Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-03


assemblage Of my fellow-citizens upon public
\ questions. | must say, by way Of introduction,
as thsis the first opportunity that have had for
some time, of addressing the Democracy Of New
York, that icannot but congratulate you upon
I the great improvement in one particular, which
/ ! desi re TO mention among others, in the system
which, we now have OF meeting together and
/ consi, lering public questions. When look upon
I the order and decorum, the dignity and concert
of an assemblage like the present, which inn
press IS me most strongly by contrast with the
scene Of confusion and turmoil, and rowdyism,
while are the Characteristic Of Tammany Hall
| lCrie Of good, good" and applause And,
| fellow, Democrats, | am pleased in another point
of viz Nv, for must say, that within the past few
| days | have heard much croaking about the
possib ility Of getting up demonstration Of the
Natio nal Democracy in this city, that had be-
gun IL have--I must with shame confess it, some
doubt upon the subject; but when ! saw i'm
leadD e journal of this morning, public intima-
tion aat the National Democracy were extin-
guishs I'd, and that this meeting would be a "fzzle'
--to' Use its own expression--l knew that that
| annou ncement would appeal to every one who
boasts with pride Of belonging to that great and
gallai it party, and that the result would be we
| see il has been tonight, an overwhelming demon
stratie Of public sentiment in favor of our prin-
ciPles Applause.
Int ne name Of the National Democracy thank
that ,urna for this additional contribution to the
cause of good principles and sound democratic
doctri mes, to which it has already contributed in
so m, my instances, in its able and influential
colum ms. Mr.. President this is indeed an inter-
esting junctnre in the public affairs of country,
and | amgad Of the opportunity afforded by the
call OF the meeting to have chance in common
with ny felow-citizens, to consider the condition
and pr aspects Of the National. Democratic party.
When we look back for two years---when we look
back . the period Of 1S52--we remainder the
Demo cratic party were completely triumphant
Al
three- ourths Of the States gave in their adhesion
to the principles adopted tonight in the resolu-
tons cad; we remember that we then looked for
ward % long career of peace, of prosperity, and
OF tree dom from sectional dscord-to the Absence
in the future, of sectional agitation. Unhappily,
howel ,er, to-day, when we survey the political
field we find that great party, which was then
trium plant ITSELF had almost said well nigh
prostr eted-divided in State after State, and the
rcins, Of government in many of the States given
INTO U 1e hands OF incompetent and unworthy men,
IT will not be profitable to detain you by recur-
renee to all the causes and influences which pro-
duced this great change. 1t is sufficient for us to
know that we are not in the condition we were in
IN lbs y, and that great, and victorious, and uni
Tea ell ort on the part those who approved of
primer pies is necessary to restore the ascendency
OF the statesmen and the principles Of the Demo-
cratic faith. Power in this country now is com
mites to the hands Of three or four sets of ia
natcs ~ may say, in word, that it is commit
ted to the hands of fanaticism and Of fanatics I'M
der ifferent forms. Ia some States we have the
lAno' v-nothing party triumphant; in others, we
have the abolition element in the ascendant; and
eseI where, the leading idea, perhaps of those in
pow. Or seems to be the passage of prohibitory
liqu ,r laws. These three subdivisions of fanati-
cisin. now maintain almost undisputed sway in
the Northern, the Eastern, and the Western
Stat es, with here and there only an occasional
exec ption; and till this tide of fana.icism which
mn nu in fhS Fact hal 4 lo
Yves t, till the tide undertook to spread its force
agai nst the rocks and mountains of Virginia. it
seen led to find obstacle that could resist its
impe tus. AS has been well said, the waves of
lanai ncism dashed and broke against the hills of
Virg nia-[applausel -that great and glorious
State J, true to its history, faithful to its principles
and Inditions, loyal to the memory of the great
men whom ii has given to the nation, devoted
now, as always, to the great principles Of the de-
moor attic faith in this of the darkest hours in
the lstory Of the party-comes up to the work,
and overwhelms its opponents within its own
boun darles, and proves to you, men of New York,
all y ,u need is courage, devotion, and determine
ton to initiate that glorious example, and restore
the lag OF your own State to its former proud po-
stio n. Applause.l Gentlemen, it is to this
task OF reinvigorating and recognizing the Ma
ton al Democracy, and Of marshalling it for the
gree fight before us Of next autumn, and the
gret tier tight of 1856 in the Presidential contest,
that Il propose to invite your attention to a few
bre observations. This victory can only be won
this contest can only be carried on by the Demo.
Graf nc party upon principle; and there be no
hop es IN our ranks of such organization Of that
par ty unless well defined principles be laid down
and distinctly ennnciated and cordially and hon.
estl agreed to obey those with whom we are to
Coz operate. How prominent among the great
ISL es which viii enter into the next national
con test are the questions of Know-nothingism
and the old issue of slavery, it comes up in the
Ne oraska bill. In this State and some others,we
vii add to these issues, and we will place it con-
spi' ,uously upon our flag, the issue of the repeal
of the prohibitory liquor law. APPLAUSE /
thi ok, gentlemen, that although we are out of
po yer, there is one consolation in the contest be-
for us. and that is, that nobody of any conse-
qu' snce has taken our place. Laughter and APP
pla use Take Massachusetts, for instance, as
an exemphhcation of the Know nothing gentle
men. We cannot get inside Of her lodges unless
we turn spies and play tricks upon them, and
TIN II would hardly be fair to such honorable gen
tie men as they We don't know much of
thtnr mysteries, but it is not necessary to dive in
to those to ascertain their purposes. We can find
ths ( by looking at grave legislative bodies They
an we can discover the ends, results and char
ac''eristcs OF their administration, by looking at
the laws they pass, and those they appoint and
elect. Lot us look for an instant at the doings of
M assachusetts for the past year, and let us re-
member that it is that Massachusetts, where the
ba tile of Bunker Hill was fought--that ii is that
Massachusetts where Hancock lived; which was
the home of Daniel Webster Applause And
TO what has it falen' Into the hands of the
Know -nothings. They carried Massachusetts, as
no State has been carried in this country / be-
lieve there was only one single member elected Of
the six hundred that belonged TO any party but
the know-nothings; and | ask you how many
men composing that Legislature you have heard
of-how many names of those gentlemen can you
repeat
Several Voices-Hiss-lau laughter and Kisses
Mr.. Sickles--So thought. One man, then,
out of the six hundred representatives of the
Know -nothings of Massachusetts, only has immor-
talized himself. But this is not ALL Mr.. Hiss's
performances were only an illustration Of the
manner in which they proposed to reform the
educational establishments of Massachusetts,.
But they did not stop at improving the schools Of
that state, they have gone to teach the South
notification. IL has been heretofore supposed
that tho doctrines Of notification were confined
pretty mnch to South Carolina; and no State has
been more eloquent, more energetic, more severe
IN denunciation Of notification than the State Of
Mas oh, - 4.