations of the regular convention of the democracy of the state, re¬ democratic state convention, is a factious pro¬ presented in the popular branch only fifteen ceeding, entitled to no consideration, and will of the 58 counties, and these few representa¬ be treated as such by the great body of the tives were elected a year before the choice of democracy. delegates to the Syracuse State Convention. The present Democratic State Committee was The idea that the assembled democracy in appointed by the same convention which nom¬ delegated state convention, is not higher autho¬ inated the democratic state ticket. Although rity than a minority and a small number of mem¬ combinations and traitorous designs were form¬ bers of the legislature, and that they have .not the ed by factious politicians, under the Wilmot clear right to change a mode of nomination or proviso flag, to oppo.se and defeat the ticket, it the appointment of delegates, or the mode of was everywhere regarded as the regular demo¬ calling state conventions, may be federalism cratic ticket. Even the prints of the Atlas and may be “ corner stone ” and Wilmot pro¬ and “ proviso” school, with three exceptions, viso democracy—that democracy which, dis¬ (the St. Lawrence bolting organ, Senator Les* regarding all usage and democratic authority, ter’s Ontario organ, and another less conspicu¬ assailed and defeated the regular democratic ous,) displayed it at the head of their editorial ticket and aided and voted for the whig ticket column, as the regular democratic ticket. —but it is not that genuine and true democra¬ The state committee was not less regular in cy, which seeks to ascertain the will and carry its organization and appointment. Every out the wishes of the democratic masses, and member of it, including Mr. Paige, whose which seeks also to bring the choice of dele¬ associations and affinities with the Atlas parti- gates, as it has d me members of the legislature zans, as a family connexion of Mr. Van Bu- in our popular elections, directly to the people. ren, are w#»B known, virtually conceded its au¬ As well may it be contended, that in the progress thority, as all conceded it, by accejiting and of democratic sentiment, a legislative caucus acting as such, and by signing and issuing an ought to persist in nominating a governor and address to the democratic electors of the state, Ueut. governor ; that the legislature should urging them to come out with uuanimity and never have relinquished the power to appoint vigor in support of the regularly nominated presidential electors ; and that a congressional state ticket. This committee, in accordance caucus should continue to designate the candi¬ with the express power conferred upon it, call¬ dates for president and vice president. ed the state convention which is to assemble These are reforms which the progressive this day at the Capitol in this city. The ob¬ spirit of the democracy has demanded and ject of this convention, as stated in the publish¬ consummated, from time to time. The then ed notice and call of the co.mmittee, is “ to new constitution of 1821 led to the change of carry out more fully the recommendation of the mode of nominating a governor and lieut. the late democratic state convention held at governor; and the present new constitution Syracuse, in relation to the appointment of demands a change in the mode of selecting de¬ delegates to the National Convention, and for legates to the National Convention. The new perfecting the organization, and devising mea¬ instrument having adopted the district mode sures to re.store the ascendancy, of the demo¬ of election in all its forms, and for all the de¬ cratic party in the state.” These objects and partments of legislation, it is obviously in ac¬ the proposed call were fully stated to each mem¬ cordance with the popular will; and the first ber of the committee by Mr. Pruyn, chairman of the state committee, and each, except Mr. annual state convention, in which the demo¬ Paige, authorized his name to be signed to cracy of the state were fully rejiresented, af¬ forded a proper occasion to introduce the re¬ the call. Col. Paige’s name was not affixed to the call; and not one whose name has been so form into our local party organization. The published, has signified in any manner, so far power of a convention, emanating directly as the committee know, or so far as either from the democratic party of the state, and have made publication, his unwillingness to co¬ standing in this respect and in every respect, operate cordially in the call and in the mea¬ above a legislative caucus of any sort, and es¬ sures “more fully to carry out the recommen¬ pecially a caucus minority of the democratic dation of the Syracuse convention.” members, \Niil not be denied by fair-minded men and honest democrats, and the Utica The issue then, is simply between the few movement, originating with the Herkimer bolt¬ leading parlizans, who threw in tire Wilmot 28

