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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
memory will be sacred with every Democrat that lives upon the earth, aye more, sacred with every patriot-I mean Jackson. Was he ever nominated by a caucus? Was he nominated by a conven- tion? No; but he indignantly spurned the offer when they wanted him to go into the first convention at Baltimore. It had his brand upon it, burned as upon the front of Cain by the Almighty wrath. Yet that is the doctrine now, and that is the textbook of the Democratic party. I have not quit Democracy; I am still a Demo- crat; but I am not a Democrat of platform principles. The present so-called Democratic party pursues the routine of platforms, ignoring the Constitution. The Constitution is the text, but the platforms are the context. They lug in sectional issues, try to reconcile conflicting interests, and clip the great wings of party so that it cannot fly, but goes hobbling along, left to reach its destiny as it may. I repel the charge that I am not a Democrat in principle; and I challenge any gentleman to come forward and put his finger upon a sentiment I have ever uttered, or a prin- ciple that I have ever avowed, that is not in accordance with Democracy. I have never departed from it; and if other gentle- men have indulged in slight aberrations, it is no business of mine; they are not accountable to me, nor am I accountable to them. Sir, these seeds have sprouted. When they will finish growing, I cannot tell. There is a very important branch of them, that my friend from Georgia did not think of-the ruta-baga turnip. That is a very important turnip [laughter], and I have not seen any- thing so much in demand as that vegetable. It is most excellent; it is not only productive, but it is delicate and remarkably fine. That and the garlic, and other species of seeds, are all very well received, and I am still for sending them forth, unless the hon- orable Senator will convince me that it is unconstitutional. I find opposed to him on that point a gentleman for whom I have a very great respect--the honorable Senator from Pennsylvania, who I believe is a staunch Democrat; one who tells us that he has stood up in support of southern Democracy with great fidelity, and I believe with some adventure and great sacrifice; even some- times of personal inclination. [Laughter.] He thinks it is consti- tutional. I have as good a right to rely upon his constitutional opinion as upon those of the Senator from Georgia. I have great respect for Georgia; but I must have some for the Keystone State. They both are members of the old thirteen; and I admit that the people I represent are but yonkers in comparison with the citizens of the older States. Georgia, on the Atlantic seaboard, where commerce is abundant, where they are surrounded by intelligent
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