Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-12

llvered by Mr.. hreston, OF kentucky before the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, on the
nominations:
Mr.. President, / cannot but feel deeply SEN
sible of the honor which this convention has
conferred upon me by its call. The great Democ-
racy of the Union has this day assembled here
and announced their principles TO the country,
and as representatives of these principles have
nominated James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania,
and j. G. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, for Pres
| ident and Vice President of these United
/ States. The exutation with which these nomi.
nations have been received prove how sdeep
and earnest are the intentions of the Demo
cracy in the approaching contest to vindicate
/ their views and achieve victory. i heard the
announcement which proclaimed the veteran
statesman of Pennsylvania as the candidate of
the Democratic party ring through this hall
amidst the applause of the delegations of thirty
two states, and hailed it as an suspicious omen
of victory; but when the name of an old com
rade in other lands, and bosom friend was
added for the second office, then the deepest
qualification filled my heart. He is endeared
TO US by many cherished memories, and we
can but regard with heartfelt pride this evil
dence of the appreciation of his countrymen.
Perhaps, Mr.. President, Kentucky has usurped
more than her share OF the honors in this con-
vention. James Buchanan was a son of her
early adoption. He was, for time, citizen
of the State, and, however short was the period
of his citizenship, his subsequent renown causes
US to treasure the recollection with honest
pride The other nominee is a native of the
State-a grandson of that John Breckenridge
who introduced the memorable resolution of
1898, which yet constitutes the foundation of
the States rights creed. The purity of his life
4 IL - H.
respect and confidence of our people of this
generation.
With such ticket, Kentucky will move for
ward with the same generosity of impulse for
the redemption of the country that marked her
struggles for the statesman of Ashland. The
news OF this nomination, which is now being
transmitted by telegraph to her people, will be
received with acclamatlons of Joy and triumph.
But why do stand here to-day? Why is it
necessary for me to respond to the call Of the
convention; me, who but a short time since
belonged to the old honored organization, the
adversary of the Democratic party on great
questions of public policy? / find that organ
izaton dissolved, and myself and thousands of
others driven for the maintenance of our con-
stitutional rights into the ranks of our former
opponents. The two last years have witnessed
the dissolution Of the whig party, and the up
rising of deuge of fanatical factions which
threatens to overwhelm the equal rights of the
States, the Constitution of the country, and the
prosperity of the people. / am one of those
two or three hundred thousand old wings who,
disdainng the shallow heresies and proscriptiye
tenets of the mscalled American party. scorn
all dupliciiy, abjure all compromise, and rather
choose to stand in honorable alliance with our
former opponents in defence of that Constitu-
ton which makes US one people, than to take
the senseless and absurd oaths of the wretcbed
Know nothing order. During this time the
Democrats have proved themselves equal to
their ancient reputation, but it is now our en-
viable fortune to aid in the battle and share in
the glory of victory. Not the acquisition OF
Louisiana, with her fertile pains-not the an
nexation of Texas, which extended the empire
still further southward-not the planting of our
standard upon the turrets of Mexico, or the
struggles that won the golden shores of Cali
fornia, will equal in moment or Importance
that great contest upon which we now enter for
the preservation of our internal tranquility, the
maintenance of our laws. the restoration OF
concord, and the perpetuation of the grand DO.
litical system bequeathed to us by our revolu-
tionary fathers.
For the defence Of these principles the De-
nocratc party stand in battle array against all
adversaries, defiant in their patriotism, ener.
getic IN the virtue and conscious purity of their
motives, that they will maintain their princi
pies with impregnable strength against the as
saults Of every adversary of true republcanism.
In that battle not less than two hundred thou.
sand earnest and most devoted adherents of
the old whig party will be found standing
shoulder to shoulder with them, animated with
no hope but for The public welfare, forgetfu of
the past, and determined by bold and fear.
less alliance to win the victory in the approach
ing presidential contest. Before resuming nv
seat desire to allude to some of the members
of the Democratic party who are assembled
here to-day, and who, in the tempest and fury
of the fanaticism which burst loose upon the
country upon the passage of the Kansas. Ne
braska act, stood firm and mmovable-amonp
the foremost Of whom was Senator Douglas.
the first of all that noble band Of statesmen !;
the one who led the fororn hope for the resto-
ration of the equal rights Of the States These
men came forward for the maintenance of the
true doctrine of Democracy. The storm burst
upon them in all violence, but they stood with
the steadfast courage like the three hundred
at Thermopyle, and braved its fury. Thew
were left PROSTATE on the field of public affairs,
and if they should never rise again, they might
claim to have inscribed upon their monuments
the words that commemorated the fall Of the
defenders of Greece: Go, stranger, and at
Lacedemonia tell, obedient to her laws we fell I"
but / cannot believe that such will be the re
suit of their patriotic courage, believing they
are not dead, but only for time overihrown.
and that the Democracy here around me will
lift them in their arms, bind up their wounds
and amidst the dangers of the fight hail them
leaders in the approaching contest.
We stand here, Mr.. President, in the midst of
| q most imposing assembly-amonp the dele.
cations of thrty.two States, demonstrating their
nationality by the unanimity with which they
declared their principles and announce their
candidates. No other party in the land can
challenge such an equality. | claim for them
superiority, and rest that superiority on nation.
atty. No factions divide us-no discordant
ideas rend us, and, standing here in Cincinnati
and looking to the shores Of my native Ken
lucky, can say with truth no geographical
line, no mountains, no river sewers our party.
Under these views, Mr.. President, ], as one Of
the old wings and there are thousands of
others, embark in the campaign. We come in
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