Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-05-31
19olitieol.
REMARKS OF EDWARD w. BELT,
Esq, OF Prince Georges County,

IN the Democratic State Conrentioa, at
Baltimore, Alr1 son, 1856.
| Mr.. Belt having been called for ad-
dressed the convention as follows:
Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the
Convention: am deeply sensible of the
honor which is done me in calling me to
my feet, when there are present SO many
gentlemen more entitled to such mark
Of your consideration, as well by reason
of their greater ability to crafty you, as
of their age and long public services in
the cause of Democratic 'Republicanism.
And although | cannot we'll resist the
call which has been so persistently made
upon me, / beg you to believe that it is
with the EXTREMIST diflidence that, even
as polite acknowledgment of your kind
ness, | venture to say word in this
Convention | have the honor to be on
ly an humble spectator here, and you
will, | am sure, readily apprehend my
embarrassment in finding myself brought
forward so prominently in the midst Of
distinguished gentlemen, who have grown
grey in the cause which / have but
just espoused-an embarrassment which
springs, not from any unwillingness bold
ly to avow the principles upon which |
stand, but from the fear, lest from my
peculiar position here, should make ex-
pressions or allussions improper to be
made in this presence, | feel, however,
that / may take some courage to say
what | propose saying, after the eloquent
remarks Of the distinguished gentleman
from Frederick, (Ex-Gov Lowe,) who
in heartfelt language, has made such a
noble al!usion to the position and princi-
pies, which, together with many gentle
men here, | recently had the honor to
hold.
Mr.. President, I am willing, ready,
and proud, under existing circumstance
to acknowledge myselfa Democrat, APP
plause, and it only increases my salts
faction with this avowal, to be able to
add that am Democrat by choice, by
conviction, in obedience to the clear d.
rection of my Judgment and conscience,
and in conformity with my desire to stand
up to the South and the country in this
crisis, as every patriotic man ought to
I do. Loud Applause.
was bred and born Henry Clay
Wing. Wing principles were innate
with me, and Wing opinions / began tc
receive with my earliest education. Ev-
cry association of my youth, every in
, fuence with which | was brought il
contact, contributed to fix me in that pc.
litical position, and to necessitate me t.
believe, that next to Providcntial in.
functions, the dogmas of Mr. Clay, were
) necessary qualifications for all patriots
and honest men. These influences made
a great impression on my mind, Mr.
President, as they did on the minds o
many others now around me; and it moi
only reconciles me to my present position
but makes me proud of it, and, confident
Of its rectitude, to find that / may freely
make such an acknowledgment here, and
that it will not only be tolerated but
welcomed and respected by all good
Democrats. / feel that | do no umbrage
to the feelings of any rightminded Dem
ocrat, when | make reference to the SER
vices Of any great right-minded Wing.
J Applause. 1t is refreshing for the
Democracy, in these evil days, to re-
member that they were once opposed by
manly, chivalric, honorable and an
concealed party, whose purposes were or
their tongues, and whose principles were
on their foreheads Applause. And
it is agreeable also, to recall the memo
ries of those eminent men who, in OPP
posing Democracy asst then was, did moi
depart one inch from the strict line OF
honor and patriotism who did not be-
lieve that, in order to be good anti-Dem-
ocrats, it was necessary to become mid
night conspirators Applause. The
memory Of such a man in these times, is
like the voice Of a prophet speaking from
a better age and any allusion to such a
one. to-day, is an allusion fit to be made,
and that will be eminently welcome
=, Sir, the towers that.are highest, are those
whose SUBMITS catch the last illumina-
ton of the setting. sun; and it may well
be said, that when the light Of National
/ gratitude shall 60 down upon the mem
cries Of the great and pure men Of Amer
lea, its lasts rays will finger around the
invaluable legacy that is left to this peo-
pie in the splendid name of Henry Clay,
of Kentucky Great Applause ] am
thankful for the evident approval with
which this sentiment is received and /
submit whether it is not matter for un-
usual rejoicing 9mong all good men and
true il. this State Of Maryland, that such
a sentiment receives the hearty applauses
of Democratic. Convention.
Mr.. President, | would ask the in
diligence Of the Convention for a few
moments, briefly to state the plain process
by which 7; as a Conservative Wing;
have come to act with the National Dem
ocracy; and, without meaning to make
any undue assumption, / believe shalt
speak the sentiments of large majority
Of the Wings Of Southern Maryland.
Applause. Sir when recently II be-
came our duty tosurvey the field of our
politics with view Of taking positions
on the new issues. it became evident, in
the first place, that the Wing Party,
considered as substantial fact and living
power, was clean gone. Many still adj
rhere1.. it is true. to thosessfits principles
which they imagined still existed. Many
others still chung fondly its name and
we're 10th to give up the prejudices and
wesch-wcrls with which they had be-