Democratic State Convention

MORNING SESSION. The delegates to the Democratie Stilte Convention met at Young Men's Hall Weduesday morning. Tlie aseembly w;i3 colled tp order nt eleven o'clock, by S. I). Elwood, ehairman of the Stnte Central Cenunitteo. E. II. 1 Thomson, of Fuut, was nominuted as tetnporary ehairnian. On taking the ehair Mr. Thomson eaid he was deeply impressed vvith the honor conferred upon him. It had been unsplicited, and two minutes tince it was entircly UJiexpecUd by hiin. It was uhnjeceesttry for hitn to state for wbat pnrpose the convention had met. He savv around him men wïth whom for more than a quarier cf a century he had been conneeted in the ranksof demoeraoy. By sueh men, the objects of the meeting must be understood. - IJe was here to Dséist in perfecting thé incipient orgöniza+ion of the convention. The state of the country is well understood, anditis unnecessary to state tlio causes that have bróught this country to its present condition. We have armed rebellion at the South. We have aboülionists at tlie Noith who are stiiving, as weli is the seeessionists of the South, toovertnrn tho constitution, and thus destroy the government. lie knew no difference between the bydra-headod treasoD of anr.s at the South, or of speech at tho North. it is our duty to Iay down those who are waning North or South, against the governmeut, to ];i y them upon their backs to look up and implore forgiveness of beayen, for their treason, if' such damnable treason can be forgiven. (Loud eheerS.) A few monthe ago we possessed a happy country, a government than which none is better. The question is, shnll it be destroyed or rent in Iwain by treason? He feit assured that whiitever be the delibérntiohs of the convention it would be guided for the good of the whole country, and based on constitulional grounds. It was unnecessary to point out Ihe direction their action shoifid take. Those present knew thei'e was but one object to carry out, that was the preservntiou of the constitution as our fathorf have frained it. (Immense appJauee). At the conclusión of his remarks, the ch air man called the meeting to order, and on motion of VV. A. fiichmond, of Kent, E. D. Burr, of Grand Rapids, was chosen secretary. W. L. P. Little, of Snginaw, moved the appoinfment of a committee on credentials, who should al.-so norninate officere for the permanent orgaoization of the convention. Johnson Nilcp, of Oakland, moved to aniend by allowing the convention to nomínate by ballot. Ghauncey Joalin, of Washtenaw, spoke in favor of the amendment. He eaid he was not in favor of committing to the hands of any one man the organization of the democratie partv of the State. He entered his protest against any such proceeding. The amendment was acceptcd by tho mover of the question. J. P. Cook, of Hillsdale, moved as an amendment that the committee report permanent officers with tho exception of President. The amendment was lost and the original motion as first amended was adopted. The ohairman appointed as commit tee on credentials : W. L. P. Little, of Saginaw; Dr. J. M. Iloyt, of Oakland; C. E. Stuart, of Kalarnazoo; W. A Richmond, of Kent; J. P. üook, of Hillsdale ; E G. Morton, of Monroe; W. A. Moore and D. A. Goodwin, of Wayne. A moíion was put and carried that the body of tho hal! be set apart for the exclusive use of delegates, and that the galleries be appropriated to the spectators. The convention adjourned to meet at 2 o'clock. AFTERNOON SESSION. At two o'clock the convention was called to order by the chainnan, E. H. Thomson. Tho first business in order being the report of the committee on credentials, W. L. P. Little, ohairman of the committee, reportod list of delegates present, The report of tho oommittee was accepted and adopted. The convention then proceeded to a formal ballot for President, which resulted as follows : II. H. Riley, 214; E. H. Thompson, 212; N. A. Balob, 15; D. Johnson, 12; E. H. Lothrop 2; G. W. Pcck, 1. The ballot not resulting in an election, the convention proceeded to a second formal ballot, with the following result: H. H. Riley, 318; E. II. Thomson, 199. H. H. Ililey, of St. Joseph, was then declared uuaniiuously elected President of tho convention. Messrs. Lothrop, of St. Joseph, and Eedfield, of Wayne, were appointed to conduct the President to the chair. The President said on taking the chair: Gkntlemen of tiib Convention - I am not insensible to the honor conferred upon me by my election to the office of President of this convention. It gives me great pleasure to meet once more in a delibérate body men who, in timos past, through all the changos of party, have ever remained firm to those cardinal principies upon which our government is founded, and has for so many years of its existence been admimstered. And now, when all our energies are suinmoned to meet the great nationid crisis which overshadows us, we still turn to the constitution as our hope, and the great ■ tivo barrier between northern abolitionism and southern secessionism, and the only salvation of the country. We are not an anti-slavery party, nor a pro slavery party, but a constitutional party. Let usgo f'cnvard then, full n'thè faith of the past, remembering, first and last, our principies, our country, our whole country and iiothiug but our country. On motion of Mr. Stuart, of