Who was Turner anyway?

Who was Turner anyway?

Click on this image to find out who Turner was.

Field Musicians Wanted!

A Turner Bugler, 2004

Click on this image to learn about opportunities as a bugler, fifer or drummer with the Turner Brigade.

Baltimore Convention.

NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO

May and June 1864

From The Missouri Democrat, Thursday, June 9, 1864.

THE LATEST NEWS.

BY TELEGRAPH.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS.

THE MISSOURI RADICALS UNANIMOUSLY ADMITTED.

THE “CONSERVATIVE CHAPS’ KICKED OUT.

“How Are You, Claybanks?”

ENDORSEMENT OF THE TRUE UNIONISTS OF MISSOURI.

“Truth is Mighty and Will Prevail.”

THE RACE OF CONSERVATISM RUN.

Report of Committee of Platform.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN NOMINATED BY ACCLAMATION.

ANDREW JOHNSON NOMINATED FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

Full Report of the Proceedings.

Adjournment of the Convention.

[Special Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]

BALTIMORE, June 8,–The Committee on Credentials have unanimously agreed to report in favor of the Radical delegation from Missouri.  The Claybanks are desperate, losing their temper and swearing that the Convention is Abolitionist.

Congratulations of the most enthusiastic kind are extended to the Radicals by their friends, and it is not one and one this time, but two to nothing.  The general expression this morning is, “How are you, Claybanks?”

[To the Associated Press.]

BALTIMORE, June 8,–The Convention reassembled at ten o’clock; President Dennison in the Chair; prayer by Rev. Mr. Gaddis, of Ohio.  The committee on business reported and after amendments, was adopted.

Mr. King, of New York, Chairman of Committee on Credentials, made a majority report that the Missouri Radicals be admitted; that Arkansas delegation be admitted to seats without right of voting; that South Carolina delegates be not admitted, and delegates from District of Columbia be admitted to seats without vote.

The minority made a report which concurred in that of the majority, except the exclusion of delegates from Virginia, Arkansas, and the Territories of Colorado, Nevada and Nebraska from the right of voting.  That part of the majority report that related to uncontested delegations was adopted.

Several amendments regarding the manner of admission of Missouri delegates were rejected.  The question then recurred on the adoption of the majority report.  A call for the vote by States was made, and resulted in the unanimous adoption of the majority report, admitting the Radical delegation from Missouri; yeas 440, nays 4.

BALTIMORE, June 8,–After the admission of the Missouri delegates the remaining proposition offered, was an amendment by Mr. King, that the delegates from Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and all the territories which the majority report proposed to admit to seats without the right to vote, should have the right to votes, was put to the Convention.

Mr. Lane asked for a division of the question to vote as to the States first and then on the Territories.  A second division was called for and the house asked to vote first as to Tennessee having the right to vote.  A call for a vote by States was made and the house voted, ayes 310, nays 153.  The Convention next voted as to the admission of Arkansas and Louisiana with the right to vote.

The result announced, ayes 307; nays 187.  The report of the Committee on Credentials was then adopted as amended.  Mr. Raymond, of New York, from Committee on Resolutions, reported the following resolutions:

Resolved, 1.  That it is the highest duty of every American citizen to maintain against all their enemies, the integrity of the Union, and the paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States, and that laying aside offences and political opinions we pledge ourselves as Union men, animated by a common sentiment and aiming at a common object, to do everything in our power to aid the Government in quelling by force of arms the rebellion now raging against its authority, and in bringing to the punishment due to their crimes the rebels and traitors arraigned against it.  [Prolonged applause.]

Resolved, that we approved the determination of the Government of the United States not to compromise with rebels or to offer any terms of peace except such as may be based upon an unconditional surrender of their hostility and a return to their just allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and that we call upon the Government to maintain this position and to prosecute the war with the utmost possible vigor to the complete suppression of the rebellion, in full reliance upon the self-sacrifice and patriotism, the heroic valor and the undying devotion of the American people to their country and its free institutions.  [Applause.]

Resolved, That as slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the strength of this rebellion, and as it must be always and everywhere hostile to the principles of Republican government, justice and the national safety demand its utter and complete extermination from the soil of the Republic, [applause], and that we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamations by which the Government in its own defense has aimed a death blow at this gigantic evil.  We are in favor furthermore of such an amendment to the Constitution to be made by the people in conformity with its provisions as shall terminate and forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the limits or jurisdiction of the United States.  [Applause.]

Resolved, That the thanks of the American people are due to the soldiers and sailors of the army and navy, [applause] who have periled their lives in defense of their country and in vindication of the honor of the flag; that the nation owes to them some permanent recognition of their patriotism and their valor, and ample and permanent provision for those of their survivors who have received disabling and honorable wounds in the service of the country, and that the memories of those who have fallen in its defense shall be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance  [Loud applause.]

