The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-24
For As Onion and Journal


Mr.. CowAN,-Sir:-The following is short
account Of Democratic Convention held at Cape
Neddick on the 10Th.
The president Of the meeting introduced TO
full house, Hon. Joseph Leland, Esq, Of Saco,
who made quite a lengthy speech in favor Of the
Democratic party, denouncing the Know Nothing
and Republican parties in the sironges, terms
He had bu, little TO say upon the Name Law,
having concluded, perhaps, that actions speak
louder than words sometimes. He spoke Of the
Know Nothings as the Dark Lantern Prry, and
ID their principles were good, they should come
out and make them known. He accused them OF
acting in dark corner, by the light Of dark lam
tern; and yet he seemed acquainted with their pro.
ceedngs and told about their being obliged TO swear
10 a lie in the beginning, with so much conf.
dence, that one might think he belonged To the or.
der, only he seemed TO kHOV rather Too much
about IT, lie said, 50 long as that party existed,
there could not be any justice in trial by jury,
for there must be some Of the order on the jury,
and il the defendant were one, he would be dis.
charged, If not, convicted.
He thought tina, no one could point TO dark
spot in the history Of the democratic party they
had always been true TO the right He attempted
TO show that President Pierce had nothing 10 do
with the Nebraska and kaLsas bltl, or the exien-
sion Of Slavery. But il any one could point TO
dark spot In the history Of his party, let them de-
scrt IL but until they could, he en,rca,ed them 10
remain to their old PRINCIPLES. (Pernaps he has
some fears that truth and humanity may prevail
at the coming elec,on.) In his remarks upon
the Republican party, he used the same terms that
were used at the CONVENTION in Saco, calling IL
the " three.legged party"
Amer having made general attack upon every.
thing opposed to the old democratic party, and
cautioned them against the Dark Lantern again,
he sat down, and Mr.. Wiggin, Esq, OF Saco, was
introduced.
His frs, attack was upon the Maine Law
He said he never drank glass ef liquor in his
lite, and ye, they called him rummy. He was
going cn in his remarks in favor OF a prohibi,ory
law, when some one asked him his opinion Of the
Maine Law. Ae answered-"l am opposed TO
il nom the beginning TO the end; f" and said no
man could be found that tcdS man, who was
really in favor of il. This was doubied.) He
wanted prohibitory law, but one in which the
punishment should be proporlioned 10 the CRIME
lie did not think that man who sold glass Of
liquor should receive severe punishment rs
one who committed then. But under the law as
il now stands, he said they could not convict n
man, and there had been, think, 10 cases in Port.
land within very short time, where persons had
been taken up for violating the law, and were dis
charged because they could not make out a charge
against them.
In endeayoring TO show that the platform OF the
democratic party was antiIslavery, temperance
&c, he read the resolutions passed bya conyen.
tion Of that party. He happened TO omit some Of
them, and some one asked him 10 read the Ilh!-
This be did after some time, which spoke against
the Maine Law in the strongest terms, and re-
fcrred 10 the present Us an age OF mobs and riots,
TO be compared with nothing but the dark ages
And all this evil, the gentleman said, was caused
BY the advocates of the Maine Law, X. Ms, &c.
He thought I" we had fallen upon evil times" and
were called upon 10 act accordingly He retired
| from the stand amid the -SiLsRos OF the au.
dience.
A leading member OF the democratic party rose
aud moved 10 adjourn the meeting. Some one on
the Republican side wished 10 introduce MIR. Viii
cox, formerly Of York, TO say few words. The
president rose, and concluded that II was best 10
adjourn, as some had come quite a distance, and
/ might wish to 20. II seemed 10 be their object Ia
| prevent argument, which Is somethln. that Hum
and Huukersm will not bear. But finally II was
concluded 10 allow Mr.. Wilcox an opportunity Of
| speaking. He had not proceeded far IN his argu
ment ON the side OF right, when he was greeted
by cheers from every part Of the house. Whether
/ il was the argument, or the spirit with which I,
was received, that disturbed the president, dc
not know but he took his hat aud rushed out o.
the house, saying" If there IS going to Be such 9
noise a, his Ishant act as pTsJilsnt any longer
/ Mr. Wilcox proceeded in his remarks, showing
satisfactorily the justice Of his cause, and that The
charges made against Republicanism were untrue
| In speaking of the Maine Law, and referring
TO remarks made by Mr.. Wig2in, he asked why
he should be opposed to the Maine Law as too
stringent, more inan any other, If they could moi
get a conviction under IL. He showed the dark
spot in the history Of the democratic party, ,e
pretty good advantage.
They were opposed to Slavery, as they said, and
as friends 10 Mr.. Pierce, maintained that he was
also. But Mr. w. asked for copy Of the resou
tons spoken Of before, and read one which was
unfortunately omitted by Mr.. Wiggin, in sup
porting the integrity Of his party. II showed that
Pierce, if he Eas not decidedly aud openly in fa
yor Of Slavery, did nothing TO hinder ilsprogress
but permitted its extension.
He went on in his argument, frequently cheered
by the audience, which showed that the good feel
ings OF most Of the people were enlisted on his
| eide.
Mr.. Leland attempted reply, bu, 1t proved
nothing but an attempt, he not being able 10 refute
the able argument of Mr.. Wilcox.
| II being very late, and poor Mr. President hav.
ing LEFT no one to act for HIM, the people retired
whou, an adjournment, probably convinced that
"Truth is mighty and will prevail"
The next day, in riding through the place, l saw
the following noiice:-
MAN LOST!
S.0O0l Reicard offered TO any one who will give
any information concerning the whereabouts oi
the CHAIRMAN OF the Democratic Convention,
held at Cape Neddick, August 10. The last seen
" him, be was running away from the Chair with
| a straw hat on.