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" I have sworn upon tho Altar of God, eternal hostility to every form of Tyranny over the Mind Of Ulan." Thomas Jefferson.
' PHINTED AND PUBLISHED BY 1L WEBB
Volume iv. BLOOMSBUKG, COTL1CMBIA COUITY, FA. SATURDAY, MAEOII 20, 1841. Wmnlicr 4L7.
T
OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRAT,
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BEffSOCBfrATIC
4TH MARCH CON VE ft TI ON.
Tin "oily niet in the Court House, at
Ilnirisbure, on Thursday the fourth of
March, 1841.
On motion of William J. Leipcr,
JAMES CLAHKIS, ol Indiana, was ap
pointed temporary Chairman.
John B. Guturu:, of Allegheny, and
Thomas B. Florence, of Philadelphia.Sec
teiaries.
On motion the list of delegates were call
cd, and it appeared that every county in the
b title was represented. Aller thu appoint
ment of a committee to examine the claims
of the members whose seats were disputed,
it committee ()( one from each oongiessionul
disliicl. to report officers for the convention
was unpointed, when ttio convention ail
iourned to rnuel asain at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon.
3 O'CLOCK AFTERNOON.
At three o'clock the Chairman called the
Convention to orderl when
'" MY.'Jolii'i M'OurvfM
fium tlio oomtnittcRln
recommend officers for the Convention
iriHile report, recommending tho following
officers:
President.
Gen. HENRY W. BEESON, of Fay
clto. Vice Presidents.
George G. Leii'ER, of Delaware.
Edward Wartman, Philadelphia cily.
Asa Dimmock, Susquehanna.
. John Busbuy, Allams.
Benjamin Tvson. Berks.
J. M. Beruill, Westmoreland.
Secretaries.
John Mclleynolds, of Columbia!
G. W. Marchand, Armstrong
George L. Ashmead, Philadelphia city.
William Darr, Cumberland.
Which report was considered and unani
mously adopted.
The President of the Convention then
rose andaddrossed it to the following ef
fect. Gentlemen : I roturn you my thanks
for tho honor you havo so unexpectedly
conferred on me. Unaccustomed, as I have
been to the rules of proceeding, I enter up
on the dutiss assigned to me, with much
embarrassment. Relying, however, upon
thu assistance of those gentlemen associated
with nie as the presiding officers of the
Convention, and the courtesy of the mem
bers, it is sufficient for mo to say I shall
endeavor to perform my duty with fidelity
and impartiality.
Tho object of thi Convention is, to ex
press tho sense of our constituents, in the
selection and nomination of a suitablo can
didate fyr Governor of the Commonwealth;
and as delegates, acting on the basis of a
just and equal representation of the democ
racy of every section of the slate, and espe
cially charged with that duty, we are now
otganiz'ed and ready to proceed in the busi
ness of nomination.
Thoimh this dulv be cast in a peiiod of
imparalelled embarrassment in the adminis
tration of tho government, still we may re
ly for our guidance confidently rely upon
those democratic maxims and principles,
which have, in tho most trying timcs.prov
ed thu rock of tho public safety, prosperity
and independence
It is not in the name and under tho aus
pices of unmpauiiii; and false emblems, but
in tho namo of JelTersouian democracy, that
we are authorized I" net in behalf of our
constituent:"; and lo claim that, our victory
in October next, will bu as sure and trium
phant us our cause is just and good.
The lessons of the past, teach what may
bo expected in the future leach with al
most entire uniformity that the democracy
of tho Keystone state, in a fair and equal
field, is invincible. Relying then, with full
confidence upon the unswerving attachment
01 tne people to uiu uvmuorauu jhiuciiuch,
and arrayed under its standard of an hundred
victories, we may boldly stand upon our
principles and claim to prosper as our case
is just.
Gentlemen; In the settlement of all
questions, here as well as at t'.to ballot box,
let us invoke the spirit of union, harmony,
puiiioiisin, anu sustain wmi uniicu voice
the great prinnplo, submission and respect
tor ttio will ot the majority.
un muiion oi iir. jueiner mo convention
then adopted tho rules of the House of Rep
resolutives, for tho Government of the
Convention.
Mr. M'Candless of Allegheny, moved
that the Convention now proceed to make
nominations of a suitablo candidate fot Go
vernor, which motion was laid on the ta
ble.
