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

N2 TIONAL DEMOCRA 7TIC CONrVENTION. 0
The SECRETARY. - Mr. Murphy, of New York, Chairman of the Committee
on Resolutions, moves the previous question on the Platform. The question
now before the Convention is, Shall the previous question be ordered?
Cries of " Question! " "question!"
The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered,
by an overwhelming and unanimous vote.
A DELEGATE. - I should like to hear those resolutions read again.
Cries of " No, no!" and "Question!"
The President pro tern. put the question upon the adoption of the
Platform, and an unanimous and tremendous vote was given in the
affirmative. Not a single dissenting voice answered in response to
the call of those opposed.
A scene of the wildest enthusiasm succeeded; the Convention and
the spectators rose en masse; cheer upon cheer resounded through
the building, and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and various
demonstrations of applause continued for several minutes.
When ouiet was restored the business of the Convention proceeded.
MAotion to Proceed to Nominations.
Mr. BIGLER, of Pennsylvania.- I offer the following resolution,
Resolved, That the Convention do now proceed to nominate a candidate for
President of the United States.
Great applause, and cries of "Question!"
The question was put and carried unanimously, amid cheering.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. -I move to reconsider the vote by which the resolution of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Bigler) was adopted, and
to lay that motion on the table.
The motion was agreed to.
Construction of the Two-Thirds Rule.
The PRESIDENT, Hon. HORATIO SE,YMOUR (who here resumed the Chair).Before the Committee proceeds to ballot, to avoid all possible misunderstanding, it is proper that this Convention should understand and clearly define
what the two-thirds rule is. The Chair is exceedilngly anxious that no question shall be decided by it after a ballot that can, by any possibility, lead to
any misunderstanding or any disappointment. The Chair holds itself ready
ill the construction of the two-thirds rule to be governed by the directions of
this Convention. We have adopted the rules which governed the Convention
in 1864. The Convention of 1864 adopted the rules that governed the Convention of 1860. I see before me a number of eminent gentlemen-one from
Illinois, another from Michigan, and others from other States - who were
conspicuous members of that Convention. I was not a member of that body,
but I have read through its proceedings with a view of understanding what
that rule is. I will direct the Clerk to read the decision of the Convention in
Charleston in 1860,.and the decision of the Convention when it met again at
Baltimore under another chairman, after the unfortunate disruption of that
l)ody. When those'resolutions have been read, if there is any one who
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