Mr. CHURCH, of New York. Mr. President, I offer for the consideration of the Convention the following resolution

Mr. FLOURNOY. I want to insist that we take at least another ballot before we pass any resolution, for we can make stronger, a great deal.

Many DELEGATES. "Agreed," "agreed," "another ballot."

Mr. CHURCH. Let me say to my friend that he can make it just as strong as he pleases upon this resolution.

Cries of "read it," "read it."

The resolution was then read, as follows:

"Resolved, That STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, of the State of Illinois, having now received two-thirds of all the votes given in this Convention, he is hereby declared, in accordance with the rules governing this body and in accordance with the uniform custom and rules of former Democratic National Convertions, the regular nominee of the Democratic party of the United States for the office of President." [Loud applause ]

Mr. CHURCH then stated that this resolution came under the order of the previous question.

Mr. JONES, of Pennsylvania, rose and was proceeding to speak, when
Mr. GORMAN, of Minnesota, called the gentleman to order.

Mr. JONES then insisted that the resolution was out of order.

The PRESIDENT ruled that it was in order.

Mr. JONES. I insist that it cannot be submitted without giving one day's notice, under the rules adopted at Charleston.

Mr. CHURCH. The original rule of this Convention required that when two-thirds of all the votes were cast for any candidate, that candidate shall be declared the nominee. During the sitting of the Charleston Convention, after the secession, a resolution was offered instructing the President to declare no person nominated until he had received two-thirds of all the votes of a full Convention. A question of order was raised that it required one day's notice. The Chair ruled that the resolution was only one of instruction to the Chairman of that Convention, in regard to the original rule, and that it did not alter or change that rule. Now my resolution is one changing the instructions to the presiding officer, and, as such, it is strictly in order, according to the decision heretofore made.

Now I desire to say a single word with reference to the action of the delegates from New York upon the question of the number of votes required to nominate a candidate. New York came to this Convention for peace and harmony. We represent a larger constituency than any other delegationnumbering 200,000 honest, loyal, faithful Democrats and from the first assembling of the Convention at Charleston down to the present moment, for sixteen long days and nights, have we honestly and faithfully endeavored to carry out the instructions of our constituents. We have yielded everything but personal honor in order to heal up the divisions of the Convention. One question after another has been presented to us, and we have been asked to yield this point, and that point, and the other point, and we have never failed to respond whenever we have been asked until we were required to yield everythidg which distinguishes our manhood-nay more, everything which distinguishes the manhood of the 200,000 Democrats behind us. [Applause.] When we came to that point-though we say it with pain, and sorrow, and anguish-when we were asked to admit, without question or examination, the whole body of seceders who came here to our doors-not repentant, not determine to abide by our action, but demanding the surrender of our principles into their hands-when we were asked to do that, and, besides, to give Hp our candidate and the candidate of the choice of the Democracy of New York-a candidate who will sweep New York as with a whirlwind—

[applause]-when we were asked to do all that, we said firmly we cannot in honor comply with your demands.

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Now, in relation to this resolution. After the secession at Charleston we were asked by those Southern States who did not secede to unite with them in preventing a dissolution of this body, and in making some adjustment of the various difficulties with which we were surrounded. We were told by those gentlemen that, if we would pass a resolution of instructions to our presiding officer, that it should require two-thirds of a full Convention to nominate, and also, when we got through, make some slight amendment to our platform, they would remain in the Convention, stand by its action, and fight the seceders and disunionists to the very bitter end. They told us that the, question was brought before our delegation of altering the rule of the Convention in relation to the number required to nominate. We were opposed to it, we thought it an outrage to require two-thirds even of the body deliberating to nominate. New York has often given its vote in National Conventions to repeal that rule. remember well, when in 1844, New York had a favorite candidate of her own, and when this rule was thrust upon us and enforced for the purpose of defeating that candidate. We have always been opposed to the two-third rule. But by the construction we were asked to give that rule we were asked to increase the number necessary to nominate from two-thirds to five-sixths of the Convention. We thought that was outrageous, undemocratic, despotic, wrong. But we said-I said to our delegation, in God's name let us sacrifice all we can for peace and harmony. Kentucky, that gallant State, has held communion with us; Tennessee, the land of the hero Jackson, who had more worshipers in New York than-I was going to say-in all the rest of the Union besides; all these States have communed with us, and they have asked this of us as a peace offering. I advised it to be done; we agreed to do it; we did it, and we did it as a peace offering, for harmony and for no other purpose, and not because it was in accordance with our wishes. It seems now that this peace offering has been spurned. Notwithstanding the sacrifice we have made for peace aud harmony, we have had no peace and had no harmony.

