Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-09-10
The LOUISVILLE CONVENTION,
A Genuine Article!
The Greeley Movement Denounced

The straight Democratic Convention
which is bound to "busl the Greeley
machine" met at Louisville, the Sd inst.
The numbers present, and deep feeling
shown, prove it To DO no failure.
About O'Clock Col. Duncan called the
Convention TO order Rev. Dir. Pratt adj
dressed the throne OF grace in prayer for
concord and peace from sectional jealous
les throughout the land. Col. Duncan
then spoke AS follows:
SPEECH OF COL. DUNCAN.
Gentlemen Of the Contention: 1t is my
duty to call this assenblage to order. Its
objects are well known and require no
explanation. We have been derisiyely
characterized ss boilers, mercsnaries.
&C.. by editors and politicians who have
sought an alliance with faction si The
radical party, and who haye abandoned
all tho principles which hitherto charac'
terized our organization. IL Il mol my
province TO cast reflections on these lead
crs. in whose wisdom and judgment .hs
party unfortunately coniided. Their ac-
ton i. invalid aud void. 1t has no bind
ing effect upon other individual members
oi the party. and il has already been re-
pudiated by hundreds OF thousands. No
spirit Of presumptuous iorwardnsas in
duccd the gentlemen who acted with mo
to appeal to the American Democrats
against tho fragrant violation of party
faith and the utter negation of principle
involved in tho nomination vi Greeley.
We did il with higher and nober mo.
tive. We did il To sindicate truth amdto
protes. against the offered reward tor
political treason 10 one who had occupied
= lifetime in the bittorcst auirnadyersiuns
OF those Whose support he now has
sought Ii your call had been failure.
our duty would have been mono the less
performed But there WAS u sympathetic
chord in the American heart which re-
spondsd in enthusiastic and harmonious
tones to tho musicians touch. There Is
love tor honesty, = vuueraiion Tor primer.
pie. deep-I Dotted desire Tor reform IN
tho heats OF the American people; and
The assemblage | sec before ine to-day
oyinees All earnest intention 10 uphold
tho banner which had fallen from nerve
less and incompetent hands, and Ia prove
that the old organization is not dead. but
only sleeping (Applause) Il has not
died OF It's corruptions, as the Lattsr.Day
Saints proclaim who are 30 eager Tor It's
destruction II will not hold out hopes
OF reward for party treason, not bribe, 10
secure general, from tho enemy's camp.
The eyes OF the whole country are direct
cd to this Convention, and many anxious
hopes are to be verified or blasted. ac-
cording as wisdom OF its negative shall
be the controlling spirit OF our deIibers-
tons. We can make shis body iamou.
one in history, as the source from which
the future policy and destiny oi The
country is to be shaped. We can make
il equally Insignificant and destitute oi
influence we want no hydra. headed
platform, which can be construed accoI d.
ing TO Tho wishe, oil the reader, tor NC
have clear and undoubted theories which
have but one Interpretation, whether OK
pounded in The North OF in the South !:
we can hare no intent to open quss.
tons ol the past which the sword haG so
bioodily decided (applauss); We viii
give 10 encouragement 10 aughi that
looks toward revolution, nor can Ne,
while submitting 10 tho inevitable. and
powerless 10 reverse what had Uesn nc.
complished, satisfy ourselves by com
incubation oil acts performed in violation
of ths Constitution (appsuse); We must
seek our alliance upon principle we
must. ii We can. impress upon the minds
Of the laborin. classes, who constitute Il
vast majority OF our population, iull
conviction Of our honesty aud our SIN
cerity in behalf oil the measures tending
to benefit them; wo should prove our
friendship by actions which may appeasc
the conflicts between capital and labor
through wise compromises acceptable to
both. And while capital has rights
wlHch wp should not infringe, labor Is
entitled 10 earnest consideration, for it is
the parent of wealth it i. the bone and
sinow of the land. (Applausc) |! iss
laborious work 10 attempt the reorsaniz'
alton of 4 party and 10 create The necss
say machinery. For two months every
thought Of nv brain has been monopoiz
ed, every energy al my mind and body
din seted TO tho accomplishment of that
object. The sincerity of my motives
should avert criticism and il thorc have
boon errors OF omission or commission.
they should 20 overlooked, for the spring
of nv action has been intent to do right
and to aid IN the preservation OF the par
ty and the perpstuation of its principles
as the sole hope for the future of the
country. (Applause). And now, gentle,
men, wcaryas am mi mind and body,
there is an absolute sensation OF relIel
that can terminate my sell.imposed
duties and abdicate my functions. Gap
plau.e.)
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
At the close of his speech Mr.. Duncan
introduced Levi Chattield OF New York
obsir lNhaars follow.