American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-04-12

tnaJ Iney SnOulu DC weak. Old FASH
ioned men have been vilified and SLAM
dered merely because they adhered to
the maxims which governed our wise
men in the best days of our Republic.
Yes, gentlemen, We have been pres
cribed throughout this land, for daring
to say that we maintained the doctrine
inculcated by our greatest statesmen.
President Pierce, protesting to follow
in the footsteps of Jackson, has placed
himself in direct antagonism to the
leading sentiments of that great man.
Jackson said that the patronage of
the Federal Government ought not to
be brought to bear against the freedom
of elections, and that it is time we we're
more Anerscanized. Mr.. Pierce says
directly the contrary. He proscribes
from office large masses of his fellow
citizens for daring to exercise the priv
ilege of uttering their opinions. He
has ostracised national men, in order
to build up the agitator; and no one
can be surprised to see that under his
fostering care the country is threaten
ed with geographical parties far more
dangerous to the integrity of the Union
than they have ever been in any for
mer period of our history. He has in
troduced the doctrine of g ,Squatter
Sovereignty" in form which, as recent
events have shown, is but another
name for civil war, and though disguis-
ed by the profession ofrespect for the
sentiment which recognizes the right of
the people to govern themselves, is in
substance nothing but an abandonment
of the Constitutional duty of Congress
to guard the rights of the territorial
inhabitants until they are competent to
form State Governments, and take
their rank, under the provisions of the
Constitution, in the confederacy of
States, as equal and sovereign mem-
bers. Against such abuses we pro-
tested, and as members of the Ameri-
can party we feel that it is not only our
right to protest, but to claim the sup
port of our countrymen in giving us
the power to correct them. (Enthusi-
astic cheering.)
One more remark, gentlemen, and |
am done. Our enemies have asserted
that our organization could not be
maintained because our ranks are COM
posed of those who have belonged to
one or the other of the old parties, and
that we cannot escape the influence of
former divisions. Those who thus as
sail us seem to forget that there is %
country to serve which is above all par
ties, and that there are principles which
cannot be assailed without weakening
the pillars of our Union, and in defence
Of which all patriots ought to rally, ir-
respective of the designation by men.
AS in time of war, when the foreign
foe inyades our soil, every true hearted
citizen should rally to the flag of his
country, so when doctrines are put for
ward by party leaders which are cal
culated to render imperative the salu-
tary checks and balances of the Con-
stitution, every patriot should throw off
party shackles and do what he can to
rendcr harmless such dactrines. 1t is
on such grounds that we are constitut-
ed an American party. Let us be
true to the spirit of such q party, and
let us forget that there were ever any
differences between us as Democrats
or wings. Let our triumph be that of
our country, measuring our claims to
the public confidence by no standard
but that Of honest devotion to the
principles Of our cause, which is no
other than that of the Constitution and
the Union. If we succeed, it will be
mainly through the exertions of the
hardy and manly energies of our young
and middle aged men, who are carry
ing on the great enterprises necessary
to the Development Of our country,
cannot be tempted by old party watch
words from completing the reform
which they have commenced under the
! flag of the stars and stripes, and in de-
fence of the sentiment which proclaims
that, Americans ought to rule America.
Such patriotic devotons must meet
with its corresponding reward.
Gentlemen: l was educated on the
banks of your noble river, and have al
ways felt pride in the prosperity of
this great emporium of our country.
You have always shown just sense of
the Importance of maintaining the Con-
stitution, by 81 strict adherence to the
principles it was intended to perpetu-
ate. You have always been national
men, unwilling to disturb the harmony
of those feelings which are necessary
to the safety of progress as nation.
1t is aattering and encouraging, there
| fore, to the friends of the American
causo, in other parts of our country,
when they hear that the great city Of
New York is with them. could not
doubt that | was right when your ap-