Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1860 — REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. [ARTICLE]

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The Republican Convention, which met at the Court House last Wednesday to appoint Delegates to the State Convention, was the largest Convention we have seen in Jasper county, and the people appeared mofe enthusiastic and hopeful than heretofore. The Court House was nearly full. The Convention was organised by electing W. D. Lee Chairman, and £>. F. Davies Secretary.^ The Chair7 nan stated, in a few well timed remarks, the object of the meeting—to be the selection of Delegates to the State Convention. A Committee of six was appoinj-ed to report resolutions, consisting of Dr. W. H. Martin, G. C. Moody, Clias. Frankenberger, H. C. Bruce, Geo. W. Nichols and William C. Pierce. A Committee of five was appointed to suggest proper persons to act as Delegates, consisting of Ezra Wright, Jonathan Peacock, Henry Ilenkle, J. M. Gwin and Thos. Antrim. While the Committees were out. Robert C. Gregory, Esq., of Lafayette, was called out and addressed the meeting about an houri in an eloqent and convincing manner. Among other things, Mr. Gregory fully showed that the fathers of our Republic believed Slavery to be in the “course of ultimate extinction.” On concluding the audience evinced their appreciation of his remarks by rounds of applause.

The Committee on Resolutions then presented the following: Resolved, That the policy of the present Administration of the general Government, its corruption and usurpation, its monstrous attempts to extend Slavery into the Territories of the United States, contrary to the Constitution and the expressed willof the people of such Territories, and its promulgation of the new and dangerous political doctrine that the Constitution, by its own force, carries Slavery into all the Territories, is fraught with danger to the peace and prosperity of the whole Union, and an Administration that holds such principles, and attempts to enforce such policy, is unworthy ol the support of an enlightened people. Resolved, That the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, as advocated by Senator Douglas, and his construction and indorsement of the Dred Scott decision, arc in conlliet with each other, and cannot be reconciled. Whereas, It is in evidence by their own j confession, that a large number of the South- ( ern members of Congress have entered into | a written pledge that they will not vo e fori the “plurality rule,” until the Ist of March,' 1861, thereby arresting the organization ol th : House of Representatives, to the great detrement of the interests of the United States, and Whereas, Regarding as we do .such conduct as unworthy the Representatives of a free people, and having its foundation in anarchy and disunion, therefore: Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of the Republican party in Congress, and ol every other Union-loving and patriotic man, to stand by the great principles of law and order and spurn with scorn and contempt every effort to stifle the will of a large portion of our people and jeopardise the interests and safety of our Union by such traitorous conduct.

Resolved, That we cordially indorse the following resolution, offered in the House of Representatives of the United States, on the 14th day of December, 1856, by Mr. Etheridge, of Tennessee: “Resolved, Tlntt this House of Representatives regard A\ suggestions ai d propositions of every/kind, by whomsoever made, for the revivajl of the African slave trade, us shocking to the moral sentiment of the enlightened portion dt mankind; and that any action on the pa.jx of Congress conniving at, or legalizing that horrid and inhuman trafic, would justly subject the Government and citizens of the United States to the reproach ai.d execration of all civilized and Christian people throughout the world.” Resolved, That the gallant stand taken l;v our Republican members in Congress, meets the hearty approval of their political brethren in this part of the State, and that we believe it to be the true interest of the people of this Government that they should continue to stand firm in the support of John Sherman for speaker, as long as there is a hope of his election, and until it is ascertained to a certainty that some other good, Union-loving Republican cun be elected to that office. Resolved, That we are opposed to the extension of Slavery into Territory now free, and in favor of using all lawful means to exclude it therefrom. That we are opposed to the Dred Scott decision and believe that so much of it as relates to the repeal of the Mistouri Compromise is of no binding force or effect. That we are in favor of the immediate admission of Kansas into the Union under the Constitution recently adopted by its people, and of maintaining inviolate the rights of the States, and of defending the soil of every State from lawless invasion. Resolved, That we extend to our Representative in Congress, the Hon. Schuyler Colfax, the assurance of our undiminished confidence in his ability and in his zeal in the support of tho principles of tiu? Constitution and the rights of a free people. Resolved, I bat the Democratic party are responsible for the swamp 'land frauds which have operated so peculiarly disasterous to the interests of this county, ar.d that we will devote all our energies to fill the several State offices with men who look above the mere promptings of personal ambition and have the good of the whole people at heait After they were read, Mr. T. A. Knox said he objected to the one about Swamp Land swindles, whereupon Dr. W. 11. Martin moved that the resolutions beaded upon singly, which was unanimously adopted. The resolutions were then read and adopted unanimously until the Swamp Land one was reached. Here Mr. Knox got up and stated that some of the officers of State elected by the People’s party in 1851 were concerned in

the swindle, and therefore the Democratic party ought not to be held responsible. Judge Milroy followed in a few remarks sustaining the resolution. Mr. Ezra Weight thought the resolution ill-timed, and moved that it be postponed until the Convention for the nomination of county officers. Mr. G. C. Moody, of Jordan township, supported the resolution in a glowing and eloquent speech. He showed that .the Re publicans had never elevated a man to office who had the taint of Swamp Land frauds on his skirts, while the Democrats had re-elec-ted men to office, and indorsed their conduct, known to be engaged in the frauds. Mr. Wright here gtated that, after hearing the eloquent remarks of the last speaker, he would withdraw his motion. No one having offered an amendment, a vote was taken on the resolution, which reresulted in a tremendous “aye” and but one “no.” The Committee to report Delegates to the State Convention, made the following report, which was unanimously adopted: Hanging Grove —Win. E. Moore, Henry Banta, Esq., J. L. Robinson. Gillam— John Quarry, Win. Robison, M. E. Davison. Walker —Lorenzo Tinkham. Barkley G. H. Brown, Addison Parkison, S. P. Howard, W. H. Salter. Marion —R. H. Milroy, W. J. Laßue, C. M. Watson, Robt. Parker,G. P. McCullough, F. M. Grant, W. H. Martin. Gordon —Thos. Larnborn, G. C. Moody, Wesley Downing. Iroquois —John Lyons, J. S. Andrews, J. 11. McCullough, W. T. Maxwell. Jankson —C. Frankenberger, Wm. Buckanan, Thos. W. Harris. Beaver Silas Johnson, 'John Ade, John Smart. Washington —Harvey Morse, R. White, Ephream Bridgeman. Aewlon- Isaac Saylor, Rial Benjamin, James Young. Kankakee —Jesse Petro. Wheatfield —Joseph Garris. Keener —Jacob Keener. Resolved, That the above named persons, Republicans from this county, with any others that may be at Indianapolis at the time of the setting of the Convention, be authorized to act us Delegates from Jasper county- Ezra Wright, Chairman. At this stage of the proceedings, I)r. Martin got up end announced that both his name and that of Judge Milroy had been announced in connection with the office of Auditor of State; and as lie desired the strength of Jasper to be centered on one man, he would withdraw his name from the canvass, and would second the nomination of Judnre Milroy. Mr. Moody then rose, and after indulging in a few well-timed preliminary remarks complimentary of the Judge, offered the following resolution: Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to the State Convention, to be held at Indianapolis on the 22d of February next, our fellow-citizen, Judge R. H. Milroy, as a suitable and proper person to be placed in nomination for the office of Auditor or Treasurer of State, and that such nomination will afford infinite satisfaction to the people of this section of the State. Judge Milroy returned his thanks to the Convention for the expression of their confidence and partiality, when the Convention adjourned. W. D. Lee, Cli airman. D. F. Davies, Sec’y.