New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-09-25
SPEECH OF THE HON. JAMES HUMPHREY

SPEECH OF THE HON. JAMES HUMPHREY.
Below we print the admirable reply of the Hon.
James Humphrey, made at the Mansion House. Brook
lyn, TO tie Committee of the Convention upon being
apprissd of his denomination to Congress from the I'D
District:
MR.. President AND GENTLEMEs OF TIE CoYvRy-
should be utterly devoid OF manly sensbiljty,
il ] were not deeply touched well as profoundly
grated for this generous expression OF confidence and
appreciation Of lay fellow.ctzens Tue good opinion
of cur fel ow men ia pleasant 20 all of u.s. But % me
confess thai the regard and approval OF the people OF
this city, ia which large portion OF my llfe-n winch
all , active life has been spent-in which my chill
dren born, and where my interests and affections
chiefly center-tre peculiarly grateful. For this he "
testimonial Of your favor and eteem for the aterDg
uDGn!mity with which II ia offered permit me in one
word TO express far the feeble Language Of the
lips oen do, my profound and heartfelt thanks,
You have been pleased again 10 place NE in nomina.
for honorable aud responsible office, to represent
THE already great rapidly growing and beautiful city
in the councils of the General Government, You have
selected for this duty not for my benefit surely not
account Of any claims Of mine, east Of all to pro-
mote my persongl advancement, but the simple
representative OF certain great political truths aud
principles, upon the yin0caOn, and final trumph OF
which, you aud alike believe depend the destines of
great nation. Ii is because you believe that your
opinions on these vital questions will find uttersuce
feeble, indeed, but taithlul-n my voice and vote,
caring lees for the instrument than for the fidelity with
which II gives exprs to your cherished sentiments.
In great conflict of opinion like that upon which we
have now enter6d-in the midst of fierce struggle Of
opposing fTces the personal fortunes of individual
men, their private SUGGESTS, their petty ambitions sink
into nsgDifcance and vanish out Of sight Then 1t ia
that TIE cause Is greater than any man, or than all
men. When the heart Of great free people is stirred
to tie profoundes depths by the agitation Of questions
winch concern It's onward progress in it's career Of
greatness, or perhaps its very existence they in
dul2e in little Partially for persons care nothing for
the elevation OF particular men, nay, they will even
surrender, If required their most cherished affeetions
You intend, then, gentlemen, that this nomination
shal tIuy represent your political opinions, aud you
have right to know whether those opinions are eccu
rateiy reelected in your candidate. / believe my senG-
ments pretty well kno wn 20 YOU However unim.
portant they may be in themselves they acquire con
tequ'nce when they become the representative Of
yours.
desire to say then, that / stand firmly upon the
platform lid down by the Republican party Ia Con.
venion at Chicago. subscribe to every resolution Of
which it ID composed. The principles embodied ia it
are rot new to you nor to me. They as old as the
Goysrnmert. For long time they remained undis-
puied, and were regarded with the calm satisfaction
with which we always contemplated truths long est ab-
lished snd safely possessed. Bat now that they are
denied and assaulted and sought 70 be oyerhrOwn we
draw nearer TO them and their value becomes more ap
parent, and they grow every day dearer to us,
in the strenuous struggle for tneir defense. |
adopt this platform because l believe that il
embOdies the original principles on which our
Government was iOunOGQ; because II Reflects the
opinions of the patriots Of the Revolution and
OF tie trainers of the Constitution because expresses
the historic doctrines out Of which sprapg all our his
torc gories. adopt because 1t keeps strictly within
the provisions and limitations of the Constitution not
surrendeIiDg power the hand usurpiDg it on
the otber because recognizes the great principles Of
human liberty, and proposes within the Just limits Of
the Constitution TO carry them toto effect In the admin
istrson Of the Federal Government and also because
respects, with scrupulous care the Sovereignty of
the States, and ts'ain all right Of power desire TO
interfere in their internal policy.
adopt Il bScauge il declares the true principles of
honesty, integrity, and economy which the Federal
Government should he administered and prom ounces
just condo mnaton upon the reckless expenditure the
startling Frauds and the proAgae corruphons of the
present Democratic Administration.
Fellow citizens: the people Of these United States
are about to place Abraham Lincoln in the Presidential
chair. Should this nomination which you have made
10 pght be ratified by the people, and contaminated by
nm election expect to support hrs Administration be.
cause i believe that il will be eminently honest and
pure, and peaceful, and wise and conservative and
patriotic. believe that il will take the Constitution
for s guide, and wax more strictly by It's TEACHINGS
Than any Democratic Administration has done for M
least the last twenty years believe that while il viii
Dot exercise the lower Of The Federal Government for
DE propagation of Slavery into FREQ territory II will
with equal rmness protect every Constitutional right
Of every State, North aud South; that bsfore ii has
been m power single year It will eXtOrt from the ex
remist South the admission that tLs Constitutional
ghts Of no state have been invaded by H. Therefore
nd hns far shall support it, Bat il II shOuld DO 9th
rNfe, u pardon the impossible srpposition) If il
mall depart 30 far fom the prncp which carried il
-'o f0WeT as " VSeGesP the BARRIERS 0I Ihe CQQstV.