describe a good old lady, who, whenever she saw any unusual movement in the family, fancied the kitchen chimney was on fire; and some politicians, upon the same principle, believe in each campaign that they will have to fight over the battles of 1848, 1853, or some other intestine broil. The masses, I repeat, are united; as for mere managing leaders, I neither have, nor did I ever have any sympathy or combination with them, nor shall I ever have, when it does not affect results in which all have an interest. So far as the strife among them is concerned, in the language of the old verse,

"I care not a toss up

Whether Mossup kick Barry,

Or Barry kick Mossup."

Should we hear the discordant notes of some aspiring leader from the broken-up and abandoned camp of the "Softs " patriotically trying to rally and embody the disbanded "Hards" again by "hereditary recollections," as a faction under his command; or should we find some former "Hard" endeavoring, by considerations no less unselfish, to rally as a disorganizing section those who were once "Softs," when unfortunate divisions gave the designations a meaning; we should naturally be uncharitable enough to believe that, in an unthinking moment, personal schemes or feelings or resentment, were serving as a substitute for patriotism and party loyalty. At the close of the Revolution, one Johnny Hook, an avaricious Scotchman, prosecuted a commanding officer in Virginia for the value of a bull, taken by the famishing soldiers for food in the darkest days of that trying period. The officer was successfully defended before a jury by the renowned Patrick Henry, who, at the close of his summing up, exclaimed, "Who is this, that disturbs a nation's repose at the close of her War for Independence by the cry of beef, beef, beef!" And I repeat, who is there that would disturb the harmony of a great party and revive its buried conflicts after a bootless war, equal in duration to the War of the Revolution, by a cry equally discordant ? Away then, away with all divisions forever! Let us have no designation but that of democrat; and away too with those who would perpetuate old or breed new causes of division for personal aggrandizement !

The Democracy, with such a mission before it, can afford to bury the rivalries and jealousies and resentments and prejudices of its cliques and leaders in a common and resurrectionless grave. It reposes for hope upon its principles, and not upon its temporary agencies. It is of little moment to the toiling masses. whether Smith is upon a committee, Jones a delegate, Brown a chairman, Lamb a secretary, or Lyon a candidate, or what particular individual represents them in the Senate or Assembly, or in Congress, or even who administers the laws at the State or the National Capital, provided the trust be faithfully executed. But it is of the highest moment that the Democracy bear rule, so that the principles of the party be maintained, and that none but those true and faithful to the Constitution be clothed with important public responsibilities-those who, in the true sense of Democracy, will stand by the Constitution and uphold all and singular its provisions and obligations, to the letter and in the spirit, in practice as well as in theory; those who do not fear to do right lest selfishness, and timidity, and chronic prejudice may charge them with wrong; those who can be neither corrupted, nor seduced, nor awed by fear, nor tempted by ambition, but who will truly represent, and maintain, and reflect at all times and upon all occasions, the great principles of the party which confided to their integrity a trust so sacred. The Democracy demands and will select men, when a great crisis is impending, who can stand to the watch in storm and peril, as well as in the calm and placid sea; those who can hold the helm firmly when the ocean casts up her mire and dirt, when lightnings flash and thunders roar, when waves dash and winds beat, and danger threatens, as fearlessly as when all is peace. When the storm has howled itself to rest and all is serene and beautiful, there is never a lack of manly daring, and the vaunts of sunshine patriotism quite often throw the sons of real service in the shade.

It is no apology for the true Democrat that the party, in designating its agents, has failed in his judgment to take them. from its best personnel; or that the selection was partial, or might have been improved; or that just claims or pretensions were overlooked or disregarded; or that the action of the party passed beyond or fell short of the line of true wisdom; or that some other time or mode would have been better. If such

criticisms were just, the objections would be of a temporary character, and the remedy for such and all kindred grievances would rest in forward and not in retrograde movements; it would be soonest found in forming a more complete and perfect union of the rank and file, and not in sowing seeds of irritation, discord, and strife, and yielding to a common enemy. If any one whose expectations have not been answered is inclined to ventilate his complaints over committees, or conventions, or delegations, or candidates chosen, let him remember the rebuke of the Irish officer to the soldier who was howling so noisily on the battle-field, where both were wounded,-" Shut your noisy head!-do you suppose nobody is kilt but yourself!" The support of Democratic measures and the advancement and success of the benign principles of Democracy are worthy of the noblest ambition. To cavil and dispute and divide and disorganize over the selections of agents and placemen, and leave the defence of the citadel, is a position too humiliating for the contemplation of an honorable mind.

