The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-10-24
Great speech or the Hon. James Buchanan
Delivered at the Mass Meeting or the De-
mocracy OF Western Pennsylvania

Great speech or the Hon. James Buchanan
Delivered at the Mass Meeting OF the De-
mOcracy OF Western Pennsylvania
[When this great American statesman rose 10 address
the immense gathering OF The noble democracy OF the
western counties OF the Keystone State, assembled al
Greensbnrg, Wesmoreand county, on the 7lh Of oeto-
Der, 1852, he greeted with lhe most enthusiastic
cheers from every portion of that vast crowd oil demo
cats which continued for several minutes. The applause
having subsded. Mr. Buchanan spoke as folIows:l
Friends and fellow citizens: thank you most sincere
y for the cordial and enthusiastic cheers with which you
have just saluted me am proud on This occasion TO
acknowledge my deep obligations The democratic party
OF WesimoIeland county. The generous and powerful
support which have received from your great and glo
rious democracy throughout my public career shall ever
remain deeply engraven my heart. l am grateful Tor
the past. not for what is to be in future ask
from my country than what have already enjoyed May
peace and prosperity be your lot throughout life, and may
the star in the West continue TO shine with increasing
spendor and ever benign influence the favored west
ern portion OF our Commonwealth for ages yet to come !!
congratulate you. fellow citizens, upon the nonina
lion OF Franklin Pierce and William King for the two
highest offices in your gift This nomination has proved
TO be fortunate event for the democratic party of
the country II has psoduced unanmiiy everywhere in
our great and glorious party; and when hmly united we
can stand against the world in arms. Il has terminated
trust forever, the divisions which existed in ranks
and which, but few short months ago. ponenjed dire
defeat in the present presidential contest The North
the Sonth the East and the West generous rivals
most 10 secure the triumph OF the good old cause OF de
mocracy, and of Franklin Pierce and William X King
our chosen standard bearers.
And why should not all be united in support of
Frankn Pierce! II is his peculiar distinction, above all
other public within my knowledge, that he has never
had occasion to take single step backwards What
speech, vote, sentiment Of his whole political career
has been inconsistent with the purest and scies princ
pies of Jelersonan democracy! Oar opponents, with all
their vigilance and research have not yet been able to
discover a single one His public character demo
crat is above all exception In supporting him, there
FORE shall do no than sustain in his person
own dear and cherished principles.
Our candidate, throughout his life has proved himself
10 be peculiarly unselfsh The offices and honors which
other men seek with much eagerness have sought
him only TO he refused He has either positively declined
accept, has resigned the highest stations which the
upon him.
Indeed the public character Of Gen Pierce is so invu
neabe that ii has scarcely been seriously assaulted
Oar political opponents have therefore, in perfect despe
ration. been driven deame his private character AT
hrst they denounced him drunkard, friend of the
infamous anli-Catholic test in the constitution OF New
Hampshire, and coward In what have these in fam
accusations resued' They have already recoed upon
their inventors The poisoned chace has been returned
10 their lips No decent man OF the whg party will
now publicly venture TO repeat these ISLANDERS.
Frank Pierce coward That man coward who,
when his country was involved in foreign war; aban
doned lucrative and honorable profession, and all the
sweets and comforts OF domestic life in his happy
family. become private volunteer soldier in the ranks
How preposterous And why coward!
According 10 the testimony Of Gen Scott himself, he
was in such sick, wounded, and enieebled condition
that he was "iust able 10 keep his sadde" Yet his
gallant lmpelled bin lead his brigade
the bloody battle of Churubusco Bu, his exhausted
physical nature no, strong enough 10 sustain the
brave soul which animated il, and he sank nsensbe
the field in front OF his brigade Was this evidence Of
cowardice These circumstances, so far from being
impeachment OF his courage, prove concusvey that he
possesses that high quality in uncommon degree AL
any other man--nay, almost any other brave
in his weak and disabled condition, would have remain
ed in his Tent bat the promptDgs OF his gallant and pa
otc spirit impelled him 10 rush into the midst oil the
battle. To what lengths will not party rancor and ma
ny proceed, when such high evidences OF ndomiable
courage are construed into proofs OF cowaiice How
different was Gen SCOTS opinion from that OF the rev
lers OF Franklin Pierce II on this very occasion
that he conferred upon him the proud title OF the gall
LIANT Brigader General Pierce"
The cordial union OF the democratic party throughout
the country presents presage ot approaching vic
tory. Even political opponents admit that in
the majority when thoroughly united. And venture
now predict that whether with or without the vote Of
Pennsylvania, franklin Pierce and William X King.
should their lives be spared will as cert1iny be elected
President and Wee President OF the United States the
first Tuesday OF November next as ihatlhe blessed sun
shall rise that auspicious day We feel the lnspra
lion of victory from The infable Indications OF public
opinion throughout our sister States.
Shall this victory be achieved without the voice the
vote Of Pennsylvania No President has yet been
elected without her vote. Shall this historical truth be
versed, and shall Pierce and King be elected in November
despite The OF the good old Keystone God bless her
No-never. never shall the democracy OF our great and
glorious State be subjected to this disgrace.
And yet, strange 10 say, The wings at Washington and
the wings throughout every Sac OF Tie Union CLAIM the
dence. To her vote oil the main ind uce-
ments for the nomination OF General Scott the cad
of Millard Fillmore Il there unpreudiced citizen OF
any party OF the United States, who lay his band
upon his heart and declare that be believes General Scott
would make good and safe President a. MIR Fall.
more No, fellow wcitizens, all OF must in
opinion with Mr.. Clay, that Fillmore had superior
claims and qualifications to those OF Scott for the highest
civil station. Availability. and availability alone pro-
duced the nomination OF Scott
The wings well knew that the democrats OF the Key
stone IN the majority. What must then, be done to
secure her vote Pennsylvania democrats must be
duced from their party allegiance they must be induced
abandon the political altars al which they have so long
worshipped they must be persuaded TO renohnce the
principles OF Jefferson and OF Jackson, by the nomina
ton OF military hero-and this hero too most bitter
and uncompromising whg. General Scott Is OF
your hall. way wings; he is not like General Taylor
whig, but not an ultra whig. lie goes the whole. IL
there a single whig doctrine, or a single whg prn.
cipe however odous TO the democracy, which he is
devoted, which he has not announced and taught
der his own handl II there be, have never heard u
mentioned Nay, more these odlous doctrines with
him not merely strong opinions but they absolute
convictions, rules OF faith and OF practice The Bank
Of the United States the bankrupt law. the distribution
Of the proceeds OF The public lands among the States, the
abollshment OF the veto power from the constluion-n
short, all the wing measures against which the democ
racy OF the country have always waged incessan war
many articles of General Scots political creed
When asked, in October 1871, "whether, If nominated
candidate for the presidency, would you accept the
nomination y after expressing his strong appreciation OF
all the whg measures 10 which have referred, well
others OF similar character, he answers beg leave
respectfully 10 reply-yes provided taat be not re-
qured to renounce any principles professed above My
principles convictions