The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-02


inridge, of Kentucky, lie eminently worthy Of
: the universal Joy which greeted his nomina.
. lon. Mr.. Breckinridge was lhiriy.five years
of age on The 2lst Of fJanuary last, and is now
, the candidate for The second office in the
gift Of the American people. II would be
t difficult 10 find man in whom public and
private usefulness so rarely commingle-
Notwithstanding the eatly age at which he
J will be called to occupy high position, he
possesses, in singular degree, that firmness
of character, that directness and purity of
J purpose, which whenever exhibited, are al
ways sure 10 be honored by the most sega
cious people in the world. Mr.. Breckinridge
has served in the Legislature of his Stale,
and was four years distinguished ard elo.
quent member Of the popular branch OF
Congress. His speeches in the latter body
placed him in the front rank of American
statesman, and won for him permanent
place in the affections oil his political friends
He was selected Sy President Pierce as the
American Minister at the Spanish Court,
which high position he was compelled 10 de-
cline.
Previous 10 entering upon his Congression-
al career, he volunteered for The Mexican
war, ard, during long and trying campaign,
he secured the respect anc confidence of his
fellow soldiers. He has never sought public
favor. The people have always called him
forth; and it is because he has withheld
himself from exciting contests for popular
preferment, that the distinctions be wears so
gracefully have been SO freely bestowed -
In this respect, he resembles Mr.. Buchanan,
whose nomination was the result of no effort
of his own, but the offspring of lha. popular
opinion which commanded the respect Of
the Convention, because ii was based upon
motive which entitled it 10 the highest
consideration. The manner in which Mr..
BreckinIidge refused 10 become candidate
for the Vice Presidency, his fidelity to the
ton to throw no obstacles in the way OF that
choice, excited, in his behalf sentiment OF
admiration which could not be restrained
until it found vent IN .he expression which
distinguished position.
1t is in vain 10 describe The spectacle which
transpired when Mr. Buchanan's name was
finally agreed upon. The rivalry 10 second
the enthusiasm to support the eagerness 10
: endorse, he signfieknt sniiY. oftsenumsak
and Of aciionr which ycnssaclsrized1aa, iieVs
eslng period of The Convention, cannot be
described. Scarcely had this event been
announced 10 an expectant people, before
the dlscordant branches of the Democracy oil
New York were brought together and for the
first time in many years started forward up
on their way once more united as band Of
brothers. 1t was amid such auguries aud
under such circumstances that James Buch-
anan became the nominee of the Democra.
cy for The Presidency.
Before The struggle for .he nominations
came on, the platform of principles was a.
dopled. 1t is constructed upon an enduring
basis lit is found deep in undying faith and
fidelity to the Constitution il renews in Ian.
guage of fervent patriotism, our devotion 10
the Union of the States; It re-asserts our
gratitude 10 The sages of The past; i enunc-
ales our duies with respect to coming events,
and points out The dazzling destiny in re.
serve for US on the North American Cont
nent. The unanimous assertion Of these
doctrines, IN advance OF the nomination, was
an assurance 10 the country, that with the
Democracy, principles are always paramount,
and expedency and policy entirely secondary
and subordinate.
And now: citizens of Pennsylvania, we
have placed before You our principles and
our candidates. Freely as the Convention
has spoken The candidates themselves have
responded: Mr.. Buchanan by the record of
his late life and the recent declarations OF
his opinions; Mr. Brecknridge by his manly
and beautiful address upon the floor of The
Intolerance is rebuked; prescription procr,b.
ed; abolitionism denounced; the rights of the
States re.affirmed; the principle of the Ne
braska bill endorsed. There is complete,
ness in the dignity and in The emphasis with
which all this has been done, which show
that is has been the work of men who fell
that they were dealing with an intelligent
people, and acting as the trustees of an exact
and Jealous, but at tie same time confding
and conscientious Democracy.
The adversaries of the Democratic party
have dissolved the American Union in ad-
vance, so far as by their own action they
can consummate that direfuI result. They
can no longer assemble 10 National Colven-
lion they ssngregae as the representatives
of fragment of one half of our country,
and they arrogate TO themselves the mastery
OF The other half by attempting to consoli.
date fierce and fanatical sectional majority
in every department of The government
They declare that the country is on the eve
of unprecedented commissions, and they
proclaim their purpose 10 arrest these con-
vusions by ignoring aud insulting fifteen
sovereign States of the Union. They talk
of Teace, and in their Conventions proclaim
a policy which must end in civil war. They
appeal to heaven 10 sanctify movement,
which, if successful, would destroy The fair.
esl fabric Of freedom on the globe. They