The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-29

Delivered by Waller Lsnor Esq, al he Democratic CsIs6Ta-
tiOH IL The Cly Of Washington, November ~ 1856.

enemies Of his country outside the walls oil It's capaI
What naughty conqueror within the very forum has de-
manded the Of gold What popular phrensy has
sought ayenge its imaginary wrongs upon society The
melancholy voice of truth responds that foe more deadly
than one or all Of these has impered the safety OF the
land that il is the demon of civil discord foul offspring
Of the lust of power and false philanthropy which, in the
very hour of general prosperity in the mid career OF ma
tonal and useful example has aimed its poisoned
dagger at the heart of the republic congratulate you
rejoice with YOU friends and fellow counymen, that the
virtue and intelligence of the republic have thus far repe
led the bow-that the constitution yet iyes-that the
rich inheritance of the past is still ours and may be trans
mitted to our latest posterty.
In this expression of grateful JOY stand not alone IT
pervades every it beams forth from every portion of
the land it should animate every patriotic heart Among
the circumstances of the late contest there is none more
gratifying and auspicous than the fact that amidst the
whrwnd of passion and distraction which swept GER
tain portions of the country the moral hrmness and pa
totc zeal of prominent public men shone conspcuousy
In the halls of legislation they maintained the invioab-
ity of constitutional rights and obligations with eminent
ability and thence before the popular tribunal itself boldly
rebuked its and passions. 1t has been the mstor
tune not Of hem but Of their country that some have fallen
in the unequal fight They need not desire to repose upon
the honors of past their present position is their
noblest achievement their proudest consolation
Justum tenacem propositi virum
Non civium ardor prava ubentium,
Non vutus instantis tyrrann
Mente quatt solida,-
Nor will grateful country be unmndful of those dis
tupusbed men, in private and public life who sacrificed
the prejudices associations, and friendships OF lifetime
upon the altar of the republic Such examples are the
true expressions of exalted PATRIOTISM ana give nope
OF the perpetuity OF our institutions
In this hour of exuaton, let us send greetings OF
oy of thanks to those noble States who resisted the
swelling tide of anaticsm and maintained the integrity
of the constitution All hail to the ancient Common
wealths of New Jersey and Pennsylvania All hail TO the
youu Titans of West Illinois and indiana They wear
tln ~ No yipa thaE-h
saved the life of the republic Especially do thank the
home of the President elect 1t has been her patriotic
effort, her fortunate destny-hke her own Immortal
Frankn-to trans6x the lurid lightning OF the heavens
and bid spend its fury harmless at the base OF the con-
stitution. . ,
citizens of the District of Columbia to mnge in public
aairs2 Ii true the constitution has deprived US OF the
right of suffrage but it has not attempted to change our
ee-bon natures to extinguish our natural love OF liberty
There are elements of character and feeling which
have their origin and sanctuary in the inteecs and hearts
of men, and this inheritance Of noble thoughts and pu
poses constitutions cannot give take away Under the
institutions of the land, enjoy the privilege OF life lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness and alike our duty
1t is the native instinct OF our hearts, to defend them
against a foreign foe domestic treason and misrule.
Whilst We have no ambition TO mngle in the muddy
pools Of party cabas in the low intrgueG of political
ckerv in the vulgar scramble for partisan rewards
we do ASPIRE TO intelligent knowledge of public affairs,
and to exercise legitimate influence them. For
self will dSown or surrender my independence my
individuality a constituent member OF the republic and
of this District shall exercise the privilege OF dis
cussing, with manly freedom and courteous propriey,
public and measures and shall endeavor to insul
these principles into the minds of my felowcitizens
The occasion is one my friends which should not be de-
voted exclusively the manifestations OF rejoicing
We have met TO celebrate the petty and ignoble -
umphs Of party strife TO revive and exAspeate party ami
moStes to indulge in seltaudaton or harsh denuncia
ton solemn Of dangers past appreciation Of
rights secured the blessings Of the prsen the hopes Of the
future invest meeting to-day with patriotic and al
most religious dignity and elevation of sentiment
1t would be reasonable to indulge in the deusion that
the dangers lately menacing have passed away vie
tory has been not however in Of those decisive
battles which utterly destroy the power OF adversary
and compel submission and peace seek not to underAe
the value Of this triumph 1t has saved us from civil
II TO the country an administration which will
cherish and maintain the obligations Of the constitution
may vndicatc its intelligence and its patriotism and yet
cannot close ears to the sounds around Al
ready the call is reverberatng throughout the land for
crusade and who will dare be Indifferent he sur
veys the fearful past1
Tue nviolabiity Of TIE constitution is not only disre-
uarded by reckless individuals but solemn enacments Of
State authority also not only sustain but demand dsoy
aty 10 its provisions The sympahes Of kindred inter
eats and associations fast melting away under the
uence OF continued assault and vituperaon the gentle
vet Al-poyerful Influences Of religious brotherhood
longer with yer links OF love bind together different and
distant communities but On the contrary have been
vered into elements o. contention and distraction. The
fires of religious intolerance which humanity had fondy
hoped had been e1tnRuished forever again blaze forth
Religion has become the fanatca ay Of poiiica! fac
ton and 10 fact marches at the head OF ms wid crusade
The vicious elements which congregate In large cities
rife with INSTRUMENTATION attracted together aud sustained
by secret associations In the rank lCIurance Of freedom
and general prosperity RIGHTEOUSNESS Is sprngng up with
rapid growth and breathing forth its peslenta breath
The political atmosphere s hot and sultry and brings
healing In its wings We shut eyes the fact
that the constitution and institutions Of the country the
principles which have heretofore happily inspired and
directed the AmcSican mind now passing through
fiery ordeal
Let us then eraggerate rather than undervaue the dan
gers which yet environ the State and prepare ourselves
with alacrty and forude for the duties which await
II will aso be fatal error, regard the struggle Just
the ordnarystriie OF rival parties Political par
ties the natural offspring Of free governments and the
Of their origin numerous and diverse the
and passions Of mankind Freedom Of thought APP
piled 10 the affairs Of government In every other de-
partmen Of knowledge 10 which human intellect exercises
ITSELF diversity Of opinion and association quick
ly follows for the successful accomplishment Of common
agreement Of sentiment Such political organizations not
only wisely develop and mould the policy Of the State but
hey and nurture the spirit Of liberty itself The
founders Of republic did not attempt n eEpe party
spirit from the operations Of the government but they
sought to neutraze and restrain s effects by the combine
tons and limitations Of the constitution In this purpose
they looked beyond the spirit Of faction which should
spring from the ordinary passions Of and operations
Of government They clearly dscerned that the sphere
lite influence under complex forms would be far wider
and more dangerous that II would embrace the mutual
relations OF the various departments Of government Of
sovereign States with their different institutions intsrests
and habits Of thought and OF those States and tho consu
on the oher creation They sought TO harmonic
the unity and sovereignty ofa general government with the
independence and equality Of all its members TO protect
each against the other and both against the injustice and
encroachment Of all factions sectional otherwise To
this end they gathered together the rich materials Of