The southern press., 1852-07-13
From the Macon Georgian.
speech Of Judge johnson, at the Macon Dem
Osratic Ratification Meeting, June 7Ath.

From the Macon Georgian.
speech Of Judge Johnson, at the Macon Dem
Oeratie Ratification Meeting, Juno 7Ath.
Fellow CITIZENS The occasion that brings
us 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 congratu-
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
few moments, in the reflections which the oc.
casion suggests.
Prior to the meeting of the convention, there
were fearful divisions in the great Democratic
party of the United States 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 asplrants urged The
claims of their fayorite, with earnestness and
perseverance during two days the ballotings
continued, holding the body and the county in
painful suspense as to the final issue, until II
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 clouds and darkness seemed to
curtain The political armament. For twenty
nine successive ballotings, the Southern Atlantic
and Gulf States stood, in almost unbroken
column, in favor of James Buchanan, of Penn
sylyana; while the North aud East and West
were divided between the other IS rants. 1t was
known, that their divisions were permanent and
deep seated, so that they could not concentrate
upon any one candidate. Hence, the necessity
devolved upon the South, finally to abandon her
| fayorite, and bring forward another name for
the consideration of the convention.
| The duty was both painful and delicate-pain.
| full to surrender the noble son of Pennsylvania
| delicate to make selection among SO 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
| digni6ed and polished Barbour, they cast the
| fifteen votes of the sold Dominion" for Frank
lin Pierce, of New Hampshire. The announce
ment fell upon the ear of the convention with
suggestive and soothing effect 1t awakened
memories of the past and Gained the agitatons
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
| administraion-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 his country should be in
volyed in war-who had publicly declined a
nomination for the Presidency--these, and such
reflections as these, flashed across the mind OF
the convention, and singled him out as the man
for the occasion. North Carolina and Georgia
led the Southern phalanx at the call of Virginia;
and, as if mpeIled by the power of inspiration
the delegates from the North aud West and East
united in the triumphal shout. Never shall
forget the impressive scene. IL dehes descrip
! ton. Its enthusiasm, its JOY, its sublime exu
tation transcend the power of language to por
tray. They were the outbirths of deep, unut
terabIe, patriotic emotion. Woman obeyed 10
impulses by strewing flowers and bouquets
youth yielded TO conyulsVe transports, anc
| hoary age welt tears of patriotic delight.
This termination of the labors Of the conven
| ton il suggestive of valuable instruction. /
is supposed, that much intrigue had been re
sorted to by politicians, prior TO the convention
to secure the nomination of their respective "a
yorites know nothing Of the truth or false
hood Of this charge; but if true, how witherirI
a rebuke does the nomination Of General Pierce
administer 10 intrigue and pra1matism! How
impotent the Vaccinations of cliqnes and trick
Lsters to control or muzzle the popular will
The sction of the convention demonstrate
another truth, full of hope for the future wei
fare of our country. II is this. II shows that
amidst our bitterest conhicts-our most rancor
Gus scisms-the warmest strife for supremacy
between Presidential aspirants, there exists OF
occult, but potent under-current Of conservat
ism, in the popular mind, always ready TO b,
developed, in times of emergency and danger
| This feeling lies at The foundation OF that ven
i Grafton for our institutions which characterize
the American people and 30 long rs il remain
pure and uncontaminated, the republic il safe
II is the vestsl flame that burns upon it, affairs
and inspires the patriots heart when tempest
waste their fury against its impregnable battle
ments.
The two thirds rule may now be regarded a
the deliberately settled law for the regulation o
Of the nominations Of the Democratic party. I
was almost unanimously adhered to; and ]
cannot be considered oppressive, because II hal
been voluntarily adopted. In this connection
consider the power Of the South, when united
In the convention, we were in the minority, a
against the North or West, but we welded NOR
than a third, as against all other sections, ever
Il If they had been united For thirty.nine ballot
Jugs we interposed Buchanan successfully agans
Others less acceptable TO our people. II W.
impossible 90 have made nomination whicl
was Objectionable TO the South. She had moi
indeed, and did MT desire 10 have, the power 3,
force a candidate Of her own section upon III
party; but she did have, and she wisely exercised
the power Of self protection. Hence, Genera
Pierce, although Northern man, Is, in tru h, IN
candidate Of the South. Virginia and Mort
Carolina and Georgia were mainly instruments
in procuring his nomination. Well, then, ma
we as Southern men and Georgia Democrat.
rally with confidence and enthusiasm 10 his SUP
port.