The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-13

speesA Of ledge Jshnssn, II he Hsssa Dem.
seFstis Ratt1satisn Meeting, Jaae 3lth.
Fellow ClrlzEEs The occasion that brings
~ together is one of thrilling interest TO every
true hearted Democrat We come TO testify our
approval of the nominations for President and
| Vice President of the United States, made by
the late Democratic National Convention at Bal
timore. We have come to exchange coDgratu-
| latiOns with each other, and TO send joyful
greetings TO our political brethren in every sec
| ton of this broad republic. Let us indulge, for
a few moments, in the reflections which the &C.
casion suggests
| Prior to the meeting of the convention, there
were fearful divisions in the great Democratic
party of the United Sta e. We differed widely
in our choice for the Presidency. We had our
Cass, and Buchanan, and Butler, and Douglas,
and Marcy, and Dickinson, and Stockton, each
the bright centre of wide circle OF warm and
devoted friends and supporters-each worthy
the highest honors within the gift of the Demo
cratic party. The convention assembled; the
friends OF the respective aspirants urged The
clams az their favorite, with earnestness and
perseverance during two days the bnllotings
continued, holding the body and the county in
painful suspense as to the final issue, until it
became evident, that neither Of the distinguished
persons voted for, could possibly obtain the
| requisite majority. 1t was moment OF peril
to the party; the hopes of the most sanguine
trembled, and cl uds and darkness seemed to
curtain The political armament. For twenty
nine successive bsIlotings, the Southern Atlantic
and Gulf States stood, in almost unbroken
column, in favor of James Buchanan, of Penn
sylvana while the North aud East and West
were divided between the other 10 irants 1t was
kun TINT their Al aio vara Arm no MT and
deep seated, so that they could not concentrate
upon any one candidate. Hence, the necessity
devoved upon the South, finally to abandon her
favorite, and bring forward another name for
the consideration Of the convention.
The duty was both painful and delcate-pan.
fui to surrender the noble son Of Pennsy lvania
delicate to make selection among 80 many
others worthy of her highest confidence. But
the crisis was upon us, and what tremendous
consequences were suspended upon the result !!
Having retired for consultation, the Virginia
delegation, wise in council and patriotic in i'm
pulse, returned, and through the venerable and
dgnitied and polished Barbour, they cast the
fifteen votes of the "Old Dominion" for Frank
lin Pierce, of New Hampshire. The announce
ment fell upon the ear Of the convention with
suggestive and eoothing effect. 1t awakened
memories of the past and Gained the agitation.
of the then passing moment. 1t revived the re-
collection of the occurrences of the convention
Of 1874; and, with magic rapidity, called up the
history of Gen. Pierce He was the son of a
revolutionary sire, native of New Hampshire
which has never bowed the knee to federalism
the firm friend and supporter of Gen. jack
son through the trying scenes Of his eventful
administration-the man who had been invited
into the distinguished cabinet Of the lamented
Polk-who had voluntarily withdrawn from
public life, never to be seduced from the sweets
of retirement, Unless lis country should be in
volved in war-who had publicly declined
nomination for the Presidency these, and such
reflections as these, "A lshed across the mind Of
the convention, and singled him out as the man
for the occasion. North Carolina and Georgia
led the Southern phaanx at the call of Virginia;
and as if impeed by the power of inspiration,
the delegates from the North and West and E ,s,
united in the triumphal shout. Never shall
forget the impressive scene. 1t defies descrip
ton. Its enthusiasm, its joy, its sublime exuI.
tation transcend the power of language to por-
tray. They were the outbirths of deep, unit
terable, patriotic emotion. Woman obeyed its
impulses by .trewing flowers and bouquets !;
youth yielded to convulsive transports, and
hosry age wept tears of patriotic delight.
This termination of the labors of the conven.
ton il suggestive of valuable instruction. 1t
is supposed, that much intrigue had been re
sorted to by politicians, prior 20 the convention,
to secure the nomination Of their respective ia
vorites. | know nothing of the truth or false
hood of this charge; but if true, how whitening
a rebuke does the nomination of Gene al Pierce
administer to intrigue and pragmatism How
NHpOteut the Vaccinations OF cques and trick
st&rs to control or muzzle the popular will!
Y'he action of the convention demonstrates
another truth, full of hope for the future well
fare of our country. 1t is this. 1t shows that,
amidst our bitterest conflicts--our most rancor
GUS scisms-the warmest strife for supremacy
between Presidential aspirants, there exists an
occult, but potent under-current Of conservat.
ism, in the popular mind, always ready to be
developed, in times of emergency and danger.
This feeling lies at The foundation of that ven
GRAFTON for our institutions which characterises
the American people and so long as it remains
pure and uncontamnated. the republic is safe
It is the vestal fame that burns upon it's affairs,
and inspires the patriots heart when tempests
waste their fury against its impregnable battle.
ments.
The two thirds rule may now be regarded as
the deliberately settled law for the regulation Of
of the nominations of the Democratic party. 1t
was almost unanimously adhered to; and it
cannot be considered oppressive, because 1t has
been voluntarily adopted. In this connexion,
consider the power Of the South, when united.
In the convention, we were in the minority, as
against the North or West, but we welded more
than third, as against all other sections, even
if they had been united. For thirty-nine ballot
iugs we interposed Buchanan successfully against
others less acceptable to our people. 1t WIS
impossible to have made nomination which
was objectionable to the South. She had not,
indeed and did not desi to have, the power to
force candidate of her own section upon the
party; but she did have, and she waely exercised,
the power of self protection. Hence, General
Pierce, although Northern man. is, in tru h, the
candidate of the South. Virginia and North
Carolina and Georgia We're mainly instrumental
in procuring his nomination. Well, then, may
we as Southern men and Georgia Democrats,
| rally with confidence and enthusiasm to his sup
port.
| There is another most suspicious feature con-
| I'D