Year: 1862

Being introduced by Mr.. Petit. Mr..
Hendricks spoke as follows


GENTLEMEN : thank you for the honor
conferred in calling upon me 10 preside
over your deliberations.


1t is pursuant to the usages Of our party
that this Convention of delegetes, sent up
from all portions of the State, is now in
session A custom, innocent in itself,
and found to be useful, ought not to be
abandoned, nor without cause, at any time
and especially when the exegsncies of the
times demand it's observance


1t has been the pleasures and will of the
Democracy of this State, in times past.
that chosen delegates should sit in coun-
Gil. on each revolving Eighth of January.
to deliberate upon all matters material or
important to the party organization. or
touching the public veal To maintain
that custom l Iaise my voice, and give
my vote this day. am not prone to at
tach importance or sancity to particular
days, except SO far as our religion has
prescribed. yet to me il seems meet and
proper thar TIE day made memorable by
the patriotism and heroism of our great
leader. Andrew Jackson, and his gallant
army. should not be forgotten. now that
our cou1try IS in her greatest Peril. but
that i, should be observed by his political
children in sentiments of fidelity to his
principles. and in deeds of devotion to our
country.


1t is now nearly half century since
the Eight, of January became. to us a
people, great day, am ng all the days of
the year; and | feel the alusion TO it
brings up in your minds sad ard forebo-
ding contrasts; that the pride and glory of
the past stand side by side with the humil-
iation and abasement of the present. Forty
seven years ago our Fathers were united
united not alone by the forms Of law, and
the obligations of the Constitution, but
by that honest, fraternal love that made
them indeed one people; and when the
January sun lighted up this land. the
earnest inquiry was upon every tongue,
what will be the fate of New Orleans this
day! Will that Capital our late acquisi-
ton become the prey Of soldiery imbru.
ted by the war cry of booty and beauty?'
The setting sun Of that day threw back
his arys upon the banner Of our country
floating over victorious field, and as the
news ran from the border settlements over
the towns, and cities and States, wild
shout Of Joy went up. from people of one
heart. As deep aud earnest as was the
love of that day So profound and imp placa
bic is becoming the enmIty Of The present.
Fanaticism, bigolry and sectional hatred
are doing their work Of evil upon great,
a generous and noble people.


The propriety and policy Of holding this
Convention have been much discussed
but to me it has seemed most proper and
and polite The Democratic party, with
a well defined system of political princi-
pies. and animated by an intense devotion
! to the interests and honor of the country.
comes down to Us from the early days .,
the Republic. with history intimateI Iy
Identified with orr progress, aud the





Bold. confident, and determined, the
Democratic party has always assumed and
occupied It's position upon every question
affecting either the honor Of the Govern
ment. or the prosperity of the people. Il
has never sought to avoid the response
b.lity which. because of its influence and
its power. of righ belonged to it; and
when its mighty weight has been throw
for or against any particulaT system o
public policy. it has been fell Throughout
the whole framework Of government
do not mention these things To boast there
OF, but that. as we stand in the rreserc,
Of the past, invoking it's spirit. and feeling
it's power. we may be stimulated to follow
where duty beckons. whatever dangers
, beset the way. Do we no, now hear tn,
wailing cry of our country? And doe
not the sobbing voice of civil liberty
coming from out the ruins Of violate,
Constitution, and the broken pillars Of on
!, institutions, call US to the rescue? Thel


let the word pass along the serried rank
Of the Democracy: Every man to his post
y every may for his country.


If the Democratic organization be no
d maintained. then where are the hundred
4 OF thousands of honest. conservative an
! patriotic citizens who have heretofor
acted with the Republican party, but VIII
2 now regard the success of that party as
public calamity. to go. that their ifluenc
. may be exerted for the salvation of th
$ country? They will go with us, if we bu
o maintain our organization. and occupy
3 wise and patriotic posjtion.