The Mountain Sentinel

Serenade to the Hon. Wm. R. King—His Acknowledgment.

The meeting of the Democracy of Washington city, to respond to the Baltimore nominations having adjourned about ten o'clock on Wednesday evening last, the vast assemblage, headed by Marsolletti's band, repaired to the residence of the Hon. William R. King. The band having played a beautiful air, Mr. King made his appearance, and was received by nine hearty cheers. He then addressed the assemblage as follows:

Fellow-citizens and Democrats: After the many eloquent and forcible Democratic speeches you have heard this evening from the most distinguished men of our country, little remains for me to say, but simply to return you my sincere thanks for the respect you have manifested towards me. As regards myself, it pleased the Democratic Convention to select me as one of the standard-bearers of the Democracy. Whether that selection was a wise one or not, it remains for the Democracy to decide. For myself, I can only say that there were many others who would probably have been able to have borne the banner aloft with more vigor, and ability than myself. But, so far as my power extends, I shall ever sustain the principles of Democracy, whether I am in the ranks, or whether I am in command. [Loud cheers.]—You all know, fellow-citizens, that the names of many candidates were presented to the Baltimore Convention, any one of whom, so far as I know, the Democracy of the country would have been delighted to support and place in the highest position of honor. In the multiplicity of opinions, however, the nomination fell upon Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire—a man against whom the tongue of calumny cannot utter a single breath that would taint his fair fame. [Loud cheers.] He has stood by the principles of Democracy from his youth upwards, and has never swerved from them. He has been true to his country, true to his party, true in all the relations of life, public and domestic civil and social. [Cheers.] Such is the man who has been selected as our standard-bearer. Doubtless there are many others who would have been equally acceptable to the Democracy of our country; but one had to be selected, and Franklin Pierce is that man. [Cheers.] I understand, fellow-citizens, and I am rejoiced to hear it, that those gentlemen who have had many and devoted friends have come forward, and with the magnanimity that became them, have pledged themselves to exert every nerve in behalf of the man who has been nominated by their Democratic friends. To those men, permit me to say, all honor is due. The country will honor them; and the Democratic party will honor them; and in days to come they will be remembered in such a way as to show that their magnanimous conduct is prized and appreciated by the whole Democratic party of the country. [Great Cheering.] For myself, I am the humblest of the humble. If it should behoove the Democracy of the land to unite in placing me in the second office of the government, I shall discharge the duties that devolve on me—as I have ever endeavored to discharge every public trust—honestly, faithfully, and zealously, if not with ability. [Loud cheering.] To your city of Washington, fellow-citizens, I have only to say that my public acts speak for me, and show the estimation in which I have ever held the people of this District, and the disposition I have ever manifested to promote what I conceived to be their best interests and to contribute to the adorning and beautifying of your city, so as to make it a convenient and pleasant residence for all persons who may visit it, and thus render it more certain to continue the permanent seat of the national government. [Loud cheers.] From me you must not expect a speech. You have heard to-night, speeches that would do no discredit to the most eminent men that have lived in any age, and I could not hope, therefore, to entertain you for a moment. I again thank you for this manifestation of your respect. The honorable gentleman then withdrew, amidst great cheering. The band again played several pieces, and the crowd adjourned, after many cheers to their respective homes.