The New York Herald Newspaper, June 5, 1856, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 7220 MORNING EDITION—THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1856. PRICE TWO ©, “NTS. —_—_:_::_— = — — THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention. Desperate Battle between the New York Factions. TRIVHPH OF THE S0FT SHELLS. 7FHE WORK ON THE PLATFORM “UNANIMITY AS TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS, ‘DISAGREEMENT AS TO THE FOREIGN POLICY. Withdrawal of Judge Douglas, an &., &. FROM OUR GENERAL NEWS REPORTER. Cincixyati, Jane 4, 1856. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION, THIRD DAY. ‘The Committee on Resolutions made their report this fogruing. The report waa enthusiastically received. ‘The Baltimore platform, adopted in National Conven- Won, in Jure, 1852, was reaflirmed; and is as follows:—~ 1. Resolved, That the Ameriosn democracy place their ‘trust in the intelligence, the patriotism, and the disorim- inating justice of the American paoyie. 2. Reolved, That we regard ‘his as a distinctive feature of cur political creed, whica we are proud to maintain before the world as the gies moral element in ® form of government springing tron and upheld by the popular will; and we contras: i: with the creed and Practice of federalism, under watever name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of thy constituent, and which conceives no imposture too monstrous for the public credulity. 3, Resolved, therefore, That. entertaining these views, the democratic party cf this Union, througn their dole- tes assembled in general convention, coming together & spirit of concoro, of devotion :o the doctrines and faith of a free representative goverument, and appealiog to their fellow citizens for the rectitude of thelr intea- ions, renew and reassert before the American people the Gelaration principles gvowrd by them when, on former occasiors, in geceral convsntion, they have pre- sented their cancida‘es for the p> ular suffrages:— 1 ‘That the federal government 13 029 of limlied powers, de- lely from the consiiu ution does pot confer upon the general government She payer. to commence and carry on a geners) system of inter: peuiagh ame 8, That ibe c:nstitution does not confer autbority upon the government, directly or indirvatly, to assume the dob: Of the several States, contracted for noni and internal improve; ments or other State purpoves, nor would such asaumpiion 96 Just or expedient, = 4, That justice and sound policy forbid the federal goyern- ment to foster one branch of industry to the detriment of any other, or to cherish the interests o! 016 portion to the injury of another portion of our common couu try; toat every citizen, and every section of the coustry, bas & right to demand and insist ‘pon an equality of rights and privi'eges, and to compiste and ‘gmple protection of persons and property trom domestic vi2- Jence or foreign aggression. 5. That it is the irre every branch of the goveroment to enforce aud practice the mst rigid e:ouomy in comeucting our ite a that no more revenus ought to be raised mn is required to defray the necessary expenses of the Serepupens and for the graduai but certain exttnotion of the ‘Public devt. 6. That Congress hayno power to chrrier a national bank; shat we believe such an institution ne of deadiy: hostile +3 the best interests of the country. dange-oua to our repudiican stitu'ions, and the iverties of the people, and calculated to ploce tre buzinees of the country within the contro! of & con ower, and above ihe laws and the will of ql the resulta of demoeratic legistatioa, in 8 ana al! other financial mesures npon which fasuea have ‘been made between the two politicsl parties of the couutry, have demonstrated. to eandid and practical men of all parties, pound: err, safety and utili:- in wll business pursuits. 7. het ihe eparaiion of the m mova if the goveramaat from bankixg fnstitutions la indispeasab e for the aafety of the funds of the government and the rights of the pe~ple. 8. Tha: the liberal principles em>odied bv Jefferson in the Declar, “ior of Independence, anc wanstioned in the constitu. . wi make ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the opore: ned of every nation. dave ever been cardinal prin- ‘ciples in the cemocratic faith, and every attempt to abridge t2e privilege of becom(ng cttizens and the owners of soll among us Ought to be restated with the eame spirit which swept the allen apo sedition iaws from our statu'e books 9 That (orgrees bas no wer, under the Geen ree to 1 Severs Anterfere with or control ths domesi{s in+ticutions ot oF ind gress to in erfere with questions of slavery, or to take ircipient steps in relation thereto. are cateulated > the most alarming sn¢ danger-us consequencas, aud ‘that all such efforts have an izevitax e tendency to diminisd the bappiners of the people and ecdaoger the stability and rmanence af the Union, and ought not to be couatenunced 1) apy friend of our polities! insti:a'ions 4, Resoived, That foregring proposition covers, and was intended to embrace, the whole subject of slavery agi‘ation in Congres, and, therefore, the demo- eratic party of the Union, sianciog on this national Pe yt will abide by and adhe-e to a faithtal execu- ion of the acts known as the Compromise measures set- fled by the Jast Congress, ‘the act for reclaiming fugi tives from service or labor” inc-uded; which act, being designed to carry out an expr provision of the sonsti- u fon, cannot, with fidelity tharato, be repealed or wo changed as to cestroy or impair its efficiency. 5. Resolved, That the democratic party will resist all attempta at renewing, in Congress or oat of it, the agits ticn of the slavery question, under whatever shape or color the attempt may be mads. 6. Resolved, That the procee’s of the publie ands ought to be ‘sacredly applied to the national objects specified in the constitution, and that we are opposed to apy law for the distribution of such procseis among the Brates, as alike inexpedient in policy and repugnant to the constitution. 7. Resolved, That we are deciiedly opposed to taking from the President the quatfied vato power, by whica be is enabled, under restriciions ani responsibilities amply mifficient to guard the pubtic interest, to suspend the ‘pasar of a pill whose merits cannot secure the ap- ‘proval of two-thirds of the Senat+ and House of Kspre- sentati until the judgment of the pose can be Stteinea ‘therecs, ‘and which bas saved tue American ple from the corrupt and tyrannical domination of Fre?Benk of the United States, and from a corrupting system cf general internal improvements. 