FIRST DAY

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SITTINGS OF THE CONVENTION: MORNING SITTING

The Convention having assembled according to the call, at METROPOLITAN HALL, in the City of New York, on the 6th day of September, 1853, at 10 o'clock A.M., was called to order by JOHN W. OLIVER, Esq., Chairman of the General Committee of Arrangements.

SCHUREMAN HALSTED, Esq., of New York, moved that the Hon. SAMUEL F. CARY, of Ohio, preside over the deliberations of the Convention until the selection of permanent officers.

The motion was carried unanimously.

On motion of C. C. LEIGH, Esq., of New York, the Rev. WILLIAM PATTON, D. D., of New York, and the Rev. GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jr., of Pennsylvania, were appointed Secretaries pro. tem.

The Rev. E. W. JACKSON, of Pennsylvania, moved that a COMMITTEE OF THIRTEEN be appointed by the Chair to nominate permanent officers.

The motion was carried.

The Rev. GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jr., of Pennsylvania, moved that a COMMITTEE OF FIVE be appointed by the Chair, on CREDENTIALS.

The motion was carried.

At the request of the CHAIRMAN, prayer was offered by the Rev. JOHN CHAMBERS, of Pennsylvania.

The CHAIRMAN announced the following Committee to nominate permanent officers:

Rev. E. W. JACKSON, Pennsylvania,

JOHN W. OLIVER, New York,

JOHN CASSELL, England,

Gen. J. H. COCKE, Virginia,

Hon. A. C. BARSTOW, Rhode Island,

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MOSES MELLEN, Massachusetts,

E. N. HARRIS, New Brunswick,

I. LITTON, Tennessee,

S. W. HILLIARD, New Jersey,

JOHN B. SMITH, Wisconsin,

J. CAMPBELL, South Carolina,

Rev. T. HILL, Maine,

A. F. CUNNINGHAM, District of Columbia.

J. E. SNODGRASS, M.D., of Maryland, moved an addition to the Committee of one delegate from each State, Province, District and Territory now represented.

The motion was laid on the table.

The CHAIRMAN announced as the Committee on CREDENTIALS:

Rev. JOHN MARSH, D. D., New York,

C. C. LEIGH, New York,

THOMAS WATSON, Pennsylvania,

SCHUREMAN HALSTED, New York,

JOHN C. SIMMS, Pennsylvania.

PRICE WILLIAMS, Esq., of Alabama, moved the following resolutions:

Resolved, That each delegate, reporting himself as such, participate in the temporary organization.

Resolved, That in such organization of this Convention, and until regular rules are adopted, each State represented shall cast the number of votes corresponding with the number of the electoral college of such State, when a division upon a vote is called for, or a vote by States.

The resolutions were laid upon the table.

The Committees having had leave to retire, on motion of Dr. PATTON, the CHAIRMAN was invited to address the Convention.

"I am always ready, said he, to bear my testimony in favor of that great reformation, for the promotion of which this Convention has been brought together. We come here, I trust, with one heart and one mind, and having in view but one great object. We come, appreciating the solemn and melancholy truth, that an army of liquor-makers and liquor-venders are making war upon the world without pity--sparing neither age, sex, nor condition--laying waste whatsoever influences are lovely and of good report--with their banners rolled in blood, and the shrieks of murdered innocents as the music of their march. We come to inquire whether this army

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shall be stopped in its desolating progress?--whether its banners shall be furled?--whether the throne of iniquity shall still prevail? --whether INTEMPERANCE shall continue to pour its burning curses in broader and deeper streams upon coming generations?--or whether the moral progress of the world shall keep pace with its material progress. We come to demand a law, the principles of which will one day be established in every civilized country of the world--when man shall no longer be permitted to destroy his fellow-man for the sake of gain, but PROTECTION from the traffic be enjoyed by all. The history of the past is an all-sufficient pledge for the future!"

The Committee on Credentials requested, that all delegates answering the call, should hand in their names to the committee, that their names might be entered on the roll.

On motion of Da. MARSH:--

Resolved, to call the roll of delegates appointed to attend, as far as reported, in order to ascertain how many are already present.

After the roll had been called about an hour, the further calling was suspended.

GEORGE W. CLARK, of New York, offered the following preamble and resolution.

Whereas, the cause of Temperance is so world-wide in its divine mission, seeking the highest good of the whole human race, therefore,

Resolved, That this Convention invite all the friends of humanity, without respect to age, sex, color, or condition, to participate in its deliberations, and aid in its glorious work.

The preamble and resolution were laid on the table.

The Committee to nominate permanent officers, reported as follows:

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PRESIDENT.

HON. NEAL DOW, Maine.

VICE PRESIDENTS.

JOHN CASSELL, England.

Jos. CARPENTER, Rhode Island.

LYMAN BEECHER, D.D., Mass.

Bishop EDMUND JANES, N. J.

THOMAS WATSON, Penn.

SAMUEL F. CARY, Ohio.

CHRISTIAN KEENER, Maryland.

A. POULSON, Delaware.

GEO. SAVAGE, Dis. Columbia.

JOHN M. TIMMONS, So. Carolina.

ISAAC PAUL, Tennessee.

Rev. D. C. JACOKES, Michigan.

S. D. HASTINGS, Wisconsin.

JOHN DOUGAL, Canada.

EDWARD N. HARRIS, N. Bruns.

GEO. JEFFREY, Scotland.

R. H. POWELL, Alabama.

C. C. LATHROP, Louisiana.

J. H. NEWTON, Virginia.

E. H. BARRY, Indiana.

SECRETARIES.

Rev. WM. PATTON, D.D., N. Y.

ISAAc J. OLIVER, N. Y.

ROBERT M. FOUST, Penn.