Kalamazoo, a committeo consisting of one from each Congressional district was appointod to report the ñames of four persons from ench district who shnll act as Vico Presidents of the Convention. Tho President appointed the following committee : First district, I). Johnson ; eecond district, A. II. Redfield ; third district, O. E. Stuart ; fourth district, Gyrus Peabody. The committeo reportcd (he following Yice Presidenta: Titus Port,' H. A. ÏTaydun, Ira B Gard, i Joseph Sraith, Miles Öoule, E, W. 1 itt, Stephen Reeves, and A. Thnyer. - They also reportcd the following Secretarios : Wm. A. Moore, W. II. Cleveland, Henry Chamberlain, and Charles D. Little. The Vice Presidents and Secretarles then took their seats upon the platform aud the convention proceedcd to business. Mr. Blackman, of Cass, moved thal a committco of threo from each Congressional district bc appcinted to report a series of resolutions to bc acted upon by the convention. Mr. Joslin, of Washtenaw, moved that the coinmittee bc instructcd to have a thousand copies of the resolutions printed for eirculation among the members of the convention. He said he had Bat licre for the last timo to voto on a series of resolutions read from the plat form without the chance of reading and inwardly digesting them. At such a time as this, wben, porhaps, the destiny of the nation mav bang upon & single word, he was not prepared to vote hastily on this important subject. There had been timos when ho was willing to vote for any resolution that might be reported by a committoc, but uow is not the time for such hasty action. G. W. Peck, of Inghani, was iu favor of hiiving the committeo report in print. Ile wanted every man to scrutinizc what he was to vote apon. It was custoinary in large bodies of this character, to have tlie resolutions laid upon the table of each member, so that they might fuily understand them. The importanco of these resolutions at this time must be fully understood. The convention must take no step without fully understanding its import. The amondment of Mr. Joslin, together with the original resolution, was adopted. On motion, ITon. Lewis Cass, Hon. F. T. Littlojohn, Ilon. Ross Wilkins, Hon. B. F. II. Witherell, and Hon. A. D. Fraser were invited to scats upon the platform. The President announoed tbc following a tbc conunittee on resolutions: A. II. Ecdfiuld, C. Joslin, O. W. Bcnnett, C. H. Dewey, E. II. Lothrop, E. O. Morton, C. E, Stuart, Fred. Hall, R. Twombley, E. H. Thomson, W. L. P. Little, and O. H. Palmer. E. H. Lothrop, of St. Joseph, offered a resolution that it is inoxpedient at this time to nomínate candidates for State offieers to be supported at the fall election. The resoltion was adopted almost unanimously. speech ot; irov. f. j. litilejoiix. Hon. F. J. Littlejohn being upon the platform,was loudly called for. He came forward and addressed the convention substantially as follows : Gentlemen of the Conventioii and Fcllnw-Citizens : Deeming it due to my official station, I have for the past four years, abstained from attending politica! conventions. I even deelined being a delégate to this convention. But when the time arrived, I was irresistibly impelled in this direetion, I became an unrepining captive to my own feelings ; a voluntary prisonor to a truly intensified interest in all public movements, touchiog our national peril, and the vexed problein of a safe, happy, and honorable dcliverance thercfrom. I came, ho wever, as an outsider, a silent observer, iutending, nevertheless, if need bo, to whisper in some frieudly ear, words of peaca and harmony, words of calmness and caution, and words of hope, of manly courage and high rcsolvc ; and above all to point unceasingly to the precepts and oxamples of '70, aud to the ancient ways our fathers trod. By the partiality of old-time friends, and the indulgenco of the couvention, I have been suddenly foisted upon this platform, and constituted, pro hoc vies one of your number. Now that I ara hore, standing in tbis noble presènco, I have no excuse to urge, no apology to offer, and no special justification to plead for being present, or taking part m your deliberations. The country and the times alike demand, and the government may rightfully claim, the cordial and united support of all Unionloving citizens. Claiming to have steadfastly oecupied that position, and deeming the present a fitting occasion for the spontaneous pledge of fealty to rightful authority : I intend, witbin my sphere, to both speak and act freeli, as becomes a loyal American citizen - fearlessli, as becomes a northern demoerat - and patriotiealhj, as becomes one born under the shelter of our national flag - whose happiness it bas been, for long yoars, to fondly gaze upon the increasing brcadth and undimmed lustre of the stars and stripes, and vvliose present aims and future hopos are all centered in the perpetual gl-ory, the immortal vigor of the Federal constitution and Union as our fathers inade them. In the few remarks I may have the honor to submit, it will be my object to avoid trenching upon ground more properly assignable to regular members of the eonvention, and to content myself with isolated points, practical suggestions, and gleanings by the wayside. I have no present purpose to descant upon the remóte or even proximate causes whioh have precipitated