.eadlngr Democratic Convention.
CflEAT SPEECHOFCOL BISIER.
I.ETTEIt OF COLOXGL BLACK.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
Correspondence of the Pennsylvaniau.
Heading, June 5, lSol.
I thought to he able, by this time, to send you
full details of the proceedings and ballotings of
the Convention on the several matters disposed
of by that body yesterday, but I find events
hurrying on too rapidly to admit of this just
now, and must content' myself and your read
ers for the present with brief references to the
facts as they occur. I will therefore take up
the chain of narrative at the point of discon
nection yesterday. When my letter was closed
the Convention had under consideration the
contested Senatorial scat for the Cambria Dis
trict, in which Adam Moses, Esq., claimed un
der the authority of one conference, and II. L.
Patterson under that of another. After the
contestants had been heard, a ballot was taken
on the issue, the result of which was favorable
to Mr. Patterson. He accordingly took his
seat. Thomas A. Maguire then contested the
seat of John C. O'Neill. The adverse claim
was so weakly supported that the Convention
decided by acclamation in favor of Mr. O'Neill.
Then came up the great question of the day,
the contest between the Bigler and Fkazeh
delegates from Lancaster city and county. The
interest excited by this issue was profound and
universal. It was the topic of conversation
everywhere; and when it was at length reached
iy uie convention the lowest murmur of
conversation ceased; and silence and ab
sorbing attention at once pervaded the large
assemblage with which the Court House was
thronged.
The credentials of both sets of delegates
were read by the clerks. In those of the Ciller
delegates, James L. Reynolds, Esq., was substi
luted, as Senatorial delegate, for Wm. B. Ford
ucy, Esq., and in those of the Frazer dele
gates, Col. Frazer was substituted for Peter
Martin, Esq. At this stage of the proceedings.
Mr. Sterigere, of Montgomery, suggested the
propriety of hearing two of the claimants from
each delegation n the merits of the case, which
being on motion agreed to, Mr. Amwake, of the
Frazer-set, proceeded to state their case. Tho
details being very voluminous, and involving
references to a great number of inaccessible
papers, I must necessarily omit for the present.
The great issue was this: whether the Pm.ntv
Committcc, which called the Convention of
siarcn, lb-jl, by the action of which th Fn.
ney delegates were elected, was at the time of
calling that Convention a livinir. and romrU
organized and a uthorised body, having the right
10 act lor the Democracy of Lancaster. Mr.
Amwake, iaavery respectable speech, contended
it was not. He was followed by Mr. Swarr, of
cue same county, on the other side, who after
a brief reference to the necessity of savin- th
time of the Convention, read, in a most elegant
and impressive manner, a printed statement of
idc ciainis of the party with whom he was acting-
Mr. Swarr was followed by Col. Frazer.
His speech was of several hours' duration in
the midst of which, the hour being late, he
gave way to a motion to adjourn to 7 o'clock
in the evening. After the reassembling of the
Convention, he engaged the attention of the
delegates some two hours longer in addition
The address of Col. Frazer was marked by
great earnestness and feeling, and general pro
priety of manner, but it failed greatly in force
of argument. It was to all who heard it the ef
fort of a -strong man struggling in a morass."
He was followed by James L. Reynolds, of
Lancaster, in a masterly and convincing argu
ment, supported with a mass of facts that told
with great effect in the Convention. Excepting
an .rrcgular debate by some of the delegate!
t.,llow,nS this, the address of Mr. Reynolds
ended the discussion.
A motion was then made, that the delegates
Icctcl in .November, 18-30, be admitted to scats
m the convention, to which an amendment was
"flvred, substituting the delegates elected in
. pril.
Mr. M'Calinont offered the following, as an
amendment to the amendment:
R-solved, That James L. Reynolds be ad
nutted as the Senatorial Delogic, and Ja.nt
ra u-rso,,, Samuel Parker, Hiram B. Swarr
leterranfJ ? U- Wolfc- as KeprcsentaS
- .:'fr.n Lancas "unty this Con-
Of ep'teu ,
Would that ttutnICd t0 Tyrone the subject
And clung to honeS VoltlZnJr f a,J
Though pride may emira the toili
The tattered garb, the crownless hat, " o0th
1 et God and Nature cry aloud, the
The man is none the worst for that! V
l'arty. . mo-
Mr. William Lewis, the Collector of U UP on
toms for the District of Philadelr The yeas
more triumphant, and will f"lCl1 03 fo'lows:
from which there have be-"
made to have him -n upon the resolution
Cooper and the Tt was agreed to, and Messrs.
opinion of Serds, James Patterson, Dr. Saml.
rad and S B. Swarr, J. B. Baker and N. B.
