The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-08-11
Speech of Hon. Solomon Foote,

At the Great Ratifcation Meeting IN
Washington, on tie 2SM ult.
Mr.. Foote was next introduced, and
said
FELLOW WnGs AND FELLOW CITI-
zENs Il rise to offer you a very few
words of congratulation and approval,
of encouragement and confidence, up
on the auspicious result of the recent
National Whig Convention at Balti-
more. According to the regular and
recognized modes of party usage the
names of Winfield Scott and Wm. A.
Graham have been presented to the
consideration of the American people
for the highest honors of the Republic
We are here tonight to accept and
ratify that nomination ; we are here
tonight to respond in unison with ten
times ten thousand voices, borne to our
ears by the swift-winged lightning
couriers from all quarters of the Re-
public. to the nomination of Scott and
Graham for the Offices of President
and Vice President Of the United
States.
Winfield Scott. What mighty po-
tency is in that name Winfield
Scott There is the prcsagc of victo-
ry in that name there is a magic
spell, an invincible power in that name.
1t has inspired hope and confidence
through this vast land. That name
has no association with defeat. Famil-
iarized to success, it has become sy-
nohymous with victory. When the
lightning messengers announced the
glad tidings of the nomination to the
American people, shout Of cXultatior
came up from all quarters Of the L.
Mon the big heart Of the nation leap
ed for joy its suspended pulsation.
beat again quicker and stronger thar
before The all-prcvading sentiment
was that the victory had already beer
half won. That was, indeed, fortu
nate nomination. The name and th(
fame of Winfield Scott are written il
characters of living light upon the pa
ges of forty years Of our country's
history. He has made that name llustri
Gus, mot less by civic than by his MARTA
triumphs. The peerless soldier com
bines the character of the matches,
pacifcator. While the historic field,
of Niagara and the mountain passes o
Mexico reflect the dazzling glories Of
the hero, our northern and northeast.
ern frontiers, our western wilds and
the everglades Of Florida, bear wit
ness to the milder and nobler virtues
and triumphs of the minister of peace
the messenger of philanthropy. Cries
of" Good and cheers.
Fellow citizens, it is not alone at the
nomination that we rejoice. We have
above all, occasion of congratulatiou
and rejoicing at the reunion of the
great National Wing party of the
country. [Chcers.] Fcllow-citizcns
for the last six months have been q
pained yet silent spectator of the dis
cords and divisions of that party, by
which it has been distracted and weak
ened, and almost paralyzcd but | re-
joice with you to night in the confident
hope and assurance that these unhappy
divisions have in a great measure been
allayed, | trust forever. Divided, we
are powerlcss, and must fall /; united,
We shall be a strong, resistless, and
a triumphant party. [Cheers. In
our divisions our political opponents
had hoped for an easy victory in our
union, despair and defeat only await
them. Applause.
Mr.. President and citizens,
another contest between the great po-
litical organizations of the country is
near at hand F; another great civil VIC
tory is to be won or lost and the ma
ton is already gathering its strength
and girding on its armor, and marshal
ling its hosts for the conflict. The is
sue of that conflict is to tell for gooC
or evil, for veal or for wo, upon the
destinies of this country for long year
to come. By all the hopes and fearl
that can inspire the heart Of patriot
ism, we are bound to carry that issue
Loud cheers.] Inspired by the main
tenance of just cause, sustained by
the best troops that ever we're led to
civil or a martial contest, and unde
the lead of that general who never lost