The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-25
nuGtital.
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR SEYMOUR,
OF NEW YORK, AT THE RATI-
FICATIoN MEETING IN CLEvE-
LAND,

forward amid cheers, and in substance
said;
FeIlo1o citazenS-I stand befors you
impressed with the greatness aud glory
of our country I have recently net in
the National Convention delegates From
every portion fthis Union, from Maine,
from Georgia, from Maryland, and from
California. have found unity offeel-
ing and of principle prevailing the De-
mocracy of the whole country, which
makes me proud of our party, its stand
ard-bearers, its nationality and its prin-
ciples
The National Democratic Convection
have placed in nomination for the efice
of President Of the United States anlan
eminent for his ability, his. experience
and his patriotism. He has those quail
ities which give assurance that his ad,
ministration will be wisely conservative, e,
while it will uphold all the rights and
interests of the American people. 1t
will be firm, uniform and diguiied. As
sociated with him on the ticket is the
candidate for the Vice Presideecy,
young, generous, and gifted with rare
talents The'two united satisfy the de-
mands of our Judgment and the sympa-
thies of our natures. James Buchanan
and john G. Breckinlidge will be tTilm-
phantly elected, for their nominal ons
commend themselves to the hearts and
the judgements of the American peo9le.
The scene presented when they were Sc
lected to represent the Democratic zen
timent,wa one of moral sublimity.-
Their names were shouted forth by EIeD
coming from the most remote paris of
our land-from the shores of the g eat
lakes at the North, from the borders of
the Gulf of Mexico at the South, from
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, from
those who live on the eastern slope of
the Alleghcnies and the western dcclev-
ities Of the Rocky Mountains. It vas
like the poet S d scription of the Alpine
storm:
." When from peak to peak the rqtt!ing orags
among
Leap, the live thunder. Net from one Ene
cloud,
For every mountain now hath found q tesSise;
! ) 7ri cI misty suroud7
Back to the joyous Alps, which call to her
aloud"
The frequent change of party LANES
made by our opponents, mark the occa-
sions when they have been compelled to
the triumphs of our prluei-
pies, and to cvade the fo-ce of our vic
tories by assuming new positions. Amid
all these changes the great aud essential
difference i'll principle remam unchanged.
They have never Leen in favor of the
policy of interference. We have urged
the wisdom of letting men and commu-
mites alone, and have always objected
to a me ling system. In religion they
deem denuneiation tetter than tolcra.
ton in morals, coercion mere effect
i've than persuasion; i'll legislation, IN
reference with the business of others
wiser than freedom of action on the part
Of those most deeply interested in the
conduct of their own affairs.
1 do not stand here to denounce the
motives of others, but to point out the
errors in their principles. Good mo-
tivcs will not prevent the evil results
Of mistaken action. The radical fault
in their views have been shown in the en-
ehantrnent of coercive temperance laws,
in Know Nothing excitement, and in the |
attempt to withhold from the people of
the Territories the right they demand |
'or themselves, those of self-government.
All of these devCtions from covert prin-
,iples have been marked by fierce denun-
,iations of those with whom they may
lifcr. II any doubts the wisdom of CO.
,rsive temperance laws, they are stigma
lied as the promoters of intemperance.
If they defend the rights of conscience
hey are held up as unfriendly to relig-
on aud morality. If they contend for
common political rights Of self govern
nent, they are charged with designs un-
favorable to freedom We have seen
good men so frenzied by excitement that
hcy'see foul serpents in the Sacrament
Il altar and deadly poison mingled in
lie solernnities of the Last Supper. So
listrustful of the principles of the relig-
on they profess that they are unwilling
o leave truth free to combat with err
or : so heated by partisan passion that
hey believe that liberty will be endan-
,ered if men and communities are left
rec to defend ther own rights and inter
sts, They are laboring under the de-
irium tremens of fanaticism. ZAP
clause.
One class wish to prevent foreigners
rom coming to our shores, as our own
orefathers- did. Others think they
Tould become better citizens if deprived
f their political rights. What would
e thought of the wisdom which should
ropose to make men better laborers by
enying them the right to acquire prop
rty2 or which should suggest that law
ers would become more skilled in their
rofession if they should not be allowed
D become judges ? 1t is equally absurd
D deny men political privileges if you
'ish to animate them with motives for
ood conduct.
At this moment persistent attempts
re made to excite the prejudices of the
Iorth against the South. 1t is said our ,
ghts are invaded: that for long time
e have suffered from an aggressive pol t
"; that honor demands that we now {
ssist further enactments. Let US see if {
lis is so. When our Constitution was f
ade, the population of the free and q
ave States were equal, and the power G
government balanced between them.
t this day our population exceeds that b
the South more than four millions, a t
,eater number than the whole original ]
,pulation and we have the preponder- r