The Nevada Democrat., 1858-07-21
speech of Hon. Joseph c. MeIxlbb,n.

from q large number of his political friends of
Pennsylvania TO attend public dinner. The
festival was held at Philadelphia June 18th,
aud was presided over by Hon. John G. Knox.
Attorney General of Pennsylvania. In res
ponse to the remarks of the Chairman, Mr.. Nc
Kibbin said
First thanking you. Mr. Chairman. for your
kind allusion 10 the people Of my State, as well
as your personal notice Of myself. Will briefly
respond TO the gentlemen around me. who have
rendered me this friendly greeting. Allow me,
then. to assure you how sensibly feel the com
pliment of this evening. About to leave my
native State, to be arraigned at the bar OF the
people &c California, for my action as Repre-
sentative in the National Congress this tribute
of appreciation seems like guareantee that
may still find favor with the generous people
of the Pacific. You have been pleased TO al
lude in yonr letter Of Invitation to the "Old
Keystone /" where WAS born aud reared Be-
leve me when / Say, while my home is far
away. ] have no divided interests from Penn
sylvania. l trust | shall never forget that II
was the generous aid of her ciizens, now resi-
dent in California. to whom am greatly in
debted for my position. Embracing much OF
the worth and character OF the racine, their
kind preference rallied them az unit to my
worthier uame was presented for the highest
position in the gilt ofthe American people. sent
hack q mighty echo from the Pacific. and trust
il will not be immodcst 10 say that was found
in the vanguard OF the friends Of james Blu
chauan, and contributed all my influence in
producing the result that instructed our dele
gates TO support him in the National Conven
tion. In one word, gentlemen, while my home
is in California, neither ocean nor land can pre-
Enn
neither time nor space, from tondly conveying
me to the scenes OF my early years, and recall
ing a thousand recollections Of home and
friends. that will ever bind me to the old Key
stone with the strong cords of tlial love.
Yon were pleased to allude to my services as
Representative of the people. | am we'll
aware that those services have not obtrud, d
themselves upon you by any forensic efforts.
have been content with quietly recording my
votes in such manner as hoped would not
only meet the appreciation Of my State, but
contribute to the general welfare Of the coun-
try. and, above all. to the honor aud success Of
tue Democratic party, to which my past life has
been one of allegiance. aud whose trinmphs
have been the history and the glory Of our
country.
am equally aware, gentlemen, that 1t was
common sympathy, upon leading measure OF
the Administration, that has brought us here
tonight When the great issue that distracted
the country first presented itself TO Congress. |
had no heart to enter the tight. While my Jndg
ment and my conscience INCLINED me TO differ
with the Administration. no regret OF my life
has been so profound as that which followed
the vote for which it Is attempted to ALLEVIATE
you and me from the Democratic party, My
Interests, my attachment 10 party, and the rev.
prence have ever had for our venerable CHIEF
Magistrate. all prompted ne TO different
course. But personal interests party ties, and
political preferences, gave way when lhonght
we we're receding from the true Interpretation
of the great oomprO niae-the right OF the peo-
pie to regulate their domestic institutions in
their own way. voted against the admission
of Kansas under the LecOmptOn Constitution,
because did not believe it embodied the will
Of IA majority OF her people. | knew that
large portion Of the people had been di>fran-
chiscd of their representation and that dele
gates to the Constitutional Convention had vi
olated their solemn pledges 10 the people, and
as The erowning act. an unfair and partial sub
mi ssion was assumed to ill the measure of the
Kansas Nebraska bill. aud the reassertion OF its
principles in the Cincinnati Convention. Had
| ever doubted the pr0priety OF my action. the
su Dsenueut protest of the Territorial Legsla-
ture, and the vote of ten thousand freemen.
told me that that Constitution was conceived in
fraud. and shroud d in inamy.
When the English bill was reported as a com
promise between the two wings ofthe party most
gladly would have receded from my former
position. and contributed to heal the dIferen-
ces that were fast fling ns asunder. But
when | examined that measure. was perfectly
appalled, at Its character, aid with scOrh aud
contempt turned from a MEASURE, which, while
il stultied the action Of Southern Democrats
was dshonoring aud degrading to the North.
A o, .Tt tb hat "a
alone hold the States together Stripped OF its
extraneous matter. could see nOhlug but in
suit TO the free States and. while have ever
been the supporter Of the South aud her consti-
tutional rights. can never forget that was
born in a free State and adopted into one, aud
that their honor is mine, aud could neither de-
grade them or myself by vote that would sur
render their rights or those Of Kansas. to pre-
senL herself a. free. upon the same terms a.
she asked admission as slave State. IL was
a measure INTENDED to bear one construction
South and another North a piece OF political
cbicanery that will ever remain disgrace upon
our Atatute-bOOks, until, more correct senti-
ment will have it expunged. But. gentlemen,
this question has been ably and most fully elab-
GRATED by others, and shall say no more Let
W. all hope wheh the pc pie Of Kansas shall
have rejected this insult, that 10 the re-organl-
Zation of party. aud before our next National
Convention, public sentiment. North ana oou'n
will compromise upon oolmon platform, aud
that the will Of the people. aud that fairly ex-
pressed. will be the rock upon which we will
build the Democratic party. Ignore the rights
of the people. destroy the equality Of the States
aud we will soon find ourselves like the Repub-
lies before US, drifting to the "shores where all
il dumb"
When came here, gentlemen, it was with 2
feeling of exuItation. 1 go back With the CON
sciousness that the great interest Of the Pacific
has been swallowed up by an unfortunate sec.
tiOnal question. With the known favortism OF
the President. endorsed by the action of the
CINCINNATI Convention, | believed that the Pa
cifc Railroad. heretofore myth, was TO ne re-
dueed to q reality, and that the present Admin
lsiration would commence the great chain of
communication between the Atlantic aud the Pa
cfic. uniting the old world, the iand OF the Orr
ent, with the hemisphere discovered by Column