Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-13


privations- have shewn stronger
devotion to the cause of Democracy
and none have now more brilliant ca
reer of duty and usefulness than has
Gov. Polk.
Amidst circumstances the most try
ing-ln conflicts of party the most vio-
( lent-though he had to contend against
the most overwhelming maiorities OF
the enemy, yet wherever duty called
him, there he has been found ready to
: do battle for the cause of his country
and human liberty.
! His distinguished talents-his tried
patriotism-hls uncorruptible integrity
and his ardent devotion to the best in
terests of the whole Union, afford a
guarantee that if he should have the d.
rection of public affairs, our country is
safe.
/ Upon all the great questions of Ma
tional policy which divide the political
parties of our country, Gov. Polk IS
noa0, and has ahcays been, thoroughly
Democratic in his opinions, and during
his whole public career, he has never
violated the principles of the Democrat
lie creed. He has therefore no political
sins to answer for to the country, SAGE
only such as the Democracy of the ma
/ ton hold to constitute the orthordox
principles of the Republican Govern
ment.
His character for public virtue is
pure and elevated. Not spot tar
nishes his reputation. It is wholly
! aensuIlied. Indeed so pure has been
his public life, that even the Uiulezce
of party has not dared whisper sus-
picion against his integrity. Equally
pure and elevated in his character for
private virtue and for personal honor.
By them, he is shielded from the as
saults of his enemies and the public
press. They will fall harmless at his
feet.
Such, Mr.. President, is the charac-
ter of the gentleman whom the Con-
vention has selected as the candidate
of our party, and now offer for the sup
. port of the Democracy Of the nation
He IS eminently Just, a uirtuous, and
a good man, and deserves. the fullest
=. confidence of the whole American ma
ton.
Upon the great question involved in
the claim of Great Britain to portion
of the Oregon Territory, and her inter-
ference with the rights and govern
ment of Texas, Mr.. Polk occupies the
only ground truly american. He is
, for resisting at the threshold British
aggression and British intrigue. He
is utterly opposed to letting the foot of
the British Lion tread upon one inch
of our rightful soil in Oregon or Of the
Teas Republic.
He knows that England never dis
! closes to the world her plans of IN
trigue or aggression. He regards both
of these questions as presenting an is
sue between British and american IN.
terests. They are to the American
people, national questions. There are
/ local in their character or tendency
They directly affect the rights, and en-
danger the safety of the whole Union.
Thus viewing the questions, Gov. Polk
is for resisting British aggression at
every step, whether her attack is upon
/ Oregon or TeXas-whether it is open
or covert-z-by intrigue or by arms.
Mr., President, | congratulate you
sir, and the august body over which
( you preside, and our beloved country,
at the suspicious result of our deliber-
atoms.
! Our political enemies know that the
4 Democratic party have the numerical
strength Of the nation on its, side :
They know that if we are united, they
must be defeated. Yesterday they
were exulting at the division and des-
traction Of this body, and looked to
that alone, as affordmg them some
grounds of hope in the great coming
contest. To-day, we present to the
world the sublime moral spectacle of
the Representatives or the Wnole Amer
lean Democra6y, United to a. man, in
presenting. the name Of JAS. K. Polk,
as its candidate for the Presidency,
Sir, under his lead we present an
unbroken front to the enemy, and in
the strength of our united poa5er, we
will overwhelm him IN the defeat
Let the Democracy but do ITS duty,
and victory is certain.
Sir, if we desire to succeed in the
great coming contest-if we have any
concern for the a1eLtare Of our common
country-ifwe would avert the calam-
| ity of extreme misrule-ifwe would a.
I vert the consequences Of fixing upon