Presided t-re declared the regularly auhtorized
and r-ues from the city and county of Lancaster.
re"'n- T. Amwake subsequently appeared as a
"ulslitute for Dr. Parker.)
On motion, the Senatorial Delegates were
appointed a Committee to report a Iit f offi
cers for the permanent organization of the
Convention.
On motion, the Convention then adjourned to
Thursday morning at 9 o'clock.
SECOND DAY.
Jl'. K 5.
The Convention assembled iu the Court House
at 9 o'clock a. m., and proceeded to business.
Mr. Hale moved that the Chair appoint the
Stale Central Committee, and that the Commit-
t:i COIiMlat of 17.
Mr. Ma',u,-.sh m0vcd to amend so as to
make the Committee equal to the number of
Senatorial Delegates.
This was subsequently, at the suggestion of
Mr. Sterigere, modified so as to provide that
the member of the Committee shall be selected
from the several Senatorial Districts. The
subject was then, on motion of Mr. Frailey,
postponed for tho present.
The Committee to select officers for the per
manent organization, then reported the follow
ing list of officers:
President HON. J. L GILLIS.
Vice Presidents. C. Kusler. F. Van-
zant, C. Worrall, P. Conroy, T. Brown,
C. Mason, M. Van Dusen.A. II. Tinnin.
J. A. Morrison, D. Fister, J. Patterson.
S. Morrett, J. Kennedy, C?. M. Lauman,
E. Tolan, J. P. Feltv. S. N. Bailev. Ira
Day, S. Strohecker, J. P. Anderson, G.
P. Steel, J. Blandinsr, D. L. Sherwood,
M. C. Trout, N. Snyder, D. Bois, Henry
M'Cullough, W. W. Dallas, J. D. Leet,
G. W. .Bowman, J. S. McCalmont, R.
C. Hale, D. Fullwood. C. Frailev.
Secretaries. B. F.Sloan, E. P. Dunn.
W. Shaffner, A. McCammon, D. Rankin.
The officers took their stations, when Judge
Gillis, the Chairman, acknowledged the honor
done him in a very excellent address.
me vuuycuuqu men, on motion or J. V. 31c
Calmont, proceeded to nominate candidates
from which to select one to be supported by the
Democratic party of Pennsylvania at the next
election for Governor of the Commonwealth.
G. R. Barrett nominated Wm. Bigler, of
Clearfield.
Wesley Frost, of Westmoreland, nominated
Col. Samuel W. Black, of Allegheny.
The Convention being about to take a balJot,
Col. Keenan, after a few words of explanation
and the warmest protestations of esteem and
support on the part of the friends of Col.
Black, presented the following letter "withdraw
his name:
Pittsblkg, May 27, 18-51.
Gentlemen: The nomination of Col. Bigler
by the Democratic State Convention, is already
an ascertained certainty.
The purpose of this letter i3 to renuest that
you will depart from your instructions, and not
name me as a candidate for the office of Gov
ernor. Concert of thought and unanimity in the eve
ning of preparation, gives goodly promise of a
glorious day in action. Let not me be an obsta
cle in the way of perfect harmony, but rather
let us rejoice that we in the West can minister
to the triumph of the Party that knows no
section in State nor Country.
If I did not believe that the entire nation was
interested in our success at the State Election,
migni not oe so earnest at the first of the
ngni ; dui l ao Deiieve that the security of the
Union depends upon the issue in Pennsylvania,
and, therefore, 'in my heart of hearts," feel
most anxious.
Governor Johnston, against whom and towards
whom I never have, and never will employ an
unkind word, has dedicated himself to a re
election. His resources are neither few nor
feeble. Suppose he succeeds, it is a declaration
on the part of Pennsylvania that she is deter
mined to disturb the measures of conciliaiion
and compromise which have put past troubles
to sieep. To these measures the Democratic
party is so far committed; and he, I think,
equally committed on the other side. Let th
centre of the Union shake the Union. nl whot
becomes of the trembling branches of the tree?
