The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-26
SPEECHES OF EX-GOVERNOR BIGLER, OF PENN
SYLVANIA; r

Delivered at SANFORD and Hartford Connecticut.
FELLow-cTIzENs CONNECTICUT: This is my first visit
to the New England States and should do injustice TO
my feelings not to express to you the qualification
excited by the frank hospitality of the people, and by the
licences of general prosperity and comfort which have
every point Your country naturally rugged has yield
ed to the influences OF industry and art until its exterior
is beautiful and its productions abundant Your manu-
featuring establishments in great variety the evidences of
industry, found uerspered with the scboolhouse the
church. and the asylum-embems of intelligence religion
and charity
must beg you to believe that have come amongst you
in spirit of vanity do believe tell you any
thing which you have heard before tell it better
My presence is rather to manifest the deep soude which
the democracy of the old Keystone feel for the fate of her
brethren Of Connecticut just engaged in terrible
struggle with the common enemy. ! would aid the de-
mocracy If had the power | would certainly persuade
you to join that party and maintain its principles
besides persuaded that intercourse of this kind be-
the people of the several States seldom fails
else most salutary influence upon social and political
relations Its certain tendency is to error and
udoe and TO mite in bonds of mperishabe fraternity
Why should it be otherwise? The imaginary lines diy
ding the States do not mark the limits of people stran
gers to each other nor are they high walls or deep
chssms that they may not be passed We are mainly the
descendants of the parentage heirs a in
heance nctuaed by similar motives and impulses, and
protected by the same general laws.
am gratihed TO find many of the democrats OF Con-
nectcut in council this occasion 1t is the right of free
II is cherished feature of republican system
that has made such couuserg together proper and
sary The elective franchise the medium of sefgovcrn-
men makes each citizen component part Of the govern
men vested with privileges and prerogatves and clothed
with responsibilities 1t is only your privilege TO VOTE
but is your duty TO do So and understand far
practicable the consequences of the suffrage you are about
TO cast.
As an advocate of the democratic party set out with
the general proposition that the best interests of tho nation
require the ascendeucy its principles and policy and the
entire prostraton of the nondascrp opposition. The
democratic party is not only the Oldest but II is the purest
and patriotic political organization that has
listed ia The country 1t is the only party in existence
maintaining principles and policy applicable TO all parts
Of the Union The before Is beautiful lustra-
ton Of its nationality One Of your guests this occa
SION Col Orr 10 from South Carolina original State
the southern boundary another, Senator Weller is from
California the youngest member of the family, on the
shores Of the Pacific distant three thousand miles
and myself from the Keystone Of the ARCH where the Dec
lsraon Of Independence adopted and the constitu-
on framed and yet our principles and doctrines are in
perfect harmony every topic and have been enthusas
tieay embraced by the democracy Of New England In
all past struggles though occasionally suffering defeat in
the end its policy has been sustained by experience aud
popular will The opposing party, by whatever maine
known has been uniformly wrong Whatever they did
when in power had to be undone whatever they objected
has proved be wise and proper for the country Now
common-seDse people think that for these reasons
alone the democratic party is entitled to the confidence
and patronage of the people We employ the me-
chauc artist second time who has ruined the business
the first and the rule s just good when applied to the
science Of government These gentlemen have always
failed They did in my State and in State and 10
the whole nation and they have the bodncss TO ask
another opportunity, Tins should not be granted. The
lessons of experience not TO be tried with In this
way.
jefferson the author Of faith and first leader
He had great struggle with Alexander Hamilton, the
able leader Of the federal party at the lime the government
was first shaped The latter the advocate Of system
assmiating a limited monarchy he wanted President
for life and for life and other features consistent
with powerful central system he maintained that the
British presented the best model the world had
ever seen but the views Of Jefferson prevailed and hence
our present representative system Party lines not
clearly drawn however until Adams became President
His election triumph Of the enemies Of Jehersonian
democracy The distinguishing Of his administration
were the alien and sediton laws Under the former 1t
quired fourteen years probation to become citizen of the
United Staes and under the latter citizen liable to
against the President and other officers Of government
Under this feature citizens OF Berks county the Glib
ratar Of democracy in Pennsylvania punished But
when Mr. Jefferson into the presidential chair these
some Of the present enemies Of the democratic party would
be hourly in danger Of the penalty
Under JeFersons administration the great contest was
In reference the acquisition Of the Territory OF bousi
ana The opposition denounced the purchase as prodi-
gal OF the public money and reckless extension Of
the limits Of our government The press teemed with
trash Of this kind and the rostrum and the pulpit
echoed the notes OF alarm But the purchase was made
and who the value of this single feature OF dem
ocrac policy Had the doctrines Of The opposition pre-
vailed the Mississippi river would be 10 the posses
sion Of France England The States Of Louisiana Mis-
souri, Arkansas Iowa and the Territories of Nebraska
Kansas and Minnesota would be ours but compose
part Of Jealous II not hostile power Their inhabitants
would not enjoy the blessings Of free government
and no at this day. will dare to say that this measure
Of tht democracy unwse, who would AJAX TO have
so man hourishing States driven out OF the Unon2
During the administration Of Mr. Madison the great
issue was Of with England When that insoleni
power claimed the right search American vessels the