The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-09-02

days ballotlng which occurred at Baltimore, ans
wer They adhered to him with q devotion
rarely equalled and neUer surpassed
! They were not alone in their preferences fol
the man of your choice. They had the prond
satisfaction of receiving the warmest co-opera-
ton of the sterling Democracy of the 'Old Dom
inion,' of North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia
and Mississippi, but they were obliged at last
to yield.
This great and good man had to be offered VI
as sacrifice to the union and harmony of the
Democratic party. The sacrifice was grea'
one, and one which seemed like parting with the
last friend, but still, it not too great to be
made, in order to accomplish so desirable an
end.
1t is proper to state in this connection that a
respectable minority of this Convention express
ed preference for another distinguished gen.
tleman, the patriot and statesman of Michigan.
He too had a large, perhaps 1 might say, con-
trolling number of friends at Baltimore, who,
with equal fidelity adhered to him. He was al
together aoOrthy of this support
Then again, the intellectual giant of Illinois,
and the scar covered patriot of Texas had their
admirers, who exhibited as much anxiety for
their nomination, did the others for their
favorites. Thus it became apparent that per-
sonal preferences must be laid aside and some
one selected who would harmonic all the con-
ficting interests.
After surveying this widely extended confed-
eracy, the attention of the Convention was turn
ed towards New Hampshre's favorite son. The
moment his name was introduced lin the Ian
guage of delegate in my eye) sit took like wild
fire. and Franklin Pierce was, by the unani-
nous voice of the Convention declared the nom
inee of the great Democratic party. And who,
l ask, could have been selected that would have
been more acceptable to all? Superadded to
talents of the highest order, he will bring to the
administration of the government large amount
of political wisdom and experience, and besides
] a nurer hravar 5irinfnrested patriot
does not liUe. As to his entire fitness for the ex-
| alted position assigned him, he has the endorse
ment of some of the most eminent statesmen of
the age. 1t is only necessary to mention two
James Buchanan and Lewis Cass-who would
desire more? OF the nominee for the Vice Pres
idency I need hardly speak. The name of VIM.
r. King is as familiar to the Democracy of
Pennsylvania as ''household words ~ with them
he has long been favorite. Perhaps there is
not man in the Union who would command
more cordial support
But, gentlemen, how sadly different are the
circumstances which surround us now, from
those under which we last met. Then the Hon.
Richard Coulter was, so far as we know, in the
full vigor of health-occupying seat on the
bench of the Supreme Court. Norc, his mortal
remains lie slumbering in the dust. He was, in
deed, an eminent jurist-a profound scholar
and courteous gentleman. Then, the lamen-
ted Searight was member of this body, with a
promise of many years of usefulness, and it was
my pleasing duty, your organ, to procure
him thess nominee for the Office of Canal Commits
sioner. Now it is my mOurntM duty to an
nounce to you that he, too, has ''gone dewn
through the valley of the shadow of h.
This is not the occasion for pronouncing eulo-
gy upon his character, nor would be compe-
tent to such task. But you will, know, al
low me to make remark or two. 1t was my
privilege to enjoy the personal acquaintance Of
the deceased for upwards of twenty years, du-
ring the last fifteen of which our intercourse
was of the most friendly character: was both
his predecessor and his ssnecessor in Office as
Commissioner of the cumberland road, and trans
acted business with him to the amount Of thou
sands of dollars, and here publicly las 1 have
often prfpdtely) bear my humble testimony to
his iaJaerible integrity. A more honest, honora-
BILE, or gentlemanly man L have never met. In
all the relations of life, he was courteous and
kind. His heart and hand were always open
to dispense of his ample means towards allevia-
ting the wants of the necessitous. But the cha
racter of this truly good was still more
strikingly exemplifed in the domestic circle
A more indulgent and devoted husband and
father could where be found. But he is |
gone, and l respectfully suggest, in view of the
relation he sustained to this Conven ton, that
appropriate resolution should be passed express
sive of our profound sorrow on account of his
demise. Thus you see, gentlemen, that an in
scrutable Providence has, within few brief
months, stricken down two of our most promi-
nent citizens-each of them representing one of
the political parties of the country-and thus
demonstrating the great truth that ''death is no
respecter of persons" or parties, and reminding
us of ''what shadows we are and what shadows
we pursue"
Should we not, therefore, learn from theseI
affecting dispensations of Divine Providence. to
c ultivate spirit of mutual forbearance and
brotherly kindness towards those of the same
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