Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-08-04
speech Of Jefferson Davis ira the DEM
Ocratic State Convention.

speech Of Jefferson Davis ina the DEM
Ocratic State Convention.
Fellow. citizens Brother Democratsl-.I Il gives
me sincere pleasure, after SO long an mtcrYll,a.
gain 70 meet YOU assembled in iraterual reunion.
1t gladdens my heart and gives earncs, OF The fu,
ture, to see here so many ofthoso identified with
our past trials and triumphs,and among them the
fathers Of cur political church, whose presence
aud approving CO operation are proof that we have
not departed from the way in which wo were
trained 70 go.
To have remained fixed IN the midst orchangc,
to have stood the test Of time and varied circum
st1nccs, offers no weak ASSURANCE that our creed
IS ioundedon the imnutabe basis Of truth, aud
VIII descend from generation to generation, such
as il came 10 U.s. Temporary e4cilemrnt faction
or error, Ike cuyeloping mists may obscure II for
a while, yet it viii stand, as the house which the
wise man built on a rock.
Since our last State convention presidential
election has transferred the executive department
Of the general government TO our political oppo~
nchts. he federal patronage is therefore au FL.
ement TO be calculated against us. ! do not re.
mehI aud removal, but the more important con-
sheraton, The Influence which is thus brought to
bear upon the politics Of the country, the effect
which Is thus produced upon the measures through
winch our principles have their practical applca.
ton. The change which has occurred ii the
chlet maglsIracy creates additional necessity for
Strenuous exeron. You can no longer rely up,
on the executive veto to preserve them. Your
safety Is to be found in majority of the repre-.
senlatlyts. There all the notifications which
have been found necessary in the practical work.
ing Of those measures can be introduced, and the
government he LEFT to the quiet and steody excr.
else Of is functions under system which il dai.
y growing IN popular favor. You have already
secured the great measures Of your creed it is
only required to perfect and preserve them. \ ou
have MAJORITY oi tho Senate, all you need is
gam OF five members TO give you majority Of
the House Of Representatives. Cannot Missis-
sippi contribute onel Alabama, Tennessee, Ken.
tucky and Indiana, If they emulate the example
Of Virginia, will more than complete the number.
Then you VIII merely have lost by the Presiden-
tjaI election The federal patronage loss which
viii soon be forgotten il the Joy Of seeing our
ch'ei measures preserved. The most signal vic.
tarila Of tie democracy have usually followed a
deleaG they rise like the son Of Terra, inligorated
by fall. " ia tie hope that Ii win now be thus
elsewhere lei Us mako il thus at home. Bring
the Io,t district 10 The democratic fold jet Mis-
siss ppi again be heard 10 speak with one voice
in the halls Of Congress.
From The foundation OF our government The PEG
pie have been divided into political parties; thel
represent unlagauisic principles are separated
by an essential difference; and however we ma,
regret the bitterness 70 which the controversy
sometimes rises il is not TO be expected that Il
will permanently cease. 1t sleeps but does no
die, and wakes to renew The contest; il may be-
with new Phrases, new issues, with chang
names; but with the same radical difference a.
before. Then take your old armor, ii has bect
proved; your old banners, they have never beei
disgraced; and 90 to the new fields, where YOU
old battles have 10 be fought over again. Al
your conviction that our policy is identical viii
the permanent welfare olihe country is thorough
and without such conviction politics sink 10
trade and elections become am unworthy sirag.
gle for place; as yon believe your measures to Be
valuable; as your principles arc dear, so should
we be unite az one man, in the support Of our
ticket, Surely we have not assembled merely
to determine who should be presented for the
honor aud emolument Of office, but for tho mere
dignfed purpose d securing concert Of action for
the advancement Of those principles and meas
ures which We believe promoiiye Of the public
good.
II then, any feeling Of friendship has been
wounded by the defeat Of candidates; il any hope
Of personal ambition has been Disappointed il in.
difidual rivalry, or hostile "reminiscences obtrule
before any part ofthe ticket; bring them as a
peace. offering, sacrifice meet ior the altar Of
principle. liany localexpeciaiion, founded upon
The idea q sectional disribution,has been lh~art.
ed, you viii know best how 10 account for this.
You can appreciate the circumstance and mo,
tiyes which have Influenced the convention: 10
explain them and remove any dissatisfaction
which may be created will be your useful an
grateful task. Orifthis cannot be done, then, as
you can justify tbs motives, 10 strip the dissais-
faction Of The sense Of intentional wrong, ana
throw over the error the mantle ofbrolheFly love.
viii say here what have often said, that think
il proper aud conducive o successful adminisige
ton 10 select nominees for the Offices irorn differ
ent paris ofthe State. Yet, ifa ticket IS framed
otherwise. | would noi therefore give il less
jealous support. III know myself my interest
would not Be diminished, though every nominee
we're taken lfom one county, and that county
should be the one most remote from my own
residence.
Mississippi has no conflicting interests; are
we not one as Democrats bound through good
! and evil TO maintains common cause. 10 "a par.