American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-24
Thursday Morning Jan. 2A, 1856
American Banquet at New York.


The Chairman having disposed of the
Regular toasts, some of which in conse-
duence of the lateness Of the hour, were
hot responded to; said RG had now senti-
ment to offer. which he felt assured they
would all feel pleasure in responding to-
He would give
The Hon. John M. Bolts, of Virginia.
distinguished patriot and statesman, whose
acknowledged devotion to the Union and
services in the great American cause, are
entitled alike to the admiration and graft
tude ofour country. =;
When the applause with which this
sentiment was, received had sdbdued;
Hon John NJ. Bolts rose and said:
feel obliged to you. Mr.. President, for
The sentiment you have given, and feel
grateful for the reception which it has met
ftom, my friends, to night. 1 feel proud
to be in association with you. my country
men. my brethren, the memberS Of the
National American party. In proposing
that sentiment, sir, you did me no more
than justice when you announced to this
assembly that l was the devoted friend of
the union of the State, from one of which
| am here among you now. 1t was be-
cause knew would be among the friends
Of the Union and of the constitution that
am here; and find myself sdrrounded,
sir. not only BY the friends Of the Union
and the constitution. but find myself sur
rounded by the mothers, wives, and daugh-
ters, and trust the sweethearts Of the A
merican people. Appladse.
l have heard you, geftlcRen Of the ma
tionai. American party in the Northern
States, denounced at my own home, as be-
ing an Abolition party, and Ihave remain
ed here in the city of New York five days
for the purpose of attending this festival;
TO hear what abolition sentiments would
be expressed or introduced. Cries Of
"None, none!"] am proud to bear my
testimony to the South that there has been
no sentiment expressed here tonight that
would have the remotest tendency to a sec.
tfonal character. Applause, and voice
1--WE would not have them" 1t has
all been natioual-all patriotic.
:. I may, perhaps, Mr.. President, labor
under some mistake, and if l do l would
like to be informed as to the true character
of this organization, to which [ feel my
Self connected, Gentlemen have spoken
here tonight with becoming pride Of the
victory lately achieved in your own State
and in this ward, and others have predict
ed still greater triumph in the Presiden
tial election of 1856. That that triumph
Is within our reach, if we act wisely, with
moderation and forbearahce, ! have no
doubt; but We have great work to do
Applause. That election is not to be
carried by speeches made over the festive
board; but, sir, if it be carried at all by the
American party, 1t must. be by driving
every symptom Of sectionality from its plat
form. todd cheers. 1t is national
platform, and it must have nothing but ma
tionslity upon its back. EApplsuse.
What IS the American party? What is
it that has Brought us together, new and
distinct organization. comparatively with
in the last few months, l may say? Has it
not been because men OF all parties, who
are more devoted to their country than to
party. saw the danger that existed in the
foreign influence that was exerted over the
institutions of the country? What is it,
sir. that has brought me. Whig, and yot,
3 Wing. and other gentlemen that see
around me, as Wings, upon the American
platform? 1t is known, sir, that have al
ways, since my FIRST entrance into public
life, been warm, Jealous. and enthusias-
tic Wing. l find myself now upon an A
thercan platform, yet no less Whig than
! was before went upon that platform.
lind gentlemen Of the Democratic party
here standing upon, that platform with me;
and what has brought us together but this
seuse of common danger to us all7 Tap
plause. When l say am no less Wing,
mean that have seen no reason to change
any Of my former opinions; but we have
agreed to hold them in abeyance. A great
er aud more important question to the in
terests Of the nation has arisen. Those
questions, not Of principle but policy, which
have divided the Wing and Democratic
parties heretofore such as the tariff, inter-
nal improvements, and such fike-are ques-
tions Of domestic nature, always within
our control, and subject to our own action,
and need but experience upon the part 81
the epeople to decide for themselves, and to