upon our. government and people this unnatural, but most formidable rebollion. For woary montbs we have been in the midst of the sweat and blood and mortal agony of an internecino war ! A thousaud traitorous dagcers are yet flashing and gleam ing at the throat of the Union ! Let us first ward off, strike down, aud wrench away these murderous weapons ! This done, acd all discussion of cause and ef fect may provo useless. The sittcs of treason's forge will then be made manifest. For, like the pites of " Ossowatomie Brown," the manufactureras mark will be found on haft and Made, " This much is clear. The virus of tbis wide-spreading treason is neither traceaable nor cbargeable to any legitímate action of the general government. For four-fifths of a century that govornment had wcll performed its functions, moving within the circle of its delegated powers, and faithfully observing its constitutional obligations, No American citizen East or West, North or South, can honestly stand up before high Hcaven, and right fully accusc that government of injustice, oppreesioB, or even incquality in the be stowmeut of its national bonofactions. The attempt to drag into this bloody issue queütions of Southern States' rights, which have never been by the government invaded, or the seeurity of southern institutions, with which no admtnistration bad interfered, is vain and illusory. - Equally unfounded is the ohargc that government had infringed upon the liberties or trespassed upou tho francb6es of northern froomen. Tho causes of this war, when properl sought for, will be ultimateiy found in aggressioD, eitber fancicd or real, frou without the government oircle ; in tho morbid feolings engendered by the clash ings of abstract theorios, and the fiorce antagonisms of soctiouaí political ideas Theoriesessentially and absurdly ground lcss; and ideas, on tho one hand, diamet rieally opposed to the fiat of nature aut providential economy, and on tlio other subversive of the fundamental principies the expross guaranties, and the soletan compacta of the constitution itself. ïlius, thon, our goverumeut stood - the freest, the mildest, the most perfect on earth - dispcusing all its bencfactions lino the dews of'hoaven, upon all orders, classes and conditions of citizens, and literally radiating happincss and prospsrity from the center to the cxtremities of this mighty republie. And this, too, at the uery moment when armed rebellion underlook its foul dishonor and lasting overtlirow - ruthlessly clutching at the heartstrings of tho Uuion, rending asunder the stripes, and wrcncliing off' star after star from our national banner. In its baso ingratitude - its unmitigated dcpravity- its iinmeasurable wickedness - its unbridled insolenoc - and its greedy, blood-lapping forocity, this American rebellion has no historie parallel, but has its archetype, and, God grant, its antepast„nn the crime and retribution of the rebel angels as they woro in Milton's version, ünally routcd and hurled from the battlements of heaveu. In this 3Ívil war thus ruthlcssly thrust cpon us, all the attributes of our highcr nature - all the holy instincta of pitriotisrn - all our precious memories of the past, and our glorioua hopes for the future take sidos vvith tho governmest, and cluster around the President. No matter upon what pnlitical platform he stoad whilst solicitiag the snffrages of the people. No matter by whom he was elected, or by what majority. It is enongh for ns to know that ho is lawfully in tho Presidential ehair, under the provisión of the constitution and the forma of law; and that, bcing there, he invokes our aid tf saatain the go vera ment, to uphold the eonstitution, to defend the Union, and to tnaintain thé supremacy of the laws. This must bo done, at any cost, and all needed sacrifice of blood and treason. The issue thrust upon us by this foul rebellion must be pressed to the bitter end. All our material and moral energies must bc gathered up and hurled wiih crushing force upon this pestilent domestic. foe. When rebels iav down iheir arme, and furnish evidence of unconditional submission to law and rightful autbority, tho war should cease, and compromiso and conciliation accoinpany the olive branch of' penco. For, we are to remember that thousands of loyal citizens occupy to-day the soil that has been cursed with this rnania of secession, - this hideous leprosy of treason; whilst thousanda more of their neighbors, misled, be wildered, and cheated into treason, would gladly now crave amnesty and forgiveness for the past, and a re baptism with tho spirit and power of regenorated loyalty. And, again, we aro especinüy to remember that wo are dealing with States having equal rights of sovereiijnty and independence with the firmest in 'loyalty of our number; States that, aince their first admission, have Bever been one moment outside the circle of the Union - absolved from the binding forco of the constitution, or ejected from " the Eagle Family." The articles of confederation imported a perpetual league. Tho constitution was exprossly framod " to forra a more perfect Union," and, by the forco of the terms employed, it beoarne, in logic and in fact, endowed with theattribute of perpotuity. There are but two contingencies upon the occurrence of which a State may be set at liberty from the obain of