The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-13
SPEECH OF HON. HERSCHEL Y.
JOHNSON.
DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, June 26.-The following is
the speech ofthe Hon. Herschel V. Johnson, oI
Georgia, last night, at the National Hotel, on
accepting the nomination for the Vice PreSi-
dency on the ticket with the Hon. Stephen A.
Douglas
Mr.. Chairman, Gentlemen ofthe National
Democratic Party, and feLiow- citizens I was
taken by surprise when received telegraph
lc message in Baltimore, at three O'Clock this
day, that the Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick had
declined the nomination rendered him by the
Democratic Convention, and that it was de-
manded OF me TO accept it. 1t is known to ma
ny OF you that my name was freely mentioned
IN Baltimore IN connection pith this nomina-
ton, and that / persistently refused 10 counte-
nance 1t, but invariably argued that if Georgia
were TO be thus honorpd, it was due to another
OF her sons, most distinguished for his talents
and great public services.
This was my earnest desire, and the desire of
the delegation of which I was i member. But
the Convention in its wisdom deemed it best 10
nominate statesman of Alabama. Il was en-
trely satisfactory. Alabama is the child of
Georgia, and the mother cordially responds to
anJ compliment bestowed uDon her daughter.
These are the circumstances under which I
have been assigned this distinguished position,
and which demand that discrimination should
yield to the voice of duty.
The National Democratic party is in a Pc
culIar condition. 1t is asSailed in the house of
ITS Proiessed friends, and threatened with over
throw. The country is in peculiar condition.
1t is on the eve Of a sectional conflict, which
maay a sweep down all political parties and ter
'iina'e III a ~'0~~'-,'-- .ha TIn;nn
duty of patriots and statesmen to unite IN aver
ting these threatened calamities.
1t may not be inappropriate 10 refer to the
circumstances which Imperi the National De-
mocracy. The Alabama delegation went to the
Convention at Charleston instructed to demand
the incorporation into the platform of the par
ty the proposition that Congress should inter-
vene for the protection of slavery in the Ter
rItories, and TO withdraw If the demand should
be refused. 1t was refused, and think proper
ly refused. That delegation die retire, and
with them large portion OF the delegations
from the cotton States. Why should they have
retired The record shows that if they had
remained at their post, they had the power TO
might be obnoxious to the South.
Thus reduced by the seceSsions, the Conven-
ton adjourned to Baltimore, and requested the
States TO fill the vacancies in their respective
delegations. The Convention re-assembled Oh
the 18th. The seeding delegations were re-
tuTned-some accredited to Richmond, and O.
theirs to Baltimore, by the way of Richmond
instructed to make the same demand, and to
withdraw if it be refused. Delegates were APP
pointed in Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia by
the National Democrats of those States, 10 fill
the vacant seats of the seceders. Those of Al
ALBANIA and Louisiana were admitted, and the
seeding delegates rejected, and the seeding
delegates from Georgia were admitted to seats,
and they all took umbrage at the decisions of
the Convention touching the various contests for
seats. They retired, organized, and nominated
candidates for the Presidency and Vice Pres-
dency.-And they claim 10 be the National De-
mocracy Of the United States!
Now, if they were actuaed by princsple If
it was their purpose, in good faith, to obtain the
recognition OF the principle of Congressional
protection for slavery in the Territories, why
not wait until proper time TO bring tha; sub
ect before the Convention, and then, accor-
utng 10 tDelT lDstTuCtlOnS3 WlluuTdW nom lne
body? The reason is'pal pable they were wa
gng war against distinguished man, not for
the maintenance of principle. They were will
ling TO jeopardze the integrity OF the Demo-
cratic party, and the trIumphs of It's cherished
principles, rather than see its will proclaimed
in the nomination of its Notwithstanding
for the sake of argument, Mr.. Douglas 10 be as
obnoxious as they allege he is, yet there never
was time when the South, united, could not
have defeated his nomination. Why, then,
should they have Secededl Why not remain
at their post? Why seek TO dismember and
destroy the party!
question not the patriotism OF any, but the
people will hold them responsible sooner or la
ter for all the ills that may flow from their er-
rors. said the demand for Congressional in
terventlon was properly rejected at Charleston.
And why do l say so? Because it was the a.
gTeement between the North and the South that
the slavery agitation should be removed from
the halls OF Congress, and the people Of the
Territories be left perfectly free to regulate
their domestic institutions in their own way,
subject to the Constitution of the United States.
This was the principle of the COMPROMISE Mea-
sureS of 1850, and practically applied TO the
Nebraska-Kansas act in 1854. Ii was adopted
by the great political parties of the United
States in 1852. 1t triumphed in the election of
Franklin Pierce in that year, and of James