Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-06-13
Democratic Ratification Meeting at the Capitol
Sueeches from Cass. Douglas and Pierce.

Speeches
On Saturday Evening last, Democratic Ratifca-
ton Meeting was held at Washington City, to re-
spond to the nomination of Buchanan and Brecken-
ridge The meeting which overfowed the large building
in which it was hedwgas presided over by Hon. S. A
Smith of Tennessee assisted by several cepresidents
MIR. Smith pledged for the nominees of the Cincin
matt Convention such ma ority as has never been
given by Tennessee since the days of Andrew Jack
son. Gen. Cass and Judge Douglas, present
and addressed the meeting. The following is
From the Washington Union.
Gen. Cass's Speech.
General Cass, on being introduced, was received
with enthusiastic cheers. He said do not come
here 10 MIX YOU formal address. came to unite
with you in your congratulations upon the temlna-
ton the fortunate termination, of the mission OF the
representative body of the democratic party at Gin
cinnati. A voice has reached US from the West,
borne by that mysterious agent which dehes both
time and space, announcing that the convention has
named to our party the name of statesman and pa
triot for the Chief Magis,racy of the Union and for
sandard-bearer, during the coming contest, who
will unite the hearts and hopes and eXerons of the
whole democracy of the country. And that man is
James Buchanan. He is respected by the American
people for his services and experience, for his unsul
lied integrity and unquestioned talents, his intimate
acquaintance with public affairs and for his patriot
ism and his devotion to the country in whatever sit
uation he has been placed at home or abroad. He
has filled with honor and distinction various high STA
lions, and left them all enjoying a greater meas
ure of public confidence than when he entered them
"A rale circumstance in the life of public man in
our country. And he is especially respected by his
own party for his attachment to his and prn-
cples, his fidelity in trying times, and his rejection
of meie local considerations, always regarding with
soictu0e the rights and claims Of every section of
the country The labors of the convention are clos
ed, and well closed, and now ours--that is, yours
and mine, those, indeed of the whole partv-begin.
| Let US determine to elect our nominee. We can do
it, and shall do it, Let every true democat buckle
on his armOr-not the of Sharpe's rifles,
which supplied by some of the churches of the
country instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but
the of truth of reason, and of persuason and
go forth to the combat, and he is TO 20 forth to
victory.
And never was there time which more demanded
the patriotism and devotion of every honest hearted
American than does the present. Evil days are up
on us, and In the very Wanonness of blessings and
prosperity unknown elsewhere in ancient or modern
times, we engaged in angry and fearful Sec
! tional controversy, whose consequences man
should contemplate without the most gloomy appre-
hension. One portion of country, not satisfied
with enjoying the rights OF self government, seem to
desire to govern the other. The day of trial has
come, and the destiny of the Union, under the God
of our father and our own God, who led US through
the waters and the desert to this beautiful land, not
OF promise, bat OF pertormance-un His overrul-
ing Providence the destiny of this Union is in the
hearts and hands of the democratic party Our old
and honorable opponents, the whigs-the wings of
the days of the lamented Clay and Webster-who so
long carried contest with our party upon great
constit utona questions, and In spirit of liberal pa
trIotism, are dsbanded It's leaders dead dis
couraged, it's standard is in the DUST and its time
honored distinctive principles among the things
that have been, and mainly out of the ruins have
sectional parties, of them with avowed designs
fatal to national existence, and all of them with
out any other connecting bond than opposition TO the
democratic party Let us not underrae the strength
oil that opposition but let US prepare for it, and we
can overcome 1t in fair combat, and the Union
And here is night, at this democratic meeting Of
approval and ratification, in the political capital Of
the republic, let pledge ourselves 10 each othe
and to the party to do our duty, and our whole duty
and if this example is everywhere followed, as it will
be- the battle will be half by the determination
to win it. Let every democrat sacrifice lis personal
preudices and predictions, if he have any that viii
be injurious, upon the altar of his party. And If
have single friend in this numerous assembage
who for the sake of aud lang syne, has any regard
for my wishes opinions ask him to do as | shall
do-support jealousy, heartily, earnestly, the cleo
ton of James Buchanan. He will find his reward in
the good of his country and the stability of her in
situations
AS for the candidate for the vice presidency, the
selection is honorable TO the convention and to the
= party. Those who know Mr. Breckenridge best, best
=. know bis true democracy, his high and honorable
character, his eminent talents and his claims upon
the public confidence. He will be faithful cola
borer with James Buchanan in the cause of the coun-
try Success to them both butt above ALL success 10
this glorious Union, which has given greater
measure of prosperity and freedom than ever before
fell to the LOT of any nation Withered be the hand
that is stretched out touch the Ark of the Consti
tuition
During the delivery of General Cass's speech he
was repeatedly interrupted with loud and enthusias
tic cheers. At its conclusion, shout after shout went
up for Judge Douglas. The chairman then stepped
forward and said that it was almost useless for him
to introduce to the meeting universally known
as the Young Giant of the West" AS soon as the
wild applause which followed this announcement had
in measure subsidized Judge Douglas appeared, and
spoke substantially as follows:
Judge DuogIas's Speech.
Hon. Stephen A Douglas said he came before the
meeting with hearty good will to endorse and ra.
ty the action of the National Convention at Cincin
natl. Applause. He came not matter of form
not in compliance with CUSTOM but with heart and
soul in the cause. He came to congratulate them
, upon the unanimous adoption of q platform which
commands the appreciation of every democratic
heart to congratulate them upon the nomination of
candidate for presidency and vice presidency wor-
thy to stand upon that PLATFORM and TO receive the
unanimous support of every democrat. [Cheers
The platform a1d The standard bearers were worthy
of each other-each acceptable to the whole demo-
cracy of the entire country.
He felt more heart in this contest than any he had
ever before been engaged in, and there OF
importance to be attached to it in its result and more
inspire the patriotism ofevery lover of his country
This Union made through the constitution, must
be preserved through the constitution and cannot
survive for single day the obligations of that in
struments. The democratic party now stands before
the country the only national party in the
whole republic the only party which avows prin
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