tho Union. The one :a an amicablo dissolution of that Union by a fair majority voto of the American people; and the other, a violent disruptioa by a buccessful revolution based upon actual governmental grievances, Aside from the occurrence of one of these events, a State can no inore secede from the Union by its own voliticn than a planet, chained to our solar syetem by the eternal laws of matter, can swing out from its orbit and career away through space, or select an independent centre pi motion. If, then, a State is thus örmly vvoldod to the constitution and the Union, tho rights of her loyal citizens are as firmly engrafted thereon, and embedded thero in. Whon the Roman Republie had culminated its greatnoss, the simple cry, "I arn a lloman citizen " had power, in her distaot provinces, to nnlock the prison doors, ungird the mnnacled limbs, and restore tho vested righfs of her humbleat freeman. So with us to-duy. You may punish the individual, or forteit his property rights, tor crimes eommitted and judioiilly provcd. But you cannot rightfully invade the l'ife, liberty or property of the loyal citizen of even South Carolina. You cannot degrade him from the proud level of citizenship. You may not with impunity attempt to rob him of the jewels of State sovoreignty, equality and independence, or filch away his right to the protective banefits of a State organization, constitution, and local laws. And if Congross inclines to hazard the sxperimont of doling out to a loyal citizen the pittance of franchises awarded to a provincial subject, and óf dvvarfing dowfl his ïnanhood to the stature of a serf, they will iind the cry : " I ara i;n Amerioan citizon " clothed with even inoro than Roman power. No ! This is neither a war for thethraldom of loyal citizens, nor yet a war for reducing sovereign States to menial provincea. When the shadow of this terrible rebellion shall lift before tho advancintr column of our Union army, loyal citf zens will resume the reins of governrnent again. Constitutions, local laws and domostic institutions, not lapsed, but simply suspended, will be restored as of yoro. Tho glory of our old fiag will flash out again, undimmed by the loss or obscuration of a single star. Tho radical change in our government so fondly anticipated by some, will nev.er occur. No central despotism will be inaugurated at Washington. - No blazing pu of centralizod power will rise over our capital to scorch up tho ohannels of' freeborn enterpriso at the North, or throw ita lurid, blasting beams over dosolated fields and ted hoarUistones nt the South. The mud eftulgenoe, - tho gem-likc radianee of our galaxy of stars wil] never palo away befbre any such fiery lumirmry. No ! The old constitution and tlio old Union of our fatherg shall stand, and stand foreverl We will ding to them as fondly as metnory clings to cbildhond's scènes. We wi!l eling to them witb the tenacity of the ivy entwining tbesturdy oak. Wp will oling to them with tho despairing enorgy oí the storm-wreckod mariner to his life bont. But grant that our victorious army wil] som) sweep the land of armed rebellion, that unconditiomd submission to Federal authority ghall bo overywhere exhibited ; grant that the hundreds of thousands of citizen soldiers shall have left the army lines to resume their accustomed peaceful avocations ; that martial law shall have disappeared, and tho military bocome subservient to the civil power. Mueh will hnve been accomphshed, but more will remain still uniiriitshed. The grcat work of cducating our pcoplc back in.'o a Jraternalunion will requiro tho patiënt, persistent efforts of all patriot, philanthropists and Christians. Let us but essay tho task, nnd we shall thon discover how feariully our nat;on has driffced from tho aneborage ol both constitutional and municipal law. How vvide has been our departure from the brotherhood of our fathers, and what a frightiul gulf of envy, malice, hatred and all uncharita bienes, tiow yavvns from the Atlantic to the Paeifio aeross that fair heritago our sires bequeathed to us. To bridgo over that gulf, by the lessons of peaee, forbearance and mcrcy, by acts of conciliation and doeds of kindness, to restore tlmt brotherhood to the old time fraternal ntimacy by social ntercourse and Christian charity, and to bring back the heaving and tossing fabric of danaoralized society to the old anchorage ground of obediencetolaw, and reverenco for civil authority, " II ie labor, hoc opus est." For twenty-five years havo men, like pestilent rats, applied theinselves assid uously to the task of gnawing asunder, one by one the ties of oonsnnguily, tho loves of kindred, the amenities of social ntercourse, the cordialitie of frieadship, the ondearmont of Christian communion, and tho genial knot of common material interest iu tho present, and common hopes for the future. These were the strands oomposing the strong bond of fraternal unión Bpoa which our republican institutions must rest, and without uhich our wholo social fabric must crumble to its fall. E ver y thread, every fibre, every ligament of that bond of union must bu renewed, replaced and firmly entwieted and strunded again, ero its tightetiing folds shall successfully bind, as of vore, the extremities of this republic to its center, and that center to freedom. - As the logical and inevitable