Resolved, That we approve and applaud the practical wisdom, the unselfish patriotism and unswerving fidelity to the Constitution and the principles of American liberty with which Abraham Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances of unparalleled difficulty, the great duties and responsibilities of the Presidential office.  That we approve and indorse, as demanded by emergency, and essential to preservation of the nation, and as within the Constitution, the measures and acts which he has adopted to defend the nation against its open and secret foes; that we approve especially the proclamation of emancipation and the employment as Union soldiers of men heretofore held in slavery; [applause,] and that we have full confidence in his determination to carry these and all other constitutional measures essential to the salvation of the country into full and complete effect.

Resolved, That we deem it essential to the general welfare that harmony should prevail in the National Councils, and we regard as worthy of public confidence and official trust, those only who cordially indorse the principles proclaimed in these resolutions, and which should characterize the administration of the Government  [Applause.]

Resolved, That the Government owes to all men employed in its armies, without regard to distinction of color, the full protection of laws of war [applause], and that any violation of these laws or the usages of civilized nations in the time of war by the rebels now in arms should be made the subject of full and prompt redress.  [Prolonged applause.]

Resolved, That the foreign emigration which in the past has added so much to the wealth and development of resources and increase of power to this nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should be fostered and encouraged by a liberal and just policy.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the speedy construction of the railroad to the Pacific.

Resolved, That the national faith, pledged for the redemption of the public debt, must be kept inviolate, and that for this purpose we recommend economy and rigid responsibility in the public expenditures and a vigorous and just system of taxation, that it is the duty of every loyal State to sustain the credit and promote the use of the national currency.  [Applause.]

Resolved, That we approve the position taken by the Government, that the people of the United States can never regard with indifference the attempt of any European power to overthrow by force or to supplant by fraud, the institutions of any Republican Government on this continent [prolonged applause,] and that they will view with extreme jealousy as menacing to the peace and independence of this, our country, the efforts of any such power to obtain new footholds for monarchical government, sustained by a foreign military force in near proximity to the United States.  [Long continued applause.]

On motion of Mr. Bushnell, of Connecticut, the resolutions were adopted by acclamation.

A motion was then made that the house proceed at once to nominate for President and Vice President.

General Cameron, of Pennsylvania, offered as a substitute a resolution that Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin be declared the unanimous choice of the Union party for President and Vice President.  [Great cheering, and loud calls for a division of the resolution.]

Mr. Creswall, of Maryland, called for a division of the question, so as to vote first on that portion of the resolution declaring Abraham Lincoln the unanimous choice of the Convention as its candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

Mr. Stevens moved to lay the resolution on the table.  [Great confusion and cries of “Question.”]

Mr. Cameron withdrew his resolution and offered another:

Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln be declared the unanimous choice of the Union party as its nominee for President of the United States.

As the vote was about being taken, Mr. Raymond urged that the vote should be taken by State; that as it had been said there was a disposition to rush the nomination of Mr. Lincoln through this convention, and to stifle any contrary expression of sentiment, such a vote would carry with it more of power and influence than the passage of any such resolution.  The proposition was well received.  Amidst such confusion, the States were called.

The result was as follows:  For Lincoln—Maine, 14; New Hampshire, 10; Vermont, 10; Massachusets, 24; Rhode Island, 8; Connecticut, 12; New York, 86; New Jersey, 14; Pennsylvania, 52; Delaware, 6; Maryland, 14; Louisiana, 14; Arkansas, 10; Tennessee, 15; Kentucky, 22; Ohio, 42; Indiana, 26; Illinois, 32; Michigan 16; Wisconsin, 16; Iowa, 16; Minnesota, 8; California, 10; Oregon, 6; West Virginia, 10; Kansas, 6; Nebraska, 6; Colorado, 6; Nevada, 6.  Total, 497.  For General Grant—Missouri, 22.

On motion of Mr. Hume, of Missouri, the vote was declared unanimous.  The enthusiasm was immense.  The convention proceeded to vote for a candidate for Vice President.  Daniel Mace, of Indiana, presented the name of Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee.  Mr. Stone, of Iowa, seconded the motion.

Mr. Cameron offered the name of Lyman Tremain, of New York; in behalf of a portion of the delegation presented Daniel S. Dickinson.

The President announced the following names as being before the Convention:  Andrew Johnson of Tennessee; Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, L. H. Rousseau of Kentucky, Daniel S. Dickinson of New York.

The house then proceeded to ballot.  As the vote proceeded it was soon apparent that Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, was to be the nominee, and before the vote was announced the various States whose votes had been divided commenced changing their votes and went unanimously for Johnson, amid great enthusiasm.

The chair announced that the next business in order was the election of a National Committee, and the States were called to name the same, which was done.  After various resolutions of thanks the Convention adjourned sine die.