Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-29
SPEECHES DELIVERED AT THE NEW
YORK JUBILEE.


The PRESIDENT introduced Commodore
Stockton to the meeting, by whom he was
greeted with three cheers, twice repeated He
spoke as follows:
National democrats, / thank you-young
men OF the National Democratic Club, thank
you-friends of the Union all, thank you sin
cerely for this open-hearted, warm greeting.
(Applause.) l am Union man. and cherish
for the Union that love which should be the
chief object of the veneration of American
statesmen. (Applause.) | am democrat, in
favor OF simple, economical government, and
opposed to the interference of the general gov
eminent with the domestic concerns of any OF
the States. (Applause.) l am State rights
man, opposed to notification, either as legal
or rightfnl remedy; but am willing to yield
to all that they have right to claim under the
strictest construction of the Constitution. TAP
plause.) With these antecedents and present
views come here tonight to do your bidding
to join my congratulations with yours at the
recent political events which have occurred in
New York. (Applause.) can see nothing
in them but cause of congratuation and har-
bingers OF our country's safety. Some may
complain and question the course pursued by
your honored representatives at Syracuse. /
don't (Applause.) Others may doubt the
policy of that course-I don't (Renewed APP
plause.) On the contrary, in my judgment it
was judicious, wise, laudable, and patriotic. 1t
is true by different course of policy they
might have saved the State from temporary
wing ascendency, but they would have dishon-
ored themselves. (Applause.) They might
have gained for you portions Of the spoils of
Office, but they would have injured the cause
of public morals and wronged their country.
applause. They did right. (Applause.)
And they did right in coming out from among
the conspirators- they did well to come from
among those men who were tainted with politi.
cal leprosy, and whose ministrations defled
the altar of democratic liberty. (Great APP
plause.) Other men may say what they choose.
l care not-but revolt is preferable to commu-
nifty with abolitionists and freesoilers. Why
good faith by robbers and pirates is exacted
from each other, and can democratic politicians
and statesmen exact less? (Applause.)
Enemies may become reconciled; the most
hostile elements unite but good and evil never
can amalgamate. (Applause.) Principles never
can be compromised treason and loyalty to
the Union and Constitution can form no treaty
There is infection in their approximation, pol
fusion in their touch; there is perdition in
their embrace. (Applause.) Let men pirate I'M
til they are hoarse about unworthy efforts and
unnecessary alarms-be it our duty to remem-
Der that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty
Whether it is specially incumbent upon us, at
this juncture of our affairs, to exert that vigi.
lance, let the recollections Of few years past
testify. But before Istir up these "reminiscences,
desire to say word or two about the Presi-
dent and the cabinet, am little apprehen.
sive, however, that my views may not accord
with the views of some in this assembly. /
come here, howeves, with the frosts of fifty
years over my head the greater part of this
time devoted to the service of my country.
(Applause.) cannot feel satisfied, therefore,
in our taking course which is likely to bring
our country and ourselves into unnecessary
conflict and trouble I owe the administration
no obligation; / have had no communica-
ton from the first; 1 am not in their conf
dence; but remembered that General Pierce
was elected by the national democrats-he was
elected upon platform of principles put forth
by the democratic party, and we, undoubtedly,
had right to expect that his cabinet would
have been so constituted to expect that Union
men would have been preferred. (Applause.)
He has exercised the privilege given to him by
the Constitution, and appointed his own cabi-
net We all acquiesced in the policy pursued
by the administration, that the antecedents of
democrats, who had fairly and honestly re-
nounced their heresy, were not to be closely
scrutinized But, then, there was to be no.
mental reservation, and they should have added
to the present oath of Office when they were
sworn, SO that all men should have been obliged
to swear to it, "and all the compromises and
compacts Of the Constitution, including the
fugitive-slavelaw.' Applause Then we should
have had things right,
Now, | am not here to say one vindictive
word against the President or his advisers; as
the address read this evening states, III think Of
it with sorrow and sadness rather than in vim
dictive resentment" The question is, in my
Judgment, not whether we have right-a
moral right-to indulge our personal feelings
in regard to this matter, and do all we can to
hurl these men from the high Offices which
they occupy; but the question is, what is best
for us to do in behalf Of our country. Cap
plause.) Now don't think myself qualified,
and | don't presume to address men who are
older and better, and ADLER than myself; but l
address you young men, who have invited me
here, and have right, from my age, to give
them counsels of prudence, I have never
known. in my life any good result from big
words-action! actionl is the great merit Of
human conduct. / am treading upon this ground
very tenderly, but you must give me credit for
my motives, if ! differ from you. desire that
the national republican party-the national
democrats should do nothing unworthy Of
their cause; they have so far acted nobly and
periodically, let them not inure that great cause
by intemperance Of language or act; let them
remember that we acquiesced in the opinion
that all democrats were to be considered of the
same family. This was the liberal and gene
rous offer Of the Union democrats, but they
have been traitorously deceived; they were
Obliged to raise standard of their own, on
which was inscribed their country. Now feel
that President Pierce-because am unwilling
to give him up, although never spoke to him in
my life feel that charity and patriotism
conspire to induce us to give him proper
chance and opportunity to discover that he has
been deceived, (applause,) that he has been
surrounded by traitors. (Applause.) When
you are satisfied that he willingly and inten.
tlonally disregards the great platform made at
Baltimore, | am ready then to take any place
you may assign me, come what will or may.
(Applause.) The antecedents of these men
are known to most of you-one of them you
all know, as well as do needn't say word
about his history--the other gentlemen were