The union Democrat., 1856-08-30
speech from President Picrr''

When the news of the nominal on OF h"eH""'"
and Breckenridge reached washington ''e'o
vas great rejoicing uur-per 'i e"'Iens' az
compsuied by band e. music, "aited upon
President Pierce an serenaded him. The
President appesrsd at a window of his mansion,
and spoke as fellows;
/ congratulate you, my fellow citizens, upon
the occasio. which brings you here, and L ln-
dulre the confident hope that the JOY with which
YOU ha: the harmonious and unanimous result
of the deliberations at CINCINNATI. may De
..,engthsned and deepened by the ratliying
voice of our countrymen.
1t is pleasant to realize that, however 0lncr
parties may bs diviAsd md distracted, there is
nothing with us but union Of purpose, and will
be nothing but union in action. From this hour
to that when the polls will be opened in Noveln-
Der, all prejudices and personal animosities
among those who should cultivate mutual regard
and afford mutual support will be laid aside;
nay, evan preferences which may have existed
in our ranks are already hu songer Remembered
The preference of the convention Is the prefer
ence in this crisis of every friend who cares
more for the country than for himself. Deso-
ton to the cause, and All earnest support OF the
standard bearers who are to lead us TO the great
struggle, will constitute the controlling scnti-
ment OF the democracy, North and South. East
and West We are all, l am sure. quite sincere
III our CONVICTIONS tudt uot OH! tHc PiVopcii9
of the Republic, but the perpetuity OF thus
blessed Union depends essentially upon the
vindication and maintenance of the principles
declared by the recent convention. But these
principles can be vindcated and sustained only
10y concerted action, and that can only be Sc
cured by organization Hence fidelity to this
organization and its usages becomes, like hdehty
to principles, cardinal virtue. The latter can
only be manifested and made efectual through
the former.
My friends will have duties to perform IN the
canvass which my position alone will prevent
me from attempting to fulfil IN person lt 10
never 10 be forgotten by me that, IN 1882, older
and better (many voices cried out a. no better"D
soldiers than myself, Mr.. buchanan and MI
Cass-)men who had been faithful and tried
leaders through many years of labor and con-
tct-were passed by ~ call lno from the retire
ment which had sought, and to which shall
return without regret May not add, gentle
men, that if life be spared, shall go back to tho
State of ny birth with Consciousness OF having
adopted no single measure OF public Policy
during my administration, which l did not De-
ieve to be demanded by the best interests OF
my country, nor one which does not, tonight
command the appreciation OF my Judgment and
my conscience
The conduct of those older and better soldiers
of whom | have spoken, Judge Douslas( now
standing by the great, venerated and good man.
(tien. Cass,) who tor so many years has had, not
merely my confidence and respect, but my auec-
tion will never cease to be gratefully remshi-
bered by me- They we're all in the field, not
merely to encourage and direct, but actually to
lead the columns. Their energies were not put
forth oettusSyasc standard YES IN ny hands, hut
because the hearer was, in their estihation log
the time being, the impersonaton OF those sound
constitutions principles which they believed
could alone give stability and permanence to
this glorious fabric OF our institutions.
1t is cheering to know that the action OF the
late conv vention places the statesmen and pa
triuts who are to lead now upon platform,
Identical III scope and spirit, with that which l.
accepted with tull conviction ot my Judgment
and with every sentiment OF my heart, and that
they are to occupy it with the standard lowered
never an inch, SO far as the strict construction
of the constitution and the vibdication Of the
constitutional rights of every portion OF the
Union are concerned.
Much and Justly as we admire the patriotism,
attainments and private virtues OF our standard
bearers, there will be nothing like man-worshlP
in this contest Men become comparatively
Insignificant, except as Instruments when great
principles and the vast interests of country
like ours are involved There will be, on our
part, no appeal to unworthy passions, no indam-
matory calls for second revolution like those
which are occasionally reported as coming from
men who have received nothing at the hands ot
their Government, but protection and political
blessings, no declarations of resistance to the
laws OF the land, no invocation to the shedding
of blood by those who have had none to shed
when our countrymen have stood face to face
with foreign foes. But the issue will summon
you to a calm, earnest struggle for the conftitu-
tion, and consequently for the Union.
You will bear yourselves like men determ'ned
to cling to that sacred instrument Us the only
security from general wreck and the only refuge
from universal ruin Men who feel and act with
you will cling to it, with patriotic wisdom and
steady fortitude and they will defend it, II need
be, with heroic yalOr against all assaults from
vithout or within.
That a signal triumph awaits you Ia such
cause entertain doubt.
If, as | fully believe, our fathers we're not
only guided and sustained through the changing
scenes and struggles of the revolution, but were
inspired after its close, to devise and adopt TINS
constitution by Omnipotent Power, we may
repose upon an hHmble hut uuwaverlng iaith
that that power will not permit the madness OIL
their children to destroy it.
Accept gentlemen, my best wishes lot you
collectively and individually, and my thanks for
this gratifying call.