Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-26
LOG AL NEW S.

YoR PREsIDEsr ASp VICE PRESIDENT Pursuant
20 announcement al ~ O'Clock last evening
large numser Of PERSONS assembled in mont of the
City Hall, for the purpose Of proceeding TO sere-
made Vice President Breckinridge and Gen Lane
recently nominated by the National Democrats
Convention at Baltimore, for the two highest posi-
tons in the gin Of the American people. At the
hour above mentioned, the vast concourse accom-.
panied by full band Of music, marched in pro.
cession down Four-and-a-haf street to Pennsyi.
vania avenue, and from thence to the residences of
the Hon. John G. Breckenridge, on G street
between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets The
throng Of persons assembled was immense and
the demonstration Is said to have never been
eQualled by any similar one In this city
After one or two stirring airs from the band in
response to repeated calls, MI Breckinridge ap-
peared and spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF VICE PRESIDENT BREcxINRIDsE.
Fellow-citizens: feel deeply this manifestation
Of your friendly regard. and accept IL a proof
that you approve Of the proceedings at Baltimore
by which the National Democratic Convention
presented my name, and that Of my gallant and
hOnored friend, Joseph Lane, for the offices of
President and Vice President Of the United
States. That heart would be cold and insensible
indeed which did not throb with gratitude for
such manifestation Of the confidence Of his
countrymen. I feel IL, and feel Ii deeply and do
not affect to conceal it. At the same time and in
the presence Of this assembly, IL may not be In
delicate or improper for me to say that il Is
position which, did not seek; and which al
though l accepted 1t promptly, yet did so with
regret. lCheers | have seen, as you have seen.
with feelings Of pain, divisions and disturbances
which have occurred in the democratic organi-
zltiOn; and had hoped TO the last for the harmony
of the whole, and strove to bring Ii about II
was not my purpose, at any time, that my name
should be for an instant in the way Of universl
harmony. I said so to my friends; they knew IL
and acted upon nv wishes I well knew that there
were many gentlemen North and South, whose
knowledge, experience, and ability fitted them
for such trust. But without referring in detail
90 the proceedings at Baltimore, have only to
say that the Convention which assembled at
Maryland Institute, was composed, in my opin-
Ion, of the National Democracy of the United
that took place, believing that they were neces-
sary, and said to my friends elf unhap pily 1t did
become necessary, would stand by and sustain
them" And while I never desired to head the
movement, yet il is not for one who acts with
his friends and is willing TO sustain them to
choose the position be will occupy in IL. lCries
of good" and cheers And when | discov-
cred, though with regret, that my name had
been presented to the country. it did not take me
long 70 determine that would not meanly aban-
don those with whom was determined to act
ILoud and prolonged cheering.
Fellow-citiZens, / understand that apprehen-
sions are entertained in some highly respectable
quarters, that the National Democratic party is
party of disuniOn, and intends to break up the
Union Of these States. [Cries of ''Never never,
1--WE intend to preserve it'll | cannot bring my
self but to think that these fears are utterly
groundless. / have read the resolutions adopted
by that Convention with a great deal of care,
Of the gentlemen who composed the Convention,
in the resolutions adopted by Ii, and-if YOU will
permit me TO say it-in the character Of the nomi-
nees. to justify such an apprehension rIaugh-
ter and applause Instead of looking to the
breaking up of the Confederacy, | observe that
one CT the resolutions seems 10 contemplate the
extending of it-lengthening its cords, and ex-
tending its boundaries. A voice-"Cuba ~
observe that another of those resolutions instead
of attempting TO break up the Union, seems to
pledge tSe power Of great organization to unite
by all constitutional means its distant parts more
closely by iron bands, (cries Of good I" and ap-
plause, and hope and trust this will be speedily
and grandly realized CApplause see nothing
sectional in the position Of the delegations there
Delegates from almost all the States Of this Union;
delegates particularly from our gallant young sis
ters, California and Oregon, upon the Pacific
slope. What interest have they In being sec
tional? There they were, far removed from do
mestic strife far removed even from the srifes of
the great valley Of the Mississippi-these two
young States, looking across the prairies and
over cloud-topped mountains with impartial af-
fiction, arbitfed this disagreement, and said
''Do justice, give equality and let there be fra
ternaI brotherhood" lApplause.l
IL Is true that one of the resolutions contem-
plates the equality of the States in all the COM
mon Territories Of the Union and in all other
plause. But who so blind as not to know that
this doctrine ofthe equality OF the States has been
upon the departures from that doctrine alone have
been brought about all the civil disorders. ZAP
plause
No man is a disunionist who wants to preserve
the Union upon the principles OF the Constitution
and the equality Of the states. [Applause Our
peace has never been disturbed, except when the
pr nciples embodied in these resolutions have
been departed from.
FellOw-citizens, allow me TO add another word
in regard to myself. When that Convention Sc
lected me one OF its candidates. looking at nv
humble antecedents and the place OF my habita-
ton IL gave TO the country, as far as was con-
md NH ii
that its interest WAS in the Union. Applause
But, fellOw-citiZens, one word more, and | am
done. I ought TO add that believe can ma Ike
the same statement for my distinguished associate
upon this ticket. IL sometimes happens to every
man 10 be placed in position where, however
blameless himself and however reluctant he NAV
be to act he can take no course that regrets do not
meet him on every sde-perhaps the execration
OF those whose good opinion he would desire
But we must be prepared TO meet such occasions
In this life; and all that friend can do under
such circumstances is TO move forward with dig
nifty, with decOrum, without passion, without
resentment, and with calm and unfaltering step
10 Is my purpose, so far as am able to pursue
that course 1 concede to others the same good
motives and purposes which claim for myself
and my friends. Then, without acrimony with
out passion, without animosity, | accent the
nomination which the National Convention has
rendered me, without It's having been sought,
IvOciferous cheeringl and shall quietly firmly.
and hope bravely, meet the expectations thew
have done me the honor to indulge I cherish
the hope fellowcitiZsns, that brig hter times are
before US; and that the same good Providence
which has guarded this Confederacy ever since
It's existence will lead out of these civil dis
orders, and in his own good time to conduct us
TO tranquility and peace. (APPlause.l
Now, fellow-citiZens, as came before Won only
TO make my grateful acknowledgment, not to
make a speech, give way for others whom |
know you would delight to hear.
The speaker retired amid immense applause
SPEECH OF THE HON. JEFF DAVIS
The Hon. jeff Davis, Of Miss was next in
t,oduced He said the democratic party was not
party that soug ht for spos or rested itself mon
the claims Of men. In loiI, when thsy had a
statesman for their leader flor though he proved
untrue statesman, he was,) with al the heart of
the democratic party beating throug bout the land
responsive 20 his claims, that statesman proved
faithless to requirement Of the democratic party
and they cut him of as a diseased member and
the party moved on It's career Of progress and of
glory. (Applause He referred TO Martin Van
Buren,
And when at a more recent period another
democrat, Standing big among them for his past
services high for his capacity In future service;
when he proved recreant TO a great principle Of
the democratic party IL but remained for Them,
true TO their instincts true % their duty true 70
their faith, TO separate him from the democratic
party, and raise another 1T exponent Of our prin-
ciples- lAPPlause He did not come there to
enveigh against any one; he came not to stir up
the bitter waters Of personal or party strife; but
A. 49, -