result of this antagonism in place o{ brotherhood, this antipathy in Iieu of friendship, and this malignant hatrod tor Christian charity, men Slactëiïed their hold upon law and lost their revcronco lor civil authority. A leaáing axiom in our Dticlaration of Independenoe 'was pronounccd at the South, a ihetorical flourish without foundation in fact, whilst the oonstitution itse'f has been long and public'y deuounced at tho North as a " a covenant with heil !" Beyond this, ignorant and depraved men in both sections, !,ave openly scoffed at the binding forcé and obligasions of law; whilst at the ïiortb, striplings in learning, neophytos in polkies, and tyros in jurisprudenca, have joered at adjudioations by our highest CQurts, and aided in placing on the statute books of a dozen State?, enaccments desigued lo nulliíy the provisions and obstruct the e'ocution ot valid Federal laws of the Union. Who shall say, then, that the culminating point of our national safotv and glory had not already been renched and paseed before tho socessiou ordinance of South Carolina? Who shall presume to date tho period of " a Uqíod dissolved " as recently as the assault upon our flag at Fort Suuipter? Long ere that the elenients of ruin were rife in the land. This war is hut, an ujheavat, an oulbursl of lava, from the volcanic firts bdowl Happy for ;:s if ite desolating march shall ise ai-rested, ere wild disorder and feaiful anarchy shall hold bigh carnival in our midst ! The Iesson is this, aa you will find it along tho track of time, graven upon the mouldering sepulchres of eStinct nationalities : Prosperity will not visit, and peace will not resido wlth that püoplo, wherever fburul, who habitually mock at law and despise civil auhority. This picture is no illusiou of fa;:cy - it is no ohirnera of a dislempered )rain ! It is the üfe-like, warm and )alpitatiog imago of rnany a bloody original. Pardon me a moment longer on this point, whilo speaking from reojllection, but, Ibeiievo, with historical accuracy : When the laws of " the Saba men" oi Persia ceased to bo regarded, and their decisions to be roHpeeted, the scepter departed from the race. Wben "the Oriental Magi" lost the monarch's ear in Babyion, and ceased to dispense justice at her gates, the throno topplad to its fall, and tho Assyrian government pa?3ed away, When tho coun8els of Longinus woro overruled, and his laws no longer heedcd by the hauglity lords of Palmvra, that'monstrous city, vvho3e gilded temple of the sun rivalod the nconüde eflulgenco of that grand luminary,' feil beoeatli the fierco assault of Roman legious, and her captivo Queen, Zenobia, was lod in ohains to grace tho conqueror's triurnph. When the laws of Lycurgus were lost to Sparta, she lost hërself.-Whon turbulent Jowish faotiona refused to have their Sanhedrimjexpound tho books of the Hobrew law, Jerusalem was sacked und the nation perished. When tho Areopagus of Athens abdioated their high judicial functions and allowed the mob to adjudgo hor pbilosophets worthy of death, Athens hersolf perished, and üreece passed into history. And when tho populaco trampled upon the law of' the twelve tables, and tho decrees of tho Romen Senate were pow.;rles.i ngainst mob violonco on tho Quirinal, tho glory of the land of Cicero, Marcellus arul Oíito suffored a total eclipse, and 'the tn?selated pavemonts oí tho Eternal City resounded to the tumultueus tramp of her Vandal conqnerors. Bhall the admonitions of the past Rtill fall upon the unheeding American car? Símil our misguided footsteps continuo to " take hold" on national death ? lias not the time now fully come when we, as a people, will listen to the expostulation, tho prophetic tcachings of Washington ? Is thero nothing in the deep tolling, the startliug peala oí JefFerson's "fire-bell by night" to arouse us to new energy, and unitcd effort ? Let us retraco our steps, and regain the road which alone leads " to Union, liborty and peace !" Let us reviait the ancient ways onr fathors traversen1. Let us re-adopt their creed of governmental faith, and at least imítate, if we cannot equal, their exalted patriotism. Let us again act upon their quaint but expressive motto, "JEsle sacri leges, et stare decisie," - let tiie lir.va be held in reverenco, and the deoisíons oí our oourts stand firm ! Questions oí paramount importance are now being thrust upon us at overy rnovement of our army. Their practical and satislactory solulion can only bo found in a resort lo the principies uaderlyjng the whole struoture oi our government, if the polioy to be inaugurated contemplatos thu maintenance of the old system, tha old constitution and Un'on. The evidences are overwhelming that the northern public will divide, as heretofore, and that, too, upon the very toat of tho LMjfernment as now administered. To a considerable section of the republican party, and especially to those who assume to champion its principies, the poücy of President Lincoln in his close adhesión to the constitution, in his unshaken fidelity to the Union, in his expressed anxiety to act under law, and in his conduct of the war, with a solé reference to its only legitímate object, has been highhj displvasing. And now that the question is made.as to wbat shall be the status of the government and the Union when peace is restored, maoy of those same leaders, and