A Political Text-book for 1860: Comprising a Brief View of Presidential ...

BUTERED according to Act of Congress, in the yoar 1860, by

THE TRIBUNE ASSOCIATION,

la the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Taited States for the Southern District of New York.

TILDIN LIBRAR

1895

W. £ Tixson, Stereotypor.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The single end of this book is the presentation, in a compact and convenient form, of the more important facts, votes, resolves, letters, speeches, reports and other documents, which elucidate the political contest now agitating this country. It has been our aim to let every candidate and other important personage speak for himself, make his own platform, and vindicate (if he may) his own consistency and the soundness of his views on the great questions which underlie our current politics.

Of course, such a work can have but a comparative merit. Make it ever so large, and still many things must be omitted that the compiler would wish to insert; and every critic will plausibly ask, “Why insert this and omit that ? Why give so much of A. and so little of B.?” Beside, it is not always possible to remember, or, if remembered, to find, all that would be valued in a work like this. We can only say that we have done our best : let him do better

who can.

Inaccuracy of citation is one of the chief vices of our political discussions. You can hardly listen to a set speech, even from a well-informed and truthful canvasser, which is not marred by some misapprehension or unconscious misstatement of the position and views of this or that prominent statesman. Documents, heedlessly read and long since lost or mislaid, are quoted from with fluency and confidence, as though with indubitable accuracy, when the citations so made do gross injustice to their author, and tend to mislead the hearer. We believe the documents collected in this work are so printed that their general accuracy may be safely relied on.

By canvassers of all parties, we trust our Text-Book will be found convenient, not to say indispensable. But those who only listen, and read, and reflect, will also find it a manifest help to a clear understanding of the issues and contentions of the day. They will be interested in comparing the actual positions taken by Mr. Lincoln, or Mr. Douglas, or Gen. Cass, or Mr. Everett, as faithfully set forth in this work, with those confidently attributed to that statesman in the front harangue of some political opponent, who is intent on blazoning his inconsistency or proving his insincerity. To verify and correct

the citations of a frothy declaimer is sometimes the easiest and most convincing refutation of his speech.

If a trace of partisan bias is betrayed in the thread of narrative which partially unites the successive reports, bills, votes, etc., presented in this work, the error is unintentional and regretted. Our purpose was to compile a record acceptable and convenient to men of all parties, and which might be consulted and trusted by all. Whatever is original herein is regarded as of no use or merit, save as a necessary elucidation of the residue. Without apology, therefore, or further explanation, the Text-Book is commended to the favor of the American public.

NEW-YORK, August let, 1860.

PAGE

PAGI

law.....

ABOLITION Conv. at Warsaw, N. Y., 1839. 12 BELL, Jonn, of Tennessee, nominee of the

ABOLITIONISTS (Garrisonians) for Disunion. 173

Union party for President, 1860..

His Compromise Proposition.

ACCEPTANCE of Presidential candidates.... 210 His letter accepting the nomination for Presi-

dent....

212

Adams, CHARLES FRANCIS, of Massachusetts,

President Buffalo Convention, 1848; Nominee of BENJAMIN, Jodau P., of Louisiana, on Pop-

do, for Vice-President..

17 ular Sovereignty.

194

His opinion of Douglas.

196

Adams, GOVERNOR, of South Carolina, re-

commends in a Message the reopening of the Afri. BIRNEY, JAMES G., of Michigan, Abolition

can Slave-Trade.

208 candidate for President in 1840.

Liberty Party candidate for President in 1844.. 14

Adams, John, of Massachusetts, chosen

President 1796–7: Reëlection defeated 1800-1.... 9 Bonham, MILLIDGE L., of South Carolina,

for Dissolution.......

172

Adams, John QUINCY, of Massachusetts,

elected President 1824 ; defeated candidate for Boyd, LINN, of Kentucky, defeated for

do. 1829...

10 Vice-President by Democratic Convention, 1856.. 24

ALLEN, CHARLES, of Massachusetts, offers

BRECKINRIDGE, JOHN C., of Kentucky,

Resolve in Whig National Convention, 1848....... 15

nominated Vice-President by Democratic Con-

AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, 1856.... 23 vention, 1856...

Elected Vice-President 1856.

AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, 1856...... 23

Speech on General Politics at Frankfort Ky..

in 1859..

140

ANTI-MASONIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS of

Gives casting vote against Free Homestead bill 187

1830 and 1831..

Accepts nomination for Presidency.

211

Anti-SLAVERY ORDINANCE of 1784.. 51 Bronson, Judge GREENE C., on Slavery,

ANTI-SLAVERY ORDINANCE of 1787....... 52 letter affirming Slavery to exist only by positive

20€

ASHMUN, GEORGE, of Massachusetts, Presi.
dent Republican National Convention, 1860....... 26 Brown, AARON V., of Tennessee, de-

feated for Vice-President in Democratic Conven-

ATCHISON, DAVID R., of Missouri, beaten

tion 1856.....

for Vice-President in Democratic Convention, 1852 20
Banks, NATHANIEL P., of Massachusetts,

BUCHANAN, JAMES, of Pennsylvania, beaten

for President in Democratic Convention, 1844....

defeated for Vice-President in Rep. Conv., 1856...

Beaten for President in Democratic Conven-

Supported for Vice-President in Republican Na-

tional Convention, 1860....

tion, 1948...

Nominated for President by Democratic Con-

Bates, EDWARD, of Missouri, President

vention, 1856...

Whig National Convention, 1856..

