The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-06-20
SPEECH
OF
ma. DUNCAN OF OHIO,

May &, 1874.
Mr. CHAIRMAN: Before commencing upon the discus
sion of the BILL desire TO relieve the gentleman from
Mr.. Hudson, who complained toat he
spoke under embarrassment Owing 10 the fact that the
House was inattentive The wings were in groups,
gloyng at the harmony which prevailed at the Bali
more whg convention and rejoicing at the sure prospect
ofhis party. The democrats were in groups, lament
ing over the division and confusion which would dis
tract them at the convention which is soon to be held in
the city, and the defeat which must await them
owing 10 that disunon hope on the one hard, that
The gentleman may not work himself into gloria hystc-
ria nor sympathetic melancholy on the other. What
does union OF the wings either argue or promisel
There was but one man before the whig convention |
as candidate for the presidency. 1t argues that there
is but one man in the whig ranks in their own esma
tion fit Tor President if there is such is the party
drill party vassaage, and submissive crnging that no
one dare offer. Are there dssensons among the demo-
cracy, and what they2 They are as to men, and
not as to measures or principles. The fact that
we have several candidates, only showsthat we
have many distinguished statesmen in our ranks, who
are worthy Of and qualified for the presidency and the
only question is, as 10 which one of the number shall
be selected Messrs Van Buren, Calhoun, Cass Ste
wart, Johnson Dodge, Buchanan, and Tyler-eigh in
number, and all before the public am Van Buren.
man; am for Van Buren first am for Van Buren Sc
cond; am for Van Buren last until after the conven
ton, and then am for the nominee of the convention
Such will be the choice Of every democrat, when the
convention shall say who the nominee shall be- If he
should not be my choice nOD he will be my choice then.
What assurance does division in the democratic ranks
give the wings of successl
In 1885, much wider gull separated the democrats
than now divides them. Such was the division that two
democratic candidates wererun. Mr.. Van Buren, was
the regular nominee. Judge White was run in the
South and in order to divide the democracy still more
Daniel Webster run in the East and General Har
rson was run in the West but Knderhook distanced
the whole concern; and he can do so again. So can
any candidate who may be the nominee of the Balti-
more convention Again say, the democracy will u
mite upon the conventions nominee The nominee will
be the candidate ofthe party. lflhat should be Van
Buren, good if the distinguished and favorite son Of
the South John G. Calhoun good; ifhe learned tai
ented, and distinguished dplomatist General Cass)
good if either of the old war-wo horses (Col John
son or Gen. Dodge) good; with either of them can
ride over whiggery roughshod if Old lronsides (Com.
Stewart) good; he whipped two British frigates at
lick and he can run down any two British-bank wings
that can be started if it should be the favore son of
Pennsylvania, (James Buchanan good if it should be
honest John Tyler, NOT good; but with him. with the
endorsement of democratic convention we can shake
whiggery to fragments.
mi - - -
displayed by the federasts, but it is all outside. No
man who is acquainted with human nature and with
the character and relative strength of well the
principles which govern the two parties in this country
can speak or think with confidence that the whg ticket
can succeed in the coming contest Mr. Clay has been
standing candidate for the presidency either directly
or indirectly, for twenty-four years.
In 1924 he was a candidate directly and was vetoed
by the people. In 1928 he was identified with Mr.. Ad-
ans, and all his influence united with that Of Mr.. Ad
ans with reference to his future success He and Mr.
Adams were both vetoed by the people In 1889 he was
a candidate, and with all the influence which Mr. Ad-
ans could bring to his support vetoed by the peo-
pie. In 1886 he was candidate, and but the
people showed him overheard. In 1910 he was
candidate but the people again pushed him aside, or
as he and his friends said, postponed his claims. Not
only has Mr. Clay been vetoed thus often, but his IA
vorste measures and principles have been rejected and
denounced as often as he has beer vetoed and yet he
has again forced himself upon the American people,
with all his sins Of commission and omission upon his
head over and over and over have the American peo-
pie epudated his whole system Of national policy viz
national bank, high protective tariff e1travagan in
ea improvements assumption Of the State debts dis
ibution ofthe proceeds Of the public lands and the
bankrupt law; and yet this iaded withered haggard
ring -boned, spawned and swaned seventyyears old
nagis again put upon the turf with all his political ni
quities upon his head sticking to his skirts and cover
ing his entire caIcass-a perfect wreck Of ambition col
apsed, withered, and shattered with the chill blasts o.
seventy winters and sunk into desperation by continued
disappointment.
Why, sir it is an insult 10 the American intelligence
Who are they who have thus favored this mans bound
less, buthopeess ambition and who have forced him al
; a candidate upon the American people? Sir we hav'
, specimen ofthem here for the last few days. Whc
are they? have made my business to examine then
with some scrutiny and an introduction to many gav'
me an opportunity TO indulge my curiosity can safe
ly say that have not met hard hand nor have IA
ced brow that appeared to have ever sweat for bread
Soft hands, gold spectacles gold mounted canes, goc
breast pins gold Watches gold guards, gold pencils ruf
fed Shirts and silk gloves, werelhe external character
scs every delegate to the federal convention that
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