8. wed, fhat the demoara tc parcy will faithfully abide by ena uphold the princiviss laid dowa in the Kentucky and Virginia resolntions of 1798, and in the report of Mr. Madison to the Virginia Legislature in 1799; that it adopts those iio lea a8 constituting one of the zain foundations of its polticel creed, and is resolved to carry them out in their obvi us meaning and import. 9. Resolved, That tre war with Mexico, upon all the nincipies of patriotism and the laws of nations, was a just and necesvary war on our part, in waish every American citizen should have shown himself on the side @f his country, and neither morally nor physically, by word or deed, have given ‘aid and comfort to the 10, Resolved, That we rejcice at the restoration of friendly relations with eur sister republic of Mexico, and earnestly desire for her all th» biessings and prosperity ‘woich we enjoy under republican institutions; and we congratulate the American people upon the results of that war, which have so manttestiy justified the policy acd conduct of the democratic Uiited States “Indemnity for the past and security for the future.” Tl. Resolved, That, in view of the oondition of popular dnstitutfona in the Old World, s high and sacred duty is devolved with increased res; sinility upon the demo- the party of the people, of every State, ud to suscain and advapoe among us constitutional liberty, by continuing ‘to resi«t all monopolies and exclusive legislation for the Denefit of the few at the expense of the many, and by a vigilant and constant adherence to those principles and compromises of the constitution which are broad enough ‘and sirorg enough to embracs and uphold the Unton as ‘it was, the Unton as it is, and the Union as 1t shall be, in the full expansion of the energ'es and capacity of this great and progressive people, The feliowing are added to the old platform, and the vo parta now form the new platform of the democratic party. And whereas, since the foregoing declaration was uni- formiy acopted by ie cme eg hi ia National Conven- ‘tons, an soverse political and religious tes: has been wr ore.ly orgacized by a party claiming to be exclusively Awericans, ana {tis proper that the Ameriesn democra- ‘Oy should cloarly cefine its relations thereto; therefore, J, Resolved, That the foundation of this Union of States Daving been aid in its prosperity, expansion and pre- eminent examp‘e in free government, built upon entire dreedom in matters of religious eoncern, and no respect -of persona in regard to rank or piace of birth, no par- ty can justly be ceemed national, constitutional, or {a aceordance with American prisciples, which bases ity ¢xclusive organization upon relivious opinions and acci- cental birtapiace, 2. That we reiterate with rena red energy of purpose the well coms{dered Ceolarations of former Conventions ugou tho sectional irsue ot domestic ery, @nd concercing the reserved rights of the Staws: aud that we may more Qyatinetly meet the issue on which s eectional parvy, aup- alatirg exolusively on slavery agitation. now reties to taat the fidelity of the peopie, North and South, to the con- atitution and the Union— 3. Rerolved, That claiming feilowsbip with and destring the co-operation of all wko regard the preservatiou of the Union, under the constitution, as the psramonnt Asnue, and repudiating all sectional partiesiwnd [platforms conoerning domestic slavery, which seck to emoroil thy titates and incite to treason and armed resistance to law in the Territories, and whore avowed purponns, if con- pommsted, must ond fn elvil war aud disunton, the tinotples ‘atritocies bodving the only sound ‘and rafe solution of the slavery question upon wuion the great rations! idea of the peopie of this whole country com repcae in ite determize! conservatism of the Union: party, and iasured to the | non-interferercs by Congress with slavery in States and Territories; that this was the basis of the compro- mises of 1850, confirmed by both the demecratic and whig parties in Nations! Conventions, ra‘ified vy the people in the election of 1852, and rightly applied to the organizs- tion of Territories in 1854; that by the uniform applics- tion of this democratic principle to the ‘don of Territories and the admission of new Siates, with or without domestic slavery, as they may elect, the equal rights of all the States will be prese:ved intact, the or!- ginal compacta of the constitution maintained inviolate, and the perpetustion and expansion of this Union ensar- ed to its utmost capacity of emoracing. in peace and har- mony every future American State that may be con- stituted or annexed with a repubiican form of govern- ment. 4, Resolved, That we recognize the right of the people of all the Territories, including Kausasand Nebraska, act- ing through tbe feirly expressed will of the majority of actual residents; and whevever the number of their in- habitants justifies it, to forms constitution, with or without domestic slavery, and be admitted into the Union upon terms of perfect equality with the otaer States, 5. Resolved, That the demeoratic party rec on the great importance, ins political and commercial point 0: view, of a safy and spesdy cemmenication within ou- own Territory between the Atiautic and Pasidic coasts of this Union; and itis the duty of the ‘federal govern: | ment to exercise promptly all its constituiionsl powers | for the attainment of that object. 4 6, Resolved, finaliy, that tne condition of popular instt- tutions in the Old World and the dangerous tendencies to combined the atte: to gn fete ethead voligious disebilition aguiaet the, rights of acquiring and enjoying citizenship in our own land, a high ano sacred duty bas devolved, with increased re- sponsivility, upon the democratic party of this country, as the party of the Union, to uphold and maintain the ts et every State, and thereby the Union of the States, and to sustain the sdvance amcng us of constitu. tional liberty, by continuing to resist all womopolies avd. exclusive ¢gislavion for the benefit of the few at the ex- pense of the many, and by vigi ant and constant adher- ance to those principles and compromises of the constitu. tion which are broad and strong enough to embrace and uphold the Union as it was aud the Union as it shull be, ip the full expansion of the energies and capacity of this great and prcgressive people. The following are the resolutions upon the forsign policy of the country:— 1, Reroived, That the questions connected with the foreign policy of the country are inferior to no domes'ic question whatever. The time has come for the peopie of the United States to declare themselves in favor of free feas axd progressive free trade throughout the world, and, by solemn manifestations, plce their moral influ- influence by the ride of their successfal example. 