Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-06-28
1)olhital.
SPEECH OF MIR. PRESTON. oFKy

Va ~ "N0"''iVh Va uio HolulHaUlOHS, spoke
as follows:
Mr.. President: I cannot but feel
deeply sensible of the honor which this
convention has conferred upon me by
ITS call. The great Democracy of the
Union has this day assembled here and
announced their principles to the country.
and have nominated James Buchanan.
OF Pennsylvania, and John G. Brock
lnrldge, of Kentucky, for President and
Vice President of these United States.
The exu!tation with which these nomi-
nations have been received, prove how
deep and earnest are the intentions Of
the Democracy in the approaching con-
test to vindicate their views and achieve
victory. | heard the announcement
which proclaimed the veteran statesman
OF Pennsylvania as the candidate of the
Democratic party ring through this Hall
amidst the applause Of the delegates Of
thirty-one States, and hailed it as an
suspicious omen of victory; but when
the name of an old comrade in other lands
and bosom friend, was added for the
second Office, then the deepest graf
ification filled my heart. He is cndeared
to us by many cherished memories, and
we can but regard with heartfelt pride.
this evidence of the appreciation of his
countrymen. Perhaps. Mr.. President,
Kentucky has usurpcd more than her
share OF the honors in this convention.
James Buchanan was son of her early
adoption. lie was, for time, a citizen
OF the State, and, however short was the
period of his citizenship, his subsequent
renown causes us to treasure the recol-
lection with honest pride. The other
nominee is native of the State
grandson of that John Breckinridoe
who introduced the memorable rcsolu.
ton of 1913, which yet constitutes the
foundation Of the States rights creed. -
The purity of his life and the energy Of
his intellect command the respect and
confidence of our people of this gencr.
alton.
With such ticket, Kentucky will
move forward with the same generosit,
of impulse for the redemption of the
country that marked her struggles fol
the statesman of Ashland. The new
of this nomination, which is now beint
transmitted by telegraph to her people
will be received with acclamations of 10,
and triumph. But, why do | stand her,
to-day? Why is it necessary for me t.
respond to the call of the convention
me, who but short time since, pledged
to the old honored organization, the ad.
versary of the Democratic party on great
questions of public policy | find that
organization dissolved, and myself and
thousands of others driven, for the main
tenancc of our constitutional rights, into
the hands of our former opponents. -
The two last years have witnessed the
dissolution of the Wing party, and the
uprising of the deluge of fanatical fac
tons which threatens to overwhelm the
equal rights Of the States, the constitu-
ton of the country, and the prosperity
of the people. ] am one of those two
or three hundred thousand old Wings,
who, disdaining the shallow hercsics and
proscriptive tenets of the miscalled
" American party" scorn all duplicity,
asjure all compromise, and rather choose
to stand in honorable alliance with our
former opponents in defence of that con-
stitution which makes us one people,
than to take the senseless and absurd
oaths Of the wretchcd Know-nothinc
Order.
During this time the Democrats have
proved themselves equal to their ancient
reputation, but it is now our en- yiabIc
fortune to aid in the battle and share in
the glory of victory. Not the acquisi-
ton of Louisiana, with her fertile plains
not the annexation of Texas, which
extended the empire still further south
ward-not the planting Of our standard
upon the turrets Of Mexico, or the strug-
giles that won the golden shores Of Cali
fornia, will equal in moment or import
ance that great contest upon which VIC
now enter for the preservation of our
internal tranquility, the maintenance of
our laws, the restoration Of concord, and
the perpctuation Of the grand political
system bequeathcp to us by our Reyolu-
tionary fathers. For the defence Of
these principles the Democratic party
stand in battle array against all ADVERSE
ries. defiant in their patriotism, energetic
in the virtue and conscious purity Of
their motives, that they will maintain
their position with imprcgnablc strength
against the assaults Of every adversary
OF true republicansm. In that battle
not less than two hundred thousand car
nest and most devoted adhcrcnts Of the
old Wing party will be found standing
shoulder to shoulder with them, animated
by no hope but for public welfare, forgetful
of the past, and determined by a fearless
alliance TO win victory in the approaching
Presidential contest. Before rcsumine
my scat, | desire 10 allude 10 some Of
the members Of the Democratic party.
who are assembled here today, and who
in the tempest and fury Of the fanaticism
which burst loose upon the passage 81
the Kansas Nebraska act, stood firm and
immoyable, among the foremost Of whom
was Senator Douglas, the first Of all
that noble band Of statesmen one
who led the forlorn hope for the rcstora-
lion Of the equal rights Of the States. -
These men come forward for the mainte-
nance Of the true doctrine Of Democracy.