A D V ERTISEMENT. 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 or 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 fir.ont 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 par. tially 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, there fore, or further explanation, the Text-Book is commended to the favor of the American public. New-YORK, August 1a, 1860. CONTENTS. PAGE PAGI ABOLITION Conv. at Warsaw, N. Y., 1839. 12 BELL, JOnn, of Tennessee, nominee of she ABOLITIONISTS (Garrisonians) for Disunion. 173 Union party for President, 1860.... 29 His Compromise Proposition. 75 ACCEPTANCE of Presidential candidates.... 210 His letter accepting the nomination for Presi dent. Adams, CHARLES FRANCIS, of Massachusetts, 218 President Buffalo Convention, 1848; Nominee of BENJAMIN, Jonau P., of Louisiana, on Popdo. for Vice-President.. 17 ular Sovereignty. 194 Adams, GOVERNOR, of South Carolina, re His opinion of Douglas. 196 commends in a Message the reopening of the Afri- BIRNEY, JAMES G., of Michigan, Abolition can Slave-Trade... 208 candidate for President in 1840. 12 ADAMS, Johx, of Massachusetts, chosen Liberty Party candidate for President in 1844.. 14 President 1796–7: Reëlection defeated 1800-1.... 9 BONHAM, MILLIDGE L., of South Carolina, for Dissolution...... ADAMS, John Quincy, of Massachusetts, 172 elected President 1824 ; defeated candidate for Boyd, Linn, of Kentucky, defeated for do. 1828.. 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 ConAMERICAN National CONVENTION, 1856.... 23 vention, 1856. 24 Elected Vice-President 1856. 22 AMERICAN NationAL COUNCIL, 1856...... 23 Speech on General Politics at Frankfort Ky., in 1859. 149 ANTI-MASONIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS of Gives casting vote against Free Homestead bill 187 1830 and 1831..... 10 211 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 law... 208 ASAMUN, GEORGE, of Massachusetts, President Republican National Convention, 1860...... 26 BROWN, AARON V., of Tennessee, de feated for Vice-President in Democratic Conveg. ATCHISOX, David R., of Missouri, beaten tion 1856. 23 for Vice-President in Democratic Convention, 1852 20 BANKS, NATHANIEL P., of Massachusetts, BUCHANAN, JAMES, of Pennsylvania, beaten defeated for Vice-President in Rep. Conv., 1856... for President in Democratic Convention, 1844.... 22 18 Beaten for President in Democratic Conven. Supported for Vice-President in Republican National Convention, 1860..... 23 tion, 1848.... Nominated for President by Democratic Con. Bates, EDWARD, of Missouri, President vention, 1856.. 24 Whig National Convention, 1830.. 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. 199 His letter in support of Lincoln and Hamlin., 199 BORR, Aaron, chosen Vice-President, 1800-1.. 9 BARBOUR, PAILIP P., of Virginia, beaten for Vice-President........ 10 BUTLER, WILLIAM O., of Kentucky, Demo cratic nominee and defeated candidate for ViceBARBOUR, JAMES, of Virginia, President President, 1848. 16 first National Republican Convention.... 11 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. CALAOUN, Jonn C., of South Carolina, mocratic National Convention.. 16 elected Vice-President in 1824, and reelected in Nominate Van Buren and Dodge for President 10 and Vice-President..... 17 BARTLETT, G. B., of Kentucky, President CAMBRELENG, C. C., of N. Y. on Slavery... 204 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 37 for Vice-President in Democratic Convention, 1856 24 Presides over Seceders' Convention at Charles- CAMPBELL, Lewis D., of Ohio, offers a re solve in Whig National Convention, 1848. 13 16 ..... 1828.... ton...... PAOB PAQ CARROLL, Gov. William, of Tennessee, Fourth Democratic National Convention, 1844 .. 13 President of the third Democratic National Con. Fifth Democratic National Convention, 1843 16 vention, 1840..... 19 Sixth Democratic National Convention, 1852.. 20 24 Seventh Democratic National Convention, 1856. Cass, Gen. Lewis, of Michigan, beaten for 29 Eighth Democratic National Convention, 1860 Mr. Avery's (N. C.) Majority Report, from Combeaten for President, 1848 mittee on Platform; Mr. H. B. Payne's Mi 16 Beaten for President in Democratic Conven nority Report from Committee on Platform; Senator Wm. Bigler's Compromise proposition 90 tion, 1852 20 Beated for President in Democratic Conven Mr. Avery's amended Majority Report; Mr. tion, 1856 Avery's remarks in favor of same; Mr. H. B. 24 81 Payne of Ohio in reply Nicholson Letter on Popular Sovereignty.... 