2. Resolved, That our gecgraphical and pulitical posi- tion in reference to other States on this contfaeat, ro lees than the interest of our commerce, and the gevelopement of our growing power, requires that we hold sacred the principles involved in the Moncoe doc- tin their binéing import, which admits of no mis- construction, and shoald be applied with unbending rigi- dity, 8. Resolved, That which the great highway of nature ‘a8 well as the assent of the States most immediately ia- terested in its maintenance bas msrked out tor free ccmmuniecation between the Atlapric and Pacific oceans, constitutes cne of the most importan! achievements realized by the spirit of mcdern times, and the uncon- querable evergy of our people—that result should be secured by timely, efficient exertion and control with the governments of the States within whose domin- fons it lies. We can, under no circumstances, su:render our preponderance in the adjustment of all questions arisiog out of it 4, Resolved, That in view of such commanding inte- rest the people of the United States cannot but sympa- thire with the efforts which are being made by the peo- ple of Central America t> regenerate that portion of the Cl lets which covers a passage across the oceanic isthmus. 5. Resolved, That the democratic party will expect o the next administration that every effort oe made to en- sure an ascendancy fa the (olf of Mexico—to maintain permanent protection ot the great ou'lets througn walch 1s emptied into its waters the produs‘s raised upon our soil and the commodities created by the industry of the people in our Western valieys and the Union at large. Mr. MackuN, of Pa., moved the adoption of the plat- form and resolutions, without the dotting of an ‘{”’ or the crossing of a ‘t.’” Mr. Conway, of Va., asked for a division of the ques- tion. Mr. Butter of Maes., moved the previous question, Mr. Garner, of Va.—I demand a division of the ques- tion. I object to the introduction of any new docrine, Mr. Preys, cf Mo.—The case of the New York dolegates has not been settled, and I am opposed to con- sidering the matter farther until i+ is settied, A De.ecats from North Carolina inquired whe'her the committee meant to incorporate the postponed resolution as « part of the platform. “No,” “No,” trom every quarter. The previous question was sustained. Mr. BRECKENRIDGE called for # vote by States. ‘This was agreed to, and the vote was taken onthe report of the Committee on Resolutions, except the last five resolutions, ‘The vote by States was unenimously in favor—New York not being taken. Ayes, 261; nays, none, Mr. INGERSOLL, of Conn., demanded that the five re- maining resolutions be taken up separately. Mr. Wycxurre, of Ky., advocated an adj .urnment till SP. M,, for the purpose of considering the resolutions relatirg to the foreign policy of the United states, Mr. Perrit—I call the gentleman to order. The Cuaik—The gentleman is not in order. Mr. Pue.rs, cf Mo., moved an adjournment till three o’clock in the afiernoon. The Cua decided that such motion could not be re- ceived while the vote was pending. Mr. Puerrs appealed trom the desiaion. Mr. RICHARD<ON, of Ill, stated that the motion to ad- journ was in or¢er when the vote was not actually being taken. The Cuair then put the question, and the motion to a*journ was negatived; but the result being doubted, a vote by States was called, and the Convention refused to adjoura—ayes 78, noes 183. Mr. Mrape, of Va., moved a recess of an hour. gatived. The Virginia delegation then obtained permission to Tetire to consider the remaining resolutions, Adjourned till 2 P. M. Tae Committee on Credentials will be ready to report on the New York contested seats at the re-acsembling of the Convention. PROGGEDINGS OF THE CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE. ThéVommittee on Credentials were ocsupied yes:erday afternoon and evening in hearing the statements of the contesting delegates {rom New York. David L. Seymour, Eaq., opensd the discuesion on the part of the hards, He reviewed the hi:tory of the party for the last twenty years, to prove the legitimacy of the hard organization, attacking the sof.s, particu’arly some of those on the delegation, for thelr former delinquencies. He claimed that the hards were the only national democrats, and that the National Convention could recognize none other. Governor SryvouR replied, comparing the vote of General Caas with the vote of the hurd rholis last fell, and pretented for the contideration of the committee a tabu. lar statement, showing that in seventeen Congressional Gistricts the bards only got one-fifth of the Cass vote—ten thousand out of fifty thousand—and in wix other districts, where Cass got tea thou- sand votes, Iast fall the ards got only eighteen hundred. He drew a comparison between that and the soft vote, arguing that the softs rep- resent the great mass of the democrats of the State, and ‘the hards only an insignifisant faction. He regretted the resolutions known as the Cassidy and Van Baren resolu- tions, passed last fall in convention, but pointed to thy reeolutions passed in January las: as the platform ot the soft party. Mr. BEARpstey replied, urging that the rarolu tons of January laut had been framed for the Cincinnati Con- vention; but that party was to be judged by the piatform upon which it went ty the people in the fall election. The January platform had already driven off a large num ber of the leading softs, such as Mr, Van Dyke, Dudley Field, Benjamin Welch, Jr., and would drive off many more, Nicuoas Hitt declared that Mr. Welch was a blask re publican last fail, and did not vote the democratic ticket. Mr. BEARDSLEY continued-—Although it was trae that the sofia had got = greater number ot votes than the hards, they hed go: them on a free soil platform; und farther, they got deeper in disgrace, Ho rend from » document to show the identity between the principles and men of the acft party and ths barnbarners. Waea he read the name of Mr. Campbell, who was ia the room, that gentleman pronounced it a lie. ‘The name of Iarael T. Hatch being read, Loraxvo B. SHEPARD denied that he had ever been a Baffalo platform man. Hevry W. Rovsns sald he had. The ciscussion was getting personal, when the Chat:- man stopped it. L, B, Sieranp closed on the part of the softs, in a spesch in which he charged D. L. Seymour with voting against vho annexation of Texas, ond alladed to the well known seoret circuler, charging Mr, Beymour with knaw- ing of its existence and failing to expose it, He bimeelf had made it public, The only man on that Ne- circular now in aptive political Mfe was Mr. Townsend, who ws# elected as the hard esndidate for Governor of the Almrhouse. He showed that more softs voted for the Kebraska bill than