Daily American organ., 1856-03-20
WHOLE NO. 425.
Nominations Sustained. - Speech Of Col
A. o. Brewster.
From The Boston Daily Boe.

4
Of ratifying the nominations Of Fillmore and Don
elson. At an early hour the Hall was well filed
| by the influential men of the district. The meet.
| ing was called to order by Mr.. Preble, and fully
organizedpy the choice of the following officers
FOR Fresidsnt-Wm.G @. Harris, Esq of Ward 8.
| :, tscs Ireadenfs-Geo. w. Tuabury and Geo. r.
Clapp, Esq.'s, Of Ward 8. stl
| Sccretariss---A Aessrs. N. c. A. Preblc and j, +
| Marsh, Of Ward g..
/ On taking the chair, Mr.. Harris made few ar-
propriate remarks, reviewing somewhat the posi-
| tion Of the American party, aud sustaining the
Philadelpha nominations with heartiness that
called forth loud applause. a
He then introduced COL A. o. Brewster dele
gate from the fifth district to the Philadelphia Con.
vention. On coming forward, Col. Brewster wss
cordially received He spoke as follows:
COLONEL BREwsTrRs SPEECH
mfr. Chairman and tellor-citixe,ss: BY the kline
ness and partslity of my political friends, assem-
bled in this very Hall, was delegated represent
ative to the late nominating convention, and was
subsequently confirmed by the State Council OF
Massachusetts delegate 10 the American National
Council, both OF which have but recently closed
their sittings in Philadelphia went to those con
vcntions with sincere and ardent desire to render
some service to the party to which / belong. |
went forth National american, and have come
back none the less one, but IL anything littla
stronger in the faith of more thorough intense
nationality. When left for the scene OF conflict,
avowed my determination to act conscicntiously,
fearlessly, and honestly and under no crcumstan,
ces to withdraw from the convention until the last
gun was fired and the echo had died away. And
now, when the smoke of battle has passed off,
return to You to render up an account of my stew
ardship. II my course meets your approval am
content. Ii have incurred your disfavor, shall
regret II, and separate from you with no unkind-
ness in my heart, but with consciousness that
have contended for what deemed the best mode
OF accomplishing our common object, the union of
the American party. Col. Brewster then alluded
IN severe and caustic language to the various at
tacks made ON him, and some Of his associates. bv
correspondent of the New York Tribune, whose
reports and comments upon the dfIiheEayieanst stfs f
,nen pSssSa 70 General Wilson, and defended him
self With great force and earnestness, from thtt
penteman's imputations, who, at the Banks fesk-
val, charged him with betraying the North, and
placing Massachusetts, in false position before the
country.
The speaker then commenced an elaborate re-
view Of the Philadelphia Conventions pronouncing
them the most turbulent and exciting assemblies
ever Witnessed From the morning of the 18th
of February, down to the day Of the 26th it was
but scene of indescribabe confusion. It reminded
him Of the "fierce democracies" of Athens, way
ward and refractory, standing about the market
place, and in the Agora, seeking new affinities aud
new combinations
He then spoke Of the character Of the delegates
attending the Council and Convention, and remark
ed that If it had not been for the actious dsorgan
izers and turbulent spirits of the South, and the
extreme anti-slavery men Of the North there would
have been less trouble, and a compromise would
have been made acceptable to the reasonable con-
servative, rejecting men of all sections Of the coun
try There were Northern men who went to Phil
adelphia to make capital for home consumption
their ideas seemed hemmed in by local lines, hav-
ing conception of great States aud vast interests
South Of Mason's d Dixons line. g
With such sectional feelings aud want of fra
ternal love- 1t was impossible to heal agitation and
bring about union upon one common national
platform.
The question of slavery was the disturbing ele-
ment in the Convention. The Northern delegates
defended their own policy, and in return the South
maintained theirs. Il was war Of bitter words
and angry stife, but the final victory was blood
less.
Z Col. b. thought that IL was but an act Of Justice
to the South to say that her fre-eaters and dis
unionists did not fairly represent the conservative
element in her character. Said the speaker, "In
the nominating Convention sat John r. Kennedy
of Maryland scholar Of varied attainment, Of clas-
sic culture, and high intellectual worth. BY his
side was A. III. Stuart of Virginia, distinguished
member of Mr.. Fillmore's Cabinet, gentleman
whose tall and manly form, and high chivalrc
bearing reminded me of the days of ancient hospi-
talty ] found him just and honorable in his views,
and he inspired me with belief that he was
Union loving man. There too sat his colleague
Mr.. Boteler Of the Old Dominion, and though be
spoke at one time under momcntary excitement
in strains Of touching pathos, about disunion, and
| predicted the dismemberment of the American
party still could not but admire his fervid and
graceful eloquence which gave assurance of his
warmth OF, heart and sincerity of purpose.
! There was Clay of Kentucky, by no means re-
fecting the sublime genius, and natural eloquenco
of bis immortal father but imbued with his patriot
ism and nationality Of feeling He stood at bis post
of duty and performed that duty we'll
There were other delegates from all parts of the
South, the representatives of every profession aud
avocation. With few exceptions they bore them
selves with dignifed demeanor, and exemplifed in
their conduct the amenities and courtesies Of re-
fined life. In the midst of such scenes, and
rounded by such men--whom l have not, thank
4 God, been educated to hate and despise-I sat
during these long and tedious days of exciting de-
bate. When left free and undisturbed to the en-
| joyment of my own reflections, my mind would
i wander back through the history of the past when
| Massachusetts, and Virginia stood side by side in
Independence Hall; when their fathers and oar
fathers poured their hearts blood on the dark
ened and perilous ridges of the bstte-6elds of the
| Revolution. eslE @
| oftentimes would rush unbidden to my lips the
noble, patriotic words of our own Webster, when
he reminded us that In early times no States
cherished greater harmony, both of principle and
feeling, than Massachusetts and South Carolina.
Would to God that harmony might again return
Shoulder to shoulder they went through the Revo-
luton; hand in hand they stood round the admin
istraton of Washington, and felt bis own great arm
| lean on them for support Unknd feeling, if it
exist, alienation and dstrust, are the growth, un-
natural to such soils, Of false principles since sown
They are weeds the seeds of which that sa me great