Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1859-04-22
Free Democratic State Convention.

of the counties of Peunsy lvania, assembled
in the Hall of the House at Harrisburg
on Wednesday, 18th inst, and were callet
to order by T.. p. Campbell, Esq, of Hun
: tingdon county, on whose motion, DR.
GEORGE MCooY, Of Allegheny county
was chosen temporary chairman. George
Northrup, of Philadelphia, and S. X
Peale, of Clinton county, wero choseI
Secretaries.
On motion of Mr.. Sallade, Of Berk:
county, a committee Of one from each
Senatorial District was selected by the
delegates therefron, to nominate perma
nent officers; and recess of ten minutsi
ensued, that such selection might be made
The Convention was again called to or.
der, when DR.. M'COoK, on taking the
chair, said:
"Gentlemen, l return my thanks for the
exalted honor which you have conferred
upon me BY selecting me as your tempo
rary chairman. see before me the intel
ligence and responsibility of the State.
Here are the independent men of our
Commonwealth. Gentlemen, claim the
proud honor Of being one Of the fathers Of
the Democracy of this country. | was
deeply and permanently associated with
Gen. jackson in the days of his glory 4; |
was upon his Electoral Ticket In 1874
and from that day to this time, whatever
of energy or vigilance | could command,
and whatever Of pecuniary means | could
afford, have cheerfully been devoted to
the best interests of the Democratic party.
This it is gentlemen, that will explain
why one who sees three score and ten just
before him-,his will explain why have
left my family and my home to come
and associate with you to promote the
best interests of this Union. The voice
of alarm has sounded from the east and
the west, that our institutions have been
ruthlessly assaied by the vilest and most
reckless administration that God has ever
inflicted upon a suffering people. The
faith Of the Democratic party has been
violated by one who came into our party
not until 1928. One more remark, and |
am done. l have seventeen children.
When remember the blessings of free
government which have enjoyed, it is
my ardent desire to secure the continuance
Of that enjoyment for my children and
my children's children. l thank you for
the honor you have conferred upon me-"
The committee to select permanent off,
GERS was announced, as follows:
Jno. S. Dougherty, DR.. E. f. Griesanar,
Joseph Dowdall, james Gilliland,
DR.. G. l.. Higgins, James Sweeney,
DR.. Henry Orladey, j. X. Dunbar,
Henry Gingerich, Jno. Martin,
DR.. Geo. S. Hays, j. W. Ryan,
Samuel Harper, DR.. E. l.. Orth,
DR.. Geo. Nebinger, A. N. Meylert,
Geo. Northrup, Thos. M'Farland,
Jno. Sheridan, Henry Reisinger,
VIM. Hopkins, Capt. Harvey W alters,
J. NJ. Laird, Henry +. Phelps,
Henry Gipgerich.
The Committee having retired, the elo-
qusnt and fearless Representative in Con-
grsss from the Chester and Delaware dis
trict, was called upon to address the Con-
ven,ion, which he did in nearly the fol-
lowing words:
Speech Of Hon. JOHN HICKMAN,
CHESTER COUNTY
Mr.. PRESIDENT am glad to meet
you-to join you upon an occasion so in-
terestipg and important as the present one.
heartily endorse the propriety Of this
Convention. The base outrage recently
attempted here by the minions of despotic
federal authority, merits stern rebukc,
but not more than the weakness and heart
lessness which conceived and commanded
it. | love and admire the honesty and
courage with which Gov. PACKER has ap-
preciated and discharged all his public
duties. To him and his able and accom-
plished Attorney General and Secretary
Of the Commonwealth, are our hearty
thanks eminently due for a manifestation
of that devoted patriotism which impelled
them to consider their country first, and
consequences afterwards. 1t is not sur
prising that political prostitution should
condemn it. The popular affection, how
ever, will be to them shield more pro-
tective than fortresses of granite and of
iron. But desire to speak of other mat
ters.
At this day, resolutions complimentary
to the present National Administration
may be pardoned, when proceeding from
official sycophants, but they can do neither
good nor harm. The history of Mr.. Bu-
chanan's executive life has already been
written, and too plainly, to be obliterated
BY bribed eulogy: or to be misunderstood
by the people of this State and nation.
Neither political corjuration nor party
magic can make them forget the wicked
violation Of pledges, the arrogance of
bloated power, the prostitution of Con-
gress, the proaigacy of departments, or
the rapid aud marked enroachments upon
popular constitutional rights. Judgment,
final judgment, has been calmly and delib-
erately passed upon this treason to the
democracy, this assassination Of common
honesty, and it is as irrevsrsible a. the
DEGREES of God. Itis wise, therefore, in
this Convention, to speak the truth plain