the radical abolítion prees, with Greeley's Tribune at the head, boldly ignore the old cnnstiiution, and repudíate tho old Union. This question must be roferred to and settled by the people. lt is evident, the:i, that a reBort to tho ballot-box must be had. Party orgariizations must be ronewel and party platforms adopted, at least so far as to test the fealty of voters to the time-honored work of our fathers. Thero can be no neutral, no muidle ground on this issue. Men must now arrange themselves politically either for or aguinst tho old Union. The new governrnent flag is already unfurled with its disunicn and troasonable motto, "No Union with SlaveholJers." lts adherents are, therefore, not only hostile to tho old constitution and Unicn, but are and hare been all along hostile to the President and his adtering Cabinet - hostile to tha policv of the war - hostile to the retention of tho border States in the Union, and hostile to all our cbnservative Generáis and troops - exulting in none of our battlcs foughtsince Buil Run and Ball's Bluft', ind sorely chagrined at our gplendid victories recently achieved, Bince their évident téndency is to bring peace to our borders by tho restoration of the Union as ït was. As this same radical class havo hitherto rnanifested an equal repugnance to any peaceablo soparation between the free and the slave States, it is evident that their desire and design frora the the start has been to force the war into one oí conquest and subjngation - to drive oat the adhering border States - thon to declare a foríoiture, by fifteen States of this Union, of all their rights of equaüty, sovereignty and independenco ; to wipe out all their organic and municipal laws and institutions, to emancipóte tho slaves, to reduce and degrado the loyal vvhito citizens to the same poiitical and social status, tind tlien, from the central throno at Washington, to govern the whole as nal depondencies. We ut the North have had faitb in the loyalty aiidUnion-lovingsentiments of the conservativo wing of the republiean party. How large a section of that pa.ity is thus aboütionized we know not. That conservativo meu of that party can no longer fraternizo or stand upon the platform with these disunion radicáis, we readily believe. With j auch affiliatioD and such a creed, it will ! be mpossible for them, even nominally, to prutend to stand by President Lincoln, as he stands by the constitution and tlie Union. We hold it settled, then, that the repubiican party stands virtually rent in twain - a house dividod against itself, powerloss to prevent its own fall, much less to furnish a Union-saving platform ior the nation, and yet rucIi a platform must bo had, and a majority party organized and standing fuirly and equally thereon, or tkis nation is lost. There is a party organizntion in this country, and has been from the timeot Jeffersön, its artifex maximus ever batjling for the constitution, the Union, and the suprernacy of the laws. The record of that party forms a prominont part of the history of thesb United States, both in peaoe and war. That record, thus written ie known to alj men and ueecjs no eulogy of mine. The northern democracy Btand as the embodiment of that party, and the true exponent oí its principies to-day. It has been their duty, as a minority in t'uese northern States, to silently act and patiently suffer, thus far, during a war they not only did not originate, but most anxiously sought to avert. - And yet, as a body of men, ropresented at the ballot-box by over a million of votes, havo they not stood by the President, the constitution, and the national tlag from the6tart? Attlie first cali of the President upon the patriots of the land for instant aid, what class of men rallied sooner, marched faster, or crowdeJ nearer to the flagstaff, than northern demócrata ? When half a million of soldiers were wantod, and politicians were turning over plans of conscription and drafling, what class of our cjtizens camo bounding forward as volunteers, until State quotas were overrun, with greater alacrity, or in equal ratio with northern democrats ? And of those who from age, ütation, infiimity, or pure necessity remained at home, what men have been more active, more unceasing in their efforts to fil] up our regiment, or moro Jiberal in contributions for the comfort and supp]y of soldiers in carap, than northern democrats? These questiona are not thus propoundod for the purpose of making invidiocs comparisons, or to establish questioDable facts, btit simp'y to demónstrate that the record ot the northern duruocracy is na devoid of disloyalty, as it is unstained by disunion senliments, or abolition heresies. I have purposoly avoided entering the lines of our army occupation, to trace, by way of comparison, the plans of our Generala in the closet, or their conduct n the field; much less among the junior officers and soldiois, where all are héroes, would I say, the democrat ia the better man ; but I do say that in all the qualities of the soldier, brigade commander, or General oven, bring out your bravest and best, and I will instantly match him with a northern democrat, of similar grade, and so fully his eo,ual, in all military respects, that you will jnvoluntarily exolaim, " Par nobïle fratrum." There is nothing miraculous in this brilliant display of unsliaken