Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-06-17
Ratification Meeting at
Washington,

oieu III iIout Vi tHo City Ildii, az VoouiuS
ton, on Wednesday evening, to ratify the
Baltimore nomination. Gen. Robert Arm
strong was appointed to preside over the
meeting, and was assisted by thirty Vice
Presidents, among whom were Thomas
Richie and Amos Kendell. The speeches
were made by Gen. Armstrong, Mr.. Richie,
Gen. Cass, and others, all expressing hear
ty concurrence in the nominations. Mr..
Richie, in The course Of his remarks, read
letter from Gen. Pierce, dated Boston, May
9th, and addressed TO Major Lally, in the
course of which he said:
I" If the Compromise measures are not
substantially and firmly maintained, the
plain rights secured by the Constitution will
be trampled in the dust. What difference
can it make 10 you or me whether the
outrage falls on South Carolina, or Maine,
or New Hampshire Are not the rights of
each equally dear 10 us? Entertaining these
views, the action of the Convention must, in
my judgment be vital. II we of the North,
who have stood by the constitutional rights
of the South, are 10 be abandoned TO time
serving policy, the hopes of the Democracy
and of the Union must fall together. As
told you, my name will not be before the
Convention, but cannot help feeling that
what Is there 10 be done, will be important
beyond men and parties, transcendanty i'm
portant to the hopes of Democracy, progress,
and public liberty"
Gen. Cass was then introduced, and spoke
as follows:
+" congratulate you, my fellow citizens,
upon the fortunate result of the abors of the
Democratic Convention. They have done
their work, and have done il well. They
have presented us as our standard bearer
during the ensuing Presidential campaign.
an able and honorable citizen, with charac
ter beyond reproach; true Democrat, tried
patriot, and ali experienced statesman, who
has faithfully served his country in high sta
tons, in peace and war, and who will serve
her with equal fidelity in that higher station
TO which we intend to elevate him.
| know him well, and say of him what
know of him. He will go for the Union, for
the whole Union, and for nothing hut tn e
Union and the Constitution, discardng all
sectional feelings, and discountenancing ev-
cry effort TO renew that agitation from which
God in his mercy has delivered us. And
trust and believe that our whole party every
where throughout the land, will come up 10
The good work, and with one heart and one
mind, will gladly seize this occasion mutual
ly ITO forget and forgive past dissensions, so
that the strife only hereafter will be, who
shall show most devotion to the true and
time-honored principles of our party. Let
MS look back only TO learn wisdom and ex-
perience, but forward 10 gain new strength
of confidence from united exerlions. ~
And The selection of The candidate for the
Vice Presidency has not been less fortunate
than that for The Presidency, and he has won
his way to public esteem and distinction by
high qualities of head and heart, by long ex-
perience of faithful service at home and
which those elements, of usefulness bring
with them. We have reason to be gratified,
aud we are gra!ified al tile choice of both
our nominees. -f
have already said that the Convention
had done Its work well. Now let every
Democrat go aud do his work equally wei,
aud all will be safe. And such, doubt not,
will be the course of the party-for the de-
cree has gone forth. He who runs may read
il OH the signs of The times. The handwrit
ing is upon the wall, and there it is written
in words that need no Interpretation, that u
Democratic administration is 10 conduct the
Government of this country for the next
four years, and trust for long years hereaf-
ia. II is not question of victory, or OF
numbers, nor who shall get a majority, but
how great that majority shall be. And lei
us exert ourselves TO augment it by all hon
orab.e means: for the stronger we stand in
nIilir otininn tho u,Il b.,o oxy
er to do good, and to render our principle:
staple and efficient. ~
may presume thus to speak with as lndel
disinterestedness as any other member o
that great party WHICH will assemble upon
this occasion in city, town, village and ham
let, throughout our country, to respond to
the nominations, and to pledge themselves
each to all faithfully TO labor for, and sup
port them. | trust know myself wei
enough TO know that my Time for office is
| fast passing away, and that no possible event
can ever place my name again before til,
| American people for the Presidency. Ant
if did not know this. you do, aud so does
the whole country. My ambition is TO serve
The people of Michigan, TO whom lowe E
debt of gratitude can never repay, yet I
little longer, in the station fill by their con
fdence and kindness.
One word more, my fellow citizens. Lee
us enler into this contest with determination
TO conduct it upon principes-upon thos'
ssues which constitute the difference be-
tween the Wing and the Democratic parties
| That will be a noble strife, in which we MAJ
all engage with honor. But let us rejec
and renouDce, as unworthy our cause, tina
low abuse which unfortunately is too preva
lent upon such occasions. We seek highe
objects, and should employ higher means.-
Let us Indignantly frown upon every maj
who SO far forgets himself, and the cause h,
processes TO support, as 10 quit the contest 0
principles 10 descend to that of scurrllity.-
| We are better without such man than will
him.
There are honorable points of differenc,
between US and The Whigs,to engage GU
attention, and TO call forth all our energy
without entering into such field of warfare
! Recollect that we are all brothers of The sam
mighty family, equally interested in its hon
or and prosperity, and though we differ upor
many important principles of government
and administration, yet we all seek the SAM
common object-the preservation and perpe!
uation of our glorious instilutions-th
worlds best hope and our own.
Let the rivalry between us be, which shall
best strive for this great end. 1t will be ri
valry of the understanding and Of the heart
not OF The tongue; of patriotism, aud not Q
| abuse"
| Gen. Houston tollcweds Mr.. Cass, an
vouched for the talents, patriotism, an
sound democracy of The nominees. He ais
spoke in warm appreciation of the platform
Judge Douglas and other prominent gen