Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

Mr. SHEELEY. Suppose we adopt this resolution, and find we cannot get through by to-morrow afternoon, shall we have the power to reconsider the vote and defer the adjournment?

The CHAIR. Yes, sir. [Cries of "question."]

Mr. IRWIN's resolution was thereupon adopted. Mr. DUNN offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the delegates from each Congressional district be requested to recommend suitable persons for delegates to represent Missouri in the Border State Convention, and that they report that recommendation to this Convention to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

Mr. HALL, of Buchanan. I do not see any necessity for this resolution. If the gentlemen repsenting the various Congressional districts choose to make nominations, they can do so; but I do not see any necessity or propriety of passing a resolution to that effect; I therefore move to lay it on the table.

Mr. BIRCH. I hope that the motion to table will not prevail. I desire that the resolution shall be passed, inasmuch as it will aid me in coming to a proper conclusion in regard to whom I shall vote for.

The motion to table was put and carried.

Mr. GAMBLE. The gentleman from Marion seems to have supposed that the Convention was in some manner committed to the report written by me as Chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations. My understanding of the introduction of legislative acts is this: When a measure is to be laid before a legislative body by a Committee, it is common for the Chairman to write a report, which is an argument in support of that measure. For instance, if the Committee on Commerce in Congress desires to submit a bill proposing a scheme of revenue, the Chairman of that Committee may, if he sees fit, write an argument in favor of that scheme; but when the report comes before the House, it is the bill which is acted upon and not the argument. When the House has gone through with the bill, it may be entirely changed in its features, and the argument may be entirely incongruous to the bill; and yet I do not know that it is ever proposed to change the argument so as to suit the bill. I understand that this House is in no manner pledged to my argument. The House acts upon the proposition of the Committee, but when it does so, it acts upon its own view of the proposition. I do not hold any gentlemen in this Convention bound to maintain the report which I have written, or maintain anything more than the resolution or resolutions for which he has voted. I shall not, therefore, deem it proper to enter upon the suggestion made by the gentleman from Marion, in regard to a debate on the report.

The CHAIR. With the permission of the gentleman I will state that he is wrong, in my opinion. My impression is that the whole report comes up for adoption or rejection, and, although the introductory remarks of that report were an argument offered by the chairman, I take it for granted that that argument was adopted in committee, and comes before the Convention as a part of the report. It becomes the property of the Convention, and they may pass upon the whole of it, either adopting or rejecting it. So far as reports accompanying bills in Congress are concerned, only the bills come before Congress for its adoption, and not the reports accompanying them. But this is a very different thing, and, in my judgment, the whole report of the Committee on Federal Relations is subject to amendment, adoption or rejection by the Convention.

After some further discussion, in which Messrs. Gamble, Wilson, Sheeley and the Chair, participated, the matter was dropped for the present.

Mr. BIRCH called up the report of the Committee of which he was chairman, and having submitted to the Convention whether it would make any further order upon the subject,

On motion of Mr. WILSON, the committee was discharged.

On motion of Mr. NORTON, the Convention adjourned.

NINETEENTH DAY.

ST. LOUIS, March 22d, 1861.

Convention met at 9 o'clock.
Hon. STERLING PRICE in the Chair.
Prayer by the Chaplain.

On motion of Mr. HALL, of Randolph, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with.

Mr. HENDRICK rose to make a personal explanation. He said a slight mistake had been made in the report of his remarks pending the vote taken on Mr. Shackelford's amendment, and re-stated his position as follows:

I explained in these words when the question was put on the adoption of Mr. Shackelford's amendment to the original resolution. I oppose the adoption of the amendment, because the original resolution expresses the proper sentiment of a request to both the General Government and also the seceding States, to withhold and stay the arm of violence, whereas the amendment in addition thereto requests the General Government to give way and yield to a demand made with a menace. It seems to concede too much to the claim of the legal right of secession and demand

of possession of the Forts. I prefer that the Gov. ernment would withdraw the troops of its own free will and accord.

A call of the house was ordered, and 28 members found absent.

Mr. BIRCH moved that the Convention proceed by Congressional Districts to elect Delegates, who shall have the power to call the Convention together under the 7th resolution, adopted yesterday. Agreed to.