179 His extracts from Breckinridge, Orr, and SteCHAPMAN, Gen. JOHN G., of Maryland, phens; Mr. Samuels's (of Iowa) Minority RePresident, Whig National Convention, 1852..... 82 port.. 18 CHASE, SALMON P., of Ohio, candidate for Minority Report adopted, 165 to 188; Alabama 83 President before Republican National Conven Mississippi withdraws 84 tion, 1860. 27 South Carolina, Florida, and Texas withdraws... 86 Proposes to Allow People of Kansas to prohibit Arkansas retires... 87 Slavery. 81 Georgia retires... SS Louisiana withdraws; Speech of Wm. B. Gaulden 89 Fruitless ballots (57) for President; Adjournment 28 to Baltimore; The Seceders at Charleston; SeCLAY, HENRY, of Kentucky, beaten for nator Bayard, of Delaware, Chairman; They 41 President, 1892. 11 adopt the Avery Platform Defeated for President in Whig Convention at They adjourn to Richmond; They meet at RichHarrisburg, 1889. Defeated for President in mond June 11; They finally adopt Breckin1844. 18 ridge and Lane; The adjourned Convention at Defeated for President in Whig Convention, timore; Gen, Cushing's opening Speech 1848. 15 Mr. Howard, of Tennessee, moves admission of original Delegates; Mr. Kavanagh, of MinneCLINGMAN, Thomas L., of North Carolina, Bota, moves to lay on table ; Previous question for Dissolution. 172 43 CLINTON, DE WITT, defeated for President 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.. 46 Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and California withdraw. 4€ 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 proCRAWFORD, MARTIN J., for Dissolution 172 test.... CRAWFORD, WILLIAM H., of Georgia, beaten DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM (Davis's Resoluin Democratic Caurus for President in 1816; tions), adopted by the United States Senate, affirmDemocratic 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, suption.... 172 ported for President in Democratic National ConCOSAING, Gen. CALEB, of Massachusetts, vention, 1860 41 President of Democratic National Convention, 1860... Dix, Gen. JOHN A., advocates Freedom 20 Retires from the chair at Baltimore... for the Territories in the United States............ 47 207 Presides over the Seceders' Convention at Bal DISUNION AVOWED by Southern Statesmen 48 in the event of the election of a Republican PresiDALLAS, GEORGE M., of Pennsylvania, nomi. 170 nated for and elected Vice-President, 1844.. 18 DOBBIN, JAMES C., of North Carolina, beaten DAVIS, GARRETT, of Kentucky, defeated for for Vice-President in Democratic National ConvenPresident in the American National Convention... 28 tion, 1856... 24 Davis JEFFERSON, of Mississippi, supported, DODGE, Gen. Henry, of Wisconsin, nomi. 1860, for President in National Democratic Con nated for Vice-President by New-York Radicals in vention 41 17 DONELSON, ANDREW J., of Tennessee, nomi- 23 Indorsed by Whig National Convention, 1856 ... 25 20 DOUGLAS, STEPHEN A., of Illinois, beaten for President in Democratic Convention, 1852... 20 Dayton, WILLIAM L., of New-Jersey, Re Beaten for President in Democratic Convenpublican nominee for Vice-President, 1856; de 24 tion, 1856. feated therefor.... 22 43 DEJARNETTE, DANIEL C., of Virginia, for Dis- Proposes to extend the Missouri Compromise to solution 172 74 Mr. Douglas' reply to Lincoln xt Freeport... 180 DELAWARE Declares for Free Territories Mr. Douglas' “ Harper" Essay on Popular 80through Legislative resolves in 1820.. 62 vereignty in the Territories.. 182 Also in 1849 201 Speech at Springfield, Ill., June 12, 1857. 154 DEMOCRACY OF MAINE for the Wilmot Pro Speech on the John Brown raid, July 16, 1860, 199 viso proposing a Sedition Law.. 201 He tells what Popular Sovereignty has done for DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.-First Slavery.. 159 st Baltimore in 1892. 10 Accepts Nomination for Presidency. 212 Becond at Baltimore in 1885 11 Extract from Speech in favor of Missouri OumThird Democratic National Convention, 1848 12 promisa 215 timore..... dent ..... 20 1844.......... 60 PAGR PAGR Downs, Solomon U., of Louisiana, beaten Whig nomicee for Vice-President, 1848 15 for Vice-President in Democratic Convention, Elected Vice-President, 1848. 16 1852.... Defeated for President in Whig National Con- 18 EVERETT, EDWARD, of Massachusetts, Union American nominee for President in 1856. 23 eandidate for Vice-President in 1860.. 299 Indorsed by Whig National Convention in 1856. 25 His views on Slavery–His “Knapsack" Speech His views on Slavery--Buffalo Letter of 1888, in Congress-Replies of Messrs. Mitchell, Ran. and Albany Speech of 1856... 