Pjoviso at Syracuse, who insisted there upon Democratic State Convention, that test, who retired to Herkimer and pro¬ claimed that issue as the ‘'chief stone of the We have the satisfaction to lay before the corner, which the builders at Syracuse had re¬ Democracy of the State, the Proceedings, Ad¬ jected,” who denounced, after takinj^ part and dress and Resolutions of the Democratic State voting’ in the Syracuse convention, the ticket Convention. presented by it, and uniting with the whigs at This Convention assembled in the Capitol at the polls, ensured its defeat, who then called a Albany, on Wednesday, and closed its proceed¬ wholly irregular and spurious state convention ings on Thursday afternoon. at Herkimer, to appoint Wilmot Proviso dele¬ gates to the national convention, but who, find¬ A body of higher principled or firmer ing their position untenable and annoying democrats never assembled in a state con¬ sought to escape throuirh the aid of a subser¬ vention. All their proceedings were char¬ vient minority of the democratic members of acterized by strength, a consciousness of right, the legislature, numbering all together only 37 and an earnest devotion to the interests and members in both branches, elected one year principles of the Democratic Party. Through¬ before the choice of delegates to the Syracuse out they were harmonious, dignified and firm state convention, through whose compliance, in the highest degree; and they were conclu¬ they have been enabled to transfer the “ cor ded wdth an enthusiastic feeling, ■which is the ner stone” from Herkimer to Utica: The is¬ presage of good results. sue, we repeat, is sim})ly between the leaders If for a single moment, owing to the repeat¬ in this disorganization, and the recommenda¬ ed calls of state conventions during the year, tion of a regular and duly constituted state and the inconvenience of coming from distant convention, and the call of a state committee, portions of the state at this season, we doubted duly appointed by it, which, under the direct whether the call of the regularly constituted authority conferred upon it, have called the slate committee would be responded to with state convention which meets in this city this entire alacrity, any such doubt was dispelled day, to carry out more fully the recommenda¬ by the attendance of this highly respectable, tion of the Syracuse convention, and to orga¬ intelligent and efficient body of democratic nize for the choice of national delegates in the delegates. several districts of the state. These delegates For the positions, direct and confident, on duly chosen, will stand, not upon new and nar¬ which the delegated democracy go to the peo¬ row tests, sectional and factious in themselves ple of the state, we refer the reader to the Ad¬ ^the offspring of abolitionism and whig dress and Resolutions, adopted by acclamation, gery—intended to foment sectional divisions as their sentiments and opinions, plainly, clearly between different portions of our country, and and emphatically presented. They are enti¬ to divide, denationalize and defeat the demo tled, not less from their source, than their tone cratic party, in the approaching presidential and manner, and their true democratic spirit, election—but upon grounds distinctly hostile to the candid consideration, and the warm ap¬ to these and all other “firebrands;” to main¬ proval, of the Democracy of the State. tain the principles of the Democratic Party, as They present a rallying point for the true acted upon by it, from the Farewell address friends of the Democracy, here and every of the Father of his Country and the broad where. They stand upon the old principles platform of Jefferson, to the juesent day; and and clear rights of the Democratic Party.— to sustain the administration of President Polk, They discard all new tests, and repudiate the the War, and the nominees and principles of introduction of “ firebrands” in any form, whe¬ the Democratic National Convention. ther the offsiiring of abolitionism or the “ cor- With such true and clear grounds of dif¬ , ner stones” of their allies in the garb of de¬ ference—distinctive and unquestionable—we mocracy. They vindicate the princijdes and have no doubt nor fear where the Democratic the measures of the National Administration. Masses will be found, now and hereafter. They stand upon them in the strongest manner, and in the firmest tone. The war, its vigorous jippropriate — John P, Hale, who was prosecution, and the great measure of territo¬ nominated for the presidency by the Abolition rial indemnity, unshackled by provisos, or any or “ Liberty Party,” atajreneral convention of other artifice of whig or factious hostility to that parly, and who recently introduced the Wil¬ mot Prociso into the Senate of the U. S., has for¬ the Administration, are enforced with a vigor, mally accepted the nomination. earnestness and truth, worthy of a national 29 cause which enlists the favor and challenges “ comer stone” test. Every member of the the ardent support of (he American People. present National Administration rejects it.— It presents the issue between the great body Every probable candidate for the nomination of the Democratic Party, who sustained its at Baltimore, rejects it. regular ticket and organizations at the last If then the partizans who may assemble at election, on the old democratic ground, and Utica, reaffirm their odious and anti-democra¬ those who defeated it, denounced its ticket, tic test, and appoint delegates to the national and directly voting the whig ticket or deposit¬ convention, or nominate an electoral ticket, ing only mongrel or unreal tickets, gave to the based upon it, they clearly do so in derogation whigs their present ascendency in the state.