The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-10-03

The adjourned meeting of the friends Of civil and reli
9as nss wers 50 be- bs on FRIDAY
ED instant at 3s o'clock in front of Caruss Saloon Nft
RAINS the ns will ss Afd sna 10 hs s
speech and equal r igMs q 1 1nss to be present
Hon. T. b. FLORENCE,
Hon Hon r + a H sTayI ToS,Es
Hon JAMES GREEN
CHARLES W. CARRlGaN and
DANIEL RADCLIFFE, esqrs,
viii be present to address the meeting
Let there be full turn out tina. may see whether the
ruans who disturb respectable gatherings OF American c
will show their hands in the light Of day.
Soon after the appointed time the large was well
filled and until the proceedings commenced the audience
delighted with the music of excellent band from
the Navy Yard An object of attraction at the speakers
stand was attered flag, mouderng into dust which
Washington presented to Lafayette when he swore ALE
piance 10 this country 1t looked upon object
of veneraton and its proportions much diminished
before its removal by the lovers OF mementoes who cut
away small pieces be carefully preserved as remem-
hrances of the of the patriots of the revolution to
the rising liberties Of the land which now our glorious
heritage
The president of the meeng--Col James G. Berret-
called the meeting to order and said FELLowcIrIzESs
When this meeting adjourned Wednesday evening last
the stand had been assigned to the Hon. Thomas b. Flor
ence, of Pennsylvania, applause and have now very
great pleasure in again introducing him to you and am
sure there is within the sound of my voice who
will say am asking too much when bespeak for him a
patient and respectful hearing applause in order that
the intelligence may go forth that in the metropolis of the
proudes republic EARTH bearing the name OF the m-
mortal Washington name endeared to every patriotic cit
zen to every lover of liberty throughout the civilized
globe who properly estimate the distinguishing char
actetcs which make great in the estimation OF his
felow-man this request was fully accorded The emblem
before u.s. the banner which Washington to Lafayette
when he became an American citizen may revive recoec
ons of in the early struggles for our
independence and may teach us to cherish the freedom we
enjoy Free speech is one the safeguards Of liberty for
which those great perlled everything earth
ask patient hearing for the Hon. Thomas Florence
reat applause which renewed when he presented him
SELF
Hon. THOMAS b. FLORENCE, Of Philadelphia Freemen
and Felow-ctzens The apostle of American Democracy
Thomas Jefferson, declared that eternal vigilance is the
price Of liberty and, in the judgment of individual
humble myself there period before in the
history of this republic when that sentiment should sink
deeper the heart of every who values the purity
of republican institutions than the present There
crisis my citizens in the history OF this republic
that requires that every individual should be mbued with
the spirit of American liberty array himself under the
democratic banner and into the organization of the
democratic party. [Appause.] No new combination is
necessary to protect us in this crisis No new plat
form need be erected No reorganization of par
ties is required The democratic party is competent
and sufficient its principles clear and comprehensive
enough its broad banner spread to the breeze with the
is ample enough to cover organized band of freemen
united protect the liberties of every under the go
rious constitution under which live Tremendous app
plause Hence say, we need no one-idea party; we
reorganization reconstruction Of democratic
platforms The democratic party has been, from its
ganzation following the teachings of Thomas Jefferson
It seeks not merely Ito promote the greatest good of the
greatest number" but the greatest good of ALL Great
appause say then, again, fellow-ciizens that to pro-
tec all the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty
in this Of countrys party politics. history the
sentiment uttered by the sage of Monticello that HSterna
vigilance is the price of (a) liberty should sink deep
into the of every lover Of liberty of free institutions
in this broad land [great applause and that vigilance
must be exercised earnestly and actively to bring forth
result desired and prayed for by all good patriots
The teachings of the fathers of the constitution ipcuca
ted republican sentiments The constitution itself declares
that Congress shall make law respecting establish
of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof
abridgng the freedom of Speech Of the press the
right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition
the government for redress Of grievances
IL also declares that no religious shall be
qured qualification to any Office public trust
der the United States Applause
My citizens, recognise in all its force and in
all its depth and BREADTH and height that sentiment of
the constitutions and have together this after
to declare that SO far as we concerned citizens of
all the United Satesor apprehend there people here
from every State in the Unonwe adhere with
and love- the principles of the constitution; and that
band together here to establish association pro-
mote civil and religious liberty freedom of speech and the
press and ask that equal and exact justice shall be
meted all who live under our institutions Zap
plause 1t meet iii proper it is right presents to
the world glorious spectacle that men, imbued with the
spirit of American liberty, should together
man. determined far their opinions concerned and
may be expressed that they will sanction the heresy
that is walking rampant the land. Applause An
drew Jackson the patriot sage of the Hermitage declared
that Eve stand upon the mmutabe principles of eternal
Justice and no earthly power shall drive from that posi-
ton" GAppausel Let that be impressed upon your
minds my fellow-citizeps We the democratic party in
this Union stand upon the mmuabe principles Of
justice and earthly drive from posi-
ton [Applause] We have no pandering to power, no
bending of principles to suit locality single idea
principles emblazoned brightly upon baaners
and hence repeat, that reorganization of parties is
necessary protect all In the exercise Of their rights
and privileges under the consttuton-the democratic
party being the constitutional party We invite all men
who believe with u.s. and invite all 10 believe with
us and then no other party will be necessary protect
civil and religious liberty The constitution nccords to all
men the privileges which they desire to enjoy under
that written Within the democratic party all
men can find fair opportunity to advocate sound and
correct republican principle The resolutions adopted
Wednesday night avowed this to be the purpose of the
ganization Of the contemplated association This is not
the first period in the history of this country that the
sution has been assailed that freedom of speech and
freedom press nterered with 1t may have
been in the recollection of some of you that the admnistra
ton Of the elder Adams declared and very properly
declared be reign of terror We all recolect the Vr-
gina and the Kentucky resolutions of $500, which
now the textbook of American democracy and all
know the which induced the patriotic legislatures
of those States to declare that the alien and sedton
laws UNCONSTITUTIONAL and therefore imperative and
void and now after having lived sixseven years under
the constitution element is introduced the civil and
religious liberty Of those who have enjoyed the glorious
privileges under constitution to which they in
vted attempted to be abridged by secret political
ganizaton against which warned by the iImor-