And now, gentlemen, I am willing, the New York delegation is ready to take all the responsibility of this resolution which I have offered. [Great applause.] No State will go further now or hereafter to unite or cement the Democratie party, to heal up the unfortunate division which has been made. Yet I say, in behalf of the glorious Democracy of the Empire State, that we will stand by the right and fight it through. [Renewed applause.] The difficulties which have attended this Convention have been most unfortunate; but the worst result that can happen is that those gentlemen, by their action, will have elected a Black Republican President of the United States. And if that result shall happen, then I say that they, and they alone, will be responsible for that result. [Loud applause.]

Mr. JONES, of Pennsylvania. When the gentleman from New York (Mr. Church) speaks of "those gentlemen," does he refer to those here who refuse to break down the previous action of this Convention, or to those who have seceded?

Mr. CHURCH. I speak of those who have retired from this Convention, who have violated the obligations which every man is under who enters into a Convention to abide in firmness, in honesty, in good faith by its action, and to support its nominees [applanse] and I say if this division, caused by themselves merely because we have decided the cases of contesting delegations, shall cause the defeat of the party, they alone will be responsible. They say we decided wrongly. Suppose, merely for the sake of the argument, that we have, we had a right to decide, and when that decision was made by a majority of the Convention, every good Democrat was bound to acquiesce in it. [Applause.] Why, sirs, it is a new theory, a new doctrine, that a minority of the Convention,

or any portion of that minority, have the right to set up their judgment against that of the majority of the Convention. And even if it should be admitted that we were wrong in our decision, that is no reason for seceding from this Convention, yet that is the only reason I haveheard for the secession here.

The seceders at Charleston said they went out of the Convention because we had not adopted principles that they could stand upon; that they differed with us upon vital principles, and yet they came back to our doors and asked admission, although we had refused to change the principles we had adopted.

I have but one or two remarks more to make. All that I have said is in grief rather than in anger. Sir, no portion of the Democracy of this country have fought Black Republicanism with more courage and more fidelity than the Democracy of New York.

The CHAIR informed the gentleman that his time had expired.

Mr. DAVIS, of Virginia. On the ballot taken to-day, as I understand the announcement from the Chair, some 190 votes were cast in this Convention. Now how in the name of common sense do you expect to get two-thirds of the votes of the Electorial College? If the Democratic voters of the United States were asked to-day their choice for the President of the United States, nineteentwentieths would say Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. [Applause.] I have no doubt that every village post office in the United States has been eagerly watched since the sitting of this Convention, and the inquiry made by many men, "what is the Convention doing?" If the delegates to the great National Democratic Convention were as true and generous as the people who have appointed them, they would have nominated Stephen A. Douglas long since. [Applause.] We are called upon now to do what we ought to have done at Charleston, otherwise we must stay here and ballot and ballot, and ballot without ever nominating. If we had adopted this resolution at Charleston, as we ought to have done, we would have concluded long since.

Mr. HOGE. of Virginia, asked leave, on the part of the Virginia delegation, for five minutes to consult, at the end of which time he thought they could present a proposition that wolud settle this whole matter? Leave was granted. Mr. DUNNING, of Indiana. The State of Indiana having voted 58 times for Stephen A. Douglas, as many other States have done, I desire to say that I hope the resolution will be so amended as to declare him the unanimous nominee of the Democratic party, as he is the unanimous choice of the honest voters of the Democratic party of this great country.

Mr. GITTINGS, of Maryland. I rise to enter a protest on the part of the coustituency I represent; and a large portion, almost the entire majority of the Democratic voters of the State of Maryland, against this resolution. The rule was laid down at Charleston that two-thirds of the electoral college-202 votes should be required to nominate. I am not prepared to say whether or not before that Convention had proceeded to buisness I would have voted to rescind that rule and have a candidate nominated by a bare majority,

Mr. GALLAGHER, of Connecticut. As I understand this motion, the President of this Convention at Charleston decided that it required two-thirds of all the votes of the electoral college to nominate, notwithstanding several States bad seceded from the Convention. From that decision an appeal was taken, and by the vote of New York, I am sorry to say the Chair was sustained, and all that is now necessary is to rescind the vote sustaining the decision of the Chair.

The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Tod, of Ohio.) The Chair will explain. The resolution passed at Charleston, as understood by the then President of this Convention, as understood by the present occupant of the Chair, was not a change in the rule requiring two-thirds of the vote given to nominate, but merely a direction to the Chair from the Convention not to dec'are any one nominated until he had received two-thirds of the votes of the electoral college.

And

the present occupant of the Chair will not feel at liberty, under that direction, to declare any one nominated until he gets 202 votes, unless the Convention shall otherwise instruct him. But the Chair does not understand the original rule, requiring two-thirds of the votes cast necessary for a nomination, to have been altered in the slightest degree at Charleston.