I do not belong to the school of
who do not think there is anv ned of nlnvm'
because danger does not thunder daily at our
doors. Nor do I admire the blind bravery of
men who will not look at perils horn
pursued ostrich, they can hide their heads in
the sand ; but I do admire those who, calcula
ting not the value of the Union, but the danger
of it, endeavor, by wise and just means, to still
the storm before it breaks upon the best hopes
of the true heart. And thev are to V.a th
admired because the storm hronl-a nrwi 1,..
itself upon them, and not nnn
The peace of this Union has boon trmihi,i"
and may be troubled again. Let us, not bv
hollow professions, but by acts of fidelity and
firmness, be true to every several ri-ht the
Constitution gives to every several section of
me country. Then we are Americans
worthy of the name.
and
lou will excuse me for running into this
earnest expression, but I feel it all, and cannot
seep irom saying it. I consider the American
Lmon the greatest human institution thnt. wn
ever formed, and next to the Christian religion
the greatest blessing our misfortunes have ever
met, to make easier the
life, and I regard even the dantrer of it, ,V,.
lution as a disaster most. dir,iir v, ,i,.i ,
c can groan and sweat without much a"onv
under the load of life's sorrows, so Ion" as we
have a country. But take that away and we
have no heart for anything, and no manhood to
meet anything.
When the Mozclle exnlndwl soma
on the Ohio river, the arms and legs, with the
ncaas and hearts
through the air. Tluit u-vpi.uwr '--j'
exploded, dismembered V ljlie a Union
more horrible. aV . is'tilm destroyed. The
its bcautv-: ,- -tor its destruction, because of
!- v oclore.
:. . is impossible not to love
the man who made the thought, as well ex
pressed as this: "The States of th- Union,
disttnet us the billows, and one like the Sea." And
may we not add: the waves of the sea roll in
their appropriate spheres, wrapping themselves
daily aud nightly around each other, and are
broken only when driven ngainst the rock or
the shore. The wisdom of our fth
from the mighty deep of the spectral past, bc-
ow-vnca u.- io avoiu tne breakers which
carefully and safely shunned.
they
Very truly,
SAMUEL W. BLACK.
Ta the Deley ales from Crawford, Westmoreland,
Beaccr, Lawrence, Allegheny, $c.
The letter
was loudly applauded.
the reading was finished the Convention invited
Col. Black, on motion of Mr. Lowry, to address
t Ko mica i 1 1 i .
l . veiling.
J. i. fctengerc rose to ask the Convention to
incorporate with the proceedings of the fm-
s3 mri iiii" i f tin ntii.i n . w. . r I
vention the letter of Col
Black, which was ac
cordingly ordered
Col. Kccnan concluded his remarks in rela
tion to Col. Black's letter, by moving the nomi-
uauon, oy acclamation, of Wji. Bicleh,
Clearfield, as the Democratic candidate
for ,
uovcrnor oi Pennju-lvnm.i J,;.i .. i.ito
i i
, " . v . ' i o DviViiuvu j
uu caincu unamnMy by the Convention, and
ratified by the populace with the highest dem-
oustratious of devotion and enthusiasm
On motion of J. D. Lect, the Convention pro
ceeded to nominate candidates for Cuual Com
missioner.
Seth Clover.
J. B. Bratton.
W'm. Searight.
Wm. S. Campbell.
George Mcrriman.
James Y. James.
Daniel Kutz.
4Wm. W. Wilson.
C. R, Bell.
J. C. Plumer
G. W. Bowman
A. Snyder
Charles Frailey
David Fister
Jonathan Ayres
John Laporte
The Convention
then proceeded to ballot ns
follows Mr. Forney and Mr. Lowry acting as
tellers:
Ballots.
Clover,
Searight,
J. Alexander nominated
J. Stewart "
1st, 2d. 3d. 4th. 5th.
'27 20 35 38 33
35 3G 36 30 37
23 24 25 23 23
20 20 27 35 24
2 2 3 3 2
4 3 3 3 5
0 5
C G 4 4 2
Bratton,
Campbell,
Mcrriman,
James,
Kutz,
Bell,
In the interim between the ballotings, the
Convention on motion appointed J. S. McCal
mont, J. W Forney, and John Laportea Com
mitteee to wait on Wm. Bigler, of Clearfield,
and inform him of his nomination by the State
Convention, assembled at Reading, as the can
didate of the Democracy of Pcnnsvlvania for
Governor of the State.
Between the fourth and fifth ballots Colonel
Bigler was introduced by the Committee, and
received by the Convention and audience" with
every demonstration of enthusiasm and respect.
When the applause, which lasted several min
utes, had subsided, Col. Bigler rose and said:
You have designatod me as the Democratic
candidate for the office of Governor of my na
tive State. For the manifestation of your
distinguished confidence and high regard, I
thank you most sincerely and through vou
my fellow citizens, of the entire State, whom
von rptircspnt Tho. nr.
you represent. The event, and tho manner of
its consummation, are alike grateful to my feel
ings. The signal unanimity which has charac
terized your proceedings on this point, has
excited in my mind the liveliest sensations of
gratitude, and inspired me with the highest
hopes of the future. I accept this distinguished
honor, gentlemen, in a spirit of most profound
gratitude and humility sensible, deeply sensi-
oio, mai ii nas resulted lar more from the liber
al confidence of my fellow citizens, than from
any merit on my part, or from anr evidence to
be found in my past humble career that I am
competent to discharge the duties of the exalted
station for which you have named me.
