Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-10
R III - P ON - " -
II @ II EI III
NJ O NJ 4 NJ a TT f O M 81 :

The invitation to the Democracy Of Wash
ington city to assemble on Saturday evening,
to ratify the nominations, was enthusiastically
responded to, the Assembly Room, on Louisi-
ana avenue, being SO closely crowded that
many persons were, in consequence, precluded
from admission.
The meeting having been organized, the
Hon. Samuel A. Smith, of Tennessee, before
taking the chair said:
Fellow-citzens of the District of Columbia :
/ should feel it an honor at any time to preside
over SO large meeting as is here assembled
to ratfy the nominations made at any National
Conventions; and more particularly so do
now feel, that you have assembled together in
such large numbers, and upon such short no
tce, to ratiiy the nominations recently made at
the city of CINCINNATI and which, according to
the enthusiasm which is manifested here and
elsewhere over this country, must and will be
successful on the first Tuesday in November
next Cheering. | also feel highly honored
in being called to preside over this meeting be.
cause it is to be addressed by those whose long
devotion to their country, the Constitution, and
the Union, has enshrined themselves in the
hearts of their countrymen, under whose lead
we have fought in times gone by, and under
whose lead we expect to fight for years to come:
[Applause.l 1t is not my purpose, it is not my
place, to speak to you any further in reference
to the candidates who have been nominated in
Cincinnati. l can only rejoice with you, in
common, that the nominations were made
with such unanimity and such harmony as al
ways characterize the great Democratic party
when assembled together, with the noble pur-
pose that it did few days ago, to preserve the
Union. Great applause. There may be no
one here from the State which have the honor
to represent, and will travel out of the usual
course merely TO say, coming, as | do, from
the State of Tennessee, that, in November
next, / pledge myself, and the pledge will be
redeemed, that we viii roll up such majority
for the nominees of the Cincinnation Conven-
ton as has never before been given by Tennes-
see since the days of Andrew Jackson.
Mr.. Smith having taken his seat, the Vice
Presidents were announced, and General Cass
having been introduced, said:
/ do not come here to make you formal
address. l came to unite with you in your
congratulations upon the termination, the
fortunate termination, Of the mission of the
representative body of the democratic party
at Cincinnati. A voice has reached US
from the West borne by that mysterious
agent which deles both time and space,
announcing that the convention has named to
our party the name of statesman and patriot
for the Chief Magisiraey of the Union and for
our standard bearer, during the coming contest,
who will unite the hearts and hopes and exer-
tons of the whole democracy of the country.
And that man is James Buchanan. He is
respected by the American people for his SER
vices and experience for bis unsullied integrity
and unquestioned talents, his intimate acquain.
lance with public affairs, and for his patriotism
and his devotion to the country IN whatever
situation he has been placed at home or abroad.
He has filled with honor and distinction vari-
Gus high stations, and left them all enjoying
greater measure of public confidence than
when he entered them-a rare circumstance in
the life of public man In our country. And
he is especially respected by his own party for
his attachment TO its cause and principles, his
fidelity in trying times, and his rejection OF
mere local considerations, always regarding
with solicitude the rights and claims OF every
section of the country. The labors of the con-
vention closed, and well closed, and now
ours-that is, yours and mine, those, indeed, of
the whole pariy--begin. Let us determine TO
elect our nominee. We can do it, and shall do
it. Let every true democrat buckle on bis ar
mor-not the armer Of Sharpe's rifles, which
are supplied by some Of the churches of the
country, instead Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
but the armor Of truth, Of reason, and Of per
suasion, and 60 forth to the combat, and he is
sure to 60 forth to victory.
And never was there time which more de.
manded the patriotism and devotion of every
honest-hearted American than does the present.
Evil days are upon us, and in the very wanton.
ness Of blessings and prosperity unknown else
where in ancient or in modern times, we are
engaged in an angry and fearful sectional con-
troversy, whose consequences no man should
contemplate without the most gloomy appre-
hension. One portion of our country, not
satisfied with enjoying the rights Of selEgov-
eminent, seem to desire TO govern the other.
The-day of trial has come and the destiny Of
the Union under the God Of our fathers and
our own God, who led us through the waters
and the desert TO this beautiful land not Of
<promise, but Of performance-under His over
ruling Providence the destiny of this Union is
in the hearts and hands Of the democratic par.
ty. Our old and honorable opponents, the
whigs-the wings Of the days Of the lamented
Clay and Webster-who SO long carried on a
contest with our party upon great constitutional
questions, and in spirit Of liberal patriotism,
are disbanded. It's leaders are dead or dis
couraged, its standard is in the dust and its
tmehonored distinctive principles are among
the things that have been, and mainly out of
the ruins have arisen sectional parties, some Of
them with avowed designs, fatal to our national
existence, and all Of them without any other
connecting bond than opposition 10 the demo
cratic party. Let us not underrate the strength
Of that opposition; but let us prepare for it,
and we can overcome IL in fair combat, and
save the Union. And here, this night, at
this democratic meeting Of approval and rat
i6cation, in the political capital Of the re-
public, let Us pledge ourselves to each
other and to the party to do our duty
and our whole duty; and IL this example is
everywhere followed, ms il will be, the battle
will be half won by the determination to win
it. Let every democrat saci6ce his personal
prejudices and predictions, if he have any
that will be injurious, upon the altar Of his
party. And If l have one single friend in this
numerous assembage who, for the sake Of auld
lang syne, has any regard for my wishes or
opinions, ask him to do as / shall do--sup-
port zealously, heartily, earnestly, the election
Of James Buchanan. He viii find bis reward