25 Elected President of the United States, 1856... 22

Candidate for President before Republican Con-

Message on Lecompton.

118

vention, 1860.

27 Special message on do.

117

Letter to the Missouri delegates to the Republi.

Veto of Homestead bill.

191
can Convention...

198 Burr, Aaron, chosen Vice-President,

His letter in support of Lincoln and Hamlin..

1800-1..

BARBOUR, PHILIP P., of Virginia, beaten

for Vice-President...

10 BUTLER, WILLIAM O., of Kentucky, Demo-

cratic nominee and defeated candidate for Vice-

BARBOUR, JAMES, of Virginia, President

President, 1848..

first National Republican Convention.

Defeated for President and Vice-President in

President Whig National Convention, 1839..... 12

Democratic National Convention, 1852...... 20
BARNBURNERS of New York retire from Do.

Calhoun, John C., of South Carolina,

mocratic National Convention..

elected Vice-President in 1824, and reelected in

Nominate Van Buren and Dodge for President

and Vice-President.....

CAMBRELENG,

C. C., of N. Y. on Slavery... 204

BARTLETT, G. B., of Kentucky, President
American National Council, 1856.

23 CAMERON, Gen. Simon, of Pennsylvania,

candidate for President before Republican Na-

BAYARD, JAMES A., of Delaware, defeated

tional Convention, 1860

for Vice-President in Democratic Convention, 1856 24

Presides over Seceders' Convention at Charles- CAMPBELL, LEWIS D., of Ohio, offers a re-

ton....

solve in Whig National Convention, 1848.

CARROLL, Gov. William, of Tennessee, Fourth Democratic National Convention, 1844 .. 18

President of the third Democratic National Con.

Fifth Democratic National Convention, 1848 16

vention, 1840..

12 Sixth Democratic National Convention, 1852... 20

Cass, Gen. LEWIS, of Michigan, beaten for

Seventh Democratic National Convention, 1856. 24

President in Democratic Convention, 1844..

Eighth Democratic National Convention, 1860 ..

Democratic nominee for President, 1848;

Mr. Avery's (N. C.) Majority Report, from Com-

beaten for President, 1848

mittee on Platform; Mr. H. B. Payne's Mi-

Beaten for President in Democratic Conven-

nority Report from Committee on Platform;

tion, 1852

Senator Wm. Bigler's Compromise proposition

Beaten for President in Democratic Conven-

Mr. Avery's amended Majority Report; Mr.

tion, 1856 ..

Avery's remarks in favor of same; Mr. H. B.

Nicholson Letter on Popular Sovereignty.

Payne of Ohio in reply

179

His extracts from Breckinridge, Orr, and Ste-

CHAPMAN, Gen. John G., of Maryland,

phens; Mr. Samuels's (of Iowa) Minority Re-

President, Whig National Convention, 1852.....

port...

CHASE, SALMON P., of Ohio, candidate for

Minority Report adopted, 165 to 188; Alabama

protests and withdraws

President before Republican National Conven-

Mississippi withdraws

tion, 1860

27 South Carolina, Florida, and Texas withdraws... 86

Proposes to Allow People of Kansas to prohibit

Arkansas retires.

Slavery..

81 Georgia retires.

Clay, Cassius M., of Kentucky, supported

Louisiana withdraws; Speech of Wm. B. Gaulden

for Vice-President in Republican National Con-

of Georgia in favor of the Slave-Trade

vention, 1860.....

Fruitless ballots (57) for President; Adjournment

to Baltimore; The Seceders at Charleston ; Se-

CLAY, HENRY, of Kentucky, beaten for

nator Bayard, of Delaware, Chairman; They

President, 1832.

adopt the Avery Platform

Defeated for President in Whig Convention at

They adjourn to Richmond ; They meet at Rich-

Harrisburg, 1839. Defeated for President in

mond June 11; They finally adopt Breckin-

1844..

ridge and Lane; The adjourned Convention at

Defeated for President in Whig Convention,

timore; Gen. Cushing's opening Speech

1848.

Mr. Howard, of Tennessee, moves admission of

original Delegates; Mr. Kavanagh, of Minne-

CLINGMAN, THOMAS L., of North Carolina,

sota, moves to lay on table ; Previous question

for Dissolution....

172 defeated.

Clinton, De Witt, defeated for President 9

Proposition of Mr. 8. E. Church, of New-York;

Report of Committee on Credentials

Clinton, GEORGE, choseu Vice-President, Minority Report of do.; Admission of Douglas

1804.

Delegates from Louisiana and Alabama

COCHRANE, John, of New-York, presents

Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland

and California withdraw..

Anti-Slavery Resolves to Mass Meetings.. 207 Delaware, and part of Kentucky, and Missouri

CONSTITUTIONAL UNION CONVENTION, 1860 29

withdraw; Gen. Cushing resigns the Chair;

Gen. Butler, of Massachusetts, offers a pro-

CRAWFORD, MARTIN J., for Dissolution 172
CRAWFORD, WILLIAM H., of Georgia, beaten DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM (Davis's Resolu-
In Democratic Caucus for President in 1816;

tions), adopted by the United States Senate, affirm-

Democratic Caucus candidate for President, 1824 9 ing the duty of Congress to establish a Slave Code

Beaten for President 1824...

10 in the Territories

194

CURRY, J. L. M., of Alabama, for Dissolu-

DICKINSON, DANIEL S., of New-York, sup-

tion.

172

ported for President in Democratic National Con.

CUSHING, Gen. CALEB, of Massachusetts, vention, 1860

President of Democratic National Convention,