Mr. LONG nominated Mr. T. T. Gantt, for the first Congressional District.

Mr. HALL, of Buchanan, moved that the nomination of Mr. Gantt be made unanimous. It was so declared.

Mr. WOODSON nominated Dr. J. T. Matson, of DeKalb county, for the second Congressional District.

Mr. HENDERSON nominated Mr. Woodson.

Mr. REDD understood that the nomination of Mr. Matson was agreed to by all the counties comprising the Congressional District, excepting one Senatorial District.

Mr. HENDERSON said that by the action of the Convention on a resolution which was offered yesterday, he considered himself at liberty to present any name to the Convention. He had not been able to attend the meeting of delegates from his district. He knew Mr. Woodson to be well qualified to act as committeeman, and was willing to take upon himself the responsibility of nominating him.

Mr. HOWELL. In reply to the observations of my friend from Pike, I have to remark that I announced on this floor last evening, that the delegates from the Second Congressional District would meet after tea at the Everett House. Judge Henderson was notified of that meeting, and informed me that he could not be present. If he called, he could have found us if he had desired to do so. It is true that the Convention voted down a proposition to permit the delegates from the respective districts to select their own delegate to the Border State Convention, yet the resolution giving each Congressional District a delegate, was was obviously intended to give a reflex of the opinion of the people in every section of the State. I therefore insist that the Convention should defer to the nominations as made by the several delegations, and elect the nominees as the surest means of reflecting the will of the people.

Mr. DONIPHAN urged the necessity of harmonious action. The men who were to represent Missouri in the Border State Convention, should be of a character to command universal respect. This was the more essential, because the Legislature might think of sending its own delegates, or

leaving them to be elected by the people, and in such case, the delegates of this Convention should be able to go before the people and vindicate their claims to the popular suffrages. Mr. WOODSON declined the nomination. The Secretary commenced calling the roll, pending which

Mr. HENDERSON withdrew the name of Mr. Woodson.

On motion of the same gentleman, the nomination of Mr. Matson was made unanimous.

Nominations for the Third Congression District being in order,

Mr. WOOLFOLK nominated Mr. J. T. Tindall, of Grundy county.

The nomination was declared unanimous.

On motion of Mr. HALL, of Buchanan, Mr. Robt. Wilson, of Andrew county, was nominated for the Fourth Congressional District.

Concurred in unanimously.

On motion of Mr. MARVIN, Mr. J. Proc Knott, of Cole, was nominated for the Fifth Congressional District.

Concurred in unanimously.

On motion of Mr. ISBELL, Dr. J. W. McClurg, of Camdem county, was nominated for the Sixth Congressional District.

Concurred in unanimously.

Nominations for the Seventh Congressional District being in order,

Mr. BoGY nominated Dr. McCormack, of Perry county.

Mr. WATKINS nominated Mr. Cayce.
Mr. Cayce declined.

Mr. WATKINS insisted on the nomination. He proceeded to pay a high eulogium to the character and qualifications of Mr. Cayce.

A vote was taken, with the following result: McCormack, 56; Cayce, 32.

Mr. McCormack was declared elected.

On motion of Mr. HALL, of Buchanan, the Convention proceeded to the election of Delegates to the Border State Convention.

Mr. WELCH, I am not aware whether the delegates from the different districts have agreed upon delegates to this Conference. It is important that this Convention should select men well qualified, for that position. In all probability, as has been intimated, the Legislature of the State will order an election, by the people, of delegates to that Conference. Whether, sir,that may be done or not, of course I am not prepared to say, but if the Legislature of the State shall assume that responsibility and order that election, I think,sir,it becomes this Convention to select men who are able and willing to incur the labors of a heated canvass. I

1

believe the delegates who are selected by this Convention, should immediately announce themselves as candidates for that position, in order to avoid the troubles of a contested election in that Border State Convention.

The CHAIR. I will state to the gentleman that he is out of order. There are no nominations before the Convention.

Mr.

[ocr errors]

I nominate Hon. Hamilton R. Gamble for the First District.

