The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-18
speech OF senator Douglas.


at Richmond at the invitation of the democracy of the
sod Dominion by the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas.
We commend this speech to the attention of read
ers as most instructive and interesting exposition of the
present attitude Of the two parties and of their candi-
dates Let it be circulated far and wide.
Mr. Douglas visited Richmond on the invitation of the
Central Democratic Association, rendered him through
its president and committee He addressed the assoca
ton in the African Church-he most capacous building
of the place-on Friday night vast audience col
eced to hear him, filling to overflow the entire hall
and galleries, and blocking up the doors, windows,
and asles. He was listened to throughout with pro-
found attention and respects and his clear statement of
facts and cogen applications Of them have made deep
impression upon the people OF Richmond.
[Richmond Examiner.
SPEECH OF HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
OF ILLINOIS
Delivered in Richmond, Va., on The 9th of July 1852.
Mr. DOUGLAS was greeted with rapturous and con-
tinued applause and proceeded to address the meeting
substantially as follows:
Mr. President: am not insensble TO the compliment
conferred upon by your kind invitation to address the
democracy OF the " Old Dominon"-a State which more
than any other has the honor OF having imboded and
proclaimed to the world that genuine creed of democracy
which has been our book in all political contests.
l
honor TO reside in and represent State which was
once The county of Illinois, IN the State Of Virginia.
Since that county has become of the sovereign States
OF the Union like her lusous mother, she has never
departed from the faith, failed 10 sustan the dem
ocraic nominees at any presidential election Applause
Always the rights of the States and 10 the bond
of the federal Union-never departing from those great
landmarks laid down by Kentucky and Virginia in the
resolution of '9S. eel trust that like the old Dominion,
Illinois will always be found faithful not only TO the prn
ciples but TO the candidates Of the democratic party
[Cheersl
In the present contest have not only platform"
but standard bearers which unite and harmonic the
sentiments of entire party throughout thus broad
land have heard Of no democrat who repudates the
platform Applause know OF section of the
party which thinks that il ought 10 be "defed" "sp
upon" Renewed applause.l The platform Is an I'M
bodment OF the principles OF the party upon all ques-
tons TO which il extends, and is in perfect harmony with
the whole system OF principles which il is our purpose 10
carry into effect.
We have not only been fortunate in our platform, but
equally so in our candidates lGreat appausel 1t is
not said OF the Democratic Convention that section
sold their principles in order TO get their man-geat
applause for democrats hold that II is not only essen
tal to have sound principles, but TO have honest and
patriotic 10 carry those principles into effect No
matter how pure your principles may he, il you have not
men of intelligence, OF honesty, OF patriotism, and who
their hands. Hence, democrats, we invite the most
rigid and strict scrutiny into the public and private char
acter OF franklin Pierce and William R King. [Great
applause. We lay their whole history, private and
public, before the world and challenge investigation
Take franklin Pierce from his boyhood up. So far
his personal honor and character concerned the
breath Of Islander has dared to speak agsin them
above whisper, and then not without looking to
Take bs pnbe be es
lature OF his own State, in the halls OF Congress, or
wherever else fortune may have taken him in the dis
charge of duty and defy our political opponents to
point to one act OF n6dely to his duty [Great cheer
ing He is not an obscure and unknown man. He has
served several periods in the Congress Of the United
States, and voted upon all important questions which
came before him He has served several years in the
Senate OF the United States, in times that required the
nerve and the patriotism OF every man 10 be called into
active requston. There is bis record, and invite
you TO examine it, Try him by his votes, by bis speeches
by his acts and let any democrat find augh OF which be
complain.
Upon all OF the party questions that were agtated du
ring the administration OF the immortal Jackson of
Mr.. Van Buren-covering the period in which he was
member either OF or the other house OF Congress
Franklin Pierce was found TO be true TO the constitution
true 10 the rights OF the Statesa national upon all
occasions, and sectional upon question. tGreat sp
pause During his nine years service in the two houses
OF Congress he acquired an enviabe reputation de-
batter and statesman He retired from the Senate in
1912, in consequence Of domestic affections and oblga
tons which man OF his sensibliiies was not at liberty
10 disregard.
During the administration OF President Polk he invited
MIR. Pierce to accept seat in his cabinet They had
been associated in the House OF Representatives and
knew each other well They had stood by On Hickory
during the war with the Bank and the moneyed power
and il natural that Mr.. Polk should desire TO avail
himself of the services OF a man whose ability, fidelity
and patriotism be had witnessed and tested on 80
many and such trying occasions Mr. Pierce felt con-
strained decline from the which induced
him 10 resign his seat in the Senate
Soon afterwards the United States found themselves
engaged in foreign war and call made upon the
citizen soldery to repair to the scene of action and repe
the nsolen foe who had dared 10 invade their native
land Then II was that Mr.. Pierce did not feel himself
at liberty to decline the call He volunteered pr
vate but not allowed TO remain long in the ranks
being appointed colonel of his regiment and subsequent
ly brgadie general in the army The records OF the
department and the history of the war furnish sasac
tory evidence that he displayed ability, skill and gal.
Iantfy of high order the performance OF his military
duties | am aware that the wings have been in the
habit lately OF assaiing the military conduct Of General
Pierce Instead OF any direct charge, they deal in that
cowardy mode of insinuatlon which is than al.
rect and open calumny, because does not take the re.
eponsiby OF bold and specific accusation. They nick
name him 'he ianting general, and talk about his hav
ing fallen from his horse the field of battle While
they do dare openly 10 say that these acts evil
dence OF cowardce his part yet there is no other
tive for the nslnuation except 10 ns into the minds OF
the American people the impression that be- was COW
ard If that be true, why not have the manliness 10
coma no openly aRd charge the iact9 do not know