Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-06-09

For several months past the sugges-
lion has frequently been made to me,
that I should become candidate to
represent the people Of this district in
the House Of Representatives Of the
United States.
This has been done not by Dem
ocrats alone but by gentlemen Of
other parties. and by others who do not
habitually act with any party exclu-
sivsly-
Alter mature reflection, and / think
with just understanding Of the great
responsibilities / encounter, and the
effect which win be produced by the
stand feel il proper 10 take, | have
concluded to present myself to the
people, with the determination TO con-
tinue in this attitude until a verdict
shall be rendered at the polls.
assume this position at some sacri-
fee Of personal interest and ease; but
these have ever surrendered toa sense
of duty. and such conduct has become
habitual, IL not always pleasant TO me.
At present, ] believe the sacrifices l
make TO be an essential public duty,
and l thus, endeavor TO performit.
Il seems to me, that there never was
a time, Gin the history Of this country
which we should love so well. ).whcn
the republicans Of the Old School,
were more imperatiyely called upon to
stand up to the true landmarks which
should at all times and under all cir
cumstances. indicate and control the
policy of the country
II certainly must be more or less
evident to every man. according to the
measure Of his intelligence, that the
General Governmental this country IS
rapidly assimilating the Asrlea" type.
Too many OF those who rule the iand'
never learned, or disregard. the viriu-
ousprinciples and the patriotic emotions
Of our fathers OF the olden times--oi
the great men who lsbored, and
fought, and suffered, and died, and
with their blood cemented the strong
foundations OF this great fabric oil Uni
ed States.
Our fathers fought fol Liberty and
Freedom. We tight among our selves
for Slavery and for Office. Degrading
contrast, and as shame ful as It Is de-
grading and disgraceful. /, for one,
who left my native home in Massachu-
sets. in my youth, to seek out Jreer
home in this State, protestagalnst such
degeneraey. l despise Il, and SO long
as / have strength enough to move, or
breath enough TO speak; will work
against it and denounce it. l may
fail, yet il will be well with me; for Lib
erty as we'll as Religion, demands her
Martyrsl
l shall be misrepresented by the
knayish, and shall be misunderstood
by the foolish yet no man can better
encounter these evils than mvself.--
None others need suffer for my teme-
rity. l stem the torrent at my own
risk alone: and If | fail. there are
none who need shed tear or heaye
asigh. Who, then can better afford
to be an Independent candidate than
myself.
l shah take occasion to explain
more particularly hereafter, the rea-
sons which determine me to the pres
ent.act. 1t is enough now to say that
should have preferred to await the
nomination proposed to be made by
the Democratic party, with whom /
have all my life acted up to this time.
But the managers Of that party have
thoughtit expedient to put off their
nomination until the Cd Of August
next. The object OF this could only
be, to esade discussion Of the great
questions Of public policy before the
Sovereign people, and to ring IN the
nominee by the mere force Of party
discipline and partizan drill. no matter
what his sentiments. My wish is that
the people as well as the wire-pullers
shall have voice in the matter. and /
am impelled to take this course to
achieve that result.
1 am opposed to "the principles" Of
the Nebraska bill; which understand
TO mean the extension Of slavery in all
the territories now possessed TO be
hereafter acquired.
| am opposed to the repeal Of the
Ordinance of 1887. Notwithstanding it
may now be regarded as imperative
and void, but which repeal will no
doubt be urged in the next congress. as
another indirect advantage 10 slavery