Mr. Dawson offered a resolution for the
appointment of a Committee of or.e from
each Congressional district, to prcparo and
draft, a preamble and resolutions to be
ndrptcd by the Convention, which was laid
on the table.
Mr. Gilmore Iiom the Committee to ex
amine and report upon the contested seats,
made a detailed report in which they recom
mended that both delegates from Luzerne,
&,(:. be admitted to seats, tliat they have but
one vote, and in cases wheio lliey cannot
agree their vote not to be counted.
In regard to Dauphin county they recom
mended that Simon Cameron and Benjamin
Slecs be admitted lo scats, and
In regard to Bucks they recommended
that both sets bo rejected.
The question was taken separately on the
report and that part relating to Luzerne and
Dauphin counties, was unanimously adopted
by the Convention.
Mr. Cameron moved that both sets from
Bucks, be admitted under the same rcstric
lions provided in the case of the delegates
from Luzerne, which motion was agreed
to.
The names of the delegates arc,
Luzerne. If'aync and Pike. Hendrick
u. W right, Outlier luuiler.
Bucks Stokes L. Roberts, Jesse John
son, Isaac Hess, Jno. S. Bryan.
-IIftury Chapman.. C. Jl. W.nchw.-.John
N. Sollitlay, Win. Booze
Dauphin Simon Cameron) Benjamin
Stces.
The motion to proceed to tho nomination
of governor was then taken up when,
Mr. II. B. Wright nominated DAVID
R. PORTER, and tho question being takon
upon said nomination it was confirmed by
tho ('.(invention as lollows
.For D. R. Porter Messrs. Drum, Gill
Guthrie, Fctterman, Elwell, Black, M'Ma
nus, Clcudennen, Duun, Brinlon , Leiper,
Pearson, Shattuck, Bcsnn, Sloneioad, Jim
kin, Clover, Michael Myers, M'lteynolds
Weaver, II. B. Wright. Kidder, M'Oican
Busbev, Marchand, Porter, M'Graw, M'
Candless, Watson, Smith, Tyson, Schall
Moycr, Roberts, Johnson. Hess, Bryan
Chapmen, C. B. Wright, Solliday, Booze
Ritter, Gilmore, Adams, Carter, Loy.Bow
man, Wilinot, Browley, Lowry, Linton
Bumside. Leib, Evans, Jackson, Jeffries
i'arke, tiambcrton, mrr, Uigler, Simon
Cameron, Stees, Henry Meyers, Jionmis
Christie, Scaright, Dawson, Heck, M'Cas
I'm, Massey, John Porter, Murphy, Clarke
May, Gonder, Hamilton. Fomoy, James
Cameron. Eichler.Vogan, Whiteside, Brid
scs, Bright, John R. Dean, Thomas Smith
Ileileg, Petriken, Findley, Sterigere, Jaco
by. Hocker, Ilallowell, Cunningham, Wi
iam Cameron, De Young, Able, Brodhpnd
M'Coy, Lentz, Fisher, Klino, Griffith
Wartman, Mason, Cummiskey, Enne jr,
Gideon, Ashmead, Diamond, Daniel Barr,
Edmund Evans, George Smith, Florence,
Wm. J. Leiper; Hubeil, Holahau, Lailey,
Palmer, Statler, Dimock, Goodrich, Trach,
Eyre, Wilson, James, Gillis, Burrell, John
Pake, Dngg, Love, Grayson, Logan. Don
nell, Overdcer, J. J. Kennedy, R. J.
Fisher.
For D. Sturgeon Messrs. Bigelow,
Foster.
On motion Messrs. Bigler, Findley and
Foster were appointed a committee to in
form Governor Porter of his nomination.
The convention then took up, and adopt
ed tho resolution for the appointment ot
committee to prepare a preamble and reso
lutions fur the consideration of the conven
tion. Mr. Wright of Luzerne, then submitted
a resolution that a committee of ono from
each congressional district, bo appointed to
prepare an address to tho people of Penn
sylvania, which resolution was adopted.
Mr. Findley from the commilteo appoin
ted to wait on Governor Porler.and inform
him of this nomination, reported that they
had performed that duty, and that tho Go
vernor had agreed to accept the nomination,
mid returned his thanks to the Convention
for this evidence of their partiality towards
him.
