Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-15

but the speaker was certain that purer aud more vr-
tuous man had been presented TO the American
people and what satisfaction that Is at this time, when
charges Of corruption, which have not been met are
gavely made against the highest magistrate in the Union
II was with great satisfaction that the speaker endos
ed Mr. Bell as essentially connected and identified with
the best interests of Pennsylvania He understands our
wants our necessities for tariff and the wants of our
iron manufacturers, and of all men in the country he
has been the first support and the last TO desert them
Immense applause
1t was hardly TO be expected that under the circum-
stances Mr. Bell should respond TO every summons, and
prejudice his health and usefulness by attending to eve
~ demand upon his time and labor and, therefore, he
should be excused from the arduous toll OF making
speeches. but the honorable gentleman now present
TO thank them for the cordially manifested this
clson.
Loud and imperative calls made for Mr.. Bill aud
as the cheering ceased that gentleman came for
ward TO the balcony.
SPEECH OF Hon. JOHN BILL.
Felowcitzens 1t would be contrary to nature, if |
did not feel deeply sensible of the compliment which you
have paid me tonight by an assembly on this occasion,
a large portion Of whom fLter myself have done so
In approval Of the proceedings OF the Baltimore Conven
ton which has Just adjourned Loud CHEERS know
10 is impossible also that can have caused this large
assembge of exclusive friends OF mine of the
In which have been put forward by assembly form
eL as am told, of great pure and distinguished IN
divluas patriots statesmeu,as has assembled upon
auv similar occasion in the United States. (Apphuse)
know that | cannot have the honor nor the unanimous
approval of AN assembly Ike this. Still, itter myself
thtt the large majority OF them have assembled
tonight 10 signify their approval, and to give
ther sanction far as they can by their manifesto
tons OF interest in the in which those Of the Con
vcu;iOu, as well as myself are engaged. do not APP
pear before YOU as my distinguished friend did me the
Justice 10 state 10 make you regular speech, either
upon the topics Of the day upon the issues which have
distracted and agated the country, or ything else
more than express M simple acknowledgements for
the honor done me by the nomination at Baltimore and
70 thank YOU for this manifestation Of your kindness aud
confidence in me. Prolonged cheering) If you will
allow me 20 address q few words 10 you without touch
ac upon those questions about which there may be great
differences Of opinion in this assembly, | would
like 10 call your attention TO the which have led
to the assembly at Baltimore recently. Il is not the De-
mocrac party that have assembled by their representa-
tiycdelegaes thege it not the Republican party il
not the American party; it is not the Wing party What
party is it that is to be the popular party. "A voice
The Constitutional Union PartyD
Yes we trust il is be the party Of the Country, OF
the Constitution which cannot be mentioned in this To-
ca.ty without calling up sensations and remembrances
that thrill every heart every bosom is the cause
Of the Union the party Of the Unon which we hope the
people will inaugurae. trust they will Cries Of they
will they have was not witness OF the proceedings
OF that Convention but / repeat again, that from
what have these gentlemen held it to be their
duty az this period Of the county, at this crisis II may
call 10 SUCH Of the counry-gentemen who had retired
long from public affairs of able and large experience Of
comprehensive and sagacious views who thought that
the condition Of the country required OF them as PARTIES
as men who took interest only in the present but
in the future Of this great cOunry-to come forth and 10
manifest by their presence, BY their counses and by
their z,al their sense Of the impending state
of things that called for an unusual anxiety
on account of the condition of the country,
and to strive as far in them lay, TO alay
the existing threatening dssentions and alterations
he q he OF
man and the true purposes for which 1t was instituted
instead OF eXhausug their time in dstTacting topics and
discussions upon abstract questions chiefly, TO the neg
ect Of the great vital and material interests Of every
section of the UniOn TO the dparagement OF the coun
try to the withdrawal Of vigilance aud watchiuness from
the conduct of public affairs This state Of things has
led to the Disagreement of our country and OF her it.
stutons in the eyes Of its own citizens but 1t has
cast STAIN in the opinion OF foreign nations aud Of the
most enlightened friends of liberty and Republican inst
tuons throughout Europe. The honor the purity and
the glory and the practical results Of Republican instu
tons developed in way that has not met tie antic
paons of the fathers and founders Of this great govern
meut (Cries OF That's so, and appause 1t is true
It is so.
There is no man of reflection and observation but
must feel consciousness oft We do not feel the same
confidence in the practical results Of glorious repre-
sentative republican government that did forty years
ago-that did twenty years ago. My experience, my
own feeling and observation have continued long enough
for me perceive clearly aud distinctly the marked
change in the public confidence not only of fellow
citizens but Of the ustrious advocates of repub
can institutions in every civilized nation of the world
Their ewes are upon US. Those distinguished gentlemen
that met at Baltimore the other day have bauished from
their councils and considerations those discussions which
have so long prevailed upon the subject of the instu
tons of the South and the diversity of feelings be-
tween the people OF the North aud the South. They
consider them called up in the and discussed
for party purposes in the main by zealots notwhsand
ing there honest in both sections of the country,
who have party objects in the questions which they
have eSpoused.
do not think that the further agitation and discussion
OF these subjects could lead any public good either to
the North or to the South but nothing but mischief to
the oherOr both and to the of common
country They have endeayOred far as they could by
their example by their counsel by their sentiments and
deliberate and wise proceedings, to impress upon the
country the necessity of REFRESHING other mischeyOus
doctrines aud discussions which have so long agitated
the country
Ny feow-czens, must say, feel it to be a compli
men am unworthy Of that they should think proper,
out Of the host of distinguished able experienced states
men, such have sat in the Conventon-the delegates
from almost every large State presenting gentlemen, in
telgent capable, experienced, and Trustworthy, that
have proved themselves worthy OF great trusts by along
period Of public servce-that from among such lustri
and distinguished gentlemen have been selected to
occupy position which should have been assigned to
Of thOseto the highest position in this Government
in the hope and in the trust that in and through me-
BY the will of the people, they should restore harmony
this distracted country loud cheers,) that
should bring back the Government its ancient charac
ter and that party discussions questions of domestic poll
cy and questions of foreign policy should be national
Ii might be regarded a forlorn undertaking TO at
tempt to restore harmony to this country. 1t would be-
my countrymen il could not conceive it to be a fact
as can that the large majority OF the people, both
of the Democratic and Republican party, conserva
tive in their feengs-loved the Unonwould not do any
thing wully with premedtaton, that tended TO its
destruction TO the introduction Of anarchy and the
overthrow of our glorious Constitution. (Applause)
trust that the masses that the majority Of both parties
are sound-that they love the Union as | do-both
North and South There extreme sentiments though
that belong to considerable class in both sections, Who
though they may love the Union have most unfortu
nate mode of manesting it to the country Laughter
and applause)
wish to say nothing that could disturb the conposure
Of their feelings if there be any Of them in this assem-
Div tonight | regard the majority of the Republican
party AID the majority of the Democratic party as devo-
ted 10 this Constitution aud this Union. No! when l
come to the conclusion that this is to be doubted then
shall conclude that scarcely worth effort TO preserve
the safety Of this country The struggle that we make
is Against the extremes on both sides. The gentlemen
who have been present AZ the Baltimore Convention have
supposed that The contests ou these seetonS issues are