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

1 JOhNOON'
| DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
| WASHINGTON, June 26.-The following
the speech Of the Hon. HerscheI V. johnson. O
georgia, last night, at the National Hotel, OF
| accepting the nomination for the Vice Presi
dency on the ticket with the Hon. Stephen A
Douglas:
Mr.. Chairman, Gentlemen ofthe .Nationa
Democrattc Party, and fetLop- citizens: wa:
TAKEN by surprise when l received telegraph.
ic message IN Baltimore, at three O'Clock this
| day, that the Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick had
| declined the nomination rendered him bv the
democratic Convention, and that it was de-
inanded OF me to accept it. 1t is known to ma
ny OF you that my name was freely mentioned
10 Baltimore In connection pith this nomina-
ton, and that perSistently refused TO counte-
nance 1t, but invariably argued that if Georgia
were to be thus honored, il was due to another
ot her sons, most distinguished for bis talents
and great public services.
Ihis was my earnest desire, and the desire of
the delegation of which was a member. But
the Convention IN its wisdom deemed it best 10
nominate statesman of Alabama. It was en-
tIrely satisfactory. Alabama is the child of
georgia, and the mother cordially responds to
any compliment bestowed upon her daughter.
These are the circumstances under which 7
have been assigned this distinguished position.
ahd which demand that discrimination should
yield to the voice of duty.
Ihe National Democratic party is in Pc
cullar condition. 1t is assailed in the house of
It's Professed friends, and threatened with over
throw. The country is in peculiar condition.
1t is on the eve OF sectional conflict, which
may sweep down all political parties and ter
mlaate in dissolution of the Union, II, the
duty OF patriots and statesmen to unite IN aver
ting these threatened calamities.
! 1t may not be inappropriate TO refer to the
ciFeH"Siancas which Imnerii 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. It 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 hac
remained at their post, they had the power 10
prevent .he nomination of any candidate who
might be obnoxious to the South.
Thus reduced by the Secessons, the Conven-
ton adjourned to Baltimore, and requested the
States to fill the vacancies in their respective
delegations. The Convention re-assembled on
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 ap-
pointed in Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia by
the National Democrats of those States, to fill
the vacant seats of the seceders. Those of Al
ALBANIA and Louisiana were admitted, and the
seeding delegates rejected, and tie seeding
delegates from Georgia were admitted to seats,
and they all took umbrage at the decisions of
the Convention touching the various contests TOR
seats. They retired, organized, and nominated
candidates tor the Presidency and Vice Presl-
dency.-And they claim 10 be the National De-
mocracy of the United States
Now, if they were actuated by priaclpIe If
it was their purpose, in good faith, 10 obtain the
recognition of the principle of Congressional
protection for slavery in the Territories, why
not wait until proper time TO bring tha; sub
ject before the Convention, and then, accor-
ding TO their instructions, withdraw from the
body! The reason is!palpable they were wa
ging war against distinguished man, not for
the maintenance of principle. They were will
ling to jeopardize 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 favorite.-Admitting,
for the sake of argument, Mr.. Douglas to be as
obnoxious as they allege be is, yet there never
was time when the South, united, could not
have defeated his nomination. Why, then,
should they have seceded2 Why not remain
at their post! Why seek TO dismember and
destroy the party!
l 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. l said the demand for Congressional iu-
terventlon was properly rejected at Charleston.
And why do | say so? Because it was the a.
greement 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. 1t was adopted
by the great political parties of the. United
States in 1852. 1t ttriumphed in the election Of
Franklin Pierce in that year, and Of James