The resolution for the appointment of a
state central committee was taken up, when,
Mr. Stcriecre moved lo strike it out, and 1
insert that the State Central committee be
appoinicd by the committee to draft resolu
tions, which Was ngrecd to.
Mr. Sterigcto then moved that a com
mittee of correspondence for o.fc county In
the stale be appointed by the convention,
and that the delegates from each county
hand in the names of suitable persons to
compose saw committee to-morrow morn
t
ing which was agreed to.
1 he Convention then adiourned until 10
o clock to- morrow morning.
FniDAY, March 6,
Pursuant to Adjournment, tho President
took the Chair at 10 o'clock.
Mr. J, L. Dawson, of Fayette, from
llie committee appointed to dralt a pream
ble and resolutions, made the following re
port:
Whereas, tins uonvcntion assembled, in
observance, of demneinlin inaip. In nnrni
nate a candidate, for the Gubernatorial Chair
of Pennsylvania, at the ensuing election,
has, in discharge nl the trust confided to its
nembers bv tho great body of the democrat
cy of the stale, nominated for reelection,
with an almost entire unanimity, the pres
cut distinguished incumbent: And where
as, helieving that the democratic parly is
now, as it has ever heen, when harmonious
ly united, in a decided majority, and that
the loss of tho electoral vote of Pennsylva
nia, at the recent Presidential election" was
owing to untoward circumstances, which no
longer exist. Be it therefore.
Resolved That the democracy of Penn
sylvania has never sustained, and never will
sustain, two successive defeats: that possess
ins a clear and certain majority, and con
scions of its strength and its rights, ndversi
lv has ever been, and now and again is, the
harbinger of that union, moderation and ac
tiviiy, which must lead to renewed and
brilliant victory.
Resolved That in tho unanimity with
which this Convention lias nominated DA
V1D RITTENHOUSE PORTER, ihe
present Executive of the Commonwealth of
rennsvlvania, lor re-election to that respon
sible and elevalcd station, .wo havebut fnl
owed out the wishes and desires of the
great democratic party of the statejby whom
is reposed entire confidence in his integrity
and abilities, and in the wisdom and firm
ness, with which, during an administration
of unpzralelled difficulty, he has conducted
ihe government of the Commonwealth.
Resolved That the people of Pennsyl
vania recognize in DAVID R. PORTER
all the trails which make a safe and desira
ble Chief Magistrate in the crisis like the
present a devoledr.css to the rights of the
people, and the honor of '.lie state: an inde
pendence, that s minis dictation; a fearless
ness, that disregards personal consequence;
a coolness and wisdom in council; and a
promptitude and decision in action; which
command the public confidence and esteem.
That these qualities have rendered his Gub
ernatorial career illustrious, and compelled,
from all parties, both at homo and abroad,
the tribute of praise which ever waits upon
an unsullied integrity, when guided by wis
dom, and sustained by courage.
Resolved That, when DAVID R.POR
TER assumed the government of the state
of Pennsylvania, it was a period of unpre
cedented difficulty, with a state debt of thirty-five
millions of dollars, and no provision
for the payment of cither its principal or
interest; with an overgrown and loitering
banking system; with tho public improve
ments in an unfinished condition, out of re
pair, and a source- of expense, instead of
revenue: That he was the first lo tear a-
way tho veil from the dangers and corrup
tions of this system of extravagance and
threatened ruin, and make the people aware
of the real condition of the Commonwealth:
That he has successfully combatied with the
difficulties thus presented has exhibited to
the people their true situation and duties
and has evinced a bright example of fear
less patriotism in reference to the devclopc
menls of the past, anil of statesmanlike saga
city in regard to the future.
Resolved That the independent and
lofty position assumed by Governor POR
TER in reference to tho public credit of
Pennsylvania, and the disposition which she
has ever manifested to redeem her plighted
failh, commend his administration lo the
approval, and himscll to tho confidence, not
only of every member of the democratic
party, but of every citizen of the Keystone
state to vhom her character and honor are
dear;and who would shrink from beholding
her false to her pledges and promises, and
faithfully to those who have confided in her
integrity.