Mr. GITTINGS. I hope we will adhere to the rule. I have voted fifty times for Mr. Douglas, and will vote fifty times more for him, if that will secure his nomination. I hope he will be nominated. There are delegates enough here to make two thirds of the electoral college, if they will only vote. I do not believe any man who remains here is inclined to be factious. Thank God the factious men, as I believe, have all gone hence. [Applause.] I hope that this resolution will be withdrawn for the present. at least, so that we can have a few more ballots, and see what we can do. I think it is premature, and I appeal to my friends of the Douglas party, not to press it now, for you have always been fair and consistent. I served for two days on the Committee on Credentials, and I say to you and to the world that the only spirit of compromise, the only desire for harmony, came from the Douglas men on that Committee. Upon one particular point, where their feelings were, perhaps, more enlisted than upon any other question, upon my appeal, knowing I was conservative in my views, the gentlemen from Illinois and Ohio on that Committee were kind enough to change their votes for the sake of harmony.

Mr. HOGE, of Virginia. The voice that has heretofore been uttered from Virginia in this Convention, is the voice of politicians-not the voice of the people. [Applause.] While we are deserted by the politicians, you will find that the voice of the people of Virginia will be pronounced in favor of the nominees of this Convention. [Applause.]

Now, in reference to the resolution before us, I honestly believe when the rule was changed at Charleston it was iniquitously done, though I submitted that the vote of Virginia should be cast as a unit for that change. I did it hoping that good might come out of evil. Now if it be true that any gentleman has remained in this Convention and refused to vote, and thereby deprived the members here- who desire to act conscientiously of the opportunity to make a fair and regular nomination according to the rule adopted, if, after another opportunity is afforded them, they do not vote, I will submit a motion on behalf of the Old Dominion to declare the nomination unanimous. I, therefore, on behalf of the Virginia delegation, and my friend from Maryland (Mr. Gittings,) and the rest of us who stand here deserted by our late colleagues, entreat that an opportunity may be given to every gentleman present to vote. And then if they decline to vote, I will treat them as out of the Convention; and if there is not enough votes then given to make up a two-third vote of the elctoral college, I will myself move to declare the nomination unanimous. [Applause.]

Mr. CHURCH, of New York. There seems to be a disposition on the part of several gentlemen to have another ballot. [Cries of "yes!" "yes!"] And New York, standing as she has stood from the beginning in this Convention, will not stand in the way of any fair and honest proposition. [Applause. ] I therefore will withdraw the resolution I have offered, and suggest that we at once proceed to another ballot for President.

The SECRETARY then proceeded to call the roll of States for the second ballot for a candidate for the office of President of the United States.

When the State of ARKANSAS was called,

Mr. FLOURNOY, of Arkansas, said that he now considered himself absolved from the instructions of his State Convention, and had great pleasure in casting the vote of Arkansas for Stephen A. Douglas.

When the State of MINNESOTA was called,

Mr. GORMAN, of Minnesota, said that a portion of his delegation being absent or declining to vote, in behalf of the majority of that delegation, he cast the four votes of Minnesota for Stephen A. Douglas.

Mr. BECKER, of Minnesota, announced that he and two of his colleagues had varated their seats in the Convention.

The call of the States having been concluded, the following was announced as the result of the

SECOND BALLOT.

Whole number of votes actually cast, 1942, as follows:

Mr. HOGE, of Virginia, obtained the floor.

Mr. CLARK, of Missouri. Will the gentleman allow me to say a word before he proceeds?

Mr. HOGE. Certainly, with pleasure.

Mr. CLARK. It is known to this Convention that at Charleston as well as here, I have never cast a vote for Stephen A. Douglas. I have taken my course at Charleston and here, in obedience to what I thought were the wishes of my constituents, although in that I may have been mistaken. I endeavored to place in nomination a gentleman agreeing in all particulars more fully, as I thought, with the wishes of Missouri than Mr. Douglas. I have never had any hostility towards Mr. Douglas, but have always regarded him-and have so announced in Congress and elsewhere-as a great and patriotic statesman. [Applause.] I should feel the interests and destinies of my country entirely safe in his hands and under his administration. [Renewed applause.] I have my personal preference, in obedience to what I consider the will and sentiment of the State I in part represent. I was commissioned to the National Democratic Convention, and I know of none but this one. [Applause.] I have linked my destiny to this, and as I said yesterday, for weal or woe, I shall live and die in the Democratic party. With that view, in order that we may end our labors here, and give the country repose, until they begin to shout for victory, I intend to second the motion of the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Hoge,) to declare Stephen A. Douglas the nominee unanimously of this Convention,

Mr. HOGE, of Virginia. Before I submit the resolution I promised, I desire o submit one single remark. The Virginia delegates who remain in this, the National and the only National Convention of the Democratic party, have cast only the individual vote of their respective districts. We have not attempted to cast the vote of any gentleman who has left here, and I feel the tmost confidence that those gentlemen will not undertake elsewhere to cast any votes but their own.

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