Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-06-21
speeches Of Douglass and IIsus,on. at
the Wash ingt0n Ratification Meeting.

Gen. Hou st0h was received with loud
huazas, and made but a few remarks He
knew the nominees intimately and well,
and vouched for their patriotism, talents,
and sound democracy. BY the letter which
had been road, it would be seen that Gen.
Pierce was for the whole Union, and moth.
ing less. (Fhis was received by long
continued applause. He hkewis1 spoke
in warm appreciation Of the platform,-
"But, gentlemen" he said, 81 will not de.
tain you, other speakers will furnish you
with richer entertainments | will say to
you, however, and you must remember it,
| that when the battle is lost and won, and
| when victory shall have besn proclaimed,
no State shall bear her banner higher, or
give a larger proportionate democratic
majority, in all OF the States Of the Union,
lhau that star of the West, Texas-or lam
no prophetj that State which may not on.
ly claim to be registered as the youngest
but as the Banner State of the Union. p
GHuzzas and music, and three cheers for
! old Sam
Judge Douglas was next introduced, and
received with more enthusiasm ihan any of
the proceeding speakers.
We have, said Judge Douglas, assembled
here tonight, to congratulate the country
and one another, on the cordial reunion Of
the democratic party. The National Con>
yention which recently assembled in Balli.
more has presented platform on which
all democrats can stand with honor and
with safeiy-a platform worthy of the best
| days OF The party under Jefferson or
i L. hou leo IL
the names oftwo eminent statesmen for our
support as President and Vice President
of the United States, whose lives and char
acters illustrate and adorn that system Of
government which it is our aim and mis-
sion as party to maintain and perpetuate.
With such platforms and such ticket q
! glorious victory awaits US. Applause.
1t is unnecessary to detain you with dis.
cusson as to the principles Of the two par.
ties; but | shall be prepared for the wings
when they shall have presented their can
didates and platform. do not wish 10
make charge upon them until we have
the objects before US that we may make a
fair fight, and then let the weakest sink un.
der the blow. Applauss and laughter,
and cries Of "agreed."] All experience
has proved that the wing party is utterly
incapable Of administering the government.
IA voice in the crowd "Go it Young Amer.
lca."] Without questioning their patriot-
ism and talents, they lack ,that sympathy
with the masses and confidence in the vir,
tue Of the people, which should pervade
every branch and department of free
government Failing in forming the Con.
sti,ution as they desired, and Incorporating
in that instrument such provisions and fea
lures as were acceptable to them, they row
seek to accomplish their purpose by loose
and unauthorized constructions of the pow
ers Of that instrument. The Wing party
have never been permitted, during the whole
per iod Of our history, to hold the reins o
8 government for two successive administra-
D ,ions-[a voice "aEd they never will, ;
huzzal-they have never been able TO OBJ
tain favor except when the Democrat,
}sparty has been rent asunder by unfortunat,
divisions-[a voice ',bat's true, ']-no whit
!, administrator has ever been fair ont
Q perfect representation OF the popular sen
i limens of this country, for the very rensol
Q that their principles, practices andinstinct
Q are at war with the general genius OF thi
8 government. Therefore, they have neys
. been able to retain public confidence lonl
!. enough to acquire reelection. Go
!. Young America-hii 'em again--ha! ha!
: Is there anything in their conduct during
the last four years that entities them i
8 more confidence than heretofore?
!. Has it no. been the Wing party whici
!. has arrayed one section against another
) and father against son, and son against 70
r ther, until the pillars Of the republic hnv,
been made TO trsmble? All the usurpa
tion by the federal government, and the in
fringement of the reserved rights of III,
/. States aud Of the people have been the le
gitimate consequences OF a loose construc
ZION of the constitution. Look, TOO, gentle
, men, at the Galphinism, the Gardinerism
!, and other sums abstracted from the publ,
: Treasury. submit to you whether thei
, system Of peculation and extravagance, ant
the free use of the public money have no
prevailed under this administration, ant
! even extending to high public functions
ries,
They have utterly despaired Of the pub
, lie confidence, and have made the larges
grab they can. Huzzas, and cries of ''gt
it young America! hiI 'em again" / re
peat these things not in the way of abuse
10 wound any man's feelings, but to cal
attention TO them as the necessary result Of
loose and Unauthorized construction ol
law which lies at the base Of their polical
creed.
Gentlemen, continued Judge Douglas,
you must return to rigid system Of ac'
countability, ana hold public officers re- r
sponsible 10 the low, and confne the puDiiss
expenditures within The limits Of the appro,
prialions previously made by Congress
Let not this whig administration escape un.
der the plea that democratic Congress
has furnished them the means Of their un'
justi6able extravagance. They have been
unable to tell by millions how much money
they want when they make their estimates.
Laughter and applause.] The troops j!
is said are starving on The frontiers, and
every department Of the Government suf-
fare for the wnnt of money Rnt thew find