— of the present National Administration and in The pretence for conduct so disorganizing and hostility to the democratic national nominees, unfavorable to the democratic interests, was and their only design will be to again defeat the refusal of (he Democratic State Con¬ the democratic ticket in (he state and to aim a vention at Syracuse to proclaim the Wilmot blow at the democratic a.scendency in the Union. Proviso as a democratic test, and the “ great If they sincerely desire to ensure success to principle” for which the ticket, the cause, the Cause of the Democracy of (he Union and and the iiolitical power of the State and the to (he nominees of the National Convention, Union, must be sacrificed. On this ground they will abandon their test, discard their those partizans now stand. They called a “ corner stone,” and adopt the electoral ticket state convention at Herkimer to reaffirm now nominated composed of true and tried dem¬ it, and to appoint delegates to Baltimore, under ocrats, who are instructed, and who will feel its panoply; and they have transferred that themselves pledged,to vote for the nominees of the convocation to Utica for that purpose. It stands national convention. Any other course can now at the head of the Atlas sheet, the organ have no other object than to contribute to tlie of (he disorganizers, as its “ chief stone of the defeat of those nominees. We feel (he ut¬ corner,” precisely as it stood when its authors most confidence that they cannot produce that and their abettors assailed and defeated the result, whatever their course may be, but democratic ticket on that issue. Upon that such must be the design, if they bring out issue they must stand at Utica, or admit (he other electoral ticket. These tests withdrawn, utter insincerity and profligacy of their conduct and a common electoral ticket adopted, having at the late election, and all their loud-mouthed a common object, the adjustment of all other professions about “ free soil, free speech” and questions of difference would naturally follow. their adjuncts, before and since. Upon that We trust that the democrats of the several issue the Democracy of the State will not stand. counties will take prompt and energetic mea¬ The convention, representing and reflecting sures to ensure a thorough circulation among truly the democratic sentiment, reject and dis¬ the people of (he proceedings of the Conven¬ avow it. Their proceedings and declarations tion. Give them light and the truth, and error are all in a spirit hostile to the introduction of will soon flee away. any such tests, or of any scheme to annoy the The speeches of the President, and of administration and minister to the designs of its Messrs. McVean, Thompson and Clin¬ adversaries. The strong democratic Electoral ton, which will be found embodied in the Ticket, unanimously nominated by the Conven proceedings, were admirable in manner and tion, is presented in that spirit, and as a proof tone, and will arrest (he attention and com¬ of the earnestness with which they support the mand the confidence of the true friends of the nominees of the National Democratic Conven¬ Democracy throughout the State and through¬ tion. That convention will also reject the out the Union. SPEECH OF GEN. HOUSTON, OF TEXAS

[At the great War Meeting at Tammany Hall, January 29, 1848.]

Fellow citizens of the Democracy of New and drove us, by her injustice, tyranny, and op¬ York ; For the first lime in my life I am here pression, to vindicate our rights, which were the presented before an assembly which is the most common rights of freemen numerous, the most cheering, and the most em¬ The object of Mexico, in her system of des¬ boldening which I ever saw or ever heard of, or potism and oppression, exercised against us, ever speculated upon seeing and hearing. I was, if possible, to sweep us from the soil, to have heard much of the democracy of New annihilate the whole race of us, and not to suf¬ York; I know their zeal, their ardor, their de- fer one of the Saxon blood to leave the impress voted patriotism, ana their fidelity to the princi¬ of his foot upon the soil which we inhabited.— ples of liberty and of the constitution. But now What did we do? We resisted this oppression, I see and have learned that they are a mighty we asserted our lawful rights, we established people—mighty, I mean to say in the dignity for ourselves a provisional government, and we and magnitude of those feelings which influence continued on in the hope that a better state of a great people, and which make the man ever things, a better government, would be created ready to vindicate his rights and sustain and in Mexico; that the other States would, like Support the constituted authorities of his coun- ourselves, assert their rights under the constitu¬ try. (Loud applause.) What is the subject tion, which had been so shamefully violated.