Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-03-24


IN the Democratic State Convention, March
4th, 1858.
Mr. President / have merely word to
say on the amendment offered by the gentle
man from Somerset, (Mr. Coffroth) on the
subject of Americanism and that is, that [
presume the committee on resolutions IN their
action were.governed by the motto, De NOR
tass llI aiSi bonum.
But there are other matters of more impor-
tance contained in he resolutions and in the
amendment as offered by the gentleman from
Westmoreland, (Mr. Stokes.)
Two years ago a large and respectable con-
vention assembled in this hall. 1t was COM
posed of delegates from every quarter OF the
State. There were present many men dis
tnguished both by talent and position. The
old and tried leaders of the Democracy were
here, and with them were some younger and
more ardent, but att Influenced by one COM
mon wish to meet the great sectional trouble
which was agitating the country, and to bring
forward by acclamation the only name that
could carry US through the Struggle trium
phantly.
Those around you, sir, who were present
on that occasion, either as delegates or spec
tators, viii well recollect the unanimlty which
marked the deliberations of that body So
well was it understood, as if By some electri-
cal sympathy, what was the common desire
of every heart, that when the Pres ident took
| the chair, he did what otherwise consid-
cred uuwarranted and announced that the
convention had assembled for the purpose of
declaring that Pennsylvania had but one
choice for candidate for the Presidency land
that that one was James Buchanan. Sir,
when that sentiment was expressed two years
ago, it received no divided or faint hearted
response. 1t was not
Mouth honor Jreath,
Which the poor heart would fair deny, but dare
not"
| 1t was the tumultous cheering of patriotic
mon. who realized, in all its connections, the
! importance of the movement which was here
announced They saw in it the return of
peace to a country tossed on the waves of un-
! certainty and threatened with dissolution.
! They welcomed in it the return of fraternal
! feeling to great national brotherhood TOO
sadly divided.
1t is not one year since this noble work
was consummated and the first President
/ Pennsy lvania gave TO the country, assumed
! the responsible duties OF his great Office. 4
vague rumor, which | never believed, for "a
| tine prevailed that on the eve of his inaugu-
ration, poison had been mingled with his
blood. But certain it Is that from that day
to this, he has found the malignity of hatred
too often concealed in the smooth fiattery Of
pretended friendship portion of the Dem
ocl attic press which should have every morn
ing come to his table, bearing sustenance.
support and strength which should have con-
tirmed in him each we'll formed purpose, and
nerved his intellect for the faithful discharge
of his duties, has been drugged with the art
fully contrived means of his political destruc-
ton. The hands which should have held up
his own until the sun had set on his official
career have, in Its very morning, been turn
ed in bitter hostility against him. And now
| SIR this day-Ihis anniversary of his inaugu-
rati0n-in this place, where, but two years
since, we, with one voice, proudly presented
| his name to the Union-here, on his native
| heath, we are asked to record our solemn pro-
test against his official course, to denounce
him unworthy of our confidence. Oh,
sir, when the Democracy of Pennsylvania are
( called upon to immediate her favorite Son, it
will require something little less than the
mandate of OmnlpoteLce, and even then am
inclined to think that before striking the blow
! we should, like Abraham, look around for
some stray sheep from the Democratic fold
some former leader of the flock, entangled i'll
a thicket of Black Republican Inconsistencies
as a convenient substitute.
Some of those democrats who have arrayed
| themselves IN hostility to the administration
Of Mr.. Buchanan, on one great question of
national policy, have pursued a course so open
so active, so determined to its hostility, so
! public in its manifestation, and so systematic
in its provocation, that 1t would be in vain
for us in an assemblage like this, to attempt
to evade the issue which has been presented
The terms of bitter denunciation which has
been employed by some of them. have been
hardly less vindictive than the wholesale ste
reotyred charges ofthe republican press. In
deed, the symptoms are not warting of dis
position to create a new political party, while
Americans and Republicans in waiting, like
sharks for dead bodies to be thrown over
board, are already inviting men of all creeds
to unite with them on a common platform of
anti-slavery principles, sufficiently dilated to
suit the delicate nerves of the infant organi-
zation.
AT such time it does not become us to
resort to error delay. To avoid the great
! question presented would be more disastrous
than defeat in manly contest could be. The
simple question with us is, will we stand by
the candidate of our choice. or will we desert
! him and pass vote of censure upon his poll
| cy? If the former, let our decision 90 forth
| to him and to the country. Let it inspire him
with renewed confidence, and give assurance
to the nation that sectionalism has no foot
hold here
The tenor of the amendment submitted
indicate that no attempt will be made in the
convention to call in question a single act of
the National administration, or single re-
commendation which the President has made