all.

rolled under the Democratic banner. By the hearing of the ear I have understood that there have been some unfortunate differences and dissensions in your ranks to-day, growing out of the organization of this Convention; but not knowing the facts in detail, I pass them all by, saying, in the abstract, that I am here for union, peace, and harmony, and for these only. I came to this city for the purpose of taking my fellow-Democrats by the hand. The opportunity to meet so many has not often been afforded me. I hoped my experience in and devotion to the Democratic party might conduce to a thorough union-a union which would combine all interests, which would know no section, and admit of no divisions. My voice, I hoped, might contribute to effect such a union. Whoever departs or has departed from this specific council has my condemnation. Whoever makes an effort to control the party, inconsistent with fairness, with honor, with its usages and the dignity becoming a deliberative body, acts not only without my advice, but against my judgment and my wishes. My feelings towards the Democratic party are known to The record of my life speaks for itself. So long as the differences which formerly distracted its counsels originated in a difference of principle, I believed no real harmony could prevail. I acted up to the honest convictions of my mind, as I always intend to do, whether in weal or woe, success or defeat. When those who adhere to doctrines adverse to the Democratic creed joined themselves to other organizations, I said that only personal feelings and prejudices, and the desire of individuals for office, prevented the Democracy from coming together and acting as a unit. Since then I have, upon all occasions, endeavored to cast oil on the troubled waters. I may say of those past dissensions, as the British king said. of the United States, "though the last man to admit their independence, he was the first to recognize it and welcome their minister, when it was achieved." I have now no fear for the Democracy of the State, for all its great principles of liberty and equality, its national heart, its humanitarian efforts, its ceaseless progress, its respect for the universal rights of man; and have invoked, and here anew invoke, peace and harmony amongst all true disciples of the Democratic faith. Yes, fellow-citizens, I repeat I would sooner suffer my right arm to be severed here

before you; I would sooner that my tongue should cleave to the roof of my mouth, than consent to lend myself to wrong, to anything overreaching-anything tricky in a deliberative convention. I never did, and I never will. I repeat, I express no opinion as to what is alleged to have been done, for I know nothing of the facts, but I have the will and the nerve to stand by the right when I am satisfied where that right is.

I have had some experience in reverses and dissensions in the Democratic party. I have seen the time when, for the stern discharge of duty, like the spy of Washington, scarce one would recognize my position or take me by the hand; and I did not falter. I have seen the time when bouquets of flowers were laid at my feet because I declined the use of my name for the Presidential nomination, and I did not falter then; and I am able to stand now, as ever, by the Democratic party, through triumph or defeat, success or reverse. I am of no section; I know no section geographically, and no section politically. I am of that party which believes in and upholds the equal and just rights of man, and which opposes all assaults upon the Constitution, either of the State or nation, come from whence they may. I am opposed to the party that treats the State worse than Herod and Pilot together treated the people of Judea and Galilee. Despicable tyrants as they were, robbers of a down-trodden people, they did not ask that the people, after being borne down with exactions, and going up to Jerusalem to be taxed, should go up to register their names besides. But the Republican party-the party of professed benevolence and philanthropy-have not only laid their hands on the earnings of labor in taxes, but they ask the laborer to leave his plough in the furrow; every working man to forsake his labor for a day, to go up to Jerusalem to get registered. Against that party I desire to see the Democracy array itself in a solid body, laying aside all squabbles about organizations in localities, and all personal prejudices. We have here a matter that concerns the people, who have no interest in the squabbles of politicians. The people have a right to demand that justice shall be done to them in matters of so grave a character, and they will see that it is given them.

The Democratic party is the great catholic party of the country and of the world. By its doctrinęs I abide. I do not

ask and do not care what man holds office if he discharges his duty. I have held office myself, and long enough for my advantage. Whether I shall ever hold another I do not know, and do not care. I am better off out of office than in, and have sense enough to know it. If the people want me, I believe they will stop the great Democratic train and take me in. I have no craving desire to be before the public, for I am a better soldier in the ranks, as I myself believe, than commissioned leader; but I would not shrink from duty whenever devolved upon me. I believe the people have intelligence enough to know who they want, and to give them notice when they are wanted. Now, my friends, I hope the clouds will clear away.

A voice. "They're gone already."