Mr. WELCH. I was about saying, Mr. President, that we should be cautious and wise in the selection of our delegates. I was also remarking it would be the duty of these delegates to announce themselves as candidates for the position, in order to avoid the trouble of a contested election in that Convention, and thus destroy the influence which this great Empire State of the West ought to have in that Convention. Such being my views, I was going to remark that I hope no Congressional District on this floor would nominate a man who was not able to defend this Convention on the stump; that they should nominate men who are able to canvass and willing to incur that labor. I know not whether any other District except our own has agreed upon a nomination. We have nominated a gentleman who is able and willing to meet these questions on the stump, and I hope every other District will do the same thing.

Mr. HALL, of Buchanan. I move that Mr. Gamble be chosen unanimously. Motion sustained.

Mr. ZIMMERMAN. I rise to put in nomination the Hon. John B. Henderson, of the Second District. It is unnecessary to say anything in his behalf. His past course shows that he is able to undertake the task that will be assigned him.

Mr. HOWELL. At the instance of all the delegates from the Second Congressional District, except those from the Pike District, I put in nomination Judge Woodson. Judge Woodson is a man of large experience and business qualifications. He has been a citizen of the State upwards of forty years. More than that, he is a good man. He was elected on the Union ticket against what was understood to be a secession ticket. His voice and acts in this Convention are as good a guarantee on that subject as the Convention ought to require.

Mr. FLOOD. Permit me to second the nomination. It is unnecessary for me or any other gentleman to speak in regard to Judge Woodson. He is known to all the delegates in the Convention. With all due respect to the other nominee, I do not believe there is a man in our district who will reflect the wishes of the people better than Judge Woodson. In a word, I will say he is a Union man, and a man in whose heart there is no guile.

The vote was announced as follows:
Henderson, 52; Woodson, 37.

Mr. ROLAND. I rise for the purpose of nominating Wm. A. Hall, of Randolph county, for the Third Congressional District.

Mr. GIVENS. I nominate Mr. Sayre.

Mr. HOWELL. I desire to inquire whether the delegates from that district have agreed upon any one?

Mr. ROWLAND. I can answer that ten out of thirteen of the delegates nominated Mr. Hall. I intend to be consistent in my actions here, and vote for delegates who reflect the sentiments of their districts. I shall therefore vote for Mr. Hall.

The vote was announced as follows: Hall, 66; Sayre, 26.

Mr. BIRCH. At a meeting of twelve out of fourteen of the Fourth District, James H. Moss was unanimously nominated. I have the honor, therefore, to put him in nomination; and I ask permission to say that he has as well sustained the flag in foreign lands as he sustains it here; and his capacity to act in a Border State Convention has been made manifest by his acts upon this floor.

Mr. GANTT. I move the nomination be made unanimous.

The motion was sustained.

Mr. PHILIPS, I put in nomination, for the Fifth District, Wm. Douglass, of Cooper county.

Mr. BROWN. I put in nomination Mr. Comingo, of the same district, a gentleman who was elected upon a Union ticket, who is as sound a Union man as lives.

The vote was announced as follows: Douglass 71, Comingo 20.

Mr. I reflect the will of the majority of the Sixth District in nominating Judge Hendrick.

Mr. ISBELL. I nominate Mr. Orr.

Mr. CHENAULT. I nominate R. W. Crawford. Mr. BIRCH. I wish to be informed if either of these gentlemen have been agreed upon by a majority of the delegates.

Mr. TURNER. I understand Judge Orr has been nominated by two caucuses.

Mr. CHENAULT. I would inquire when these caucuses were had.

Mr. TURNER. One of them was held last evening.

Mr. CHENAULT. If I recollect right one of the gentlemen who have been nominated voted against this Border State Convention. It strikes me, if there is to be any contest on the subject, it is important that the Convention should send men who are favorable to the Border State Convention.

Mr. GRAVELLY explained in regard to the meeting of the delegates from the sixth Congressional district, from which it appeared that neither of the nominees for that district had received a majority of the votes of the delegation. He said he indorsed Mr. Orr as a sound Union man, and would have been willing to vote for him if he had been nominated. He preferred Mr. Hendrick however.