But while I am thus gratified w:'th this event,
and deeply grateful to you as the agents of the
people in bringing it about, I am not insensible
of the responsibility, labor and aixiety of mind
which it must necessarily entail apou me in the
canvass ior an election ; nor am 1 unmindful of
the fact, that should your action be endorsed by
the people of the State, I shall find myself but
illy prepared for the high and important trusts
that will thus be confided to m under the Con
stitution; nor can I forget tiat many of my
fellow citizens, whose rights and interests would
be committed to my charge, are more deserving
of the honojs Jiud better qualified to fill the
duties of the station than myself. It is these
considerations more than any other that impress
me with the deepest humility and the strongest
distrust of myself in approaching the responsi
bilities of the canvass before the people, But
I have resolved to enter upon the ordeal of a
contest for the election, and if elected, upon the
duties of the office, with the firm determination
to deal justly towards all men, and to act in
accordance with the dictates of judgment and
conscience, relying upon tho Suidjjje Hnven
and the indulgence and forbearance of my fellow
citizens for support.
May I not congratulate you, my fellow Demo
crats, on the evidence of unity and good feeling
in the Democratic ranks, which are presented in
nearly every county in the Commonwealth, and
nearly every State in the Union. These are the
signs of better and brighter days for our party
and principles. It shall be my couttant aim,
as I have no doubt it will be the desire of every
Democrat within the hearing of my voice, to
extend and. strengthen this unity of feeling until j
it shall have restored the Democracy of the
State and Union to "power and place" until
it shall have raised our flag and our principles
from their present temporary prostration. For
my own part, I have no enemies to punish: all
that was unpleasant and painful in the prelimi
nary steps of the party, in reference to the ac
tion of this body, is forgotten and forgiven by
mo. I shall know no distinction omong Demo
crats -no division or fraction of our party, but
recognize one common, united, harmonious and
enthusiastic Democracy, inspired by a patriotic
determination to maintain and carry out the
great political truths which constitute the basis
of the Democratic creed, as expounded by
Jefferson and Jackson. -
No public service could be so grntcful to my
feelings as that connected with my native State
now more than ever the Keystone of the Fed
eral Arch the home of my ancestors the
centre of all my hopes and attractions. Since
I first observed political events, I have watched
her career with deep anxiety, and have noticed
her rapid growth; the extension of her politic-",
power and influence; the improsti"'
surface; the developcmenL;?' -lUCnt hc
and mineral we.-W- 4lul hcf &a
mm,n.w. u, and the extension of her
--Tith feelings'of profound gratifica
tion. She. has, too, kept pace with her sister
States in advancing the arts and sciences, and
in the construction of public improvements for
the use of her citizens. But I admire her above
all for the general prosperity and happiness
which she affords to the toiling masses of her
people; but still more, if possible, is she to be
admired for her patriotic and unfaltering devo
tion to our glorious National Union. She has
not, it is true, in this brilliant career, been with
out her days of trouble ; she has come up through
many tribulations; she has, on more than one
occasion, within the recollection of the youngest
man in this Convention, encountered the storms
of financial adversity. But the fidelity of her
people has thus far, as it will in future, preserve
her honor untarnished. Through the want of
experience and accountability on the part of her
agdnts, and economy in the uso of her means,
her debt was swelled far above the necessary cost
of her improvements. The facilities for borrow
ing money, about the period 6hc was most deeply
engaged in the construction of these works, con
tributed largely towards the production of this
result. The exercise of an unlimited system of
credit in the individual transactions of the coun
try in the transactions between Banks Corno-
. .1 i"i . . . ' 1 .
i rations and Communities, engendered bv a prod-
jigal emission of paper money constituted the
dements and laid the foundation of a financial
. - . .
hurricane, which shortly after bursted unon the
country with unequalled violence, prostrating
indiscriminately tho innocent with the guilty:
robbing the laborer of his hire and filling the
laud with distress and misery. Before" this
storm. Tennsvl
I to give way. A vain attempt was mn.li in this
crisis, it is true, to supply her wants bv a resort
A ... , 1 " . .i i - -
mereeiicfliriita Dm nnw.ir.,i.r Jli.-.i
' ' J i vi vmt;ii r aa
j
H'i
..i. .iJC rtu uuy unu io aggravate tne
sease; anamis she lay prostrated beneath
I a lunded debt ot 38 millions with a million of
j unpaid interest and over three millions of a do
, mettic debt demandablc at Treasury every day.
