Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1856-06-25
Democratic Meeting In Washington,
May. IS, ! $50.

! T. -. - 1t tI p, IL;
Immediately upon the reception Of
the nominations in Washington the
dem ocracy held u meeting III Cops
salo on. 1t was addressed by Gen.
Cass and Judge Douglas in eloquent
speeches advocating thellominees and
endorsing the PLATFORM ~ r
Thc.lneeting then formed n pro
cess ion and calledupon the p resident.
Hc appeared on the: balcony. and de-.
livered the following excellent speech.
Such exhibitions Of patriotism furnish
an augtlry and assurapce' of success.
Below We publish the speech Of Pre-
sident Pierce: f..
-~ PRESIDENT PIERCE,s spEEcn. -.
/ congratulate You, MY fellow citi-
zcns upon the occasion|which brings
YOU here. and Ein1ulge' the confident
hope that the JOY with hich you
hail the harmonious and unanimous
result{ofthe deliberations at Cincin-
matt may be strengthened and deep
ened by the ratifying voice of our
countrymen. II I
tits pleasant to realize that, how
ever other parties may be divided and:
distracted, there is nothing with us.
but union ofpurpose. and will be no.
thing but union in action. From this
hour to that when the polls will be
opened in November. all prejudices
and personal MISUNDERSTANDING those
who should cultivate mutual regard
and afford mutual support, will be
laid aside; nay, even prefer e, which
may have existed in our ranks are
already no longer remembered. The
preference Of. the convention is the
preference in this crisis of every friend
who cares more for the country than
for himself. Devotion to the cause,
and an earnest support Of the stan
dard bearers who are led to MS through
the great struggle, will co institute the
controlling sentiment of the Democ-
racy, North and South, Eastand West.
We are all, | am sure, quite sincere
i'll our convictions, that not only the
prosperity, Of the republic, but the
perpetuity Of this blessed Union, de-
ponds essentially upon the vindica-
ton and maintenance of the principle
declared by the recent conve ntion.-
But these principles can be vindica-
ted and sustained only by conserted
action. Hence, fidelity to this or
ganization and its usages D ecomes.
like fidelity to principles,. cardinal
virtue. The latter can Only be mani
Tested and made effectual through the
former. IT,. b.. ~. s,...:.~ a +. Dt.srE
= My friends will have dnties to per
form in the canvass which MY posi-
ton alone will prevent me from at
tempting to fulfil in person. 1t is
never to be forgotten by me that, in
1852, older and better [nlany voices
cried out, mot better!''l soldiers than
myself, (Mr. Buchanan and General
Cass) linen whohad been faithful and
tried leaders through many years Of
labor and confiict--were passed by to
call me from the retirement which l
had sought, and to which / will re-
turn without regret. May not add,
gentlemen, that, if life be spared, /
shall 60 back to the State of Try birth
with consciousness of having adop-
ted no single measure of publ policy
during my administration which |
did not believe to be demanded by
the best interests of my country, nor
one which does not to- night command
the appreciation Of my judgment ard
my conscience.
The conduct Of those older and bet
ter soldiers of whom l have spoken,
and of the younger but nevertheless
better soldier Judge Douglass now
standing by the great, venerated, and
good man, [Gen. Cass, who for SO
many years has had not merely my
confidence and respect, but my affec-
ton, will never cease to Hbe Iremem-
bered by me. They were all in the
heidi not merely to encourage and di-
rect. but actually to. lead the columns.