loyalty and patriotic devotion to the Union by northern demócrata. Thero is nothino; wondcrful, even, in the massing of the democracy upon the Crittenden resolution, or their united support of the President in a constitutional prosecution of the war. It was the spontsineous tributo of men to their cherished principies. It was a simple outbreathing of deep-seated doctrines. It was an audible rehearsal of their favorito Jeffersonian creed. Listen a moment: "The support of the State govern'ments in all their rights, as the most 'competent administraron for their do' mestic concerns, and the surest bul' wark against anti-republican tenden'cies; the proservation of the general 'government in its whole constitutional 'vigor as the sheet-anchor of ourpoace 'at home and our safety abroa J ; a 'jealous care of election by the people, ' - a mild and safe correctiva of abuses, 1 which are lopped by the sword of 'revolution where peaceablo remedies 'are unprovided; acquiescence in the ' decisions of the majority, the vital 'principie of free república; tho su1 premacy of the civil over tho military ' authority, freedom of' leligion freedom 'of the press, and freedom of the per'son under the protection of the habeas 1 corpus." Here it seems that all true men can stand. Here the President has mainly stood, and if in momento of excitement and alarm powers have beon usurpod or rights invaded or denied, we doubt not he will repudíate the act, as we most assuredly shall ignore the precedent. Here thu acting Lieutonant General of the army stands, and a patriotic eo!diery can occupy no othor ground. Here stood our Douglas, in the noon tide of his living groatness, and in his expiring moments, when, all unmindful of the pangs of acute disease, and the swoat of mortal agony thea gathcring in beaded drops upon his pain-corrugated brow, he sent forth that thrilling appoal to CJnion loving men every where, to forego their party platforms and party organizations ; to rally around the altar of patriotism and save the constitution and the Union from the hand of parriciclal violence, This the democracy' were willing to do, and have held their party action and partv organization for months in abeyance, and would still remain in quietude, bul for the recent fearful disclostires of abolition plans and the distracted condition ot the repnblican party, paralyzed by its affiliation with disuniontate, and povvorless to reconstruct the Uniou with its ancient bonds of mutual kindness and fraternal sympathy. The reorganizaron of the democratie party, upon tho platform of the constitulion and the LTnion, is a necessity. It should command the hearty co-oporation of all partri o tic men, irrespeetive of byrgone political issues; and espocially should the conservativa friends of a restoration of the Union as it was, with Ktr.co ecpality and átate sovereignty unimpaired, and State laws and institutiops untouched, rally to the support of that party whose cardinal principie, " the right of the people to govern themselvas," must ever remain the sole rational basis of individual freedom, State independence, and natioiuil Union; and which has still the creative energy for imparting harmony and fraternal vigor agaia to the arterial tides of liie now feebly pulsating from the groat heart of this Eepublio to its extremities. And when this country tshall again stand forth disenthralled of treason South and disunion North,-when peace 3hall again dweil in cur midst, and prosperity revisit our borders ; this principie for which a Madion labored, i Jeffersou lived, and a Douglas died ivill still remain from ocean to oooan, ind from the lakes to tho Gulf, tho symbol of amity and the pladge of "raternity. Tho speech was received throughout .vith the most vociferóos appíause, nembers frequently rising to their feet ind swinging their hats with onthusias;ic cheers. At the conclusión, three jheers were given for the speaker. ïho convention then adjournad to ■neet at 7 P. M. ITSKIHÖ SKSSIOM. At seven o'clock the convention ügain assemblud. Mr. Stuart, of Kularnazoo, in bhalf A the committee on resolutions, made a statement that they had jusc agreed upon the rasolntions, and, if the in3tructions to print were coinplied with, they would not report before morning. Ón motion of Mr. Thayer, of Genesee, the committee were instructed to report in writting. A resolution was adopted, thanking the Dotroit and Milwaukee Railroad Company for passing delegates to and from the convention at half faro. Mr. EedjSeld, from the commit'ee on resolutions, announced that the committee were ready to roport, and, at his invitation, the resolutions were read by E. II. Thomson, of Flint. Mr. Mitchell, of St. Clair, movéd that the reeohitions be taken up seriatím, and adopted as reported. Adopted. Mr. Butterfield, of Jack8r!i moved that the resolutions be re-commUed, and Ibat the committee be instructed tu incorpórate or add i resol u'.iou expressive of the sense of the convention wkh regard to the personal liberly laws oí this State. Wubdraw. On motion oí Mr. Chamberlain, of Borricn, tlie committee on resolntion were discharged lrom furiber consideración of the subject. The resol utions, as folio wa, were then taken up, read and adopted : Resolved, Thatin this fearful crisip, whieh involves tho dostiny of tho Union, it is the duty of every