j That she could have been honorably extricated
from such a vortex seems almost incredible. , But
- it was accomplished, aad to have had the oppor-
tunity of an humble participation in tbia io.i
ble work, will ever be to me a reminiscence full
of interest and gratification. If elevated to the
high trust for which you have named me, it will
be .my special pride and ambition, as it will be
my duty, as far as in me lies, to relieve our good
old Commonwealth of her present burthens- to
husband her means and guard her honor. True
I am not of that school of political philosophy
which teaches the doctrine that the people can be
made rich and the country prosperous V,v.rr.rn
acts of Legislation, or that the wealth of the
country is to be measured by the paper money
niiivuiuaj uc iuiubuiuiu circulation. All ex
perience has demonstrated, in this country, as
well as in others, the fallacy of this doctrine
and proven that a superabundance of this latter
element never fains to mislead the productive in
dustry of the country, and to be followed by tho
most baneful consequences to society. I think
the wealth of our country consists in the rnor
enterprise and labor of the people tra
ductions of our soil under the genial influence of
our climate, io give tne industrial interests of
the country, therefore, untramelled action with
fair facilities for developing the resources of the
State, with a sound currency and such other re
strictive measures as will guard labor a Painst th
eiibroachments of capital, is about all that can
be done by Legislation. It mav answer th rmr.
poso of the demagogue to profess to accomplish
much more, but the heresy is too transparent to
uijBitruu ci eu me liosi uuii oi comprehension.
May I now call your attention, for a few mo
ments to our common country. This continent
seems to have been reserved by Providence as
the theatre on which to prove man's ability for
self government. This great problem has been
fully solved, and during the experiment the
friends of legitimacy on the Eastern Coutinent,
havelooked on with fear and trembling. Not
only has this great truth been established, by
our experiment, but in its prosn-eKsion it'i..,"L 1
dealt out a greater degree of prosoeritv tn ti.
j Peol,le aud a greater aggregate of happiness to
i laboring masses, and a irrniitr-r t-. ,
masses, anu a irreater r.-m .Jitir r,f
grow in, ana improvement to the couutry, than
has ever marked the career of any other nation
on the face of the earth. In 1008, the first
colony was planted in Virginia, and in 1G"0
the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth a
handful of oppressed humanity, seeking a spot,
however secluded from the balance of the world
where they might enjoy political freedom
where they might worship the God of their
choice under tlieir own vine and fig tree, and
there should be none to molest or make 'them
afraid. The seeds of freedom, sown by these
excited Patriarchs, soon took root and extended
into other parts of the continent. The offspring
of this patriotic band, are soon found in conflict
with the tyranny of the mother country. 1770
finds this an independent Republic, guarantee
ing political and religious freedom to all its
citizens. Since that period to the present, the
growth of the country has been almost magical.
the lo original States, embraced an area of
about 350, U00 square miles, and contained a
population of a little over three millions, not
much exceeding the present population of our
own State, and no more than equaling that of
the great Empire. We now have thirtv-oiiA
States and six territories, with a population of
over iwenty-tnree millions and an ocean boun
dary of over three millions of square miles.
This ratio of increase in population up to the
the close of the present century, would give the
United States a population of 130 millions,
when perhaps, our country will stand in advance
of any other civilized nation, in point of wealth
commerce and military prowess. Even the
great Bear of the North, backed by his horde
of seventy millions, will look upon this picture
with dismay. And yet, notwithstanding the
extension oi our territorial limits, the facilities
Tor transporting persons and intelligence has
kept more than pace with our expanded boun
daries, railroads and telegraph wires the great
extinguishers of time and space, are constantly
drawing these vast extremities into close prox
imity, and promoting that intercourse between
our citizens, which is so essential to their peace
and quiet, and so efficient in removing preju
dice and error. This retrospective view is al
most startling. State after State has been ad
ded to the 13 original Blocks of our National
Pyramid, until its summit completely peers
above the doubts and fears of friends, and the
jeers and taunts of enemies abroad. It stands
like a mighty monument to attest the ability of
man for self Government, a beacon light to the
friends of human liberty in all parts of the
world a cloud by day and a pillar of fire bv
by night, to guide on those patriotic spirits,
who still continue to struggle against the po
litical heresies of the old world.
The American Democracy have had some
thing to do with the foundation and progress of
this mighty structure. The great Democratic
party, more than any other, have appreciated
the true destiny of our country, and favored
those progressive principles which constitute
the great elements of our national success.
