Delaware State reporter. [volume] (Dover, Del.) 1853-1859, 1856-08-15
1Dolitital Gelertions.
SPEECH OF HON. JOSIAH RANDALL,
Before the Pennsylvania Democratic State Con-
uention, at ChamJersburg, dug. 9Th, 1885,

uention, at Chdm5ersburg, dug. 9Th, 1856.
In obedience to the request of the Democratic
State Convention Of Pennsylvania, | claim the
attention of my fellow-citizens for short time.
/ am aware that | have received this courtesy
because have heretofore been member of the
Old-Line Wing party. 5r
In 1S24-5, the Democratic and Wing parties
were separated by no question of principle. but
we're divided upon the question, whether Gen.
jackson was entitled to be elected President of
the United States. In the progress of time, dur
ing the thirty years of the existence of the Wing
party, several important principles were present.
ed, and the two parties became distinct and in
dependent of each other upon questions Of public
policy These were:
/. The renewal of the charter Of the Bank of
the United States.
2. The Sub-Treasury.
3. The Distribution of the Proceeds of the
Public Lands.
4. The Tariff
National Bank" was abandoned by the
Democratic party, under the veto of Gen. Jack
son in 1882, and by the Wing party in 1874.
The Sub Treasury" the cardinal measure
of Mr. Van Buren,, was opposed by the Wing
party, has fought itself into popular favor, and
no one now wishes to disturb it.
The Distribution of the Proceeds of the Pub
lie Lands" has been superseded by the debt crea-
ted by the Mexican war.
The Tariff" no longer remains either po-
litical or geographical question the last Con-
gress exhibited the spectacle of the State
Rights" men Of the South and the Republican
Abolilionists of the North united against Penn
sylvana, without distinction of party, to reduce
the tariff below its present standard.
If there remain any practical disputable prin-
ciple, which constituted an issue between the
Democratic and the old Wing parties, do not
know it.
The Wing party has performed its duty, and
has had its day. 1t has been prostrated by the
organization of the American party, or the
Know Nothing Order. They and not the Old
Line Wings have been the Enecuti0nerS. They
have renounced their old coenomen, laid aside
their old principles, and substituted in their
place a new name and new creed never here
tofore recognized by Clay, Webster, Sergeant or
their noble compeers.
know there are many intelligent and patri-
otic men who cherish the hope that the Wing
party can again be resuscitatrd, but the hope is
delusve, and it is pernicious because it deprives
the country of large portion of intellect and
worth, which ought to be brought into public
service. In the History of our Republic, no
party broken down has ever yet been reorgan-
lieu. i De lulG OI feueTul anu AMI
parties establishes this fact There is not at
this time Wing member Of the popular branch
of Congress elected by Wing vote. There is
not member of the Legislature of Pennsylva-
MIA elected by a Wing vote. There is not a
member of the Councils Of the City of Philadel-
phia elected by a Wing vote. For the last two
years, with but two exceptions, wherever the
scattered members Of the Wing Party have met
in council they have felt their position, and
have. therefore, wisely abstained from forming
ticket to be voted for at the polls. In New
Hampshire and Massachusetts they rallied at
the polls, and the result was paucity of num-
bers and total defeat. But, | ask, what good
would be derived from the reorganization and
triumph of the Old Wing Party? They do
not want National Bank. They do not de-
sire the repeal of the Sub-Treasury. The most
ardent friends of the Tariff do not ask for the
even of 1912; but all they ask is, that the
Tariff shall stand where it was placed in 1916
by the casting vote of the Vice President, Mr.
Dallas. All the old issues have been settled
and as a natural consequence, new parties have
sprung up, and new issues have been formed,
The Order of Know Nothings have violated the
letter and spirit If thesA Article Of the Consti.
tuition of the United States, which declares that
No religious test shall ever be required as a
Qualification to any Office or Public Trust un-
der the United States )" they have established
secret societies, secret oaths and obligations.
With these principles the Wing party in its
days Of power and numerical strength had no
sympathy nor afhliaton, and there is no part OF
the Union where the Wings were more inAexi-
BILE in opposing these political heresies than in
the State of Pennsylvania
In 1S45, when the Wing party met in the
City of Philadelphia, after the defeat of Mr..
Clay, the duty of opening the meeting and set
ting forth their principles was committed to me
held in my hand at that meeting, the charter
of Rhode Island, granted to Roger Williams
which contains the broadcast and most compre
hensive declaration of religious LIBERTY AM
EQUALITY ever yet penned. read its eloquen
and energetic platform and said, THIS is TIL
DOCTRINE OF THE WHIG PARTY" and pointing tt
the ruins of the Roman Catholic Church Of st
Augustine, burnt during the disgracetul riots o
1874, and which lay within few yards of thu
place of meeting, added, g THERE Is IT'S Desc
GRAFTON" There is not nook nor corner in the
vast region Of our country which does not con
tain Old. Line Wings who are willing to stand
by the Constitution and the Union. But theil
numerical strength is far exceeded by their pa
triotisnl, talents and public spirit. This is the
body to which have been attached, and fee
the deepest interest in the course they shall
pursue.
The Republican party is SECTIONAL, and its
success must, in my judgment, lead to sever
ance of the Union. | do not believe that the
greatmass Of the party anticipate this result: but
if it should be consummated, their regret will be
no equivalent for the damning injury thereby in
flicted upon this great Republic. appeal tc
every Old Line Wing in the Union to avert this
calamity The South cannot and will not re-
main in the Union, unless their rights are guar
anteed to them. If we were in the same situa'
ton, we would demand our rights in tones as
imperative and mandatory as those which are
now used by our Southern brethren.
How is this great evil to be avoided? an.
swer, by the election of Mr.. Buchanan. Every
yothe given to him is q check to the progress o.
the republican party. ! know there are many
Wings who approve of the administration o
Millard Fillmore, and are willing to trust hin
again. Every vote given to MIR. Fillmore in
creases the danger of the success of Mr.. Ere
mont. Every vote given to Mr.. Buchanan po
tentiaIly seals the fate of Mr.. Fremont. Blu
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