The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-04-12
REMARKS OF
H ON. P. c.. SHANNON

The following eloquent remarks were made
by Hon. 2. c. SHANNON, in the late Democrat
lc Convention at Harrisburg, upon motion
to adjourn
Mr.. President Not correctly undersan-
ding the question before the Convention, beg
leave to ask whether it 80 d4aleabe The
President stated the motion IA the amendment
thereto and added that the Ssiter was, in his
view, the subject Of remark
''Well SIr," continued the delegate from
Allegheny 81 may be permitted TO say, With all
respect, that | am opposed 10 both propositions:
and before | close, shall offer an ameadment.-
The Convention has settled the question of con
tested seats, aud has appointed, in happy and
highly prop er manner, its highest and most
important committee-that on resolutions
| When the gentleman from Bedford MIR. Cess
ma, made the motion TO leave the selection of
this committee to the delegates from each
senatorial district, IT met my utmost approba-
ton because | tancipd ! saw IN it not merely
honorable adjustment, but also bright augury
of lasting truce between :he two sections
which have OF late divided the Democratic
PARTY OF .his State. And, sir my most ardent
anLicipations as 10 the wisdom of the plan, have
been more than realized 10 ihe announcement
of the committee. Permit me 10 add. that
recognized upon it gentlemen who are states
men and patriots, in the truest sense OF those
terms grntlemes of large experience, cul-
tivated intellect and of unfalterng moral cour-
age-who are an honor toiour party and to our
commonwealth. LGreat cheering.l
suppose, sir, it Inigt not be considered rash
for me to declare, IN advance OF their action,
whatever that action may be, that, for one, I
am now almost prepared 10 leave the destinies
of my party TO their cool reflection and sage
counsel Still, it cannot be denied that, look
ing over the face OF the whole country, If we
are not in the midst of revolution, yet one is
awiuly AMI most threatnlngly impending over
US. Our hearts, with the richest treasury of
their hopes, wonld fan palhate or disguise the
pnTtentous omens Of the times but alas, the
stubborn reaIiy-i!ke the finger Of Time on the
brow OF AGES rapidly augmentIng whilst
stuPifed thought, awaking to the Truth, totters
and reels al The contemplaton
Sir, is there not hot and angry dlsspnsIon
throughout the land Are not the storm clouds
gathering over the political sky of the fairest
Republic that the sun OF heaven ever shone
upon Is there no: the spirit Of evil riding on
the northern blast willis. .he southern gales,
which were wont 10 be soft, soothing and
aromatic, come laden iwith words Of wrath,
woe and dismembermenu Is not one portion of
the Union arEayed against the other-moraly
and Intellectually, if not physically ? Alas, !
alas, ii rs too true The American Union is
now torn, threatened and bleeding. The |
civilized world, beyond the seas, ,-looks upon US
with fear and amazement. They look at our
statistics, and see that the year of the census dis
n iz ico 4 La
OF secession and dissolution. They ask, Can |
this thing be ? They inquire, Can nation
whose growth and prosperity have been SO al !
most fabulous whose system processes 10 be
based upon the capacity of man for self govern |
ment whose power has unlocked the ports of
the most distant nations whose influence is |
felt in every nation of the Christion world |
can such Republic, in the year of its greatest |
glory and renown, be SO false to itself, so blind, !
so mad, as to risk all the choicest blessings of
earth, in pursuit of miserable distractions, and |
in defense of false points of honor
Whilst Italy the land of beauty and verdure
led by our example and inspired bv our idea, |
has been wading through rivers OF blood TO |
establish the principle and practice of unity, !
even under monarchcal rule-we, on The other
hand, are ignobly, wickedly and madIy en-
gagged in scattering TO the four winds of heav-
en- the ever lustrous, the immortal motto of our
glorious sires--'E ptuyibus unum.''
Is such TO be the fate of our youthful Repub-
lie, which, a.few short months ago. stood bloom
ing and bright, like some celestial creation,
with one loot silver tipi, resting on the shores
OF the Atlantic, and the other, golden sandaed,
on the margin of the Pacific with one hand,
Ceres, like, scattering richest bounties over the
valleys of the North, and with the other sowing
the prolific seeds of plenty and wealth over
the lowlands of the sunny South standing fair
and beauteous, The admiration of the world !
with an equal smile and care over all sections,
knowing no North, no South, no East, no
West, but casting, like the dews of heaven,
equal favor upon all. In the mysterious de-
crees OF Providence, is sucfa a fate reserved for