While 1 have no disposition at this time to Uis-1
parage or critisise the policy of the organized
opposition which has ever existed against this
party, i caiinoi reirain irom allurpi--
of the issues between thc-w'rl.:""
io some
in which
o1pvaiiu..:rctoraing t0 teachings of
?5&e-r-"i',"was most eminently wrong, and the
I Democracy right, to say nothing of the differ
ences in the organization ot the Government, or
of the monstrocitie committed under the ad
ministration of the elder Adams, and subse
quently wiped out by Mr. Jefferson. Such was
the case in the great struggle for the acquisi
tion of Louisiana in the conflict about the war
of 1S12, and about the war after it had been
declared in the prostration of the United States
Bank in the establishment of the Sub-Treasury
in resistance to the creation of a new Bank in
opposing the distribution of the proceeds of the
public lauds in resisting the adoption of the
bankrupt law; in the annexation of Texas; in
the war with Mexico; in the acquisition of Cali
fornia; In maintaining the just and constitution
al rights of all sections of the Union and exten
ding equal encouragement and protection to all
the great interests of the country, and to all
classes of the people, with exclusive privileges
to none. It is to the history of these events
and doings, and to the prosperity of the coun
try when under their charge, that the great
Democratic party of the nation can appeal for
vindication of its career, and for evidence of the
wisdom and justice of Democratic policy. These
party differences, however, my friends are not
to be complained of. They are the legitimate
offspring of our republican institutions. This
opposition to the Democratic party proceeds
from our fellow-citizens, equally with us inter
ested in the prosperity of the country, and no
doubt equally anxious to promote what they
conceive to be her true interests.
The past history of the country is full of les
sons of wisdom and admonition, and he is a
fool, who will not consult the teachings of ex
perience. The future is bright, and full of hope,
though not unclouded, aud we should consult
the past, to learn how to remove this small re
maining cloud in the future. The ordeal in
which our glorious Union has been struggling
for some time past, is not yet fully cleared.
The distant notes of discontent we still hear,
like the receding surges of a mighty sea. The
Haven of safety is not fully attained on the one
hand, nor has the Rubicon been entirely passed
on the other. The crisis is 6till critical, and
calls for the exercise of great prudence, of skill,
of love, of justice, and of firmness on the part
of those who arc now at the helm of our ship of
atatc. it wcii oirectca ene wm weather the
storm; if unskillfully managed, she may possi
bly be stranded. Seventy-five years ago she
was launched on tho troubled waves of political
experiment, with half mast9, chattered 6ides,
open seams, tattered canvass, with dissensions
in the crew. While ihus weak and her crew in
experienced, she encountered the waves of pre
i .... . . .
juaice ana aoubt, and ever and anon the mignty
i i - . .
oieuKcrs oi monarchical hostility, iter very
neim, ana canvass, and crew, are demanded by
British insolence. But she glides on and floats
On. iSlie next mnnntg ! hillntra lrtornol
dissensions fomented at Hartford, the head
winds of nullification threaten her with the loss
of a star from her flag; she next encounters the
adverse winds and breakers of States Rights,
Territorial PJghts, and the Extension of slavery.
The violence and confusion of this storm well
nigh unmanned her seamen; her canvass is fret
ted by the breeze; her majestic masts bow to
the resistless winds, and her vast proportions
are played with by the "raging billows." The
alarm came all hands to the rescue was the
common cry, and he who had heretofere rested
on his couch, came; and he who had inclined to
mutiny, came; and he who had differed with his
fellow sailor, came; these all united their efforts;
they subdued and bound the disobedient and
turbulent of the crew, righted the masts, adjus
ted the canvass, and guided the glorious old
ship of Stato to the haven of safety not quite.
She is in full view, however, "masted, and can
vassed, and flagged," as was never vessel seen
before. Her sides are sound, her bottom well
coppered, and her helm works well. She extends
her cable for the shore, and there is but one
bar, and that a sand bar, in the way of her ap
proach. Who, let me ask, with an American
heart in him, will stand by and see her stranded
on this? Who will not reach out his hand for
that cable? Who will not sacrifice a tith of
his peculiar notions and interests to bring this
glorious vessel safe into harbor? To maintain
in good faith, my fellow-citizens, the letter aud
spirit of the several measures of Compromise,
as adopted by the late Congress as a final ad
justment of the vexatious slave controversy, as
i am aeterminea to uo, as the democracy of the
whole Union are constrained to do, may be to
reach for the cable, and to tie the old vessel up
safe in harbor.
