The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-31
non JEFFERSON DAVIS Ar PORTLAND.


lowing brief address
Friends fellow citizens and brethren in democracy
he thanked them for the honor conferred BY their invita-
ton to be present their dclberaons and expressed
the pleasure he felt in standing in the midst of the de-
mocracy of Maine amidst SO many manifestations Of
the important and gratifying fact that the democratic is
in truth national party lie did not full to remember
that the principles Of the party declaring for the largest
amount Of personal liberty consistent with good govern
ment, and to the greatest possible extent of community
nid municipal independence would render IL in their
view, In his own improper for him 10 speak Of those
subjects which were local IN their character and he would
cndeayor fr tresss upon their kindness TO
refer to anything which bore sch connection direct
inroctad he hoped that those Of their opponents who
having the control OF type ianeied themselves licensed to
manufacture facts would not hold them responsible for
what he did not say He said he should carry with him.
of the pleasant memories of his brief sojoun in
Maine, the additional assurance, which Intercourse with
~ people had given him that there still lives national
PARTY struggling md resolved bvely TO struggle Tor the
maintenance Of the constitution the abatement of see
honal hostility and the preservation Of the atcnal
pact made by the fathers of the Republic He said rock
ed in the cradle Of democracy having learned its precepts
from his father, who revolutionary soldier and
in later years have been led forward in the doctrine
by the patriotic statesinanof whom such honorable
mention made in their resolutions Andrew jackson,
he had always felt that he had in his heart stand
ard by which to the sentiments of democrat
When, therefore, he had evidences Of sec
onalism which sought not the good of the whole, not
even the benefit of part but aimed at the injury OF
him such cannot be the purpose, the aim tbs wish of
any American democrat and he around him to-day
evidence that his opinion in this respect had here its
ication As he looked upon the weather beaten faces
of the veterans and upon the flushed check and flashing
eye Of the youth, which told of the fixed resolve Of the
one and the ardent noble hopes of the other strength
ened hope and bright anticpatons filled his mind and
he feared not to ask the question Shall interests
shall local jealouses shall disregard of the high pur
poses for which Union ordained continue to dis
tract people and impede the progress of govern
mcnt toward the high contamination which prophetic
statesmen have often indicated her destiny Voices
no, no, no Much applause
Thanks for that let every American heart re-
spond let every American head, let every American
hand unite in the great object of national development
Let progress be the land and the let
flag, stated in your resolutions, continue to
its welcome to the oppressed who flee from the despotism
of other lands until the constellation which marks the
number Of States which have already increased from
thirteen to thirty thr shall go multiplying into
bright galaxy covering the field which dis
play the revered stripes which record the original size OF
political family and shall shed its benign light
all mankind, to point them to the paths of scfgoyern
ment and constitutional liberty.
He here referred to the history of the democratic party
and numbered among its glorcs the various acts Of ter
ritoral acquisition and triumphs through its foreign
intercourse in the march of civilization and national
amty, as well as in the gloIies which from time to
time had been shed by the success of our
upon the and character of the American pco-
pie. He alluded to the recent attempt by Of
the governments Of Europe to engan upon nation
al law prohibition against privateering. lie said
whenever other governments were willing TO declare
that private property should be exempt from the igors of
war; as it is on land government might meet
them than half way, but to proposition which
would leave private property the prey of national vessels
and thus give the whole pvatccrng to those govern
mens which maintained large naval establishment In
time of peace, he would unhcstatngly Our
merchant marine constituted the militia of the how
effective it had been In our last struggle with maritime
power he need not say to the of those who had
figured conspicuousy in that species of warfare The
policy of government was peace We could not
sent to bear the useless expense of naval establishment
larger than necessary for its proper in time Of
peace. Relying as we had and must hereafter upon the
merchant marine to whatever additional vessels
should require, and upon the bold and hardy Yankee
sailor when he Gould no longer get freight for his craft
to receive proper armament and go forth like knight
Grant of the in quest Of adventure against the
mics OF his country's flag.
He said country was powerful for all military pur
poses and if asked to compare her army and her navy
with those of the great powers of Europe he would
swcr that is not standard. History teaches that
strength is in the courage and patriotism the skill and
intelligence of people A part of the American army
was before him. and part Of the American navy
lying In the harbor of their city That army and that
navy had fought the battles of the revolution of the
''war of 1872" and of the war with Mexico and would
be found wanting whilst the patriotism of the
er days of the republic proved sufficient cement to
hold the different parts of wide spread and extend
ing country together He said that everything around
him spoke eloquently of the wisdom of the men who
founded these colo,ieseir descendants who sat before
him. conrased strongly did their history and present
power stand out in bold relief when compared with
those of the inhabitants Of Central and Southern Amer