Resolved That a change in tho admin
istration of the state government, at this
period of .Icrargod currency and commer
cial emburut-ment and distress, would be
but prod jelivo of increased difficulties and
disaster : that the policy of the present in
cumbents administrationhas been frauklv
nd boldly avowed, is Well knttwh, and has
been sustained bv the great mass of the
people; and that lo exchange an execu live
who lias thlts acted and been approved ol,
for any other, whoso sentiments hrn un
known, whose viowsaro an entire mystery,
and who is committed to no particular
course of policy, would bj only to thicken
the embarrassments which already prevail,
increase the distress that now exists, and
delay tho returning confidence which, under
the administration ol Governor PORTER,
may with reason bo anticipated.
Resolved That tho sentiments avowed
by the Democratic Stale Convention of the
lib of March, 1838, by which the name of
DAVID It. PORTER was first presented
lo the consideration of the peopln of Penn
sylvania as the democratic gubernatorial
candidate, are those of this convention :
Fliat while the democratic party of the slate
desires and demands a thorough reformation
of tho present unwholesome and corrupt
banking system, and contends for the era
dication ol its abuses and vices, it docs not
seek the def miction of the banks: 1 hat it
most cordially approves of the doctrines
and views of policy Winch, upon this sub
ject were communicated to the legislature
by Governor 1'U It 1EK, in his first annual
message and believes that, had they re
ceived the legislative sanction. ihe monetary
derahgeinent which now exists, if not wholly
prevented, might at least have been made to
."stimc a greatly mitigated form, with every
reasonable prospect of a spcedv removal.
Jiesolved That the democratic parly ol
Pennsylvania ha3 received with enthusias
lic approbation the gubernatorial veto of the
vicious and iniquitous bill, dividing thai
branch of the executive duties which re
Ules to the public works, between the two
Houses and the Governor t That tho sys
tem proposed was one anomalous and mon
strous dangerous in principle, if not im
possible in practice : Thai the patriotism
whirh prompted Gov. PORTER to offer to
divest himself of tho appointing power of
ihe Canal Commissioners, in order to sc
cure it immediately to the people, isdeserv
injf of tho highest commendation; and that
the shallow artifice of an accidental len'iS'
lativu majority, (elected by an actual popu
lar minority,) to transfer power to them
selves, under the pretence of restricting the
executive patronage, when the petitions of
the people were that such power should bu
committed directly lo them, is perfectly un
derstood and properly appreciated as are.
also, the sagacity which dictated, and the
nerve that pronounced its rebuke : And
that the veto of such bill is the more espe
cially lo be commended, when it is a mat
ter of notoriety thai, oven before lis passage,
ho two Commissioners, to be elected or ap
pointed by ihe two Houses, had been al
ready delermiutcd upon, and wero to con
sist of two members of their own bodies,
in utler contravention of the spirit if not of
iho letter of the Constitution.
Resolved That
HENRY BUEHLER,
LUTHER RE1LY,
A. V. PARSONS,
JACOB SEILER,
WILLIAM D. BOAS,
BENJAMIN PARKE,
J. B. BRATTON,
E. W. HUTTER,
JACOB BAAB,
MICHAEL BURKE,
Harrisbitrg.
HENRY A. MUHLENBURG,
Reading.
JAMES CLARKE, Blairsvillo.
WILLIAM BEATTY, Builer.
WILLIAM ENGLISH,
JOSEPH C. NEAL, Philadelphia.
JOHN B. GUTHRIE,
DAVID LYNCH, Pittsburg,
be appointed, and the samo are hereby ap
pointed, to constitute a Central Committee
of Correspondence for the democratic par
ty of Pennsylvania.
Resoled That a Standing Committeo of
Correspondence for each ot the counties of
the commonwealth be respectively appoint
ed by tho Several delegations from each
couuiy. composing this convention.
Jiesolved l int delcatand disaster havo
never been visited upon iho democratic par
ty of Pennsylvania, except when its ranks
havo been distracted by internal divisions
and dissentions : That the results of de
feat havo ever been most disastrous tn the
great interests both of the party and the
Commonwealth; and that, to prevent the
unhappy recurrence of such consequence
we most eamestly urge upon the
democratic citizens or Pennsylvania
tho necessity of immediately reconcil
ing all minor differences, if any, and
wherever any, may exist and to unite har
moniously, vigorously, and determinedly,
in a persevering effort to preserve tho pure
and cardinal principles of the democratic
faith, and to promote the success of the de-
mocrauo party; unu mat wuu a view m ine
thorough attainment of this great end, wo
recommend the policy of an immediatoand
effectual organization in each and every
countyj and the propriety of frequent pub
lie meetings in the respective wauls, bor
oughs, townships, and counties of tho stato;
Un motion ol Mr. uumsidc, the report
was unanimously adopted.
