The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-13
THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST
SPEECHES OF THE CANDIDATES.

Judge DOUGLAS was serenaded at his residenc,
in Washington. After two bands had playet
several airs, loud calls were made for Mr.. Dou
GLAs, and when be presented himself on th'
steps OF his residence, another immense shou
went up. When the enthusiasm had somewha
subsidized, be said
FELLow-CITIzENs Il thank you for thi
manifestation of your kindness and your enthusi
asn. The circumstances under which this vas
crowd have assembled sPont aneously, and with
out previous notice, demonstrate an earnest.
ness OF feeling which fills my heart with graft
tude. To be the chosen standard-bearer OF the
only political organization which is conserva-
tive and powerful enough to save the country
from AboIitionism and Disuniou, is indeed, an
honor Of which any citizen may well be proud
| am fully impressed with the responsibilities oi
the position, and trust that Divine Providence
will impaTt to me the strength and the wisdom
to comply with all of its requirements. Zap
plause. Our beloved country is threatened
with fearful sectional antagonsm which pla-
ces the Union itself in imminent peril. This
antagonlsm is produced by the effort in one sec
ton of the Union to use the Federal Govern
ment Tor the pun pose of restricting and abolish
ing slavery, and a corresponding effort in the
other for the purpose of extending slavery into
those regions where the people do not want il.
[Cries of"ThaPs true.'I The ultra men in both
sections demand Congressional Intervention up
on the subject of slavery in the Territories
They agree IN respect to the power and the duty
OF the Federal Government to control the ques-
ton, and differ only as to the mode of exerci-
sing the power. The one demands the inter-
ventIon Of the Federal Government for slavery
and the other against it. Each appeals to the
passions and prejudlces of his own section a.
gaInst the peace and harmony of the whole
country. [Cries of "Thats 8o,'' and applause. |
On the other hand, the position of all conserva-
tive and Union-loving men is, or at least ought
to be, that of fnon-interventon by Congress with
slavery in the Territories. T'That is The true
doctrine" and immense applause. This was
the position ofthe Democratic party 10 the Pres
identIa contest of l84S, 1852, and 1856. This
was the position upon which Clay, and Web
ster, and Cass, and the friends ofthe Union of
all political afinites at that day established the
Compromise measures of 1850. Upon this
common ground of non-intervention they routed
and put to fight the boltonisrs of the North,
and the Secesslonists of the South, in that mem
orable contest. CrIes of "We will do it again."
and three cheers.i II was on this common
ground of non-interventon that Wings and
Democrats agreed to stand in their respective
party platforms of 1852. The Wing party ad-
hered faithfully to this principle SO long as its
organization was maintained, and the Democrat
ic party still retains it as the keystone OF the
political arch which binds the Federal Union
together. Tremendous applause.I To this
cardinal principle OF non-intervention has the
Democratic party renewed the pledge of its faith
at Charleston and at Baltimore. ICheers and
cries OF awe will keep the faith" As the
chosen representative that great party, it is
my fixed purpose to keep the faith and redeem
that pledge at all hazards and under all crcum-
stances. Three cheers for Douglas. The
safety of the Union depends upon strict athe-
renee 10 the doctrine of non-intervention. In
tervention means disunion. Intervention,
whether by tie North or by the South, wheth-
er for or against slavery, tends directly to dis
union. Upon this, identical question an attempt
is now being made 10 divide and destroy the
Democratic party. Because the minority of
interventionists could not intmidate the major
ity into an abandonment of the doctrine of nom
Intervention, they have seeded from the organ
ization of the Democratic party, and are;endea-
vorlng to form new party in hostility to it
tCries OF "lrt them CO." "we can whip the dis
unionists North and South" etc.1
Secession is dsunion. Secession from the
Democratic party means secession from the
Federal Union. L"That's so,'' and applauSe.3
Those who enlist under the secession banner
pnW WI hn Tod A oF
TO take up arms against the onstituted authori-
ties in certain contingencies. We ihave been
told that in certain event the South must for
cibly resist the Inauguration of the President E.
lect, while we find those who are loudest in their
threats OF such resistance engaged in the scheme
to divide and destroy the Democratic party, and
thereby secure the election iof the Republican
candidate. Does not this line OF policy look to
dsunion LCries of ''Yes ;" 'sIt cannot be ef-
fected," &c.
Intelligent men must be presumed to under
stand the tendency and consequences of their
own action. Can the seceders fail to perceive
that their efforts 10 divide and defeat the Demo-
cratic party, If successful, must lead directly to
the secession OF the Southern States | trust
that they will see what must be the result of
such policy, and return to the organization
and platform OF the party before 1t is too late to
save the country. [Applause.l
The Union must be preserved. [Cheers. l.
The constitution must be maintained invIolate,
[renewed cheering,l and it is our mission under
Divine Providence, as | believe, TO save the
Constitution and the Union from the assaults of
Northern Aboltionists and Southern DisunIon-
lists. Tremendous applause, and three cheers
for Douglas.l
My friends, have detained you too long, and
will close by renewing the expression OF my
sincere thanks.
Many voces-Go on, go on.
MIR. Douglas. No, it is nearly Sabbath morn