harda, the number standiog seven to three, and of these three General Walbridge was onr, who now claims to be a soft. Tne Convention should not insult the great democratic party of the State of New York by ¢eclaring in favor ot an insignificant faction, as it would do in shutting out the aofts from the National Convention. When Mr. Sheperd’s argument was concinded, ths several members of the committee destred to make the delegations pledge themselves to abide by the decision of the committee and the Convention, but tho point was not pressed. When the room was cleared, Senator Baraap, of Dela- ware, chairman of the committee, proposed a report stating as follows: — Whereas, in the State ot New York the democratis party ar» divided into two sections, sometimes in concert aad sometimes voting separaie ticket; and whereas both sac a ‘ad whereasthe Oomy tes on Credentials are unavie to discover anv diffarence of princ- ples or to deci¢e which 14 the recul sr Orgsnization; werelore Resolved, That the Convention be recommended to raje: unless, weving minor differences, they get ( the seke of uvion snd harmony, aud select from aca delegation thirty five members to represent them on the floor of the Von anata re supa is committee expeo! a0 answer from the Mr. Tatvorp, of Indiana, offered a resolution to admit the hard delegation to the floor as the delegates from New York. Mr. Joun A. Gronce, of N. H., for the sake of harmony, was willing to a¢mit ® portion of both delegations, the representation to be founded on the vote or the reapective fectiona at the laat fall election. Mr. Wiicut, of Penn., favored the proposition of the Cbairman, Another member proposed to take the Congressional vote of the two sections as the basis. Mr. Stevenson, of Ky., thought it meceseary to settle this difference now, and, although he sympathized with the hards, he regarded the sotts as the regular delegation. He was at Baltimore eight years ago, when the same question was raised, The hards then claimed to be the regularly organized party on less grounds than the softs make the rawec’aim now. Besides, the hards had shame- Jessy abused Franklin Pierce, and had mede, as the basis of their address, abuse of the wost sacredly con: stitutional administration ever known. He was qliling, however, to alow the New York representation in the Convention to be on the baria of the vote last fall. Mr. Wicains, of Me,, denounced the abolitionism of the vofts, and raid their praise of ihe present administration was no proof that they were not abolitionists, for Pierce had been aa favorable to the sbolitionsts in some acis aa to the South in others, Mr. Groecr, of N. H., said he would not stand by and Lear the glorious, God-like administration of Franklin Pierce, abused in that committee. Mr. Wicciys—I will not be brow beaten here, I will stand inthe Conveniion ready to denounce Plerce, and to prove that in bis appointments at the North he had endeavored to nourish abolitionism. It was not fair to admit the delegates on the basis of the vote gained on the free coil pla:form. He went fur the admission of the bards, Mr. Wurrvey, of Mass., thought no mode could be more equitable than to admit on the basis of the popular vote, Mr. Tenrorb, of Indians, was willing to take the re- sponsibility of letting in the hards. He looked on the softs as retten abolitionists at heart. He himself had heard Jobn Van Buren declare that the administration of Jemes K. Polk was as corrupt as hell, Ha (Telford) de- sired to vote for the admission of the hards, but he was willing to wake concession and admit balf of each dele. gation, Further concession he never would make, 50 help him God. After further discussion the committee adjourned till 9 A. M. this morning without vote, There will doubtles - te two reports—one in favor of an equal division, and ons cn the basis of the last vote. The Committee on Credentials had another angry sea- sion to-day, lasting fron rine till one o'clock. Mr, PHELPS, of Corn., opened fire on the part of the hards, sayirg that it any of the softs were admitted they would give trouble on adoptinga platform. The case o the coutested seats from Missouri was decided on thi principle, and for the same reasons he was opposed to let ting the softs in at all. Mr. Yutse, of Florida, said he was in heart with the hards. He respected them for the noble stand they hadal- ways made in de‘ence of national princip'es, and (although the evidence proved that the softs had the regular organi_ zation, which was traced down uninterruptediy irom the Vime of the reconciliation of the platformfon a common platform,) he was in favor of sending for the mort rea- sonable men of both delegations to appear before the committee, that they m'ght be requested, for the eake of the Union and the triumph of the party, te suggest some honorable method of mutual! representation. If that fatled, then he would favor a reasonable settlement by the committee. Senator BayarpD, Chairman of the committee, made a powerful speech in favor of the original proposition to ad- mit half of each delegation. He asked the committee whe- ther they would have admitted the softs, ifthey had come claiming eats in the Convention on the free soll platform of 1865; and if not, why, then, should they regard claims fcurded on the vote secured upon that platform. If the softs had gone into that election on # platform like tie ore adopted in January, 1866, instead of the aboiition p’atform, which was the basis of their vote, the case would be different. The fact that the Iast platform had alreedy purged the party of an important band of aboll- ticuists, who had gone off openly to black republicanism, waa proof that it would diminish the soft vote; but he had ro fear that Seymour, Cochrane, Hill, and such men wou'd ever again return to the embrace of the abolitiore ists. He was, therefore, willing to receive them with the hards. Salle Cebate then arose on the question as to gov- erning the committee. The softs being anxious to press the previous quertion. The committee cecided—L5 to 14— they were goverred by the rules governing the Conven- tion. Af.er @ Cesultcry and angry discusaton, the resolu- tion to admit halfcf each delegation was lost, A vote was then taken on ® resolution to admit the hard dele- gation entire and also lost—ayen 5, nays 24. Mr. Brent, of Cal., desired to see the mutter amicably eettied, end would vote to take the election of 1853 as the basis of representation. Col. StEvENSON, of Kentucky, made a strong speech in favor of the adminnion of the delegates on the basis of the last election. He denounced the hards for their attacks on the administration. He concluded by modifying hia former proposition 50 a8 to admit portions of each dele- gation on