Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-03-28

"A man, in the nervous language of the
eloquent gentleman from Seneca. (Mr. Glib
son. whose hands are red with blood-why
should he not be the candidate of the bloody
Southl
But are iOe, as members Of this order, un-
der any obligations to support such a candi-
date! Yes, Sir, another gentleman from
Cincinnati Or. Norson) says we are, and
when we utter mild remonstrance, he seeks
to lash US into subjection by shouting in oul
ears, the words, Your OATH Your oath p
Sir, those words have no terror for me.
have taken no oath which fetters me in the
discharge of my duty and prevents me from
doing what is right This is not the time
to frighten men with any such phantoms.-
We are ingnged in a great struggle, destined
in its results to effect this country, for veal
or for woe, perhaps forever. The South is
putting forth claims she once would not dare
to make. She is net only seeking to spread
the blighting curse Of slavery over free terri.
tory, but with an auiacity, sharpened by
Northern treachery, she is encroaching upon
Northern States, and is actually establishing
slavery here. And while such men as Kane
and Pendery, and Leavitt, are laboring to
give 1t the sanction of law, gentlemen can
not frighten US by reminding us of our oaths.
While every instinct within us, while every
motion of our nature cries out against op-
preston, injustice, wrong and against the
fraud by which such nominations are made
and sought to be forced upon us; gentlemen
may cry your oath your oath till thev are
as black in the face as they are in the heart,
but they cannot move US from our purpose.
And, Mr.. President, as little am disturb
ed by the cry of the danger to the Union,
which, as usual, we have heard tonight
When Southern threats and busters cease
to produce any effect, Southern men will be
as harmless as others During the recent
contest for the election of Speaker in Con
gress, how often was the threat made that
the election of Mr.. Banks would be the en-
tering wedge of the dissolution of the Union.
But no sooner was the South beaten, than
the Southern members were mild as lambs.
So viii it ever be. We have only to be
true to. ourselves and respect ourselves, to
secure the respest of others and our proper
influence in National affairs. l repeat that
l rejoice that we have this night taken one
step in the right direction. 1t is an augury
of hope and of promise. 1t secures this re-
sult-whatever may be the issue of the
Presidential election, it makes this State sure
and will prevent its falling into the hands of
the spoilers.
The speech of Mr.. Griswold was frequent
ly and loudly applauded.
Mr.. Rodgers, the talented young member
of the House from Lawrence county, and
connected with the iron manufactures of that
section, addressed the Council under the five
minute rule with fine effect. We add his
remarks as showing the position of the Or
der on the slavery question in extreme
Southern Ohio. The gentleman preceding
him argued that it was contrary to the prin-
ciples of the American party to advocate the
cause of Human Freedom, to which Mr..
rodgers replyed as follows;
SPEECH OF Mr.. RODGERS.
Mr. President: Most truly am aston
ished! Astonised to hear the gentleman in
the presence of this intelligent assembly, as
sert that it is contrary to the principles of
Americanism to advocate the cause of hui
man freedom. Does not the gentleman
know that the doctrine Of freedom, to the
true American, is the first and dearest of
all things for which we way live and die /?
Did not the gentleman from his mothers
breast imbibe the principles which he now
repudiates and denounces as not a part and
parcel of the true American platform?
Mr.. President: The resolutions under
consideration form a platform upon which
am willing to stand or fall. Representing
as l do the most Southern county in our
State, and from whose shores we can at one
glance sweep the slave fields of Kentucky
and Virginia, you may be astonished to hear
such an avowal from me. But, gentlemen
we are right in Lawrence county, and l am
not afraid but that my course this night will
be approved, not only by the people of
Lawrence county, but by every true Ameri-
can in the great State of Ohio.
The gentlemen are afraid that the Amer
lean party will be absorbed by the Republi-
cans. Why, God bless you; don't you see
that under this platform we will absorb
them! We will be like a mighty sponge,
we will absorb every true Republican, and
every glorious American that treads the soil
of Freedom.
Here the hammer of the President fell,
and thus ends the sayings and doings of the
Ohio State Council, the first K. N. meeting
we ever attended, even in the capacity Of
Its action will be felt for Free
dom throughout the Union, and will tell in
the Presidential canvass ofl856. $50 mote
it be-"
Important General Intelligence.
New York, March 22
Intelligence from the West Indies reports
that the negroes of Guiana, instiCated by