Then, fellow-citizens, whether I be called to
the distinguished station for which, in your
profuse partiality you have named me, or
whether 1 remain an humble citizen of an ob
scure corner of this State, mv efforts shall b
directed towards the perpetuity of our Union of
siates. ihe countless blessings of its continu
ance, I have no languare to describe. The
horrors of its prostration are too frightful to be
contemplated. We should regard it as the pearl
above all price venerate it as the Ark of our
political Covenant, which cannot be touched
without being desecrated. ' I know no North
and no South, no East and no West but one
grand entire country, and in the language of a
distinguished American statesman, "1 go for
the Union first and last, one and inseparable,
now and forever."
The Convention then resumed its business.
Mr. Hale withdrew the name of Mr. Wilson,
and after the 2d ballot Mr. Kutz was withdrawn.
Mr. Barret moved the appointment of a Com
mittee on Resolutions, and proposed a Commit
tee of 5. Mr. Lowry proposed to make it 33,
equal to the number of Senators. Mr. Sterigere
offered a compromise, and proposed 9, which,
after a short debate, was agreed to.
The Convention then, at 12J o'clock, adjourn
ed till 2 o'clock, P. M.
Aflcmooii Session.
The Convention metat 2 o'clock. R. A.
Laniberton was admitted os substitute for Mr.
Brubacker of Dauphin.
Committee on Resolutions. G. R. Barret, G.
F. Mason, G. W. Bowman, F. W. Hughes, C.
H. Ilutter, J. B. Sterigere, J. S. JcCalmout,
Wm. A. Galbraith, Geo. M. Lauman.
On motion, then resumed the
Canal Commissioner, as follows:
balloting
fur
ith
95
38
Cth
Clover, 41
Searight. 41
Bratton. 24
7th
55
40
32
Sth
GO
45
.)
Campbell, 11
."errimau, 2
James, 3
Bell, 1
The Chair then announced Seth Clover, of
of Clarion, as the Democratic nominee for Canal
Commissioner, which wa3 on motion unani
mously confirmed and greeted with applause.
-Vessrs. Hastings, Innes and Hummer were ap
pointed a committee to wait on Seth Clover, to
acquaint him with his nomination.
inc subject of appointing aStateCentr.il
CommiewasJiheft-taken Up' anddebated as to
the manner of appointment and the number of
the committee. After a long conversational
debate, participated in by Jessrs. Laporte,
Sterigere, Fraily, Lowry, Plumer, of Westmore
land, JcCalmont, Hale, and JcCamnon, it was
determined to appoint a committee of nine.
G. F. Jason offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the next meeting of the State
Convention be held at Ilarrisburg, on the 4th of
March next.
Mr. McDonough moved to amend by inserting
Reading.
Mr. Vandyke moved to amend further by
striking out all names and inserting Philadel
phia. Amendment to amendment lost.
Amendment lost.
. Resolution to meet at Ilarrisburg on the 4th
of March next, carried.
Mr. Rice ottered the following resolution of
thanks to the people and authorities of Read
ing. Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention
is hereby cordially tendered to the Commiss
ioners of the county of Berks for the use of
their Court House, and to the citizens of Read
ing, for the kind and hospitable treatment ex
tended to us during the deliberations off this
Convention.
The Committee to wait on Seth Clover to in-J
form him of his nomination, reported that they
had 6een him, and that he accepted the nomi
nation, and regretted his inability to attend the
Convention and make his acknowledgments in
person.
I regret to say that Mr. Clover is confined to
his room.
The President announced a ratification meet
ing for the evening in front of the Court House
4 p. m. Recess for half an hour.
On the re-assembling of the Convention, the
main business being then disposed of, a com
mittee of one from each Congressional District
was appointed to report resolutions. The Com
mittce eoou after reported unanimously a ecries
of resolutions, thoroughly national la
character, which were adopted by the Conv
tion
oy acclamation. Ihe following .
resolutions:
Resolved, That the time Las arrived
not only the prosperity of the people hn T,va
preservation of our blessed Unicn reouirw l
the Democratic party, in all iu measures y
strictly and faithfully adhere to the fuidaL
tal principles established by its wise patri
and glorious founders; and among the most i
portant of these principles we may enumemt
strict construction of the Constitvt'oa of tt
United States, a total abstinance on the tart r
Concress from the exercise of n hv. v0'
ers; a sacred regard for the rights reserved"
the Sovereign States of which the confrtlJ!?
is composea; an absolute non-interference
the people of the several States, with the d
, . - -v-mcniif
mesuc institutions pecunar to each; and a ri T
economy in the expenditure of the taxes raiT
from the people, confining the tenr,;..:
of public money by Congress to national biectV
plainly authorized by. the Constitution. '
resolved, That had these vital rrir,;,.r.. .