Rev. GEO. DUFFIELD, Jr., Penn.

CLEMENT WEBSTER, Rhode Island.

FRED. R LEES, M.D., England.

JOHN C. BECKETT, Canada.

TREASURER,
SCHUREMAN HALSTEAD, New York.

The report was adopted.

Gen. J. H. COCKE, of Virginia, and the Hon. JUDGE O'NEAL, of South Carolina, were appointed a committee to conduct the President elect to the chair, and introduce him to the convention.

This was done amid enthusiastic applause.

The President on taking the chair said--

"We are assembled in this commercial metropolis of the Western continent, to take counsel as to the best means to be adopted to carry out the principles of the mighty cause in which we have been so long engaged. When we think what this cause is, we are surprised, as well as grieved, that all wise and good men are not willing to enter upon the work with all their power. It is all important for the welfare of mankind now, as well as for their happiness in time to come. And why any are not prepared to go with the friends of Temperance in their movement for protection against

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the terrible results of the traffic in intoxicating drinks, it is difficult to perceive. But from such indifference, or opposition even, we are by no means to argue anything as to the weakness of our cause. The great and good men of a nation are not always prepared at once for great and good reforms. The man who conceived the gigantic project of uniting the waters of the lakes and the Atlantic--the carrying out of which has contributed so much to the greatness and glory of New York,--at first met with nothing but ridicule and opposition. But look at his statue now, and see how all with one accord recognise his greatness! Thus it is with nearly all the schemes that have been devised by the benefactors of their race. The cause of Temperance is no exception. We have gone on steadily, and surely, and have arrived nearly at the last and crowning step of our labors. Soon will the time arrive when we can put off the armor we have worn so long, and lay aside the arms, battered and hacked in many a battle, and turn around to engage in some other work of humanity. Only let us accomplish the extermination of this evil of intemperance, and we shall open the way the more easily and successfully to exterminate others."

The Committee on permanent officers, reported that the following gentlemen should constitute the committee for preparing the business of the Convention.

Hon. J. BELTON O'NEAL, S. C.

Rev. JOHN MARSH, D.D., N. Y.

ULYSSES WARD, D. of Columbia.

Rev. E. W. JACKSON, Penn.

Rev. E. BEECHER, D.D., Mass.

ISAAC LITTON, Tennessee.

J. WADSWORTH, Ohio.

PRICE WILLIAMS, Alabama.

Hon. A. C. BARSTOW. Rhode Island.

The Report was adopted.

Rev. E. W. JACKSON, of Pennsylvania, offered a resolution on permanent organization, which was referred to the Business Committee.

The resolution of Mr. CLARK which had been laid on the table, was also referred to the same committee.

On motion of Rev. A. HYDE, of Vermont, the Business Committee were ordered to report some general rules for the direction of the Convention.

The Business Committee reported the following resolution by Mr. JACKSON.

Resolved, That a committee of one delegate from each district,

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territory, state, province and nation represented in this Convention, report a plan of uniform and permanent organization for future action.

The resolution was adopted.

On motion of Rev. R M. CHIPMAN, of Connecticut:

Resolved, That during the future meetings of the Convention, the platform be occupied only by the Officers of the Convention, and such other persons as the presiding officer may invite.

On motion of J. BLACKMER, of New York:

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to collect and condense in the most convenient form for circulation, statistics, showing the condition and progress of Temperance in the different countries here represented, and the methods employed by the friends of Temperance in those countries, for the suppression of the traffic in intoxicating drinks.

Referred to the Business Committee.

On motion of the Hon. SAMUEL F. CARY, of Ohio:

Resolved, That this Convention fully appreciate the value, and the absolute necessity of the co-operation of our wives, our mothers, and our sisters, in the great and holy cause of Temperance; but they are of opinion that the public platform of discussion is not the appropriate sphere of woman.

The Business Committee reported a number of subjects to be considered, and committees to be appointed thereon by the Chair.

The Report was adopted.

The same Committee also reported the following rules for the direction of the Convention.

1. The Convention shall sit on each day from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M., and shall at each morning sitting be opened with prayer.

2. No member shall speak more than twice on any question, nor more than ten minutes without leave of the Convention.

3. The name of every speaker shall be announced as he rises to speak, and every speaker shall address himself to the Chair.

4. The Convention shall be governed by the usual parliamentary rules.

The report was adopted.

Adjourned to 7½ o'clock, P. M.

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EVENING SITTING

The Convention met according to adjournment.

The PRESIDENT took the Chair, in the presence of an immense assembly of spectators, and was warmly applauded.

Prayer was offered by the Rev. THOMAS P. HUNT, of Pennsylvania.

The PRESIDENT then introduced to the audience the Rev. RUFUS W. CLARK, of Mass., who spoke on the moral aspects of the Temperance Reform, and more particularly of the Maine Law.

Mr. COLBURN, of Massachusetts, assisted by Mr. E. HOWE, Jr., of New York, at the piano, sang a Temperance song.

Hon. SAMUEL F. CARY spoke on the inefficiency of moral suasion, and the necessity of LAW, as a means of protection from the traffic in intoxicating drinks.

The Rev. Dr. Patton, of New York, extended a welcome to the foreign delegations, and introduced them to the audience. He was responded to by JOHN CASSELL, Esq., of London, delegate from the National Temperance Society of England. Mr. CASSELL was received with enthusiastic applause. Mr. CASSELL spoke on the encouraging progress of the cause of Temperance in England, and on the drinking usages of society there that oppose it. He hoped that the day was not far distant when America and England would both have the Maine Law.

After another song by Mr. COLBURN, the PRESIDENT announced the adjournment of the Convention, until to-morrow, at 9 A.M.



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