— and object of this meeting? It is not, fellow We continued hoping that the Mexicans them¬ citizens, a meeting called to deliberate upon a selves would rally to support us and redeem the war which we are about to go into. No ; but it country from despotism, violence and oppres¬ is concerning a war in which we are already en¬ sion. We went on in the enjoyment of our re¬ gaged—which we are now in the midst of— publican liberty—we endured till our hopes be¬ which, I may rather say, we have already dis¬ came fainter and fainter. But notwithstanding posed of by the gallantry of our trooi>s, and the all this, it was not until 1836, when Santa Anna wisdom of our statesmen. We should not be marched against us with his myrmidons, threat¬ properly able to appreciate the truth and justice ening our destruction, and devastating our fields of our condition, and of the present war, if we and our country—it was not until the day of the did not revert to the causes of this war, and the Alamo, when a brave and Spartan band was position in which w^e were placed, at the time sacrificed by his sanguinary hordes—I say, not of its commencement, in relation to the civilized until then, when, driven by desperation and op¬ world. I grant you, fellow citizens,it is truein pression, did w'e declare the Declaration of Tex¬ referring to those speeches, of which we hear so an Independence. Then it was we made that much in respect to this war, that in part, it has declaration. We made it in the face of heaven. giow’ii up out of the annexation of Texas. But We then pledged our lives, our property (that, in that annexation the best of the bargain was indeed, was but little.) and our sacred honor, yours, and you ought to be satisfied. I say the that W’e would vindicate our just and natural best of it was yours, not so much in the material rights against the despot and oppressor. We you got,—though by the by. that was not bad; did this and alter the tyrant lay manacled at but in the extent and richness of soil, in the va¬ our feet, we liberated the captive. It was al- riety and beauty of climate, and in the verity of ter the declaration of Texan Independence; af. those institutions we possessed. We had noth¬ ter that the despot was in the military control ing to learn of these institutions and principles of the country, w’hen victory had justified our in this annexation; we imbibed them all with cause, and triumph and success had crowned our mother’s milk, we returned to you, chastened, our Declaration of Independence; it was then it is true, in the school of experience, and taught that the tyrant directed the order and sent the by the bitter lessons of adversity. The great mandate to his general, Filasola, to vacate the politicians of this day have now put themselves territory which was now the independent terri- in opposition to this war; and yet they were tory of a nation which had risen up and decla¬ willing at its commencement to embark in it.— red its independence. That mandate W’enl the They then said it was the duty of the Presi¬ next morning to Filasola, ordering him to re¬ dent to fix the boundary of the newly acquired tire wuth his troops from the soil of Texas; and country, and now they deny that her boundary where did he retire? Where did he stop? They was that which she possessed before the annex¬ did not stop at the Nueces. That was not the ation wms made. That boundary, however, boundary of Texas. They did not slop at the lellow.citizens, which they now deny to Texas, Rio Grande. That was not the boundary. But was hers, and belonged to her by power. We they marched on in pursuance of the mandate, never rebelled against Mexico; but she. it was, to leave Texas, and they first stopped at Mon¬ who first violated our constitution, subverted our terey. leaving all Texas behind them, and leav¬ jaws, subjected us to tbe most cruel despotism, ing it free. The government agreed with Santa Anna afterwards upon Ihe Rio Grande as the Anna put an end to the war, he denounced all boundary of Texas, and no question ever arose those who should be found in league on this as to the Nueces being its boundary pending the side of the Rio Grande. This shows that he negotiations for annexation} but it is only since himself regarded this line as our boundary. But this war began that this question has been rais¬ this is not all. When, in 1845, a treaty was ed by its enemies. But still more. By a law made by the new Executive, Jones, with the passed in 1836, it was promulgated to all the then government of Mexico, which treaty was civilized world that the Rio Grande was the called the Cubes Treaty, Mexico, by her own boundary of Texas. This boundary w’as then act, then recognized the Rio Grande as the defined and strictly laid out as beginning at the boundary of the State of Texas. She never mouth of the river of that name: then running a raised the question of the Nueces being the north-west course up the middle of the river, boundary of Texas. She recognized again the from thence crossing in a line, particularly defi¬ Rio Grande as our boundary when she required ned over the territory of the United States, on of Texas as the condition of acknowledging her to the ocean. This was then declared by law independence, that she should not become an¬ to be the boundary of Texas. This was not nexed to the United Slates. done in a corner—it was not hid under a bush¬ All this, fellow'-citizens, which I have here el; but it was promulgated in the face of all the mentioned, and more which might be mention- civilized world. This was in 1836. This was ed, goes to establish the fact that the Neuces then recognized as being our boundary by the never W'as the boundary of Texas, until it was United Stales; this was then recognized as be¬ made so here in the United States, Mexico ing our boundary by France; it was so recogni¬ herself never thought it to be our boundary; we zed by Holland: it was so recognized by Belgi¬ marked out our boundary by our life’s blood; um. It was not questioned by any one, or by we obtained it by the sacrifice of our citizens, any power, but that this was our boundary.