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

NA'TIONL4L DFEMOCRA TIC COVNVE.NTION.
Withdrawal of George H. Pendleton.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM, of Ohio. - I have a communication in writing to make
to this Convention. By permission of the Chair, I will read it from the stand.
Applause, during which Mr. Vallandigham made his way to the
rostrum.
The PRESIDENT. -Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, will make a communication to the Convention.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. -The following is the communication to which I
refer, -
CINCINNATI, July 2, 1868.
Washington McLean, Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York:
MY DEAR SIR, You know better than any one the feelings and principles
which have guided my conduct since the suggestion of my name for the
Presidential nomination
You know that while I covet the good opinion of my countrymen, and would
feel an honest pride in so distinguished a mark of their confidence, I do not
desire it at the expense of one single electoral vote (Great applause), or of
the least disturbance of the harmony of our party. I consider the success
of the Democratic party in the next election of far greater importance than
the gratification of any personal ambition, however pure and lofty it might
be. (Loud cheers.)
If, therefore, at any time, a name shall be suggested, which, in the opinion
of yourself and those friends who have shared our confidence, shall be stronger before the country, or which can more thoroughly unite our own party, I
beg that you will instantly withdraw my name, and pledge to the Convention
my hearty and zealous and active support for its nominee.
Very truly yours,
GEORGE H. PENDLETON.
Great cheering.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM.- At the request of the gentleman to whom this letter
is addressed, I submit it to this Convention. It was his desire that it should
have been done very early in the afternoon of yesterday, but the earnest zeal
and fidelity of the Ohio delegation, for the distinguished son of Ohio whom
they had presented to the Convention for the office of President, precluded
their consent to any such proposition. This morning his request has been
renewed, and in conformity with it I have produced and read the letter, and
submit that its spirit of magnanimity, unselfishness, and patriotic devotion
to the interests of the country speak in terms of far higher eulogy in behalf
of this distinguished gentleman than any words I could utter. (Great applause.) Pursuant, therefore, to the authority of Mr. McLean, and acting
under the advice of Mr. Pendleton, I withdraw his name, with hearty thanks
to the multitude of earnest, zealous and devoted friends who have adhered
to him with so great fidelity.
Applause long and continued, and cheers for Pendleton.
The PRESIDENT. -Mr. Vallandigham, by the instructions of the Ohio
delegation, withdraws the name of George H. Pendleton as a candidate for
the Presidency, before this Convention, and he does so by the direction of
Mr. Pendleton himself, (Cheers.)
We will now proceed with the nineteenth ballot.
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