Mr. TURNER explained that he did not intend to convey the idea that Mr. Orr has received a majority of votes of the delegates, but he wished

members from Southeast Missouri have differed in some slight degree from some of the resolutions reported by the Committee on Federal Relations; that for that reason it is said they are tinctured with secession. In the District from which I come there were secession candidates-those who would not admit it, but were in favor of it. But in the county from which Mr. Watkins came, not a secessionist dare raise his head. I feel it my duty to correct this strange insinuation which does great injustice and wrong. I nominate him for another reason. That is this: In the Border State Convention that is to be held, Virginia will

it understood that Mr. Orr had received a plurali- probably send her Tylers, Read, and other distinty of the votes. Mr. Hendrick and Mr. Orr were both good Union men, and Mr. Orr had been nobly sustained by the people of his district at various times.

Mr. ORR. I wish to ask the gentleman who put me in nomination to withdraw my name. I don't want to be the cause of disturbance in the party. It is said I am a Union man. I am proud of it. It is said also that I am opposed to this border State convention. I acknowledge

it.

I was also opposed to the calling of this Convention, and the people sent me here to see that Missouri was not taken out of the Union. If I should go to this Border State Convention it would be for the same purpose. I desire, however, that my name be withdrawn. I have every confidence in Judge Hendrick, and am ready to give him my support. I believe he would be the right man to represent our interests in a Border State Convention. I shall take pleasure in voting for him, and I ask that my name be withdrawn.

guished men, and other States will send distinguished men. We propose to send a gentleman who has-and I say it without disparagement of any other gentleman-no superior in that Congressional district; besides, he is a gentleman who has had a large legislative experience. For these reasons, believing he is a statesman, among statesmen, and that he will faithfully represent Missouri, and the Union sentiment of Missouri, I place him in nomination.

Mr. BOGY. I nominate Mr. Pomeroy. I believe a majority of the delegates of that district are in favor of him.

Mr. STEWART. I know Mr. Watkins, and have served with him a great number of years in the Senate. I do not know Mr. Pomeroy personally. I don't like to vote in the dark. I believe Ishould be governed by principle, and not men. My personal predilictions are in favor of Mr. Watkins, because I know him, but at the same time I desire to know how both of these gentlemen stand on the question of revolutionizing or

Mr. ISBELL. At the request of the gentleman seceding.

I withdraw.

Mr. CHENAULT. At the request of Mr. Crawford, I withdraw his name.

The nomination of Judge HENDRICK was made unanimous.

Mr. HATCHER. I rise to put in nomination Mr. Watkins, of the Seventh Congressional District. I have heard it strangely insinuated in this Convention that that gentleman was tinctured with secession. Those who make that assertion do him a great wrong and gross injustice. No one man in Southeast Missouri has done as much to put down secession as Mr. Watkins. I know of my own personal knowledge that he has cried down secession, that he has declared that the election of Lincoln as not a cause for dissolution, and I have never heard from any gentleman on this floor more effecting and touching appeals in behalf of the Union than from that gentleman. He ran as a Union man in his district, and he had no opponent upon his ticket, and yet 'tis said he is tinctured with secession. I have noticed particularly, that because some

Mr. BOGY. I will say Mr. Pomeroy is a Union man He is in favor of staying in the Union as long as he can.

Mr. WATKINS. I will say to my friend Mr. Stewart that I am disposed to answer his inquiry. If I understand him, he wished to know whether I am in favor of secession or revolution. I answer, without hesitation, I am opposed to secession and against revolution; I am for the Union, and will stay in it as long as there is any chance or prospect of our getting our just rights. I think the slave States are entitled to guarantees, and I think the North ought to grant them. But I love the Union, and will try every legitimate, honorable and proper means to obtain those guarantees, before I go out. I am no secessionist, and never have been. I am no revolutionist, and never have been. I love the Union, and I have not a particle of disunion love in my veins.

Mr. STEWART. I should like to have the other gentlemen express his sentiments.

Mr. POMEROY. I will state that during the canvass, I pledged myself to suffer my right arm

to be palsied and fall before I would vote for an ordinance of secession under the present circumstances.

