and was loudly and unitedly called on for a speech. He spoke
briefly, saying that he had been in Washington several weeks, and
friends there "counseled extreme caution in our movements." This
was the burden of his exhortation. At the close of his remarks
Mr. Giddings was tumultuously called for, and responded by saying
that Washington was the last place in the world to look for counsel
or redress, and related an anecdote of two pious brothers, named
Joseph and John, who in early times had begun a settlement in the
West. Joseph prayed to the Lord: "O, Lord! we have begun a good
work; we pray thee to carry it on thus,"--giving specific directions.
But John prayed: "O, Lord, we have begun a good work; carry it on
as you think best, and don't mind what Joe says." Mr. Giddings
then introduced the Rev. Owen Lovejoy, of Illinois,--"not Joe, but
John." Mr. Lovejoy delighted the audience, and was followed by
Preston King and other speakers; and it was quite manifest that
this was a _Republican_ convention, and not a mere aggregation of
Whigs, Know-Nothings, and dissatisfied Democrats. It contained a
considerable Know-Nothing element, but it made no attempt at
leadership, while Charles Remelin and other speakers were
enthusiastically applauded when they denounced Know-Nothingism as
a mischievous side issue in our politics, which the new movement
should openly repudiate. The convention was in session two days,
and was singularly harmonious throughout. Its resolutions and
address to the people did not fitly echo the feeling and purpose
of its members, but this was a preliminary movement, and it was
evident that nothing could stay the progress of the cause. As
chairman of the committee on organization, I had the honor to report
the plan of action through which the new party took life, providing
for the appointment of a National Executive Committee, the holding
of a National Convention in Philadelphia on the 17th of June, for
the nomination of candidates for President and Vice President, and
the organization of the party in counties and districts throughout
the States.

The Philadelphia convention was very large, and marked by unbounded
enthusiasm. The spirit of liberty was up, and side issues forgotten.
If Know-Nothingism was present, it prudently accepted an attitude
of subordination. The platform reasserted the self-evident truths
of the Declaration of Independence, and denied that Congress, the
people of a Territo