The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-06
Remark. OF A. o. r. Nicholson,
In the democratic convention held on the sh of Jan


Mr. PREsIDENT should be disposed to decline
sponse to The call made upon this occasion. if did
not feel mat u is due 10 the members Of the convention
my grateful ackno Judgments for the honor conferred
upon being selected of their flag bearers in
The coming contest lis known by every delegate pres
ent that have not sought this distinction and by many
OF them II is known that II was not desired by me- I'm
der such circumstances feel sensiby the honor OF
properly appreciate IL is that accept the position prompt
ly with all It's labors and responsibilities, and pledge
myself 10 as full discharge OF its duties my feeble
will be pardoned. Mr. President for availing myself
OF this opportunity 10 address few words of counsel 10
my democratic friends The through which we
have passed to-day may well teach us useful lesson
they may teach us the importance OF harmony and con-
cert in our deliberations, whilst they cannot fail to i'm
us WIN Tue necessity OF exercising orbearance and
beraty in the advancement OF personal preferences
The clouds which seemed at time to be gathering and
thckening our proceedings have all been expelled
by the exercise OF mutual forbearance and mutual con-
cessons, and have the happiness of congratula-
ting one another upon the spirit OF mind and harmony
which pervades our convention.
| My eloquent friend Governor Brown has pointed
us with much confidence to the achievement Of bril-
liant victory IN The approaching canvass. Allow me,
SIR, TO suggest word OF caution on that point Upon
casting eye the political horizon, and finding de-
mocracy largely in the ascendency in both houses OF
Congress, and in most Of the State governments,
might be excused for coming somewhat readily to the
conclusion that triumph Is certain We may make
it certain Mr. President but it by follows that
we are to havo an easy victory i is true OF political
always 10 the sroDgthe very strength OF party may
beget degree OF confidence which will enable the weak
party to snatch victory from it, very grasp Let me eau
having too much confidence OF Our opponents
would be pleased to thrown off guard by in
dugiDg in false security. Let democrat suppose
that because the wings making issue with in
regard to the which have heretofore divided
us they therefore disposed to contend less vigor
ousy and ndustriousy for the reins OF government All
experience proves that there powerful incen
tive to political exeon than the spoils OF office That in
centive if other the wings still have, shapened and
strengthened by present possession and enjoyment and
upon this platform, if upon better, they will fight to
desperation every inch of ground The fear OF hav
ing surrender the immense patronage sustaining
SO many thousands of their party will quicken all their
energies and animate all their forces with determin ed
zeal and enthusiasm II we expect to gain an easy VIC
tory party organized and animated, backed
by the immense power and patronage OF the executive
branch OF the government we INDUCING most fatal
deiSslon WIN IKE zeal VIII like concert WIN ID lks g
these elements OF warfare, the result will be uncertain
twill not be enough Mr. President, that your electors
shall traverse the State and discuss our principles Every
county and every neghborhood must have its speakers
the press must TEEN with arguments and with facts
every democrat must feel himself identified with the
suit III the canvass be conducted In this spirit, our VIC
tory iciH be sure and glorious
And now, Mr.. President. may not claim the right.
from the position which has been assigned to me- ap-
peal TO democratic friends TO put their armor for
this contesta But let me not be understood nmating
that make this appeal upon higher considerations
than furnished by the spoils Of victory. If the only
issue in the contest whether whig a democrat
should distribute the Offices of the government, should
scorn the appointment which has been generously
given TO mel should feel debased to bear your standard
in any such warfare.
Turn TO the resolutions which have had the honor
10 report and there you will find the inducements which
present as the basis OF my appeal First and foremost,
point you TO the preservation of federal Union,
the highest and nobes inducement which animate
the bosom and quicken the energies of lover OF his
country In proposing the noble sentiment of the patriot
Jackson as our first resolution, have been acuated
by deep conviction that the preservation OF the federal
he
to the helm OF government. II is deuson that no
democrat ought 10 cherish that the danger which 80 re-
Gently threatened the integrity OF confederacy
passed by The elements of tiscod which have hurried
government 10 the very verge of the precpce Of dis
union seem now to be quiet, but we not wise II we
cannot that the spirit OF insane fanacsm and free
sosm is neither dead, does it sleep. II has
proclaimed an apparent truce but with the OF gaining
strength for the consummaton of its reasonable designs
That strength is to be secured by forming a treaty
OF alliance with the other OF the two political
parties aided by such recruits may be made by becom
The peculiar symPaihizers with the struggles for liberty
in the Old World The indications going show that
such alliance is in process OF formation between
leading free-soiers and wings at the North too pal
pabe TO be misunderstood III there is truth or honor
or sefrespect in the southern people, such alliance
must put the Union TO hazaId-its triumph must be the
downfall OF the republic. Threatened as we are with
such issue, we have deemed ii duty TO inscrbe
upon our banner for the coming contest the glorious
motto, 1.-THE FEDERAL UNIes MUST BE PRESERVED"
nesty point them 10 this feature in the contest fur
nshng the most powerful incentive to prompt, unceas-
ing, united, and enthusiastic exerons They need have
no hesitancy TO the soundness of the democratic
nominees for President and Vice President this sub
ect. Our National Convention will turn with disgust
from any aspant who suspected OF soil sympa-
thes. The united voice OF the democracy demands a
ticket above all suspicion, and such will have
None other will ever command my feeble support, and
none other will ever appeal to the democracy sustain.
If other inducements 10 action are needed they will be
found in abundance in the second resolution We pro.
pose 10 stand upon our ancient platforms, embracing
they do the principles which country has been
the most prosperous the face OF the earth Amongst
these principles IL the doctrine OF Congressional non-in-
ervention to the question Of slavery and, that
man may have pretext for misunderstanding posi-
ton, make the declaration in explicit terms, that the
compromise must be invioably adhered
final settlement of the slavery question.
But, Mr. President, there is yet another incentive TO
democratic action TO which feel bound TO direct your
enton. When our lamened fellows citizen, James X
Polk surrendered the presidential trust there was no
American citizen, in whose bosom beat an American
not proud OF the exalted estimation in which our govern
ment held throughout the civilized world The
brlancy OF our military achievements, the splendor of
our victories, the prowess of soldiers and the skill
OF captains, combined with the grandeur OF our
oria possessions reaching from to ocean, and the
unbounded resources and prosperity of people,
manded for the undsgused respect of every power in
Europe. The force OF our lustrous example awaken
ed IN the hearts OF the people of the Old World spirit OF
liberty which caused every prince and poenate TO trem
! Die Tor his throne How do stand IN the eyes
OF the crowned heads of Europel Is there one OF them
$50 poor to do How does the heart OF
every democrat in this assembly respond 10 this question
do not propose comment in detail upon the manage
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