Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-09
[BY REQUEST.
DY INQUEST
Speech Of George w. Brent, esq.,

Speech OF George w. Brent, esq.,
Attic Douglas Ratification Neetimgin Washington.
My fellow-couutrymen, / came here to-
night to mngle my congratulations with
your own, upon the glorious triumph of truth
and justice, and the great principles of the
National Democracy, involved in and con-
summated by the nomination of Stephen A.
Douglas by the National Democracy, assem-
bled in convention lately in the city of Bal
timore. regard his nomination as the tri-
umph of Il great truth because in Stephen
A. Douglas we behold the impersonaton of
that great living, vital. and practical issue,
which has for 50 many years past been the dis
turbng element in all the great political con.
tests of the day mean the absolute non-in-
teryention on the part of the Congress OF the
United States with slavery in the Territories
o! the United States. [ have said that re-
gard his nomination as the triumph Of Il
great truth, because il was for this principle
that Stephen A. Douglas has labored, he has
devoted years of his life, his energies,
talents and eloquence to its maintenance, and
bold and fearless vindication; and with the
triumph of this great truth, my fellow-citl-
zens, his name will pass down to posterity
upon the pages of his country's history, and
cntitle him to the gratitude of coming gene
rations. (Applause.)
TO this great principle has the plighted
faith Of the democracy of this country, both
North and South, East and West, been
given. Shall that plighted faith be now
violated? ("Now ''Non') Shall that sa-
cred compact Of peace, that solemn bond OF
union between these States, be now broken?
| ("Never.") And yet, my fellow-citizens in
| the nominations presented to you by the re-
| spcctiye conventions asSembedat Baltimore,
that is the issue to be determined. The
convention which nominated Stephen A.
| Douglas and lIefschel Y. Johnson, repre-
scnts to you that bond of union and that
| bond OF peace. Those gentlemen are both
| pledged to this great cardinal truth of non
Intervention upon the part OF the federal 60,
vcrnment: while the nominees of the seces.
sion convention ut Baltimore, are pledged to
| the principle of intervention.
Now, my icllow-citiZens, | will attempt to
show that in this question is involved, not
only the integrity of our party az party or
ganlzation, but in it is Involved the integrity
Of this Union. | will first, however, en-
deayor to show you that our great standard
bearer, who represents our principles, has
always vindicated with signal ability, and
undauntcd zeal and courage, the great prin-
cple with which his name is now identified.
Go back with me few years in the Con
gressional career Of Stephen A. Doug las,
ana we find that Il short period after his en-
trance upon his Congressional career, this
distracting question first made its appear
ance in the halls OF Congress. We lind the
| spirit Of Northern fanatcsm becoming ag-
grcsSve upon the rights and institutions of
the South And how was it met by Stephen
| a. Douglas? True TO the great principles
and compromises OF the Constitution-the
| compromises which had been entered into
by the North and by the South-we find
| Stephen 4. Douglass when this distractlnS
question was first brought before the House
Of Representatives, in the shape of the VII
mot proylSo endeavoring to carry out the
principles Of the Missouri compromise IN
It's application to this territory, which had
been acquired by treaty with Mexico, and
10y the common blood and treasure OF the
country. We find Stephen y. Douglas here
desiring to pcrpetuate the bond of union, by
| settling this dis,racting and disturbing ques-
ton And how was his effort met? His
proposition WAS repudiated and voted down.
What position did the question next assume!
We find that in 1913 Mr.. Clayton, of Della
ware, introduced into Congress his celebrat-
ed compromise measures, which involved IN
5ticm the principle OF non-lntervcntion upon
the part Of Congress with slavery in the Ter
ritnries Of the United States To this mea-
sure OF peace and compromise, Stephen "A.
| Douglas gave an able, eloquent and hearty
support. We know its history-we know 1T
w;s defeated by Northern votes, aided by a
| few Southern votes: but to the principle OF
| that bill the entire Democracy of the country,
North and South, East and West, was pledg-
ed. We find further, that in 1880, when the
compromise measures were passed, Stephen
| 4. Douglas was the author of these great
mcasurc: which were then for the first time
put upon the statutc-book of the country;
and through his ability and zeal the great
principle was formally recognized by the
| American people. 1t became embalmed IN
| the hearts of the American people; and short
" afterwards it was formally settled and fix
ed upon Is one "i the great principles OF the
| American Democracy Thus, fellow citi-
| zens, we have shown YOU that Stephen A.
Douglas did from the first period OF his ell
trance into public life maintain fearlessly
and with ability this great principle. We
have shown that he was the representative OF
that principle, while IL has been recognized
by the Democracy which nominated him.
And, As have asked before, shall this great
principle be disturbed and ovcrthrown?-
mol" never"
At this pointin his remarks the delegation
from the Seventh Ward reached the City
Hall, and were received with cheers. Their
banners bore The following Inscriptions
'.Douglas the yindicator Of Gen. Jackson!'-
I'VE support the nominee ''Dougla the
Cabinet maker" ''DouglaS and J0hnson.'
'porular sovereignty" Mr.. Brent then re-
Sumed.his remarks:
| have thus endeavored, my fellow-citi-
zens, tn show you that with this great doc
trine of noninteryention, has the political
liIe-blood of Stephen a. Douglas been iden
tihcd--that it has been the browning glory
IF his ruiti,.:il career. If was introduce and