— and by noble conquest. It was recognized by No man can contest this truth. All Christen¬ Mexico and the world, and it would be a scan¬ dom recognized this to be the boundary of Tex¬ dal to the United Stales to give it up. (Loud as, by their subsequent acts. (Great applause.) cries of “ Never, never ”) We made ourselves, But this is not all; the evidence thickens upon by our acts, a free, sovereign, and independent me; but time W'ill not allow that I should bring nation, and we bad the right to annexourselves it all forward before you. to the United States. We did so. Who will Whe Mexico invaded Texas, she crossed the say it was not constitutional to take us ? It W’as Rio Grande, and wasted and plundered the ran- the voice of the American f-eople which look us cheros which were on the Texian side of it.— into this confederacy, and now that we are a When she came to spoil our country, to ravage part of the Union, it is the duty of the Execu¬ our land, to burn our villages and our farms, tive to defend the soil acquired to the confeder¬ and spread destruction and desolation over the acy. There is no question what is the bounda¬ country of Texas, she crossed the Rio Grande, ry, for It was defined, asserted, and maintained, and then and there she began her work of spoil before the annexation was made; and it has nev¬ and devastation. And again, after these furtive er been questioned, except by those who have exploits, when she fled, driven away with in¬ raised the question from party motives and fac¬ famy by our so’dier citizens, she skulked back tion. Was it, then, the President’s duty to de¬ again to hide in her fastnesses on the other side fend the soil and territory of the United Stales? of that river. This was declared and manifest¬ Or did he, without any cause, bring about this ed before all the world to be the boundary of war, upon poor oppressed Mexico? (Laugh¬ Texas, and this long before the act of annexa¬ ter.) I sympathize, indeed, with Mexico; I have tion with the United States. Nor is this all.— no antipathy to gratify against her, but while Mexico, after two successive outrages upon I can divest myself of all hard feelings towards Texas, still refused to learn wisdom by experi¬ her, I cannot divest mylself of a holy devotion to ence. The President ol Texas ordered and pre¬ my country and her righteous cause, and I must pared an army which crossed over the Rio spurn the man who would prove recreant to the Grande, reduced Guerrero, and recrossed again sacred cause of his country, and espouse that of at its leisure, saying effectually to Mexico, alien. (Three cheers called for and rapturous¬ “ We can cross over into your country as well ly given.) I cannot regard as fello vv-citizens the as you can into ours : you stay where you are, men who array themselves against the cause of and we will let you alone.” They never cross¬ their country, who defame its armies and the ed again. The unfortunate Mier expedition glory they have acquired for the nation, who ar¬ arose out of this state of things. It cost us ray themselves against the administration of much trouble to teach Mexico that our bound¬ their country, and seek to strengthen the hands ary must be respected by her, or else that her of the enemy. Such people do not reflect, or boundary would not be regarded by us. But they have forgotten all wisdom of the mind, im¬ this is not all. Mexico never occupied this pelled by faction, they are the enemies of their country after our independence was declared country’s cause—enemies of that glorious en¬ and asserted. We possessed and occupied the thusiasm which animates the American patriot country, and would permit the establishment of —while they reserve all their feelings and pity Mexican settlement in the country we occupied. for poor Mexico,” and care nothing at all a- In all the negotiations which were entered into bout the United Stales and their own country, in relation to the armistice, there was no ques¬ I say that you have got a good bargain in gelling tion raised of the Neuces being the boundary of Texas; and I, who say this—I think I can prove Texas; but our commissioners went on the it and make you believe it. Assuredly as to¬ other side of the Rio Grande to meet the Mexi¬ morrow’s sun will rise and pursue its bright can commissioners, and there it was they nego- course along the fimament of heaven, so cer¬ goUateU for an armistice. Again. When Santa tain it appears to my mind, must the Anglo Sax- 32 on race pervaJe the whole Southern extremity the women, wi of this vast continent, and the people whom God rating them into 07 033 255 005 1| j has placed here in this land, spread, prevail, white man—let the American inierpoiic , and pervade throughout the whole rich empire him say to the Indian, “ Stay, savage ; we will of this great hemisphere. The manner of the protect these helpless people. We will do it.” consummation of this grand result 1 cannot pre¬ (Loud applause.) We