The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. JAMES c. JONES,


Mr. JONES' Mr. President am indebted to the kind
ness and courtesy of the Senate for allowing the prv
lege of addressing them to-day. As announced few
days ago. is not my purpose to attempt to enghen the
Senate upon the subject of the resolution pending.
My object is wholly different onei and feel that owe
to the Senate debt of gratitude for the permission
tended to me to be heard to-day.
Mr. President in letter addressed TO my constituents
in April last made then the following pledge:
"Le as am to decide for myself what ought to do in
view of all the difficulties that lie in my fully Impressed
with the responsibility that rests upon me, have calmly
surveyed the whole ground and Judgment is deliberately
formed. shall stand where Just as am and wait the
coming of future Developments We have before US the
Of the candidates of the American party and their
principles shall wait and who the democratic party
will present and what principles they proclaim When
man and with that party which think most likely pro-
the constitution the Union, and drive back the
finally TO poassss themselves Of the citadel obery For the
present have but political ambition but one active alb
sorbng political principle. Ambousto be humble agent
In preserving our rights protecting honor and
crushing and annhang these disturbers of the
invaders of rights, and traitors the constitution to
be the humbest in the accomplishment of this, all
ask-it would be glory enough for me-
propose to redeem that pledge, far as may,
trusting that the results will inure the honor Of
country, to its peace, safety and prosperity
Never since the formation of this government have
witnessed such state of political affairs now exists
Never there period in the history of this
which mperiousy demanded the exercise OF cool
and dspassonate judgment than the present Never
our institutions surrounded with difficulties. Never
was there crisis full of danger demanding the
else of larger purer patriotism than the present
Since the Inauguration of this great experiment Of self
government have been called to pass through many
trying scenes-ials that filled the heart of the patriot
with emotions of the deepest soctude for the safety of the
country and the of this greatest and may be-
last effort for the establishment of government predcaed
upon the will of the people, subject to the requirements of
the constitution and laws of their creation. Amidst
these trials the hearts of the stoues have sometimes sunk
within them and hitherto unstrung have trembed
for the safety of the country.
But thanks to kind, benefcent Providence-thanks
the selsacrihcng patriotism Of ancestorswe have passed
these fearful trials and yet lire We surround
ed with difficulties far greater far portentous than
fathers called to meet Will that kind
Providence preside u.s. to direct and preserve
Will the same spirit OF concession patriotism and devo
to the country mark present and efforts
illustrated those of our thers2 This is momenous ques
on submitted to each and all of US to every patriot to
every who loves his country than party self
On the solution of this question hangs the last hope Of
freedom. All the great and happy results that ought
flow from the labor, tolls and anxiees Of fathers
suspended on the decision called to make
That the dangers that surround imminent cannot
be disguised In view of these dangers the question is
how shall avert them how shall dissipate the
gathering Storm how restore peace to distracted
try and concord and brotherly love between members
this great family of States and individuals This
6ed that nvokes the energies Of the wsest and best This
is invoking the efforts of the highest and pures
patriotism. Although the signs portentous of evil
although the clouds dark and gathering swiftly al
though the hope of the patriot may sink within him. all
seeming dark and gloomy and the way escape clear
y discernble yet do despair will "hope on hope
ever" | will hope against hope-hope to the last
put my trust in the same Providence-in that same
patriotism that has rescued heretofore and hope that
shall yet the clouds and darkness that oveshadow
our political heavens dispeed and the SUM- bright sun
of peace concord and brothery love- dspeng the gloom
and shedding its rays of hope and confidence and love
throughout the land filling the hearts Of all with gratitude
and joy
To accomplish so great result requires the efforts of
every patriot How shall this be accomplished This Is
the great question to which would address myself to-
day Never sine. our nations, s,,,s0os b,v, witnessed
80 strange condition of things Is now presented
to minds. We the Of another presiden-
tial election and each and all Of required to take
position and play part in the coming contest.
There three regularly nominated candidates in the
field, from whom election s TO be made 10 fill the
chief executive Office Of the government Who they
What they What do they propose | propose
briefly Mr. President to inquire into these three ques-
tons 1t Is known to you, sir that do not belong to
either Of these parties political organizations and the
question propounded TO himself by the great Of
Massachusetts,, occasion Of similar difficulty, has
thousand times presented itself To my mind"Where shall
IgoT
belong to either Of them might yielding to the counsel
Of my feelings stand of silent spectator and such
would certainly be my course II there nothing
involved In the contest than the triumph Of party
another mere struggle for power and place But be-
leyng that there questions involved Of vital import
to the preservation Of the constitution and perpeuiy
Of the Union am constrained by considerations Of duty
and patriotism TO waive the suggestions Of my feelings
and bear my part in this contest 10 such
Judgment will best promote the peace Of the country pre-
serve Its honor and perpetuhte institutions cannot
be indifferent If would and would II could There
Is too much involved in the Struggle-interests holy
be disregarded or treated with indifference.
have said that there three candidates presented to
the country Of whom unless there shall be depart
from the contemplations of the constitution must be
called preside the desnies Of the country have
asked who they are what they and what do they
fess Taking them In the order in which they stand Of
seniority, may ask, first who is James Buchanan II s
not necessary for me to stop to inquire into the personal
history and character OF Mr. Buchanan He has been den
tilted with the history Of this country for almost half
century. His public acts known TO all What
M whatever he has been matter Of record With
him. James Buchanan therefore have nothing 10 do
but be s the candidate Of the democratic party he has
been selected by their convention their
and presumed to be the exponent Of their principles
proceed to inquire what those principles are
The democratic party have given TO and to the world
platform OF principles. | have great confidence In
platforms. think that generally they cunnngly-
devised schemes OF modern invention intended catch
and to gull the people They admirably adapted
for presidential canyassvery good for the candidates TO
by and swear by but often very easily forgotten after
the election. For this confess that generally
the who profess TO stand upon them rather than to
inquire particularly into the creed they proclaim Inas
much however the vaou, candidates have been placed
upon their platforms IL is but Just 10 theit is but Just
to the parties which have presented hemthat should
presume at least that IL is their honest purpose 10 stand
upon them and to observe them desire very briefly to
inquire into these platforms In order that may satisfy my
by passion prejudice in the conclusions at which
arrived.
The Democratic Convention, which assembled at Gin
cinnat nreaented countrv MIS-