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


in Washington. After two bands had papd
; several airs, loud calls were made for Mr.. DE-
GLAs, and when be presented himself on he
steps OF his residence, another immense shut
went up. When the enthusiasm had somewht
subsidized, be said
FELLow-CITTzENs Il thank YOU for tits
manifestation ofyour kindness aud your enthui-
asm. The circumstances under which this vist
| crowd have assembled spont aneously, and win
out previous notice, demonstrate an earnst-
ness of feeling which fills my heart with grai-
tude. To be the chosen standard-bearer of he
only political organization which is conseITa-
tive and powerful enough TO save the country
! from Abolitionsm and Disunion, is indeed, an
honor of which any citizen may we'll be prosd.
| | am fully impressed with the responsibilities OF
the position, aud trust that Divine Providerce
will lmpaTt TO me the strength and the wisdom
to comply with all of It's requirements. IAp-
| pIause. Our beloved country is threateIed
| with fearful sectional antagOnlsm which pla-
! ceS the Union itself in Imminent peril. This
antagonSm is produced by the effort in one sec
! ton of the Union TO use the Federal Govern
ment for the pun pose OF restricting and abolish
| ing slavery, and corresponding effort in the
other for the purpose of extending slavery into
| those regions where the people do not want it.
| tCrieS of "That's 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 cues
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 prejudices of his own section a.
ganst the peace and harmony of the whole
country. ICrieS of "That's so,' and applause.l
On the other hand, the position of all conserva-
tive and Union-lovlng men is, or at least ought
TO be, that of non-intervention by Congress with
slavery in the Territories. ["That is the true
doctrine" and immense appause.l THIS was
the position ofthe Democratic party in the Pres
idenIal contest of lS49, 1852, and 1856. This
was the position upon which Clay, and Web
ster, and Coss, and the f-;-I-f-"e''e Uni Z
all political attinitles at that day established the
COMPROMISE measures of 1850. Upon this
common ground of non-interventon they routed
and put to flight the AbolItionlsts of the North,
and the SecesSIonists of the South, in that men,
orable contest. Cries of ave will do it again"
and three cheers II was on this common
ground of non-intervention that Wings and
Democrats agreed to stand in their respective
party platforms OF 1852. The Wing party ad-
heEed 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 To this
cardinal principle OF non-intervention has the
Democratic party renewed the pledge of its faith
at Charleston and at Baltimore. Cheers and
cries OF ''We will keep the faith As the
chosen representative ofthat great party, it is
my fixed purpose to keep the faith and redeem
that pledge at all hazards and under all circum-
stances. Three cheers for Douglas.I The
safety of the Union depends upon strict athe
renee 10 the doctrine OF non-ntervention. In
tervention means disunion. Intervention,
whether by tie North or by the South, wheth-
er for or against slavery, tends directly to dis
unon Upon this,,identical question an attempt
is now being made to DIVIDE and destroy the
Democratic party. Because the minority of
nterventionists could not iGlimidate the major
ty into an abandonment of the doctrine of nom
intervention, they have seeded from the organ
ization Of the Democratic party, and areIendea-
voring to form new party in hostility to it
tCries of ''let them co. "we can whip the dis
unionistS North and Soub," etc.l
Secession is disunion. Secession from the
Democratic party means secession from the
Fedora! Union. ['sThat's So" and applause.1
Those who enlist unde- the secession banner
now, will be expected on the 4th of March next
to take up arms against the'ooastituted authori
ties in certain contingencies. We Ihave been
told that in a certain event the South must for
chilly 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 sof the Republican
candidate. Does not this line of policy look to
disunion ? [Cries of "Yes )" at cannot be et-
fected," SC
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 TO divide and defeat the Demo-
cratic party, if successful, mast lead directly to
the secession of the Southern States? / trust
that they will see what must be the result of
Snch policy, and return to the organization
and platform OF the party before It is too late to
save the country. [Applause.l
The Union must be preserved. fCheers l.
The constitution must be maintained invIolate,
renewed cheerng,I and it is our mission under
Divine Providence, as l believe, TO save the
Constitution and the Union from the assaults of
Northern Aboitionists and Southern Disunlon-
lists. Tremendous applause, and three cheers
for Douglas.]
My friends, have detained you too long, and
will close by renewing the expression of my
sincere thanks.
Many voices-Go on, go on.
MIR. Douglas. No, it is nearly Sabbath morn
ing. A voice, We will listen TO you for year