are the majority, and it dict; but there is an instinct in the American must be done. It must be done for the sake of people which impels them onward, which will humanity. I am not one of those who delight lead them to pervade this continent, to devel- to riot in the spoils of the poor, and keep the ope its resources, to civilize its people, and re¬ people in abject proverty and subjection. Such, ceive the rich bounties of the creating power of however, is the condition of the Mexican peo¬ Divine Providence. There is another consider¬ ple, exposed to a constant succession of revolu¬ ation in this respect, which is conclusive to my tions. In twenty-five years, Mexico has under¬ mind. The Americans resard this continent as gone twenty.five different revolutions. They are their birth-right. The seed of all their settle¬ a people incapable of self-government. We are ments has been sown in blood and watered by now in this war, engaged in giving peace, se¬ blood. The pioneers who went forward into curity, and happiness to this oppressed people. the wilderness poured out their heart’s blood to May God save the man who strives for his prepare the country for their prosperity; their country, and wither the arm of him who fights scalps were taken by the Indian; they sacrificed against it! (Applause.) I do not think the war their life’s blood to acquire the possession which with Mexico is such a calamity as it has been we enjoy. deprecated and deplored to be. I think differ¬ If ail these difficulties and sacrifices did not ently. The w’ays of Providence are certainly terrify the bold pioneers, the success of centu¬ inscrutable ; but I think think we may see the ries only tends to confirm what they began, and finger of God in this war, giving success to our nothing can prevent our mighty march. There arms, and crowning our forces with victory.— is another consideration You, here, fellow I do not deplore it; for. though blood has flow¬ citizens, are living in cities, in the enjoyment of ed, and valuable lives have been lost, yet not all the blessings and comforts of civilization one act of cruelty has been committed in all the here ; and if you undertake to go into the wil¬ victories which our arms have gained. Their derness, into the domain of the wild beast, and humanity has been displayed to the astonishment begin to pursue the game, to plant plantations, and admiration of the world, and as a model W'hen you see the f^arra, the field, the garden and example for all future armies. Then, I say, spring up around you, your feelings will become the Divine Being has been evtdently carrying attached to the land, it will imbue your hearts, out the destiny of the American race. We give you will catch the contagion of the frontier to the Mexicans liberal principles—we elevate settler ; you will not be able to escape it. You them far above what their tyrants have done, may escape the small pox, but you can never done, and the day will come wdien they will escape the ontagation of land loving. As sure bless the Americans as their friends and libera¬ as you live, it will become a part of your na¬ tors until time shall cease. The President must ture. There is not an American upon earth but not be left alone in doing this great tyork. We what loves land. It is the fact, though I say so must hold up his arm, give solace te his heart, only in my coarse and vulgar V7ay. (Great ap¬ support him in his course, to give continued tri¬ plause.) Your ancestors, when they landed at umph to our armies and success to our institu¬ Plymouth upon that famous rock, were not long tions. Though I am not pious, yet as a sinner contented with that barren spot, but proceeded I say it, we have a powerful authority for wmrs in their might, and went on progressing at in the conduct of the people of Israel, who were Jamestown as well as at Plymouth, till all the led by Divine power to possess themselves of country was possessed by them. From the first the lands of the Ammonites, and smite them moment they landed, they went to trading with with the edge of the sword. This same man¬ the Indians, and cheating them out of their land. date from God guides us in this war, and gives Now the Mexicans are no better than Indians, successes to our arms, and I think will continue and I see no reason why we should not go on to guide and to prosper America. I feel grate¬ in the same course now, and take their land.— ful for the attention you have given to me. I But these countries will be benefitted by our oc¬ know I have trespassed upon your time : I cupation. Look at the Californias, Sonora, would recommend you, if the country should be Western Mexico, New Mexico, &.c. All these acquired, to take a trip of exploration there; vast regions, where only a few hundred thou* and look out fnr the beautiful senoritas, or pret¬ sand souls are living in such wide dominions— ty girls, and if you should choose to annex them, where the wild Indian extends with impunity no doubt the result of this annexation will be his ravages, and unchecked penetrates into the a most powerful and delightful evidence of civil¬ heart of Mexico, even as far as Potosi, spoiling ization. and destroying as he goes along ; seizing upon

Orders for the Proceedings of the Democratic State Convention, complete, received at the Argus office, Albany, at $2 per 100.]