Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-03-11
RICHMOND WING.
SPEECH OF MR. DoNELsoN


GestemenI return you my sincere thanks for this
dial reception. The delegates the late Convention Of
the American party have thought proper place
the American ticket for the second Office in the gin of the
people and distinguished and tried statesman of your
patriotic State Tor the 6rs Office deem it high hon
bs thought worthy OF association With Willard n ].
Ia the effort carry forward the principles OF tn,
American psrty-a party which has been formed OF
the necessity OF the times the abuses which
have grown out OF the OF the old organizations
party. aud which have brought the country the very
verge OF social disruption aud anarchy IL natural
gentlemen that the people Of this great coniederscy
States should their eyes upon Willard Fillmore Who
In his personal qualities aud in all the characteristics OF
statesman is justly ranked ~h the great who hav,
contributed to the honor and glory of
try. IL Is different with myself. gentlemen. have held
but humble situations in the public service and there
fore, attribute my nomination TO other circumstance
but my devotion to the conservative and
doctrues which form the basis Of the American creed
According my understanding. gentlemen OF the
which have constituted Is new party. they have
but little reference 10 antecedents old wings
old democrats Under such designations have
each pursued in other days views We
have entertained opposite opinions in regard the
necessity oi bank, and other natioaal
terest But however differed on such question: when
those OF purely sectional aud dsorga.ins
character the leading patriots Of country
united Clay and jackson united modify the atin oi
lsss in order to give quiet to the country, and
the execution OF the laws They united darm the force
OF sentiments which calculated to section
OF the Union against another, and If they alive
they could not ce otherwise than participants in the
American which is intended check the
OF the sentiments You SEE men at the North
proposing nuhiy the laws O, the lans You have
meo at the South doing the same thing. What would
Washington, Jefferson Madison and Jackson
engaged la such attempts dsmelber Onion, ,'r-
tlcrncn, az would be oi words ~ de-
tail this question All who acquainted with the pub
lie history oi these great know that they would
with aboFing check sectional agitation, aud rybuk
ing the hersey that state or portion OF the people
enforce construction OF the laws contrary the
pointed in the constitution To harmony t.
the various sections Oi Cnion-o brighten the lnk,
which bind together sovereign States-tO purity the
ballot box-to cut off the dangers which expos
ed by the immigrants shores foreign lands
aud 10 repudate all the higher Law influences abroad aud
home which have contributed obscure the landmarks
OF old Revolutionary hthers-thcse, gentlemen.
the objects Of the American party. These the
siderAtions which have brought together, matter
what may have been heretofore. And these the
considerations which will bd together until GO
yernInent is brought back to its original purity and
truthfuness Is restored To the relations OF public
pablo pleasures We have the present admiutra.
ton of the government employ its patronage
party without reference to any legitimate standard OF
policy or principle Men who have preached secession
and dsunion have been given the prominent offices
have been made strong when it most important that
they should BE- weak Old fashiond have been wilt.
fed and slandered merely because they adhered the
which governed wise men in the best days
OF republic. Yes gentlemen, we have been pOScrb
ed throughout this land for daring say that main
tanned doctrines incucated nv greatest
President Pierce, protesting follow in the footsteps
of Jackson, has placed himself in direct antagonism
the leading sentiments of that great man. jackson said
that the patronage OF the federal government ought
be- brought to bear against the freedom of elections
and that il time more Amercanised Mr..
Pierce says directly the contrary He proscrbes from
Office large his iellew citizens for daring
excise tbs privilege Of utterng their opinions He has
otracised national men III order 10 build up tile asLiOr;
and be surprised that under h- toS
ieriug the country threatened with geographical
parties far dangerous TO the integrity of the Union
ax. ha,V afn
He has oduced the doctrine OF squAtter sovereignty
10 a forI. which, recent events have shown, j. but
other civil war; and though disguised by the pro-
tcssion of respect Or the sentiment which recognls the
right Of the people govern themselves, Is IN substance
nothing abandonment OF The constitutional duty Of
Congress guard the rights OF the Territorial inhabitants
until th, competent TO form Stale governments and
take their rank under the provisions Ci the constitution IN
the condcracy OF States equal aud sovereign members
Against such abuses have protested, and members
the American party feel that il j. ony right
protest but claim the support vi country in
giving the power correct them. One remark,
gentlemen. and | am done. Our enemies have asserted
that organization could be maintained because
ranks composed OF those Who have belonged TO
the other Oi the old parties and that cannot
escape the influence OF former divisions. Those who
thus assai forget that there Is country
which above all parties aud that there prici-
piles which be as-aled without weakening the pillars
vi our Union, and in defence O which all patriot,
ralv irrespective of the designation by which they
have been known party A. ia time of when
the foreign foe invades soil hearted citizen
put forward by party leaders which calculated
render imperative the checks and balances OF the
sutton every patriot should throw Oft party shae and 10
what he render harmless such doctrines IL On
such grounds that constituted American party.
Let be true the spirit OF such party, Rnd let
get that there differences between demo.
crats wings Let triumph be that Of county
measuring claims To the public confidence by
dsrd but that OF honest devotion to the principles o
cause which Other than that Of the constitution and
the Union. II succeed il will be mainly through the
lie hardy Of Oury %
and mildle aged men, who carrying the great
ierprscs necessary the development OF country
aud Who be tempted by old party wachwors
oohpletng the reform which they have commenced un-
der the flag Of the stars and stripes, and in defence
Ihe sentiment which pfocaims that American ought
60 rule America. Such patriotic deyOiOn- must
meet with n corresponding reward. Gentlemen, was
educated the banks Of your noble river aud have al
ways elt pride III the prosperity OF this great emporium
Of country You have aw1ys shown Just sense oi
the importance Of maintaining the constitution by strict
adherence TO the principles it intended perpcate.
You have always been national men, unwilling disturb,
the harmony oi those feelings which necessary the
safety Of progress a nation. Ii is Altterug and
encouraging, therefore, to the friends Of tho American,
cause in other parts of country when they hear that
abe great city Of New York Is with them. coui not
doubt that was right when your approving voice was
heard in the formation OF party aiming to heal the di-
sensons ia Our land Ii IN this city IN 1919, ult
FIRST learned discriminate between the party uIu
and the patriot IL here that Gen. Jackson though
the guest Of the Tanmauy men. toasted De Witt Clinton
who then dercd by that ancient and venerable
~ HD oiti"loN OF uie SUBJECT OF Nlaf i'etli-
The old hero Of the Hermitage said that parties
always right and public ought not To he roj cri be-
they beyond the split Of their party sup
port Of their cnuntfys Interest," This gentlemen uui
doctrine We have lett the old parties were unable
10 tfanquiiLc the land aud stand q platform ma
tOual from beginning end aud American in every lea
turc Of IT,
Mt Donel-on. speech frequently npplrudcd
Extracts Of letters from Santa Cruz Tcncrfr, January
goth state that the winter there terrible ha,
fallen necessarily for than month and the ~
OF January there fearful hurricane which did nucl
damage u buliug- ard shipping At GtrlchcO th,