The power rests with the masses; those who deserve will receive their sympathy, and they will demand of their agents, at all times, a faithful execution of their respective trusts, and enforce obedience to their behests, and woe be to him who disregards the mandate. The ticket nominated by the Democratic State Convention is one of the highest order for capacity, integrity, and experience, which has ever been presented for the support of the people of the Empire State. Every name upon this ticket was presented with a unanimity unknown in the history of nominating conventions. A unanimity as flattering to the nominees as honorable to the generous sentiment of the convention, and an earnest of the first fruits of a cordial union and a presage of victory.

Let then all the struggles in the Democratic party be hereafter laudable competition in seeing who shall do most to heal divisions, and heart-burnings which should be forgotten,—most to rally the voters and fill up the ranks,-most to push on the column and sustain the principles of the party by the election. of this ticket-most to restore complete Democratic ascendency, -most to blot out the pernicious and ruinous debt policy, the bitter fruits of Republican rule.

It was the standing order of Napoleon that whenever his

marshals or generals heard a cannonading which made the ground tremble, they should repair with their force to the scene of action, with all possible speed, to take part in the battle. Grouchy, though within hearing of Waterloo, with a large and fresh division of the army, neglected to obey this order, and one of the greatest battles the world ever saw was, because of the neglect, lost to Napoleon, and the whole destiny of Europe thereby changed. We now hear, as the struggle begins in New York, the distant roar of cannon booming for the great battle of 1860; drums are beating, bugles are sounding, steeds are prancing, bayonets are bristling, and platoons are marching; the earth will soon tremble to its centre with the shock of the onset. The "irrepressible conflict " against the constitution is soon to be set in array, and to be lost or won for the residue of the nineteenth century. Let every Democrat, whether belonging to the horse or foot; whether leader or follower; whether at the head of a division or a private soldier, repair to the field and help to turn the tide of victory. Let no democratic forces refuse to march to the scene of action, for any grievance, real or imaginary, lest the cause of sectionalism and disunion thereby triumph.

SPEECH.

AT A DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING, HELD TO RATIFY THE NOMINATIONS OF BRECKENRIDGE AND LANE FOR THE PRESIDENCY

AND VICE-PRESIDENCY.

DELIVERED AT THE COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK, July 18, 1860.

[The Democratic National Convention of 1860, whose performances are celebrated in this speech, though comprising in its membership many good and patriotic men, in its action at Charleston and Baltimore will ever be held in deserved reprobation. It broke up and predestinated the defeat of the Democratic party, and, through the breach, secession and disunion rushed in, to lay waste and despoil the sacred heritage of liberty and nationality.

Two sinister influences held divided control in the Convention: one, the Southern secession element, under the secret management of Slidell, Benjamin, Gwinn, Cobb, and others, known as the Senatorial clique, who, though not delegates, were skulking in the vicinity of the Convention, and operating through associates within it; the other, the leaders of the majority of the New York delegation, who, having the large minority tied up by a cunningly devised rule, requiring the delegation to act as a unit, wielded the whole vote and power of the State, and formed the controlling element among the Northern delegates-virtually holding the balance of power in that portion of the Convention. The first was impelled by personal and sectional ambition, and acted with planned, deliberate, and crafty but cowardly wickedness; shaping its policy to break up the Convention and prevent a nomination that could be successful at the polls, and having for its ulterior object disunion. It succeeded, if progress towards perdition can be called success; its immediate purpose was attained. The other was moved by sheer blind, mean selfishness; and, "operating for a rise" in the stock it had taken in a combination to produce a certain result, with a fatuity as obstinate as it was short-sighted, the "New York gam. blers," as in reference to their conduct in this regard they were truly called, played completely and effectually into the hands of the Southern conspirators, and miserably failed in their object.