202 dolph and Cambreleng-Mr. Everett on Geo His Letter to New York Union Meeting, 1860.. 208 graphical Parties—Later Views on Slavery, in Letters of 1837 and '89.. FITZPATRICK, BENJAMIN, of Alabama, beaten 204 His Acceptance of the Nomination for Vice for Vice-President in Democratic Convention of President of the United States..... 1856.. 214 24 His views on the Sumner Outrage.... Nominated by Democratic Convention, 1860... 43 216 Declines the Nomination... 218 ELLMAKER, Amos, of Pennsylvania, Anti. FLOURXOY, FRANCIS B., of Arkansas, temMasonic candidate for Vice-President, 1882..... 10 porary Chairman of Democratic National Con. ELECTION RETURNS IN DETAIL, of all the vention, 1860. 29 Presidential Elections since 1886.. 816 FLOYD, JOAN, of Virginia, supported by Aggregate vote by States, for President, from South Carolina for President, 1882. 11 1824 to 1856.... 239 FREE HOMESTEADS-Action of Congress on Alabama vote for President. 228 Governor, Congress, etc. 1859 248 granting free Homesteads to actual settlers.. 182 Arkansas vote for President. Mr. Grow's Ten-Year proposition defeated in 284 the House.. 184 California vote for President. Mr. Grow introduces another bill which is 237 248 185 Connecticut vote for President.. The Senate refused to act upon it.. 228 187 Governor, 1560. 240 Mr. Grow introduces another in 1860, which Delaware vote for President. 224 188 Governor, 1858. Rejected by the Senate.. 240 189 Florida vote for President. A compromise bill agreed upon. 288 190 Congress, 1858. Vetoed by the President.. 248 191 Veto sustained by the Senate. Georgia vote for President. 225 198 Congress, 1859. 243 FRELINGHUYSEN, THEODORE, of New-Jersey, Illinois vote for President 220 Nominated and defeated for Vice-President in Congress, 1858 246 18 Legislature, 1858. 247 Indiana vote for President. 222 FREMONT, Col. John C., of California, Re- 22 Iowa vote for President.. 287 Defeated for President, 1856.. 28 Kentucky vote for President. Congress, 1859 288 GARTRELL, LUCIUS J., of Georgia, for disLouisiana vote for President,... solution. 282 172 Congress, 1859. 243 GEORGIA LEGISLATURE censures Senator Maine vote for President. 216 Berrien for voting to confirm Mr. Everett as Min- 240 215 Maryland vote for President.. 224 Congress, 1858. 241 Graham, WILLIAM A., of North Carolina, Massachusetts vote for President, 217 Whig nominee for Vice-President, 1852.. 18 Governor, 1859. 240 Defeated for Vice-President, 1852... 22 Michigan vote for President.. 221 GRANGER, Francis, of New York, Presi. 246 Minnesota vote for Governor, 1859. 248 10 Missouri vote for President.. 285 12 Congress, 1858. 245 GUTHRIE, JAMES, of Kentucky, supported Mississippi vote for President.. 229 for President in National Democratic Conven. Governor, Congress, etc., 1859 248 tion... New Hampshire vote for President. 216 Governor, 1859.. 240 HALE, JOAN P., of New Hampshire, Free New-Jersey vote for President.. 217 Democratic nominee for President, 1852. 21 Governor, 1859.. 241 New-York vote for President.. HAMLIN, HANNIBAL, of Maine, nominated 219 Sec. State, Controller, etc., for Vice-President by Republican National Con1859.. 240 vention, 1860.. 23 North Carolina vote for President. 230 Renounces the Democratic party in the U. S. 242 209 Ohio vote for President.. 218 Accepts nomination for Vice-President...... 211 * Governor, 1859. 245 HARRISON, Gen. WILLIAM H., of Ohio, nom. Oregon vote for Congress, 1859. 247 12 Pennsylvania vote for President. 228 Nominated for President at Harrisburg, Decem- 19 Rhode Island vote for President. 216 Governor, 1860.... 240 HICKMAN, John, of Pennsylvania, supportSouth Carolina chooses Electors and Governor ed for Vice-President in Republican Convention, by Legislature...... 248 1860... 23 Tennessee vote for Presidente ...... 281 Congress, 1859. Houston, Gen. Sam, of Texas, supported 244 Texas vote for President. 288 29 “ Congress, 1859. 248 HUNTER, ROBERT M. T., of Virginia, supVermoxt vote for President. 217 Governor, 1869 ported for President by Democratic National Con 240 Virginia vote for President. vention, 1860.. 226 Governor, 1859, 241 ILLINOIS DECLARES FOR FREE TERRITORIES Wisconsin vote for President.. 237 through Legislative Resolves.... 208 Governor, 1869. 247 Jackson, Gen. ANDREW, of Tennessee, FILLMORE, MILLARD, of New-York, defeated beaten for President in 1824 and elected in 1828... 10 ke Tice-President in Whig Convention, 1844..... 13 Reëlected President in 1832. 11 Maine 66 66 66 66 66 |