Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-04-25
Speech of Mr.. Riddle,
The Free Soil Member from Ceauga. npol
the s.Bal lance Of l'ower,.' in The House o.
Representatives. Eebruary 9Th lS40.


/ Representatives. Fe bruary 9th iSA0.
This speech. from which we make large
extracts in this mornings paper. we COM
mend to the attentive perusal Of our read
ers.
They are words of truth and sober
erned BY sense OF truth and JUSTICE in
exposing to the public gaze the corrupt
..bargain and SALE" whereby public sen.
timen, was outraged and popular sover-
eighty violated. 1t is a record. disgrace
full and degrading to the parties implica-
ted. and to the Legislative character Of the
State.-[Cin. Gaz.
Mr. RIDDLE said-I here distinctly an
nounce. that do not propose to say one
word upon the rea! question that is alone
the legitimate subject Of debate--but do
intend. if permitted to proceed. 10 re-
mark somewhat upon a series of most ex-
,raordnarv events that have transpircd
here this winter. and which alone could
terminate in the s.ar.in. developments
tina, have 50 recently astounded US and the
people of the State. shall speak Of
those things with perfect freedom; and
while shall no, imPugn the integrity or
motives Of any. fear that many Of my
illusions will not be Of the most fla;tering
llind--tor am determined to be govern
ed by sense Of truth and justice Did
consult nv own feelings, should remain
silent altogether. but shall be enquircd Of
concerning these things. and it is more in
accord ance with that frankness which |
admire in others, that here. where these
things were enacted. | could stand up in
the face Of the actors and express my free
opinions, and there leave them.
And here, sir. may as we'll state the
propositions intend TO establish. here
charge that certain gentlemen Of the Free
Soil party, early conceived the bold and
ambitious design Of taking advantage OF
the unfortunate position Of parties to hold
the balance of power in their own hands.
State, and the distribution Of its patron
age. with the ultimate design Of uniting
the Free Soil party with Locofocoism.
After exhibiting in lucid and forcible
manner the corrupt coalition Of the Free
Soil and Locofoco parties-after proving
, ened with Bargain and Intrigue, Mr.
, Riddle concludes with the following re-
marks:
The colossal figure that we have seer
in the back ground now advances to tn
front, and all other questions and issue
: are made to hide themselves behind it,
i The plot thckens-the curtain rises, an
n the dramalis persona dash aside all dis
guise. and play out their parts in their rea
characters, while the people look on in Ut
), ter blank amazement and establishment
II and this little Free Soil party is exhibited
o in the most humiliating and base positio
that its most malignant enemies could de
II sire.
This Free Soil party composed Of mel
}, SO holy and pure that they could no Ion
ger breathe in either of the old parties. i
n shamelessly in the face of day. higglin
e and hucks,erng itself away in tho sham
J. bles Of public prostitution for Offices for
few Of its favorites! Sir. the responsible
head Of the organ, the flying Mercury {
i dealing and management, went forth a
e most in the streets and proclaimed tn;
IL the immaculate Free Soil party-the VII
gn-thc stainless party-so pure that
was ready for translation any day-wa
=. in the market for sale to any party tn;
r. would pay the stipulated price. BY wh;
" authority he undertook to play auctionee
- know not: but here, on behalf Of IN
friends and myself, repudiatc, renounc
e and denounce him and his doings hence
!. forth and forever. lie, nor no man Twin
- was by us authorized to make or receiv
, any proposition for US from any party, c
:, for anything or purpose.
1t is said the Wings would not trade
| know not how that is, but presume the
= would not. and presume that no seriou
attempt was made on them. Ru, il is sal
:, that the Democratic par,y-the great pal
y ~ Of progress and reform-the only part
q fit for the association of Free Sellers. di
) accep, the offer and close the ba,gain.-
- And here. in this House Of Represents
!" tives, in presence Of this numerous Assem-
:, hlage OF the people Of both sexes, chars
>, in the faces Of gentlemen and cast it IN
- - to their teeth, that they did thus deHbc,
~ ately bargain, sell and deIirer. and thd
- by This contract. and not other,cisc. ,cas
= L. S. Senator elected. ostcnsibIy far on
I party. and fco Supreme Judges for III
other. and the rest Of the Judges, as ia
as elected. rere elected in pursuance Q
tH0I 0SFeeH.eHt-0Hu 'Huh OdTg0fH q
! tends to erery office electric by This Legi.
J. latmre, and ,ciH be strictly carried on
'e unless gentlemen get frightened out # !
e Democratic Member Well, VIII;
e are you going 10 do about il,
l. Mr. Riddle-What are we going to d
IS about it. Stand up and denounce it lik
- rneni
e The gentleman from Hamilton count
y has happy method of disposing Of tn
e difficulties Of this position. He is as muc
G opposed 10 trade-a bargain and sale
&c any body. but really in the delicious lar
e guage of tina. gentleman, this is merely a
IL arrangement that is all; the most inne
, cent and honorable thing in the world
e Gentlemen may console themselves wit
names-the thing is none the less rea
and it stands forth, and forever will. un