the basis of the average vote of each section in the years 1853 and 1855, On this he demanded the previous question, which was ordered, by 20 ayes to 10 "ote Cuasr was proceeding to explain the effest of the previous question, when Mr. Gronce, of N, H., called the Chair to order. ‘This gave rise to some confusion. Tke question being finally taken on Mr. Stephenson’s resolution, it waa adopted—ayes 19, nays 11, This resolution admits porticms of each delegation on the basis of the vote for Congressmen in 1853 and 1855; such basis to be arrived at by consultation with both delegations. ‘The question was then taken on the preamble, whioh declares the soft section to be the regular organization of the State, and it was adopted by ayes 16, nays 13. ‘The CHAIR was about to put the question on the adop- tion of the preamble and resolutions jointly, when Messrs. Yuirw and Grorck ¢eclared them already adopted, and the committee proceeded to vote on a reso- lution (not in order) to admit both sete of delegates. Lost—ayes 6, nays 23, Messrs, Stevenson, of Ky., Wright, of Pa., and Harris, of Ill., were appointed a sub-committees to wait on the New York delegations, and arrange all the details of the plan adopted. Tho committee then adjourned till 4 P. M. ‘The softs will, of course, accept the proposition, and the hards rejeet it. A resolution, admitting the softs, will then be reported to the Convention, as the majority report of the committee. Senator Bayard and others will present ® minority report, which will throw the subject upon the Convention for discussion, affording the prospect of a stormy debate, FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER. Giwawnaty, June 4—10 A. Mf. The thermome‘er indicates 90 degrees tn the hall, The tes generally are in good spirits, The bards ani sotts were iu great tribulation during the reading of th» resolutions by Bepj, F, Hallet, of Massechueetts. The | you? us on the right ia Jones’ Wood, as it applause was loud and long, especially for that portion ia referencs to the question of slavery ; and when that por- tion Wes 16a endorsing the Kansas and Nebraska bill the cheers might bave been heard two squares off. After the reading of the reso! utions, the previous ques tion waa sprung upon the Convention by Mr, Batier, of ) Matapebusetts, Virginia eniled for division of the question, bstng opposed to the forviga policy resolution. 4m unsuccessfal attempt was made to take a recess till efier the New York trouble was settled, and the Cooven- tion proceeded to vote, adopting the domestic part of the plationns. ‘Tne New York ditheulty has been settled iu tevor of the softa During the oall of States om the adoption of tho first Yortion of the platiorm, some of the States took occasion to irdicate the msjority they intended to give for the pomiuee ct the Convention, Alabama said it was good for 16,000; Georgia, 40,900; Kentucky, 12,080. Maine, Massachuretts snd Connecticut pledged themselves good tor the sominse, On the foreign part of the platform some of the atrict Virginia construgitoniate rasie @ fass and retired for con- sultation, pending which the Convention adjourned till two, The domestic part of the platform has beer adopted unanimously, At a meeting of the friends of Douglas this morn- irg, they determined to withdraw him from the fivid. Tula course has been adopted by his friends here, who were anthoried, {{ they deemed it expedient at any time during the progress of the Convention, to do ao. This wil: iosure the nomination of Bushansn. The eviy obstacle in the way now is the hard and soft im- breglio. The committee have had, during the morning, a very animated debate by friemds of both parties. It is evicent that the Convention will have to decide the question. THE CENTRAL PARK. Whe Work to be Commenced Immediately— Axpicration of the Ground by the Herald Commilssioner=What he Saw and What he stcard—An Interview with one of #lagg’s Tenants— What he Said of the #ark—Geo- graphy of tts Southern Extremity—Anti- maced Nature—A Drive though the Firth Avenue—The Residents of tne Upper Ena Of the Aristocraric Tncroughtare—Bouquet Boys und the Effects of Compeution—A Parung Saiute—Geography of the Northern Hxrremtiy~Rocus, Velis, Rivulets, Pigge- rles—Roses, Lakes and T'rees—More Rovks and More Gardens—Bone Botiing Factories and #lowers—A Country Toilet=—The ite- ceiving and Proposed Reservoli—An Uo- Servatory, a Botanical and Perhaps a Zoological Garden in Prospect, kon co. &e Some years azo we called the atrention of ou: State and city authorities te the subject of a great public park, and pointed cut the atvantages which would result from ivina sanitary point of view, as @ place of recreation for our citizens, The project soon became popular; it was brought up in the State and municipal legislative bodies, where it was subjected to a long and tedious discussion, then referred to a board of five commissioners, and after remaining an unconscionable lengih of time fa their bsnés, ia at Inst ia a fair way ot belng carried out. The limits of the perk are One Hundred ani Sixth street on the ncrth; Fifty Ninth street on the south; Kigh'h avenue on the west, and Fifth avenue on the east; and the area covers sn ¢x.ent of seven hundred and fift veres, Operations, we understand, will son be com menced, and in iess than two years it is confitently expected that tLe Central Park will be finished, and thrown open to the public. As comparatively very few of our citizens gre acquainted with the losality from Ptrsopal observation, we despatched » commissioner from our office for the purpore of making a thorough expleration of it, ard reporting its present condition aud character. He bas done this, and we now present e reault of his investigations to our readers. OUR COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Providing ourseives with a good serviceable horse and ‘wogon, we siarted about efght o’clock in the morning, driving through the Eighth avenue to Fifty-ninth street, the scuthernJ boundary of the Central Park. Here we had s tolersbly tair view ofa large portion of ths land, and although It is capable of the highest improvement, and will repay any amount of labor that may be ex- pended in its embellishment, its present condition ie rather unattractive, The process of grading is still going cn, and the process is exceedingly slow, on ac- count ofthe rocky nature of the land. In fact, a grest portion of the Central Park is of the same character; but this will, in many respects, be more advantagsous than otherwse in the laying out of the ground. Extendiog frem the Fighth avenue to within a few hundred feet of the Fifth, and from Fifty-ninth street to Bixty-fifth or cr Sixty-sixth street, there is a depression in the land, whioh