Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-28
SPEECH OF THE HON. DANIEL ..
DICKINSON. 81

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held their ratification meeting on Friday even
ing last. The report of the proceedings we
find in the Ba6alo Commercial Advertiser, a
whig journal. Among the speakers were the
Hon. ID. $. Dickinson, the great national demo
crat of New York State, and the Hon. George
and now the democratic candidate for the Office
of Secretary of State of that State. We abre-
viate from the hasty report Of the Commercial
Idoertisei, the remarks made by Mr. Dickinson
That paper remarks that, when the distinguished
patriot was introduced, "the rafters rang az ain
with the enthusiastic plaudits Of the assembled
mass" Mr.. Dickinson spoke as follows:
congratulate you, my fellow democrats, upon
the occasion which has drawn us together tonight
an occasion SO suspicious 10 the interests OF the
democratic party, the first healthy step which has
been taken by II in i've years The democratic
party, rejoice say is par,yof principles; such
should be IT'S PROFESSIONALISM should be ITS prac-
iice. IL is not banded together, like a herd of
wolves, for the sake of devourng the spos; il has
ahgher mission 10 fulfil mission 10 secure good
government for the people--to bestoW happiness
upon alto tax labor lightly posslbe--to
leave all interests, as far may be, free and equal
| II il had no aiin higher and nober than the mere
securing OF Offices, 10 would be unworthy your
support and undeserving of your esteem.
l need not on this occasion occupy your Time
by going far back into the history OF political
events in order to explain the position we now
occupy. To look back further than 1877, we
find in that year division OF the democratic party
or rather the sliding off OF portion who imagined
themselves aggreved because the Wimot prov-
So as il was called, not adopted by the con
vention at Syracuse. They assembled at Herk-
mer, and hostile organization WAS effected. Al
though NO territory had been acquired TO which il
was pretended the Proviso would be at all appl-
cable. we yet find that the organization was deter
mined to destroy all hope of democratic success,
brought before the people distinct ticket, and the
result was the election OF the entire wing cand
dates. -
In 1913 that most distinguished and eminent
man, who Tor so many years has served his coun-
try with honor and credit, LEWIS CAss, was nom-
mated by the democrats OF the United States to be
their standard bearer. The choice was hailed
with delight by democrats throughout the union
II was receivedwlth accaination north and SOUTH
east and west !; and nowhere did it encounter any
opposition save from this organization, formed OF
men who had gone of without excuse or pallia-
ton, from the democratic ranks. They formed
ticket of their own, and Gen. TAYLOR was elected
This revolution was induced, we Were told, by
great prime piles. The men who were its prime
movers affected respect for the democratic party,
but they could not sacrifice what they considered
a point of such vast Importance. Ii :" not
that they loved Caesar less but Rome more A
somewhat celebrated platform was therefore erect
edr-here, at buffalo, If my memory serves me;
their colors We're nailed<to the mast and their
motto was declared to be, fight on, fight ever.
As we have before said, the result of this was the
defeat Of the democratic party.
In 1919 these same men professed themselves
anxious for what they called the "union' OF the
democratic party. great many good men,
considerable number OF bad men, and certainly
many weak men, seconded their efforts to bring
il about. | never called il Il +! union always
denounced II as coalition OF the leaders for the
sake OF the spoils. Il certainly was not union
OF the masses. IL was 80 far removed, indeed,
that the coalition might have had the smallpox
without injecting the masses. II was an unholy
bargain, commenced in corruption, and foresaw
that II would end in evil. II was not that did
not desire harmony. | was strongly in favor of
healthy union upon great and sound principles
but when saw an attempt made TO aboiitioniZe
the democratic party, knew that with the prime
movers in that attempt there could be no peace.
Ii was not thai ! was personally hostile 10 any
man or 10 any set of men; no true democrat rarA
be personally hostile to any individual who has
differed with him on certain points, when he
comes back and repel,ts but ! saw that their
professions We're inslncere, and declined 10 trust
them The Spanish have proverb---" beware
OF a feconcied enemy; and il is good one in
politics as in private life. The coalition was
formed and saw that it was made up of party
leaders who had agreed upon union only as a
means by which they could secure an equal slIare
of the offices. | recommended to my democratic
friends To have nothing 10 do with the bargain,
but il they wished 10 enter into such an arrange
ment, TO get Weed and Seward to run the party
by contract and TO give them half the offices.
Aud now what has been the result OF the coali-
ton From that time 10 the present, Baltimore
resolutions have had to be written to read
both ways, lest they should tread on any indivi-
duals toes. And thus will il ever be when two
parties endcavor 10 act together when they can
not agree in principles. II is basey dishonest
shamefully hypocrilicaL
But the excuse for forming this coalition was,
that the masses wanted union. Pray tell cannot
the masses mite If they desire il, without these
bargains of their leaders mo; il was the division
of the spoils, and not lke healthy union Of the
masses which was Sought and such object is
disgraceful to all who favorit Suppose the Pres
byterian and Catholic churches in Buffalo were
10 agree 10 act together Differing they do, con-
scentously on important matters, who does not
believe that il would be basey, shamefully dis
honest To try to unite for the sake OF prohtf And
a,great and radical difference had sprung up be-
tween the two sections of the democracy, when
the leaders came together and made bargain for
the spoils; and who will deny that the coalition
was an unworthy one2 But il has had its day. II
has 'strutted it's brief hour upon the stage" IL
brought no good 10 the democratic party, and
thank God, il has come TO ignobe end at last
The party is purer and healthier now that il is
again rid of such company. Those who believe
in the great principles of democracy, as such, re-
main with us, while all those who scent the spoils
and few who honestly msled so with them
Let them go; they will find room enough and TO
spare; there is danger of then being crowded
when they get there. @ nste
The true democratic party were not with men
nor for men. tits founded upon principles which
il endeavors TO uphold. Il have not followed il,
through lifetime, nor have you, my friends for
the love of its Offices, but Of its principles. Of
those principles we are not ashamed--they should
be placed upon the door posts, that all the world
might see them; for they have upheld the Const-
tuition and maintained the integrity of this glorious
union from all attacks for ages. If assailed in the
shape of United States Bank, powerful aud a
dangerous monster, the democracy have rushed
to the under the lead OF Jackson. If
threatened by a stultifed abolition, they have
been ready to rally round the Union and TO fight
in its defence. And SO of those questions that in
late years have threatened the integrity OF the
constitution; the democratic party is ready 10 re-
ssl all open and secret attempts 10 engrah such
permcous doctrines upon its principles. That
party now stands where IL has ever stood. Let
those who planted themselves upon the opposite
platform remain there, until they can come back
truly repentant. When thattimc arrives, the demo