The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-17
Emancipation Meeting.

Seldom have we attended meeting Of deeper
interest and higher order, than that held at the
courthouse on Tuesday evening, 18th instant.
The number present was very large, and all
hearts seemed alive with enthusiasm.
The address, prepared by the committee sp-
pointed at a previous meeting, was read by
James Speed, Esq. The attention paid to the
address, and the unanimity with which the
resolutions were adopted, indicated how strong
hold the cause of freedom has taken upon the
minds and hearts Of our fellOw-citizens. 1t is
indeed cheering sign, and one which gratiies
our State pride and love Of liberty, that Ken
tuckians, of whom the committee was entirely
composed, should thus stand forth as the friends
Of freedom, and that their earnest words should
meet with such souI-stirring responses from
their fellow Kentuckians.
After the reading and adoption of the address
and resolutions, Rev. DR.. Breckenridge came
forward and spoke for an hour in advocacy of
the great and good cause. II is not our custom
to deal in the language of eulogy, and we shall
not now employ that language. The cause is
too sacred, it is too dear to Mr.. Breckenridge
heart, for him to desire that we or any should
utter words Of praise. He spoke not for praise,
but as a matter Of duty We will not, therefore
praise him. But, in behalf Of the friends Of free
dom, we must thank him, and from the bottom
of our hearts We do thank him, for the stirring
words uttered by him. We thank him for the
signs of encouragement pointed out by him in
the moral armament We thank him for that
condensed description Of slavery, which was at
once graphic and true portraiture and an utter
condemnation of the system-"that system
which makes a chattel of a man, man created
in the image Of God, which robs him of the
right and the power Of cherishing his wife and
protecting his children, and denies to him the
opportunities and possibilities of reaching and
developing the manhood for which his Maker
created him.
We thank him too for his keen rebuke of the
politicians, who have dared TO come forth in
the insolence of official power-power dele
gated to be used and not abused-to dictate 10
the free eitizeBs Of thu Commonwealth on --h..
subjects Of reform they may speak, and on
what subjects they must forbear to speak.
Mr.. Breckenridge was followed by James
Speed, ESQ.,, another true hearted and fearless
son Of freedom. To him also are due the heart
felt thanks of all lovers OF liberty and human
ity, for his incorporating advocacy Of the
cause to which he has consecrated his talents
and life. One feature always characterses the
addresses Of Mr. Speed in behalf of emancipa-
ton, which at once gives them great power and
renders them intensely interesting. He speaks |
right out his genuine sentiments, without stop |
ping to qualify them or protest against nniscon-
struction. He speaks he feels; he sends
forth his winged words laden with his honest
thought, and permits them to carry their own
construction, to produce their own rightful re-
suits Some Of our public speakers are SO care
fni lest they should produce wrong impression,
that they fail to make any impression; SO eau
tiousin defining their position, that they seem TO
most OF their hearers to be in the most uucora-
Portable Of all positions-to occupy no position.
Not with Mr.. Speed. He has position. and
il does not need to be defined. He fears no,,b.
application of hard names. II his opponents.
the opponents of emancipation, choose 10 hurI
foul epithets at him, he knows that will onlv
soil their own mouths. Dirt will not cling to
him or his cause, but only to the hands bv
which IL is thrown.
We were made glad by the truly manly mode
in which Mr.. Speed disposed Of the idea, which
Is often insinustsd into the minds of laboring
men. that II slavery be done away, they win
become slaves. "where, (he asked,) where is
the white man In Kentucky. whatever his !
wealth, position OF power, who dares look ano-
shsr white man, however humble, in the eye, .