The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-03
SPEECH
Reported for the Atlss, by H. Parkhurst-l

Reported Tor the Atlas, by IL. IarkhurSt
Cannot suppose, MIR. President, not
withstanding the great and overwhelming
kindness of this call, that it can really be
the wish of the Convention TO hear from
me, at least anything IN the nature of a
speech. Considering, certainly, how little
time we have left, how much important
business remains for the Convention to
do. and considering, most Of all, how anx-
ious you must all naturally be to listen /;
rather thansto hear me, to those public a.
gents of ours who henor us with their
presence to-day, and who can speak so
instructively upon the great subjects Of
The hour, | at least do not feel at liberty
to detain you at all. Elsewhere, and at
other moments, on other fields and other
days, | may try to scatter the seed of a
few thoughts but not now, and not here
AT the same time: Mr.. President, that
respectfully decline 10 make speech, |
admit very strong desire to present my
self for few moments to this Convention,
(applause) in the character of witness
and not of an advocate. Sir, had The
honor, by the favor of portion of our
common constituency, TO be member of
that Philadelphia Convention; personally,
perhaps, and temporarily, panied and
disappointed member; and yet | rejoice
at an opportunity, here to-day, to testify
and TO declare upon my veracity, and my
honor, that according to my best knows
edge, and to my utmost knowledge and
belief, no nomination was more fairly made
applause no nomination was ever made
more exactly in accordance with the usa>
ges Of the representatives of great parties
like this in similar Conventions assembled.
No, fellow citizens, he that seeks pre-
text for abandoning his friends, his flag,
and his nomination, must find another
reason than the mode in which that NOM
ination was made. There is no doubt at
all that every gentleman who went int"
that body, came there in the first place
with preference of his own. There is
no doubt that every one indicated his first
preference by his first vote. Some of us
adhered TO that first vote: and some Of us,
again, upon more reflection, and more
consideration, upon wider view, and ex-
actly as was intended when we were sent
there, exactly as a convention of wise,
honest, and honorable men is intended to
do, changed that vote, and rallied upon
the nomination.
Here is the result before you to-day
A fairer nomination, in all respects, sir,
OF a nomination more exactly in accord
ance with the usages of the party, and the
customs of the land, has never yet been
exempli6ed since-the organization of this
government. Sir, the truth of this mat
ter is, that they who criticise the proceed
ings of that Convention, forget one great
thing, that should never be forgotten; and
that is, that the Philadelphia Convention,
was, at last, essentially, a ratifylng con-
yention; and that was all, sir. The peo-
pie nominated Gen. Taylor long before
the sitting of the Philadelphia Convention.
The people were beforehand with the pol
iticians in that great nomination. Zap
plause.) And the people are stronger
than the pliticians. (Renewed cheer
ing.) The Summer soldiers, and sun,
shine patriots should remember that.
And, sir, it is not quite justice to the
popular judgment of this countryto say
that long succession of iriumphs, from Pa
10 Alto and Rescca de la Palma to Buena
Vista, were the reasons of his nomIna>
gIories attracted the public
attention to Gen. Taylor. Undoubtedly
that attention led to inquiry; and what
was the result Of that inquiry That he
had been all his life loug Wing in his
general opinions, and in his private and
social connections; he had been all his
life long giving his youth, his manhood,