by the aid ofa tittle labor, jadiciously bestowed, might be converted intoa besutiful little valley, while the rocks which rise at intervals to the height of twenty or thirty feet, would give it sufficient diversity. An artificial stream running through ita cen- tre, @ miniature lake, a cascade and some shade trees, with as few other improvements which would suggest themselves, would make this one of the most delightful apota in the whole park. Now it is oc- cupied by miserable looking broken down shanties, and Piggeries innumerable. The prospective valley is par- tially inundated with rain water, which, in some places, has formed into little pools that have turned green and magpant uncer the intense heat of the sun. There are, however, some signs of cultivation—for the inhabitants of the shanties vary their oceupation of rag picking with egricultural pursuite—and the patches of ga-dens ad- joining their dweliings turnish our markets with @ por- tion of their supply of vegetables. Here the industrious sons and daughters of the Fatherland—all of whom are t-nants of Comptroller Flagg, ard psy the city, through him, s monthly, quarterly or yearly rent for their litt’e holdings—here they ratse radishes, turnips, pstanips, cabbages for the indispensable sourkrout, potatoes, and a variety of other vegetables. Our appearance among this farming population, as we drove up hills, down valleys’ and through places where wheeled vehicles had never dared to venture, produce? quite asensation. They seemed to be thorougiy posted up in regasd to the great Central Park and the desigas of the city upon their little plantations, and evidently regarded our presence among beginning of the invasion whish was to end expulsion. @ nice little garden here,” we said, ad_ éreesing @ burly looktag agriculturist. “Vat you say ‘bout mine garden?’’ he sharply re. torted, and with an expression that was anything bu: pleasant, and decidedly inauspicious for our future ac quaintance. “© Your garden is very neatly laid out,” we ventured again to remark, {n » mollirying tone. “Ab, wine garden, he vilido very good—never mind him.”’ Then be added, ‘Vat you vant vid mine gar. ten!” “Oh, nothing—nothing,”” we replied, ‘ only it looks very well here, andis a great improvement.’’ “Ab, yaw! very well~don’t take him away, den, if de gerden ish good. Mr. Flagg ish going to take nim tor de- Central Bark, and den we musht ge.” “That, certainly is too bad.” “Yaw, und me bays him de monish, und now me und meé vrow macht go,’” Tt was a bard cat t least the poor German thought #80; and as we could offer him no consolation in hia trou- bles, we did the next best thing—we left him-and pro- ceeded on our explorations. Having regained the level road onee more, we drove throngh Fitty-ninth atroe: towards the Fifth avenue, the gercen patches and the piggeries growing less numorous ae we advanced towards that aristocratic thoroughtare. ‘To the right of us is the Eye Infirmary and the Catholic Orphan Asylum, and the view down Sixth avenue revenis the Crystal Palace aud that ejually anprofitad’e enter- prize--the Latting Observatory. After @ perilous pas- sege over the muddy thoroughfare we reach the Fifth avenue, which trom this point up to about Ninetioth atrret presents one of the finest drives in or about the city. ‘The massive gray atructure known as the State Aracoal is on our left, within the boundaries of the Park and fronting the avenue, while be is scmetimes called Jones’ Park, which hat, ft may be remembered, @ short-lived irivelry with the great Central. Between Jones’ Wood, which is bounded on the west by the Third avenue, and our Park, sre some very pleasant country villas, surrounded by neat little gardens, Leaving the arsenal ten or twelve streets be. hind, we dzive past an extensive apple orchard and h groups of magrificent trees, willows, poplars and other } varieties, and now we are in sight of the receiving reser- voir, which of itself forms two fine Jakes, extending over ap eres of thirty-five acres. The land to the east and north of thisis more fertile, amd will require less im- provement than any other portion of the Park. Passing Kighty sixth street, we approach the region of shaaties and piggeries egain, and are near the terminus of the Fifth avenue. We bave reached the very climax of upper-tendom, and pigs, geese, ducks, dogs, cows and superanouated, broken down hacks dlspate the rght of wey with us at every step Proeocious yourgsters, with as ardent a love for gold as the better feq and berter housed denizens of the other end, offer us bouquets of wild flowers f or one cent per bouquet, In@ liberal spirit we patronize the aspiring youth, and drive off with a whole tronpe of juveaile bouquet venders barging on our rear, sad Under the pressure cf competition offering 1wo bouqueta for the eame low charge. Our supply of copper Je exhausted, but one youngster, an incipient banker, im bare fet and tn the lightest kimd o? summer garmeats, through which bis elbows and knees have made their way, offers as change of w shijling. We ceclize the offer and drive off, leaving the young banker far behind, aud as we tura the corner catch # Jest giimpse of bim snd bis companions making telegraphic signals at ue, with thumb to nose. We have a: last reached the northern boundary of the Park, where One Hundred and Sixth street shoal be, but where it i¢ not, for the aileufficient reason that it hes not yet been cpaned. From the Arsenal to Eighty-sixih street, the eastern boundary is tolerably free from rock, but the rock ap- pears at this potnt and continues uninterrupted till it reaches Nivety-cecond street, whea it runs in on the Park, cropping ont again eix or sevea stree’s further on. ‘The proposed reservoir will extend from Kighty-seventh to Ninety-aixth street, and from i'ilth to Seventh avenue, forming, when completed, a lake about three times thy size cf the receiviog reservoir. The northern portions of the Park are the most elevated, and in some places the rocks rise toa height of one hundred and forty feet above the common level, There are many quiet little ceils among these rocks, and tbe clear bright water, as it trickles through the clefs, forms in rivulets and streama that, with a little ingenuity and labor, might be made to supply the artificial lakes and foun- tains, without which the Park willbe wanting in some of i{s most a'tractive features, St. Vincemt’s Academy is situated at its north eastern extremity, and the taste- fuljy Jaid ont gardens which surround it show what can be done to beautify and embellish this portion of the grounds. The same rccky formation is seen over all thia part, extending to the Kighth avenue, and as far down as Ninety-seventh street, but when Iaid cut it will bs one of the pleasantest resorts in the Parx. We have spoken of the gardess at its southern ex'remity, and here we have them again, but ona largescale. The land is more fer- tile, in a detter state of cultivation, and is interspersed with trees cf various sizes. We were pleased to see that a notice had been cénspicuously posted on the fences, warning persons against mutilating or removing the trees, fences or buildings within the limits of the park. The rotice ia to the following effect :— 3 NOTICE! 