citizon to do all in his power to relieve lo wholu country, and to restore it to its former proud and elevated posilion at home andabroad; and that tho demoerntic party of Michigan stands nnw, as it over lias stood, solemnly piedged to the support of the constitution and tho laws, and the rmüntonance oí the Union; that it vvill, as itever has done, defond, with all its power, the righls and interests of all the States, and cordially support and sustain the goverr.ment of the United States in all constitutional mc-asures designed to suppress tho robelllon, and proraote tlio uuion of tliu States. Resolved, That, belading r.s wc do, that, without anp s;.crifieü of principio, concord and harmony can be restored to the whole country, we ara for preserving the Union in ta iutegri'.y, and shall ceaslessly opposo diMnomborment, and thereforu vo solemnly dudare that wo vvill not consent to tde tennination ot the war until all rft%tttnee to th government under the oonslitutjon shall overywhere cease. Mr. Mcüleüand, of Wayne, ofFered a resolution to be plaoed s third in tho series. A lengthv dÍBOussiou ensued, after which J. Logan Chlp;nan, of Wayne, ofterod the foilowing substituto, whiuh was aecepled by Mr. McClelland, and adoptad imaniinouy : Resolved, That tho personal liberty laws, so-called, of Michigan and other nortbern States, aro ucoopst'tuüonal in their spirit, are based Uon thu samo principie as southern Becesíion, and, therefore, ought to bo repeuled. The resol utions, as reported by tho committee, were again taken up and adopted as follows : Resolved, That political abolitionism is as justly chargeable with this war as eecessionism ; and that we hope for the speedy extinguishment oí both, for a return of peace, and the restorntion of the oíd cordial and íriendly unión of the States. Resolved, That in no emergency should we forget our duty to our common country; that our object should bo to upbold and support the general government, and tho rights ï tho States under the cr.nstitution, anl not to wage war with a view to s-ectional revengo, or for sectional purposes. Resolved, That tho Union can r.eveF be restored to its f uil mensure of pinico and prosperity without the hearty aid and co-operation of all Union rren at the South, and it is therefore the duty oí the North, by its example and teaahings, and in every practicarlo mode, 'o 8treng!hen their íirms, ti) en courage aud fire their patrio!i-!m, and gradually cultívate and raise up in thejr midstsuoh sontiments of love and de votion to the Union, as shall uverywhere shame troason back into its hiding-p'ace and corapol truitors to fles from the public sight. Resolved, That we hail with unfeigned delight the raodification of JYemonf's preclamation and Cameroivs report, and the appointment of the present Secretary of War by tho President aa iudications of his senso of obligatian to oonsiii tutional i'njunetions; and that wú wül clieerfjlly snpport him in all oonstitu. tional ïneasures to restore the Uuion and preserve the government. Resolved, That the infamous extrava-. ganee, poeulation and corruption that have from the eommencement, charactorized the war, cannot be too strongly denouneed ; that our people are williug tQ spend their blood and treusure to termínate it speedily, but that they have a right to deroand that their moneys shall 'oe expended honostly, faithfully and, eeonomically. Resolved, That it is to be deeply regretted that Congress, regardless of the magnitude of our present strua;glo, and the imminent danger to the Union, is wasting its time in the fmitless discussion of subjects not legitimately belongÍDg to it, and upon topics tending only to agitation and tho proventiorj of a spc6dy and proper termination of our difficulties, iustead of attending to its appropriate duties, and respouding to the urgent calis of the country fqr meaijs to sustain it iq, the preseut strugglo. Resolved, That tho voluuteer officera and soldie.rs who have so patriotieally rushod to their country'; support, as vell as the regular ariny and navy, meiit ou,p warmest gratitude and thanks for the noble devotion they have displayed in the suppprt of the constitution and the laws, aud that this convention deeply sympthizes with those who mourn the loss of friends who have fallen in battle iu the cause of the Union, aud the memory of the dead shall last in our hearts aa monuments of their patriotism. It was voted that the prooeeding3 of the convention be published iu the democratie papers of the State. A vote of thanks to the offieers of the conventiou was unanimously pased. Mr. Blackmau, oí Casa, offered a resolution that tho democratie party charges itself with the ploasing duty of sustaining all proper measures calculatedf to ronder a just compensation to our citizen, soldiers for thoir losses and sufferings iv defense of tbs eommon welfare. On motion, the thanks of the convention were extended to those who furnishr ed tho Hall for its uso. The convention then adjourned without day. - Tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is being rapidly rebuilt, and will soon be in running 'order. About 40 miles of iron and cross-ties have beeacarried off by the rebels. - It is reported at Norfolk that the stearoor Nashviile, lately at Southampton, England, bas arrived at Wilmington, N. O., having run the bloekade.