Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-09

American party hfy or sixty thousand OF the Tree
citizens Of this Commonwealth.
Ihavs repeatedly said In talking Of this organiEa
ton, without knowing anything at all Of is objects
or purposes, but having heard merely the rapid
way in which il advances la the hearts and affec-
tons Of the people elsewhere that its objects
be patriotic. Were they otherwise could not be-
hsve that it could have enlisted effectually the
aid and support Of the people of Virginia. II has
surpassed the most extravaganza idea that could
form of its progress in this State, my opinion hav-
ing been that the sparseness OF the population and
the difficulty OF communication between peo-
pie, would form an almost insurmountable barrier
TO les extension. had not the least idea or hope,
II may express that word, that when my nomina-
ton was made upon this ticket, there was rea-
sonable probability that the ticket would prayall.
Now, understand that that body of men who NOM
mated me represented 10000 persons at least In
the Commonwealth of Virginia who have become
united TO the order, and among them some hfteen
or twenty thousand Democrats. Applause. /
received the nomination then of this body of gen.
tlemen representing this vast portion OF the people
of Virginia. composed OF all parties, and could
not feel myself altogether at liberty to refuse to per
NIT such body Of gentlemen Of all parties, irre-
spective of the political basis they might have in
this movement, to present my name to the people
of Virginia, as a candidate for any Office wholly
disconnected with political parties or strife, and
utterly rid of all political patronage. And yet that
act the act of permitting my name to be presented
TO the people of Virginia, has been denounced as
an act Of reachery to party and violation of party
obligations.
never entered into any party obligations which
would prevent me from allowing majority of the
people of Virginia, to elect me to any Office which
! was willing to take, no natter who may have
made the nomination, or when or where they may
be announced have read the constitution Of
Virginia several times and find there that the
Office of Attorney General is to be filed by the
votes of the people Of Virginia. and not by the
Democratic convention. He little knows my ante
cedents, who does not know that have never per-
mtted myself to be governed or controlled by the
dictates of party, in regard to party nominations
or party measures, anywhere or on any occasion.
IL Is said / have received rewards of party, and
have rendered very little service for them What
party reward did ever receive? am charged
with ingratitude to the Democratic party. ! was
never elected TO but office, and that one Office,
like this Of Attorney General, not POLITICAL mean
the Office Of Councillor of State-and Twas elected
TO that Office by fraction of the Democratic par
ty, with the united vote Of the Wing party, beat
ing the causcus nominee Of the party. And was
elected and reelected to that Office five times,
every time, except one, by the almost unanimous
vote of both parties, without nomination even
against me. On one occasion there nomi-
nation Of Democratic gentleman against me, a
very ardent, consistent and thorough supporter OF
Democratic principles, who got "twenty-nine
votes and oil the balance.
At these elections the Wing party were in the
majority twice. do not mean at all to say any
thing whatsoever to detraet from the hberality,
from the friendly feeling, from the liberal support
that received from the liberal members of the
Democratic party, as well as the Wing party during
those elections. But ! never was elected by a
party vote, never in my life. / never was a favo
rite of the ultra men of any party assembly be
HAD nfx
obligations, and because / always spurned their
dezuncations, whenever they were directed against
me- for preference of what my judgment APP
proved as demanded by the true interests of the
country. have changed my party positions
therefore. During the eight years Of my service
in Congress--during portion Of the time when
Gen. Andrew jackson was in the zenith of his
rlory. and when to oppose him was like boarding
the lion in his den, it be seen, by reference
to the journals of that time, that just as often
voted with the one party as the other, and 1t was
because of this circumstance that that great, and
illustrious, and patriotic man, Henry Clay, who was
always my warm friend, and deeply did l regret
very frequently that l could not consistently,
with the opinions and principles which enter
tanned. support him for the Presdency-that in
tie most friendly spirit and the fascetousness OF
lila genial nature, said to me one day, How are
Won todav. Mr.. Patton" and that joke, which
told so much TO the amusement of my friends in
private ten years ago, was told with very amusing
effect by John Hampden Peasants on the day after
/ made the great somerset from the wing party
into the Democratic ranks when made speech
at the Exchange in 1874.
And this joke which was so good humoredly pub
l.hed ten wears ago, our Democratic friends seem
"a have taken hold Of for the first time They
seem TO have brought 1t up with gusto as If they
never had heard Of it, They must be very much
In want Of something to amusc them when they
n l. I'D fhraaA tNara tola
for tho purpose Of creating q little merriment.
Gentlemen, this habit Of resistance 10 party die
tntion exposed me during all my political life to
the severe criticism Of the press and they have
also brought along with them something which per-
haps ought 20 take as full equivalent-the good
natured and extravagant and equally unmerited
praise Of the party press.
have thus received alternately the applause Of
Mr.. Thos. Richie, and those again of John Hamp-
den Peasants and have received alternately
their denunciations too, denunciations from whom
were calculated to carry some terror with them.
i have heard the thunder Of Democratic de-
nuncistions rolling over my head, threatening
TO exterminstc me, when Jupiter Tonaps, the
Olympian Jove of Democracy, welded the thun-
derbolt / have had the lightning Of Wing
denunciation to fash In my eyes where Il was
struck forth by the electric geniusof John Hamp-
den Peasants. was assailed violently by both
but II gave great pleasure to see that after the
storm Of prejudice and passion and political excite
mcnt had passed away, It was my good fortune to
enjoy, in very high degree, the respect and con-
fidence and friendship Of both these gentlemen,
which were cordially recprocated by myself And
now when have survived heavens artillery, do
you think going TO be killed, or frightened or
hurt by fre-crackers or sky-rockets, and least Of
Ill by pop-guns loaded With sliced potatoes and
very soft and small potatoes at that
II has been said that curses loud and deep from
the Democratic party are poured forth against me.
1 suppose melodramatic curses put forth for stage
effect. But IL there be any gentleman Of the
Democratic party whose respect Is worth anything,
that has Lost his own self respect far as to deal
in curses against me, let me say to him that he
had better remember the Eastern apothegm, that
curses like chickens always 60 home to roost. As
for myself ! regard the curses Of an angry partisan
Just as much as do the raving ofa maniac, or the
following of hungry hyena. They pass by me as
the idle wind which respect not And there ia
consolation accompanying all this denunciation. II
am 10 be considered, and don't care pinch of
snuff whether am 30 TO be considered or not-as
driven out Of the Democratic party (t certainly re
CURED no very strenuous erertion 10 accomplish