The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1852-06-02

fects. stand not here to arraign the mo-
lives Of men, much less to question the
honest intentions of those, many Of them,
at least who uphold politicians in Inc war
they are coyerlly making upon the insIitu-
lions and the peace Of the country. But
when the Democracy of the North, in
their efforts TO preserve lnviolate the con.
slitutional rights Of the States, are told
here, as we were the other day by the
honorable mcEber from Massachusetts,
Mr.. Rantoul, that they are seating
Southern dirt" | take this occasion TO say,
that my democracy teaches me no fellow
ship, politically, with agiiators who scarce
ly merit the rebuke Of an offended people,
which, in times gone by, fell upon the
head Of Arnold, and the whittier head of
Aaron Burr.
Aud let US stop here and see what posi-.
ton the honorable member from Massa.
chusetis, who accuses the Northern De-
mocracy of eating Southern dirt" himself
has occupied. Ii was in the year 1898,
that Mr.. Rantoul wroie a letter 10 the cl-
fec, if ! am right, that slavery ought 10 be
abolished by Congress in the District of
Columbia, and forbidden in the Territories,
and that Congress had full power TO do so.
have no. his letter by me, hut | think |
cannol be mistaken about the fact.
In 1910, 1874, and lS4S, the honorable
member pretended 10 act with the political
party which, by resolves, deprecated all
interference of the Aboliiionists; and, at
the Democratic State Convention of Mass.
achuselts, in 1913, he was one of a com.
mittee which reported a resolution which
reads as follows:
"ReSOIUed, That this convention is OPP
posed to the exercise of any Jurisdiction,
by Congress, upon the matter Of slavery
in the Territories"
lie also went with the party which IA
vored the annexation of Texas totAs I'm.
ion, and the Mexican war. lie How says
If | understand his position-iha: he
always continued in the belief of the doc.
trInes of his letter Of 1888, and that he
did not believe a word OF the resolve of
1913, which he aided in reporting, or
which, at all events, went 10 tho country
under his sanction.
The question now is, whether this avow.
al helps his political character for %sinceri.
iy! 10 May, 1851, at mass Democratic
convention, called in his district, aud
"callcd," to use his own language before
that convention, as reported in the "Com.
mOnweallh' Of April /, 1851, "as l sup
pose at my suggesHonj'' and six months
bear in mlnd) ailer the fugitive slave law
had passed Congress, and after he had
gone through repeated unsuccessful trials
for an election TO this body, he came out
against the constiludonality Of the fugitive
slave law!
Now, why, il the honorable member
did no! believe that the doctrines of The
Democratic party, in regard to slavery,
were, in 1913, sound, did he not THEN
come out and oppose them, instead of re-
maing quiet and permitting resolutions,
the doctrines of which lie did not believe
in, 10 go forth to the country Endorsed by
his name! And is it for the gentleman
now TO launt me, and those who think
with me, with seating Southern dirt"
But | have digressed too much. | leave
II TO the gentleman 10 satisfy, if he can,
the world, and particularly the party who
loved, in other days, to honor what they
then believed to be his principles and his
talents, in regard to his course. lie has
not yet been able TO satisfy me.
Sir, the efforts Of the class of politicians
just spoken of point to but one issue, and
that the rule or ruin of this Union; and
with such an issue before me, shall | hest.
tate where to stand! No, sir. Give me
the Union as il is, rather than what goes
by the name of liberty, with anarchy and
civil war lie result. Give me The W Ph-
riJuS Uaumi" which | now live under,
rather than The "Liberty, Equality, and
Fraternity" of a liceniious French Rcpub.
lie.
| speak as a Norlhern-a Connecticu'
man; proud Of my Stale, which sent more
Of her ms to the battlefield Of the Reyo.
luton than any other Stale ia proportion
10 her population; proud of her lnsliiu.
tons Of learning, her common schools
her quiet abOdes of religion, of industry
aud Of thrift; and proud Of her adven,u
rous citizens, whose hardy enterprise lead
them 10 the four quarters Of the globe
and | say that the 'land of steady habits
loves too much the Union as it is, ant
she and the whole North are indebted to,
much to it for her and their prosperity
ever to counienance treason against it.
Bat, sir, | know | may be mel her,
with the cry of these agitators, that Their
is nc DANCE Of dissolulion;-it is a par
of the policy Of these sentinels "on tn
waIch.tower Of freedom" while they ap
ply the torch, TO cry, "All's WE'LL" Blu
who, sir, that has listened to the fact
which have come out in the debates upoI
this floor, at this session, Of the honora
BILE members romMiSsissippi,can for a mo
ment doubt it! Why, sir, the very fac
that men talk of secession, is enough {,
rouse the patriot to his sense of duty
sufficient 10 warn US of the volcano whicI
is under our feet, Let us pause for
moment, and see by contras, where W,
stand. During the late wal with Grea
Britain, a convention of the New EnglanJ
States mel at Hartfofd-ihat convention
it is well known, sat with closed doors
and the seal of secrecy was put upon it
members. Ii was in my opinion, as un
worthy a conclaye as ever met together
and blush for my native Stale, that i
was ever permitted 10 hold it's sitting
,piIb;n Tho Lu,la.. f r MI