Democracy been faithfully observe! in V-
ministration of the National Government sinr
me aavent ot the Whigs to power on the 4th rf
March, 1849, we should not now witness t
spirit of discord and alienation -whirl, .t
ent prevails between the north .mrf
the question of domestic slavery threaten.
should ve have occasion to deplore the enor
mous api ropriations of public money, approach
ing. in a time of peace, to the war standard of
cxpcnd.ture and endangerinz an entiil
our posterity of the fatal
uuVU
incubus of a perma-
nent national debt.
Resolved, That the Democratic partv 0f
Pennsylvania are true to the Union, the CW
tution and the laws, and will faithfully observe
and execute, so far as in them lies, all the mea
sures of Compromise adopted by the late Con
gress, for the purpose of settling the question
arising out of domestic slavery, and this not only
from n eiwco r.t ,J..... , . . J
.. r;. , us ed citizens of
the republic, but also from the kind and frater
nal feelings which they cherish towards their
brethren ot the slaveholding States
Resolved, That the Sixthsectionof the Acttf
the Leg.slature of Pennsylvania, passed on the
od of March, 184, denying under severe penal-
L? Pe ,f our state Jails for the detention
ot tiijntive slaves. whil nvm-tin.
ought to be expunged from our Statute books
both because it interposes obstacles, by means
of State legislation, to the execution of the pro
visions of the Constitution of the United States
and because it is a virtual disregard of the prin
ciples of the compromise, and is calculated se
riously to endanger the existence of the Union.
Resolved. That the matter of levying duties
n foreign imports by the general Government,
we are m favor of lli3 reciprocal interchange of
our products with the other nations of the earth
in consonance with the enlightened spirit of the
age, recognizing clearly the practice of the
Government to maintain and preserve in fud
vigor and safety, all the great industrial pur
suits of the ountry.
Resolved, That in Col. William Bigler, our
candidate for Governor, we recognize a Ioiir
tried. nb!e and faithful Democrat, in whom the't
is no guile, and a man, who by his own pre
eniiixnt merit, has risen to the exalted posi
tion which he now holds in the affection and re
spect of his fellow-citizens. We hail him as the
worthy representative and chosen standard bea
rer of our great and glorious principles, and
pledge ourselves to do battle for the cause of
Democracy under his banner, until we shall
achieve a signal victory and redeem the Key
stone State from the misrule of its present Whi"
Governor.
Resolved, That we will cordially support the
election of Seth Clover, as Canal Oommi3Sioner,
believing him to be an able, hf-nest, and incor
ruptible Democrat, and well qualified to dis
charge the duties of that important and highly
responsible office.
After the passage of the resolutions, the dis
posal of some incidental concluding business,
and a good speech from the President. Judge
Gillis, the Convention adjourned sine d e.
HUnmn seitiTil
ANDREW J. RHEY, EDITOR.
EBEXSBURG, PA.
Thursday June 12, 1S51.
t. TIIE "SEXTIXEL,- has much the largat
circulation of ant paper published in this county
and ai an advertising sheet offers superior induct
ments to merchants and business men n.-mll,,
Thoc dexirout of vaiingvre ot this medium for
exn w.j,.. tuetr ousmess, can do so by either sending
tinr : utrect. or throuah the fallf.
J '', Crouse, Krq., Johnstotcn.
V. H. Palmer, Esq., Xew York. Philadrlohio.
and Baltimore.
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATIONS.
FOR GOVERNOR,
WILLIAM BIGLER,
OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
TOR CANAL COMMISSIONER,
SETH CLOVER,
OF CLARION COUNTY.
Democratic County Convention,
The Democratic citizens of Cambria county
will meet at the election houses in their several
townships and Boroughs, on SATURDAY the
28th day of June inst., for the purpose of elec
ting two delegates from each election district,
to meet in County Convention at the Court
House in the borough of Ebensburg, on TUES
DAY the 1st day of July next, whose duty it
shall be to nominate a ticket to be supported by
the Democracy of the county at the ensuing fall
election.
The polls will be kept open in each election
district from two until six o'clock P. M. in or
der to afford every democrat an opportunity of
voting.
By order of the County Committee,
JAMES MURRAY, Chairman.
June 5th 1851.
The proceedings of the Reading Dem
ocratic Convention occupy the entire in
side .of this week's paper. We are confi
dent that nothing could,be published more
congenial to the wishes of our subscribers,
and in our next issue we shall attend to all
matters necessarily postponed. Head the
proceedings, and resolve in your own tnin
to go for the nominees of th partyt
all your strength and influence.