The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-06-18

and maintainance of the principles declared by
the recent Convention. But these principles
can be vindicatel and sustained only by conccr-
ted action and that can only he secured, by orga-
nization. Hence fidelity to this organization
aud its usascS becomes, like fidelity 70 the prn-
cplesa cardinal yirtue, The latter can only
BE mrniestsd and made eaect'Rl through the
former. - -
Ny friends will have duties to perform in the
canvass which my position alone will prevent
me from attempting to fulfil in person. It is ne
yer to be forgotten by me that, in 1852, older
and better [many voices cried out, 'not bet-
ter''l soldiers than myself tNr Buchanan
and General Cass)-men who had been faithful
and tried leaders through many years of labor
and confiict-werc passed by to call me FROM
the retirement which had sought, and to which
I shall return without regret May not add,
gentlemen, that, if life be spared shall go back
to the State of my birth with the consciousness
of having adopted no single measure of public
policy during my administration which did
not believe to be demanded by the best interests
ofmy country, nor one which does not tonight
command the appreciation ofmy Judgment and
my conscience. 1il'
The conduct Of those older and better soldiers
ofwhom have spoken, and of the younger but
nevertheless better soldier, (Judse Douglas }
now standing by the great yeneated, and good
man, General Cass,) who, for so many years
has had, not merely my confidence and respect,
but my affection, will never cease to be grateful
ly remembered by me. They were all in the
field, not merely to encourage and direct but
actually lead the columns. Their energies were
not put forth because the standard was in my
hands, but because its bearer was, in their esti-
nation, for the time being the impersonation of
those sound constitutional principles which they
believed could alone give stability and perma-
nence to this glorious fabric of our institutions.
Its cheering to know that the action of the
late Convention places the statesmen and patri-
OTIS who are to lead us now on Il platform idcn-
teal, in scope and spirit with that which ac-
cepted with full conviction ofmy Judgment and
with every sentiment ofmy heart, and that they
are TO occupy it with the standard lowered ncv-
CT an inch, so far as the strict construction OF
the Constitution and the vindication of the CON
stitutional rights ofevery 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-worship
in this contest Men become comparatively in
significant, except as instruments, when great
principles and the vast interests of country like
ours are involved. There will be, on your part,
no appeal to unworthy passion, no infammatory
calls fora second revolution like those which
are occasionally reported as coming from men
who have received nothing at the hands Of their
Government but protection and political bless
inc. no declaration of re 'iStancc 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 the for
cign foes But the issues will summon you to a
calm, earnest struggle for the Constitution, and,
consequently for the Union.
Yon will bear yourselves like men detcrmin-
ed to cling to that sacred instrument as the on
| ly security from general wreck, and the only re-
! fuge 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, il
|
need be, with heroic valor against all assaults
! from without or from within.
That a signal triumph awaits you in such ;
cause entertain no doubt
If as fully believe, our fathers were not only
guided and sustained through the changing
scenes and struggles of the revolution, but were
inspired after its close to devise and adopt thi
Constitution by Omnpotent Power, we may re
pose upon an humble but unwavaring faith tina
that Power will not permit the madness of thei
children to dcstroyit
Accept gentlemen my best wishes for yol
collectively and individually, and my thanks 70
this gratifying call.
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