3 Aut Persoxs Ane Heresy Prommirep 3 3 i from 3 3 MUFILATING OR REMOVING 3 any of the H 3 TREES, FENCES OR BUILDINGS 3 3 within 3 THE LIMITS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, } i ; 3 UNDER THE PENALTY OF THE LAW. FERNANDO WOOD, Mayor. 3 Our appearance in the north created as great au excite- ment as it did among the southern residents, and some of the inbabitants came to the doors, with comb in hand, and proceeded with thelr toilets while gratifying their curicsity. The Croton aqueduct is visible fora considerable dis- tance on the west si¢e, and crosses the boundaries about Fighty-nixth street, before discharging its supply into the receiving reservcir, As we go down the Kighth ave- nne to the elty, the air besomes heavy with the disgust- ing odor from the bone factory which stands on Sixty- third street, and which is allowed to exist there in defiance of the law. At Seventy-second street we made @ vein attempt to cross to the Fifth avenue, but found, when half way cver, that it was not finished, and on inquiring, learned that it has been in that condition during the past year. Here we found more rock, but relieved with extensive patches of verdure and s fine tall trees, which can be turned to good account in the plan- ning and laying out of the ground, Fifteen minutes more, snd we have seached the end of our expedition, and are looking down upon the /ittle valley where we see our friend, the farmer, engaged in the cultivation of his portion of the vegetable supply for the New York markets, There are many really fine views from the high grounds of the Centra) Park. A considerable portion of the ma- jestic scenery of the Hudson, and the quiet landscape of the East river, are visiole from these elevations. Black- well’s Iesand is one of the most prominent and attraciive objeots within view, and its House of Refuge and Pent- tentiary look more like casties and palaces, at this dis- tance, then institutions for the punishment of evil doera, In regard to the Park, no plan has yet besn devised for its embellishment, It is proposed to have a number of <rives through it; but we protest against its being cut up intosquares by the intersection of streets and avenues, and we hope there will be as little delay as possible in the completion of the work. It should at least have an observatory onthe most elevated and commandirg petition, » botanieal—and if it can be ac- compliched~a zcological garden. The work, however, will soon be ccmmenced, and that certainly is something upon which to congratulate our citizens. Meeting of the Central Park Commissioners, The Commissioners for laylog out the Central Park, appointed by the Common Council, held « meeting at their rooms, ove: the Shoe and Leather Bank, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of inspecting such plans as might be submitted to them for laying out the proposed park. The only plan submitted to the Commissioners yester- doy was that of Lieut. Viele, late of the United States To- pographical Engineers, In presenting his plan, Lieut. Viele stated that it had been drawa up after a careful survey of the whole ground, and with refextme to the geolcgical and topographical features of the place, and also with a view to economy. It wse based upon princi- ples of modern landseape gardening, and adapted to the natural topography of the ground. He spread out several maps before the Bourd, and enter- ed into a detailed description of his plan. Very few changes in the surface of the ground are ren- dered necessary by this plan, ali the roads and avannes being 80 adapted as to conform to the natural features of the ground. It proposes to ofen a new reservoir of 100 acres in extent, to be called Croton Lake, and to be aub- a\ituted for the present receiving reservoir. The Mayor remarked that an act of the Legislature would be necessary, to empower the Croton Aqueduct Department to exchat their present site for the one proposed. The roads and avenues in and around the Park are named in the plan after the different counties ot the State, preference being given to the Indien names, Numerous questions were put to Lieutesant Viele by the different gentlemen present, relative to the plan sub- { mitted, and all seemed to be faverably impressed with the design, After Lieutenant Viele bad concluded his explanations the Commissioners held a private interview, at which reporters for the public press were not admitted, Our reporter Was informed after the adjournment, that the Commissioners had not decided definitely upon the i be adopted, but It was generally thought that the Bae abate by Lieutenant Viele would be successful, and that he ‘would appointed engineer to carry his design into executior Frrects oF THR StoRM.—A dwelling house on Staten Island, during the equall cf Tuesday night, was blown a . We have heard of no person being injured, There were several large trees also blown down on sires Island during the same squall, NATIONAL AMERICAN 0, NCI | Seoresy Removed, and the Dark Ia “tern Annihilated. NO MORE SATHS, PASSWORDS OF SECRET MEETHtt, 5 The Contested Seats in the Firth Cosgressionst” District=-All the Claimauts' Tarned Ont. THE FILLMORE TEST APPLIED. Bolting of Ilincis and Rhode island Witegates THE BROOKS AND SUMNER CUTR AGE. John Minor Betts and Humphrey’ Marshall Thereon. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, &., &., a. SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The Natioval Council of the American party re assou- bled yesterday morning {n Kniskerbocker Hall. There were some additional members present—among them a gentleman from Massachusetts, who had freely availed himselt of the right to get ‘‘glorious”’ in the Empire eity- ‘The meeting was called to order at 10% o’olock, A. M., and the Presigent announced the first question-in order to be the motion of Mr. Marshall, ot Ky., to abolish pass words and sentine)s, Brother Corson, @ reporter of the New York Express, rore to oppose the resolution offered by Mr. Underwood, in yesterday ’a seaston, to abolish seoresy. The PResiDEsT stated that that was not the question im order. It was the motion of the gentleman from Kea- tucky, (Mr. Marshall.) A Durecare suggested that aa Mr. Marshall is not in the house, the matter had better be passed over infor- mally for the prerent. That suggeution wan sgreed to. ‘Tne “ tight” delegate from Massachusetts amused his immediate ctrele for some time, by informivg them who he was, where he came from, and that he was a d—@ queer feliow. He went up to the Chair and remarked that his credentials hai not yet been examined, and he Was aceordingly referred to the Committee room. He would persist, however, in talking to the President, not- withstanding the requirements of that officer that the gentieman would take his seat. He wanted very muck to make known bis preference for Bell, of Texas, for the Presidency. The Prasipent—having temporarily got rid of this dele gate—announced tho following Committee on Resolutions, viz,: Senator Goodwin, of New York; A. Prentice, of Kentucky ; Isaac W. Thompson, of New York; Col. Logan. of Arkansas; Sol Sinith, of Missouri; G. Brasheus, of Ohio; Mr, Warren, of Maseachasetta; W. 8. Francis, of Maryland; Dr, Hitchcock, of California; and Mr. Zollicoffer, of Tea. nessee. Mr. Son SaiTu, of Missouri, offered the following pre_ amble and resolutions :— Whereas, in the platform of principles adopted by the Na- (ional Cour.cil im February last, authority was given to eae Stste Council to amend {ts constitution so as 10 abolish the neveral degrees, and institu a pledge of honor iustead of other obiigations for feilowahip and admission into the party; nod whereas it is desirable that the proposed pl shall be uniform throughou: the States, embod: ing, as nearly as pos- siple, the principle upon which our orgaaization is founded, Resolved Theta piecge ot bonor is recommended to ‘the several Mate Counclis for adootion by them as embodying all the principles, aime and objects of the American party, The “ pledge of honor” proposed is simply a pledge te the principles of the American party—to support fo office no man who acknowledges any civil allegianee ta any foreign power, or who refuses to acknowledge th federal and State copatitutions as paramount to all other laws. To these declarations the candidate is to pledge his ‘‘life, his fortune and his sacred honor.” Resolved, further, Thatal! provisions of the constitution, rules and reguiations, special notes, ritual or other yy the National Council. which conilict with the prim- eunciated in the “pledge of honor’ now institu’ ed, be the same are hereby rescinded and abolished; pro- vided, kowever, that it is not the intention or ot thie reeoiution to change, modify, or in anywise alter the *' piat- form of the American party,” adopted in February Inst resolw'ions to take effect ani be in foree in each State whem adopted by the Siate Counoi! thereof. On motion, the foregoing preamble and resolution were referred to the Committee on Credentials. ‘The PRFSmDENT announced that it was now the duty of the Counsil to go into an election of officers for the en- suing year. He (the presiding officer) having served the past year, would ask to be discharged. It was for the Counc!! to fix the tamejwhen that election should be held. It was moved and carried that as soon as the Commit- tee on Credentials should have reported, this Council de Go into an election of officers for the ensuing year. Brother Consoy, of the Express, again attempted te eige in a speech in faygg.of excluding the reporters, but the gentleman who been indulging a little in the forenoon, would persist in interrupting, announeing thas hewas from Massachuseite—he was—and a right tough old fellow, too. A Darxcate denied thatthe gentleman was either de- legate or substitute from the State of Massachusetts. The gentleman, staggering up to the President, asked him to read his credentials. The President declined. ‘Mr. HALL, of Mass., stated that there was nothing about the gentleman’s credentials bearing the sightest mark of veracity, The thing was absurd, and he repa- Giated i*. A Sergeant-at-Arms was then appointed, and that functionary conducted the bacshanalian Know Nothing before the Committee on Credentials. As he did not sgain make his appearance, it is to be presumed that his pa- pers were not found in order. WThe motion of Mr. Marshall was then taken up, te dispense with the password and sentinel at the door. The young Know Nothing of the Express, again got the floor to oppose the motion. He knew the press of New York to be inimisal to their cause, and it was not their policy, he thought, to hold an open session, as the re_ porters would laugh at, and ridicule their sayings and doings, This was not » nominating convention, and he thought it better to have private sessions and have an authorized person to give the publie the proceedings of the body. He wanted to have the publication of the proceedings of this Council correctly made; and he therefore moved as ao substitute for Mr. Marshall’s motion—“That the Presi- dent and Secretaries be appointed a committee to pre_ pare and publish a record of the Proceedings of thie Couneil.? Mr. Brockway, of Oal., hed ever been unqualifiedly opposed to secresy. He aivocated no principle which he feared would suffer from ridicule. He belonged te no party which would beafraid of making known thel, Principles. Let the reporters, if they choose to garble Proceedings, do 60. This party would suffer mo more from {t than other parties did. His State was in favor ce the abolition of all secrecy, and he hoped the substitute would be rejected, and Mr. Marsball’s motion agreed to. Mr. Wanney, of Obio, believed in the propriety of holding their Council in private. He had always re- marked the fact that Kentuckians had always proceeded on a broad open platform, but he had seen thereby her gallant citizens defeated. The Democratic Coven- tion at Cincinnati had presented a precedent for this, for they had excluded even the ladies. When the party abolished the fundamental principle of the party, secresy, the party would be destroyed, while tt was claimed to be a souree of weakness, he thought it was an element of snecess. He knew that the rabble of this country rule it and control its publie affairs. They had mob law reigning at the Capitol, and he felt thatthis might be the last time when agreat Ameriean Council would set. He hoped, therefore, they would ait in secret, and that the motion of Mr. Marshals would be rejected, Mr, Surtn, of N. Y., thought that the first question to ‘de settled im the comtroversy was whether they had beom able to maintain the searesy to which they hed pre. tended. If not, there was no reason in the effort to secrecy. Whatever might have been the eriginal princl- ples of the organization, they had been. widely departed from im many respects. They had, for instance, set out on the principle that they should eelect candidates (rom, the old partios; and that, too, \hey had ceparted trom