The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-05-16

the first station, in designating an individual
pre-eminent as a patriot and a statesman,
whose name has conferred honor on his coun-
try, and whose councils and voice in our
Cabinet and our Legislative Halls, have had
a potency IN favor of liberty, the honor of
the country and its best interests, which no
other name has attained since our immortal
Washington.
Averse as I am in general to the binding
efficacy of instructions, in this case | cheer
fully yield my hearty assent to the instruc-
tons imposed on me as regards the selec-
ton of a candidate for the Presidency. |
need not name the man, forthere is but one
name that thrills our bosoms, and arouses
and fixes our hopes as the saviour of our
country from the misrule which has distract
ed and disgraced it, and brought reproach
upon Representative governments.
Gentlemen, it is not to be expected that
we come here with any thing like unanimity
in the selection of a candidate for The Vice
Presidency. The first difficulty to be met
and overcome is the fact that many persons
of high attainments and distinguished states
manship, and withall of lofty aad unsuspect-
ed integrity, have been named in various
sections of the Union, having equal preten-
sions. These Gentlemen have their person.
al friends and admirers; and it may be that
to some extent, there may exist Sc ctional
feelings.
What course, then, gentlemen, shall we
pursue to reconcile these personal and sect
ionei predictions? If my advice is of any
value, it is, that we initiate the example of
the sages and patriots who formed and fash
Toned the glorious Constitution under which
this nation has enjoyed inestimable bless
ings, and risen to its present high and proud
distinction among the nations of the earth
give a place to compromise and cancellation.
Lut es select some eminent citizen, CONVEX
SAINT in public affairs, of an integrity Of char
acter we'll tried and of whom we can be-
lieve he would die the death rather than be-
tray his friends, or change or abandon the
great principles which unite and animate
the wings of this union. If we enter upon
this selection in the spirit of Cancellation
and compromise, yielding our individual
preference, we cannot fail finally in select
ing a person having all the qualities l have
mentioned, who will unite us all and termi-
nate our duties most satisfactorily.
| forbear Gentlemen to dwell ON the dis
distinctive principles of the Wing party this
will be done in the progress of our deliber-
atoms and proclaimed to the world. I max
they are vital principles, all tending 10 the
honor Of the country and the prosperity and
happiness of the masses of our people, alike
beneficial to all classes and sections of the
nation, and such as | have ever cherished
and maintained.
We have Gentlemen, been sorely afflicted
as a party. The lamented Harrison by an
Iinscrutable Providence was soon after his
accession removed by death from the high
staten 10 which we had elevated him, and
but for this g~revious and untoward event,
the principles of our party would have been
carried out and established triumphantly.
But alas! what has happened since? Here
Gentlemen allow me draw a veil. | need
not say a word as TO the course pursued by
the man chosen by us TO succeed him in the
event that took place.
The power placed in his hands for the
most beneficial purposes has been used tt
subvert some of our declared and cherished
II principles, and what is equally TO be lamen
ted, TO prosecute and prescribe the yer,
men by whose exertions he obtained tina
power.
Gentlemen, Notwithstanding these adverse
circumstances our principles bs-o survived
and so commended themselves to the people
,s that we meet together under the most happ
auspicies. The Wings though for a tim
dormant and discouraged have arisen wit
: renovated strength and vigor, ready for tn
l. contest, more enthusiastic than ever, and IN
der the leading o their ilIustrious cheif de
termined 10 conquer.
congratulate you gentlemen on the aus
j picious prospects before US. Let us do on
a duties we'll, andsuccess will crown our efforts
n and our country will be redeemed and re
,r generated.
Mr.. WATKINS LEIGH, OF Virginia. in brie
q terms stated the occasion under which til
Convention had met. The great object wa
:; to nominate candidates for President an
Vice President. For the first Office Their
~ was a hearty unaninity for HENRY CLAY
word that expressed more enthusiasm-th;
- had in it more ~eloquence than the names
Chatham, Burke, Patrick Henry, and TO I
than any other and all other men togethe
=, Mr.. LEIGH proposed the following resolution
- RESOLVED, THAT THIS CONVEX
- TION UNANIMOUSLY NOMINATE
no - RECOMMEND TO THE PEOPLE o
~ ~ THE UNITED STATES HENRY CLAY
IA OF KENTUCKY, AS PRESIDENT O.
y THESE UNITED STATES.
A thousand voices sounded almost a thou
!" and times "AMEN,'' and "AMEN," accomp
MED by such cheers and clapping of ham
= as the world never heard before. The chez
/ Is y were prolonged for many minutes, and wit
~ such deafening shouts as made the churC