Mr. STEWART. I believe I will vote for Mr. Watkins.

Mr. WELCH. In casting my vote on this occasion, I feel it due to make an explanation. So far as the positions of the two gentlemen are concerned upon secession and Union, I see no difference. Mr. Watkins I have known long and well; but since the commencement of this election, of these nominations, I have had but one governing motive in my vote, and that is, voting for men selected by a majority of the delegates. I therefore vote for Mr. Pomeroy.

Mr. HOUGH. By permisssion of the gentleman I will make a personal explanation. Yesterday evening it was announced there would be a meeting of the delegates of the 7th Congressional District, for the nomination of a candidate for the office for which we are now voting. The meeting was at my room. All the delegates did not attend, but some six or seven were there, and they all expressed themselves for Mr. Watkins. If there has been any other meeting, I am not aware of it. I know Mr. Watkins to be a Union man. His action has been in favor of the Union in southeast Missouri. There can be no question on that subject.

Mr. BOGY. There are fifteen members from that District. Eight of those delegates held a meeting last evening and expressed themselves in favor of Mr. Pomeroy.

Mr. WELCH. It appearing then that Mr. P. is a choice of a majority of the district, I shall cast my vote for him.

Mr. STEWART. I desire to change my vote. I vote for Mr. Pomeroy.

The vote was announced as follows: Watkins, 39; Pomeroy, 51.

Mr. BRECKINRIDGE presented a communication from Geo. R. Taylor, President of the Pacific Railroad Company, stating that orders have been given to transport members and officers of the Convention over his road free.

Judge BIRCH offered a resolution that was unanimously adopted, tendering the thanks of the Convention to the Mercantile Library Association for the free use of the Library, and other privileges granted to them, as well as extending thanks to the hospitality of the citizens of St. Louis.

Mr. WOOLFOLK, from the Committee on Printing, presented the following report:

The Committee on Printing beg leave to report that, in accordance with instructions the Secretary of the Convention has had the printing executed by Geo. Knapp & Co., the expense of which will be less than $200.

The Committee also report that, in accordance with the resolution proposed by Mr. Dunn, on

the 9th of March, and which was adopted by the Convention, they contracted with Geo. Knapp & Co. to print the proceedings of the Convention at rates not to exceed $500 for 5,000 copies of one hundred pages. At the time the contract was made it was thought that not more than one hundred pages would be required; but as the proceedings are now nearly printed they will extend over about two hundred and fifty pages. As a book of reference, the Committee deem it invaluable; the proof sheets have been submitted to the members interested for revision, and it will be the only authorized record, for public use, of the proceedings of the Convention.

The Committee respectfully ask that their action be indorsed by the Convention, and that the following resolution be adopted:

Resolved, That the account of Geo. Knapp & Co., for printing 5,000 copies of the proceedings of the Convention, be audited by the Committee on Accounts, and that the same may be considered as printing for the Convention, the payment for which is provided for out of the fund appropriated by the Legislature of the State, for the contingent expenses of the Convention.

The report was adopted.

Mr. GANTT, of St. Louis, offered a resolution tendering the thanks of the Convention to the Hon. Sterling Price, President, and Mr. Samuel Lowe, Secretary of the Convention, for the able and courteous manner in which they have discharged their duties to the Convention.

It was adopted unanimously.

Mr. SHEELEY offered a resolution instructing the President of this Convention to transmit a certified copy of the proceedings of this Convention to the President of the United States and to the Governor of each State.

A resolution was passed tendering the thanks of the Convention to the President of the Pacific Railroad for his courteous and kind invitation.

Mr. WELCH offered a resolution instructing the Committee appointed under the seventh resolution, that in the event the Legislature should be in session on or about the third Monday in December, that the Committee should be empowered to change the time and place for the calling together of this Convention. Rejected.

On motion of Mr. HALL, of Buchanan, the Convention took a recess of one hour.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Convention met at 12 o'clock.

Mr. WOOLFOLK offered a resolution in regard to the distribution of copies of the printed debates and proceedings among the members, but accepted the following substitute offered by Mr. Birch, which was thereupon adopted:

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »