The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-06-10
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
Tne.asy rlsrains. June 10. 1855.
Democratic nIeefinr IN Washinsfan.


ly Tmesdsy fIornins. June 10. 1885.
Democratic Meeting in Washinston.
SPEEcH OF THE PRESIDENT. The Democrats o
washington held meet In Copps Saloon, Sstur
day night, TO ratify the nomination of the Demo
ocratic Convention. Hon Samuel Smith vas An
pointed Chairman. He pledged himself that Ten
nessee should give such majority for the nomi
nees ~ has never been given since the days q
Jackson.
GGeneral Casa made a speech heartily endorsinc
the nomination. The time honored statesman con
tnued bis theme at considerable length, and In Z
most felieious manner, closing with the invocation
-"withered be the hand that Is stretched out "a
| touch the ark Of the constitution" The cheeriue
was long and loud
Hon. Judge Douglas, as the chairman intro
duced him. the Young Giant of the West" fol
lowed in one of his sound spiritstirr powerful
speeches He rejoiced that they had q standard
bearer with wisdom and nerve to execute the laws
compiimented President Pierce as the Star In the
East that never sets" He followed the example
of his illustrious friend by exhorting all who love
him. or regard his opinions have any respect for
his memsry, to put their shoulders 10 the wheel
and do every thing in their power for glorious
victory. Tremendous cheers and the band played
the Star Spangled Banner.
The meeting then adjourned to serenade the
President, and proceeded to the Executive man.
sion. =
The President came forward and from fourth
story window said:
congratulate you, my fellow-eitizens, upon the
occasion which brings you here, and indulge the
confident hope that the joy with which you hail
the harmonious and unanimous result of the delib.
eratons at Cincinnati may be strengthened and
deepened by the ratifying voice of our country
men. e
1t is pleasant to realize that, however other mar.
ties may be divided and distracted there nothing
with us but union of purpose, and will be nothing
but union in action. From this hour to that when
the polls will be opened in November all preiu.
ami <hnon
should cultivate mutual regard and afford mutual
support will be laid aside nay even preferences
which may have existed in our ranks, are already
no longer remembered. The preference of the
Convention is the preference in this crisis of every
fIiend who cares more for the country than for
himself. Devotion to the cause, and an earnest
support of the standardbearers who are to lead us
through the great struggle will constitute the con-
trolling sentiment of the Democracy North and
South. East and West
We are all, am sure, quite sincere in our con-
victions that not only the prosperity of the Re.
public but the perpetuity of this blessed Union
depends essentially upon the vindication and
maintenance of the principles declared by the re-
cent Convention. But these principles can be vim
dicated and sustained only by concerted action,
and that can only be secured by Organization
Hence fidelity to this organization and its usages
becomes, like fidelity to princi les, cardinal vr-
tue. The latter can only be manifested and made
effectual through the former.
My friends will have duties to perform in the
canvass which my position alone will prevent me
from attempting to fulfil in person 1t is never to
be forgotten by me that in 1852, older and better
Imany voices cried out mot better = soldiers than
myself, (Mr. Buchanan and General Cass)-men
who had been faithful and tried leaders through
many years of labor and confiict-were passed by
to call me from the retirement which had sought,
and to which shall return without regret. May l
not add gentlemen, that, if life be spared, shall
60 back to the State of my birth with a conscious
ness of having adopted no single measure of pub
lie policy during my administration which did
not believe to be demanded by the best interests of
my country, nor one which does not tonight, COM
mand the appreciation of my judgment and my
conscience2
The conduct of these older and better soldiers of
whom have spoken, and of the younger but ne
vertheless better soldier Judge Douglas now
standing by the great venerated, and good
man, General Cass,) who for so many years has
had, not merely my confidence and respect. but
my affection, will never cease to be gratefully re-
uembered by me. They were all in the field, not
merely to encourage and direct, but actually to
lead the columns. Their energies were not put
forth because the star dard was in my hands bu. be-
cause its bearer was, in their estimation for the
time being, the impersonation of those sound con-
stitutionai principles which they believed could
alone give stability and permanence to this gori-
GUS fabric of our institutions ...
1t is cheering to know that the action of the late
Convention places the statesmen and patriots who
are to lead US now upon q platform identical, in
full conviction of my Judgment and with every
sentiment of my heart and that they are to oecu
py it with the standard lowered never an inch, SO
far the strict construction of the Constitution
and the vindication of the constitutional rights of
every portion of the Union are concerned
Much and justly as we admire the patriotism,
attainments and private virtues of our standard
bearers, there will be nothing like man worship in
this contest. Men become comparatively insignif
cant, except as instruments, when great principles
ard the vast interests of country like ours are
volved. There will be, on your part, no appeal to
unworthy passions, no infiammatory calls for Sc
coDd revolution like those which are occasionally
reported as coming from men who have received
nothing at the hands of their Govern ment but pro.
lection and political blessings no declaration of re.
sistance to the laws of the land, invocation to
the shedding of blood by those who have had none
to shed, when our countrymen have stood face to
face with foreign foes. But the issue will summon
you to a calm, earnest struggle for the Constitu-
tion, and consequently for the Union
You will bear yourselves like men determined to
cling to that sacred instrument the only secu
rity from general wreck and the only refuge from
universal ruin Men who feel and act with you
will cling to it with patristic wisdom and steady
fortitude, and they will defehd it. if need be, with
heroic valor against all assaults from without or
within a.i
That signal triumph awaits you in such cause
entertain no doubt.
If. as fully believe our fathers were not only
guided and sustained through the changing scenes
and struggles of the revolution, but were inspired
after its close devise and adept this Constitution
by Omnipotent Power, we may repose upon an
humble but unwaVering faith that that Power will
not permit the madness of their children to destroy
it. ~ r@4
Accept, gentlemen, my best wishes for you col.
ectively and individually, and, my thanks for this
gratifying call.
T rta Dat al