Mr. Dickinson. So much the better. I trust all breaches in the Democratic ranks will be closed, and that the engine will go on at such speed that people will have to clear the track ahead, and hold on behind, so as not to be run over or left in the rear. The two branches of "the opposition " are separated, though their separation may not be eternal; but like that of the racoon and wildcat who were parting. "We shall never meet again," said one. "Oh, yes, we shall," replied the other,

"at the hatter's shop."

I thank you, fellow-Democrats, for having given me this opportunity of addressing you. It is an interruption of the regular proceedings of this Convention, but I am nevertheless glad of the privilege of exhorting you to appeal to no sectional or personal feelings. Look only to the future, and do not live in the prejudices of the past, or gratify the ill-feelings of a bygone day. I am willing to ignore and forget all past dissensions in the Democratic party. Every man who will buckle on his armor and go on with me to redeem the State of New York, to protect the courts, the Constitution, and the people, and to rescue our cherished State from misrule-to him I extend the right hand of fellowship to-day. What are now the conflicts of 1848, or any year that is past to us? Nothing; but the future may be ours to improve. I am glad, fellowDemocrats, that I am here. I doubted, in my own mind, whether it was proper for me to come to this Convention, but, as I said to a Democrat, doubtless now within hearing of my voice, I had free papers and a right to come if I pleased. As

these little dissensions have arisen, I repeat, I am glad I am here. I have seen squalls before to-day, and they never alarm me in the least. I do not know, indeed, but that I feel more at home in a squall than in a calm. I do not intend to blame anything that has arisen here. Indeed, I do not know the circumstances. But I am opposed to any unfairness, to any duplicity, to any double-dealing, to anything that does not become a synod of deacons, in this organization.

The Democratic party is just starting on a great campaign, and the guns fired here to-day will echo and re-echo until the close of the Presidential election. Let every man speak and act so that his words and deeds will appear well one year hence. Do that, and the Democratic party will be united, and stand on a basis broad enough and strong enough to support the beautiful superstructure. There will be room for all within its area. Away, then, with all personal feeling and jealousy. March onward, forward, to victory. Who will join hands with me to-day in this work? [Cries of "all, all."] That is well, fellow-Democrats. Let not brother turn against brother. Look not into the troubled past, but press forward, and the great Empire State will emerge into the golden sunshine of prosperity, and the laborer, no longer pressed with burdens, will look up to the clear sky and know that he is no more to be borne down by taxation and registration.

Let us then stand to our guns. Let there be no clique here, or faction there, to build up or to pull down. But where the Democratic party is, let us be there. When the drum beats, respond to its call. And let me, in closing, assure you, that wherever I can be of service, there you will find me. You may have some among you who can do better service, but not one who will rise up earlier or retire later in the cause.

ADDRESS

DELIVERED BEFORE THE CHENANGO COUNTY

SOCIETY, September 22, 1859.

AGRICULTURAL

[The publication of this Address, of which two editions were issued by the Society, was preceded by the following correspondence:

"HON. D. S. DICKINSON:

“OXFORD, December 28th, 1859.

"DEAR SIR-I have been absent a few days. Returning, I found yours of the 23d, declining a copy of the Address, delivered at our late Fair, for publication. I regret it very much. Pardon me, if I seem too importunate in this, and repeat my request. By those who were fortunate enough to get places to hear, the address will long be held in pleasing and profitable remembrance. They will not willingly let it die.' But, by reason of that constant shower of rain, a very large proportion of those gathered there on that occasion were reluctantly compelled to deny themselves the pleasure of hearing so good, so great a thing. Hence I am the more anxious for publication. It is not necessary to mention that Chenango is very proud to claim as her son one who has done her, the State, the nation, so much honor; and of whom the farmers and mechanics are pleased to speak as an elder brother— one who went out from them at an early manhood, and after long years has returned at their call, and given them the teachings of a long and varied experience, the knowledge gathered from broad fields of observation and thought, and a wisdom obtained as well from the high and lofty standpoints of earth as from the common walks of life. Your words to the people were sweet. They would treasure them up and have them in such form as they may recur to them often, and hand them down to their children. No county can give like reasons as this why you should break over your rule, 'not to publish.' Suffer me in this request to prevail. I know not how to go up to the Annual Meeting of our Society on Tuesday next, and there report my inability to procure the Address for the press.

"May I hear from you soon.

"I am, sir, yours very truly,

"HORACE PACKER."