Air. J. b. iSlack from Iho samo commit
lee, repotted tho following resolutions!
which were Unanimously adopted :
Jffsoived 1 hat uncompromisinn hostili
ty to tho establishment of a National Bank,ia
fundamental rule of olir democratic faith.
as expounded in the school of Jefferson and
Jackson.
Resolved That Wo have now. as here
tofore, tho same unabated confidence in this
part of our creed that we have on all other1
points of our political faith, not only be
cause wo believe the creation of a bank bv1
Conercss to be a aross violation of the con
stitution, but also because the experience o(
lorty years, and tho united testimony of
the greatest and wisest statesmen of the "na
tion, prove that such an insiittiiion is dechl'
edly hostile to tho principles of republican
liberty, pernicious in its effects upon tha
commerce and currency of tho country,
and subservient only to the interests off
those who profit by feililizing tho rich man'd
field with the sweat of the poor man's!
brow.
Resolved That if any olhet evldencd
than out own experience wero needed for"
the purpose of supporting this position ll
might be found in Iho admission deliberate'
ly made in 1830, by ihe leader of the fed
oral party, tho chief of their forces in thd
war against Gen. Jackson, and the presi
dent of their bank, that the connection of
the late National Bank with tile national gov
eminent was injurious to bolh and benefl
cial to neither.
Resolved That wo look upon, the re
charier of the present Bank of tho United
States, by iho lalo federal administration of
Governor Ritner, to havo been an act of
unmitigated folly, if not something still
worso than that, upon its subsequent conduct
as a stupendous fraud, and upon its preten-1
sions to be the legulator of the currency, as;
the greatest humbug that federalism has
played off in these latter days.
Resolved That while wo depiore tho
embarrassment and distress which this bank
has brought upon our country at home, and
tho disgrace she has inflicted upon our rep
utalinn abroad as heavy calamities, we as
members of the democratic part' have a
right lo congratulate- ourselves upon the fact,
that in our steadfast adherence to principle
and truth we never yielded to her seductions)
nor quailed before her power, but met her
with the samo unflinching opposition, when
she bounded into political arena with tho
whole federal party at her heels, that wo da
now when her character is gone, the spell
of her enchainment is broken, and " from
her ruined fortunes her familiars slink
way.
Resolved That believing this institution,
to be the great disturber of our monetary
system the leader in suspension, and tha
only obstacle to resumption, ivo havo no
desiro but to get rid of her as' soon as prac
tice. Mr. H. B. Wright from the committee to
prepare an address to iho people of Pennsyl
vania, then reported an address w'licli Ho
stated had met the unnanimeus approba
tion of the members of the committee.
TO THE DEMOCRACY OF PENN
SYLVANIA. Fellow Citizens:
David Riitenhousc Porter is again pre
sented to you as a candidate for the first
office in your gift, by your delegates in gen
eral convention assembled. Tho nnmo car
ries its own guarantee of success, tnth ap
proaching campaign. Three years sinco in
tho face of a ruthless parly, who had be
come the possessors of power, and place in
consequence of the unfortunate divisions in
our ranks, the democratic stato convention
recommended him In you, for tho high and
dignified station which ho now fills with
credit lo himself and honor to tho stale.
Warned by iho preceding divisions of tho
party, and t'je disastrous consequences that
inevitably followed, tho democratic party of
Iho commonwealth girded on their armour
of truth and principle, and made themselves
ready for the conflict. They concentrated
their strength in union, and after a campaign
distinguished on tho part of our opponents
by the most flagrant abuse of power, and
the most proltigate waste ol the public lunds
by the licentiousness of the public press
bofore that period unknown by the bitter
est calumniation and by the most gross
and fulsome falsehoods tho result at tho
ballot box, that infalible lest of public opin
ion, proclaimed to the citizens ol tho stato,
democracy triumphant and her candidate a
lccted. Our adversaries however, although de
fealed at the election, were unwilling to
yjeld that power, which accident on our
i
i