The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-02
RICHMOND PALLADIUM.
Thursday Morning, ::::::;::: August 2. 1885.
VOW and Then.

upon which they once stood. Il is but few
years since they, for the sake of success, de-
clared their sentiments ultra anti slavery
in favor OF Congress passing laws against the
extension Of slavery, and further to prevent
territories doing, although it nine-tenths OF the
citizens Of such territories might be III favor
Of il. That, however, was before the humbug
.sduatter sovereignty" had attracted their at
tention. Let us remind our old line friends Of
times gone by.
In the annual message of Gov. Whitcomb
sent 10 the Legislature in 1913. will be found
the following:
"The acquisition of this territory has given
rise to a question now occupying too large
space in the public mind to be passed over in
silence. Its division into separate Govern
ments, and the establishment of the necessary
organic laws, must occupy the early attention
Of Con eress. and the question is. shall this
territory hereafter be free slave territory
This territory has come to US free--it IS
now free, and in my opinion it should remain
free, and that every constitutional and legal
means should be adopted to continue it free"
During the same session, as candidate for
the U. S. Senate, Gov. Whitcomb addressed
a letter to a committee of his political friends,
in which we find the following:
at is incontrover,ibe that slavery, here or
elsewhere cannot exist without the sanction oil
positive law. am opposed to the passage OF
any such law | believe that Congress can
constitutionally pass such organic laws for the
government Of the territory. as will. In their
operation, prevent the territorial legislature
from passing any such law. 1t follows that
Congress can. in my judgment, constitutional
" prevent the introduction Of slavery into
those territories
In 1919, at the State Democratic Conven-
ton, platform was adopted, in which we
find the following planks:
ReSoIped. That the institution Of slavery
ought not to be introduced into any territory
where it does not now exist.
ReSolved That as inasmuch as New Mexi-
co and California are in fact and in law free
territories. 1t is the duty Of Congress to pre-,
vent the introduction Of slavery within their
limits"
Then it was the duty Of Congress 10 prevent
the introduction Of slavery into territory then
free. No ''squatter sovereignty" then-no
Missourian ruflians then were TO take slavery
into free territory; but Congress-yea, Con-
gress, was to prevent it at all sacrifices. Con-
gress then had the power, but now she pos
sesses no such power.
Not content, however, that a State Conven-
ton should alone speak the sentiments OF the
party then. the same planks were reiterated in
a solemn legislative enactment. as the follow
ing Joint resolution will show:
"Be IL enacted 5y tie General assembly of
the State of Indiana. That our Senators be
instructed, and our Representatives in Con
gress be requested, so TO cast their votes. and
extend their influence, to have mgrafted upon
any law that may be passed for the organiza-
ton of the territory recently acquired from
Mexico, provision forever excluding from
such territory slavery and involuntary seryi,
tude, otherwise than in the punishment OF
crimes, whereof the party has been duly
convicted"
Then it was freedom to the terrtories--now
it is slavery. Then Congress possessed the
power to control it-noao Congress does not
possess that power. and the people of terrific
ries are not to be permitted TO settle the ques-
ton for themselves, but the rsbble of a neigh
boring State assume 10 do it for them Con.
sistency is said to be jewel. hut it is not
found in the platforms of our old line friends
So much for the old liners. What was and
has been the course of their political opponents?
In l849. the Wing party also held a conven-
ton, and we give below two planks from their
platform:
Resolvea, That the Wing party of Indiana
here represented in Convention, would calmly
but firmly express the conviction that the ex
tension of slavery over the newly acquired
Territories of New Mexico and California
ought TO. be prohibited by law-that it is our
settled opinion that Congress, as the guardian Of
our infant Territories, possesses that right
that its exercise would be promotive of lasting
good TO the people who shall inhabit the coun-
try included in the treaty with Mexico-and
further. that it is expedient to exercise this
power at the present session of Congress.
Resoipei. That the spirit of the age, and
the liberal and enlightened philanthropy
which distinguishes its progress. requires sac
riiices of individual opinion to the great cause
of human freedom-ihst this spirit should be
shared by the Government and the governed
that MAN in every condition should be in
vested with his rights of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. that all constitutional
and proper means should be employed to free
our National Capital from the last vestige of
human bondage.
ne honeSs foi'ioA oi tue Defhocraue party
who had avowed sentiments of similar i'm
port in IS49, could not be induced to 60 over
to slavery, are now acting consistently with
the opponents Of the extension of slavery.
The Free Soil party who. in 1919. avowed the
same sentiments. are also acting with the op-
ponents OF slavery extension, and these con-
stitute the free Republican party Of Indiana.
Success to il.
CORRUPTION ~ oFFIcF.-J. NJ Patton one of
the Commissioners of Hamilton county, Ohio, has
been tried and found guilty of cnrrnnt and dshnn-