Official proceedings of the National Democratic convention, held at New York, July 4-9, 1868.: Reported by George Wakeman, official reporter of the Convention.

NATlONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The PRESIDENT pro tern.- The first business in order is the reading of the
proceedings of yesterday.
Mr. BLACK, of Indiana.- I move that the reading of the journal be dispensed with.
The PRESIDENT pro tem. - It will be so ordered unless objection is made.
It was so ordered.
Mr. SLADE, of Missouri. - I rise to a privileged question. This Convention
has adopted a resolution inviting the delegates to the Soldiers and Sailors'
Convention to seats upon this floor. Numerous complaints, however, have
been made in my hearing, and some of them personally to myself, that that
rule is disregarded, and some of the delegates are refused admission.
The PRIESIDENT pro tern.-The Secretary will state the proceedings in regard to the delegates to the Soldiers and Sailors' Convention.
The SECRETARY.- In conformity with the resolution of the Convention inviting the delegates to the Soldiers and Sailors' Convention to seats upon
this floor, tickets have been issued by the National Executive Committee to
their officers and sent to their hall for distribution. This hall is limited in
capacity, and the Committee have endeavored to extend the courtesy just as
far as the seats will permit.
Mr. SLADE.- I learn that delegates have presented their tickets and have
been refused admission.
The PRESIDENT pro tern. -Those were the tickets that were issued for a
previous day. The tickets were changed yesterday, and new tickets were
sent to the officers of that Convention.
Mr. SLADE.- I move that the explanation be entered upon the record.
The PRESIDENT pro tern. - It will be so ordered unless there is objection.
It was so ordered.
Missouri nominates F. P. Blair.
Mr. BRODHEAD, of Missouri. - We have reached the fifth day of our session
without any successful result. I now ask leave to present to the Convention
another name for their consideration. I will nominate Gen. FRANCIS P.
BLAIR, of Missouri. It is not necessary, in this Convention, that I should
attempt to repeat his honorable services as a soldier or a statesman, for they
are known to the whole country. Without desiring to disparage the qualifications of any other of the distinguished gentlemen whose names are presented for the consideration of this Convention, I will only say that Gen.
BLAIR is eminently possessed of those qualities most needed at this time, -
firmness of purpose, moral courage, and indomitable will. He will not be
readily turned from a purpose once deliberately formed, although another
co-ordinate department of the government may place itself in the way of its
performance; and, as President of the United States, he would preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution; and he would give to it a living mneaning
which, in the absence of any judicial interpretation to the contrary, gives to
the President the right and imposes upon him the duty of refusing to execute
unconstitutional laws. (Applause.) If we would meet the demands of this
crisis, if we would not shirk from the issues of this hour, we must, by some
tangible form of action, maintain the independence of the Executive. Congressional despotism is the great evil against which we have to contend. It is
the fruitful source of,all our troubles. It is that which is riving asunder the
141