The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-20
THE DEMOCRACY or BBNKER MIL.
SPEECH on SIDNEY WEBSTER, ESQ.

While thank you Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen Of
the Chariesown Central Commee for te nyitation 10
address the democrats Of this monumental city tonight
and while do not fail 10 appreciate this manifestation OF
kindness and goodwill with which you have received
can neyerheIess but feel that this OCCASION cheer
ing and auspicious future results does not except
perhaps in it, minntest portion belong to such
The rapidly lying hours OF this evening can be
male attractive and instructive By words of conn
sci and wisdom from the veterans in the democratic
ranks who here to-nightthey who, Like the dstIp
guished gentleman near me who to address you have
for long years bravely followed the flag and kept step
to the mnsc Of the Union than by suggestions from
those who have recently upon the stage OF
manhood and thus have less experience IN public affairs
but know my friend win allow say. not less OF
devotion the constitution and to this blessed Union Of
States. Young men for action but Older men for coun
sell 1t i peculiar, proud feature Of the democratic
that party which, represented by yon sis, AMI
others here tonight, stands alone amid the decyin
fragments of other political organizations, the only refuge
Of constitutional opinionsit is say, peculiar and
proud feature OF this PARTY that il unites the wisdom and
circumspecton Of sold America with the hope the
th'sasm the energy the earnest faith Of Young Amer
lea" 1t is the combination OF those opposite qualities OF
age and youth of conservatism and progress, OF federal
power and State Independence Of legality and equality
which, in their application makes the conspicuous
perory Of the democratic party In the business OF gov
ernment.
Thus is in this Commonwealth that they who have
property 10 be protected by law and transmitted TO those
who shall come after them beginning to admit, what
before denied that the deocratic party is at
the progressive and the conservative party of the United
States and that it, and it alone has disposition and ab
ity to do Justice to all the great nterests-the agricu
tura the manufacturing the shipping interests OF the
Commonwealth and that it, and it alone, give
newed vitality and force to the constitution and bill OF
rights Of Massachusetts, which apparently
what forgotten and make in houses,
stores and workshops from unreasonable searches and
seizures by officers acting under laws Inspired by who
pretend to seek only the public good when in fact they
prostitute the holy of temperance and sobtiey to
party purposes and party passions.
Mr.. Chairman and fellow citizens, the OF
another annual election which is to decide what prne
Plies of public policy shall inspire and what shall
hold the power and direct the desnies of this Common
wealth for another year The democratic party ask all
who have the electoral franchise to give unpreji
diced consideration to the candidates. for Office which
they present to the people of Massachusetts More
especially do appeal to the members OF the old whg
party and of that national American party to- support
candidates and vote ticket ut the coming election.
Why should they not III there Tonight, within
the sound of my voice. gentlemen who belong to either
both OF those party organizations let me be permitted
with great cference to make the appeal more personal
and ask why should you not Join in the present
You who claim still to be members Of the whg party
that national and patriotic association OF national
and patriotic meuI say national and patriotic for
will so fir stultfy myself impach the history
OF my country TO deny that party led by Hamilton
Webster Clay Everett and Choate among others had not
those qualities Of goodness and greatness That their
theory the constitution in respect TO the powers grant
ed to the federal government and those reserved to the
States that their exposition of the relation Of the States
to that government that their idea Of danger
be apprehended from the centrifugal than the eentrpeta
tendencies of political system and erroneous
do not doubt Those questions 1t il to be hoped have
been settled by the practical working of the machine Of
government You, repeat, who claim fellowship
with that wing party what constran You from
uniting with to redeem the Commonwealth Of Masa-
chusets from the condition of anagpnism to the federal
into which she has fallen You admit that the
democratic party is the only political organization IN the
nfi
and that whatever may be the occasional result of eec
tons for members Of the lower house Of Congress- is the
only party which public questions presented
hold the executive power of the republic The last
presidential canvass carried under accidental circum-
of great disadvantage to the democrats and of
corresponding advantage to the republicans, made the
apparent that the republican party could hope
on its present issues, to elect President
What political objects do the national wings seek to
obtain First and foremost presume wise and ru-
gal government Can the republican party give you such
q government Win they give you such government :
To ask the question is to it, The republican party
has Affirmative ideas of government Everything is
negative 1t relies for existence and support upon
tagensm of what the democratic party recommend Read
the call of that republican party for their last State
vention and if that Is not the What would be
thought of religious sect which should rest its whole
creed doctrine not upon any principle but upon
position of the and mistakes of other denomina
tions Thus il with the republicans They have no
propositions government to offer Their work is in
pryng about for the Inconsistencies Of Others. They
watch for mistakes They only tear down. without
any possible capacity for reconstruction.
Do any gentlemen connected with the old wing party
ask for Legislation by Congress- which, while looking to
the good of the whole people, shall the manuc
turing the shipping the fishing interest of this
commonwealth Why do they not join the only party
which can by any possibility give them the legislation
they require 1t is said all hands that the exigences
of the nation will require modification Of the existing
tariff OF duties imports, in order to afford sufficient
to meet the necessary expenditures of public
money IL this be then why will the persons most
interested in manufactures not cooperate with to send
Congress competent 10 deal with this question
Of the revenue and who do entertain and
se for them be useful in Congress either to Asachu
sett her material interests So with the shipping and
the fishing Of commonwealth How it in the
lust Congress when proposition made 60 repeal the
fishing bounties Was there be found among our
delegation competent to unfold and explain the theory
OF legislation upon which that great interest depends
Mol The delegation was in effect dumb, inasmuch
they failed to vindicate the Of Congress upon which
those bounties rest
And with that portion of the American party who
do net and cannot sanction the Pesent political hereses
Of fcpublcanism What constrains you from joining
democratic party, If not upon state issues, still from join
ing far to support democratic candidates for Con-
gress Do the purposes of your organization my fellow
citizens of the national American party present objects
be accomplished which within the domain Of Con-
gressi Admit, 10 well known phrase that you de-
sire purify the balotbox Has Congress any pos
sible authority in that relation Whether you propose
to purify the baotbox by preventing frauds at the
polls in the of incorrect counting of ballots Of adj
mission to vote Of not qualified, by further
stction of the class Of persons who be electors ia