Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-11-20
Speech of Hon. David Dudly Field
The Principles and Policy of
the Great Republican Party of

The Principles and Policy o.
the Great Republican Party ol
| Freedom.
The Rocky Mountain Republican Clut
held glorious meeting in New York, on
Thursday night, at which addresses were
made by Hon. David Dudley Field, and Mr..
Fry of the N. Y. Tribune. The meeting
was very large and enthusiastic. The fol-
lowing speech; by Mr.. Field lays down a
platform and scheme for future action
which we commend to the Republicans of
Ohio.
Fellow CITIZENS: If had 70 llowed my
inclination should have asked to be excus-
ed from appearing before you tonight, for
private reasons The papers Of this morn
ing brought me the intelligence of severe
domestic affection over which | should
rather have sorrowed in the seclusion of my
own family than come abroad to speak OF
public affairs. But as had promised to be
here, and some might possibly have come
to hear me, have thought myself bound not
to let my private grief interfere with this
public duty, and therefore appear among
you. What would do to-night-this Sec
ond night after the great struggle efthe 4th
lis to survey the field, that has been done
and what reason there may be on the one
side for discouragement or on the other for
consolation, encouragement and resolution.
We have not now the general victory. Mr.
Buchanan is probably elected Pres ident,
with Congress having majority of sup
porters. We have no responsibility for this
result. We have done all we could hon.
orably TO prevent it. We have been de-
feated not by majority Of the American
people declaring against our principles, but
by the refusal Of some to act with Us, who
conse nted to our principles but dissented
| from our party. How mistaken these men
have been, they probably see thus early,
though darkly, and We viii! see more clearly
as the events of the next four years grad
ually open before them.
While we. have not won the general VIC
tory, we have won many local victories
There is New England, with her six States,
some former on one side of national po ltics,
and some on the other, bu, all now agreeing
in opposition 10 the Slavery extension par
ty, of which Mr.. Buchanan is the head
There is Ohio with her millions on the side
of freedom. There Is Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, az d Iowa, children of freedom
and true to their origin. And here is New
York, glorious and mighty, standing between
the lakes and sea, and uttering he voice in
tone which none can misunderstood that
henceforward no man need speak to her
Of the advantages OF slavery or of slavery
| supporting commerce; that no party can
douby deal with her. teaching her at one
| time hat the people of the Territories have
the right to govern themselves. and at ano-
ther forcing unpa latabie institutions down
her throats; that no man or State can
threaten with impunty; that while she
IDpes the Union, she loved the laws of free
| dom, also and means to maintain both; and
that she laughs equally at the ioily of dema-
gogues and the threats o. rebels. Her beau
tiful motto, Excelsior, never shone brighter
| than it shone in the clear sky of yesterday
morning, when she stood erect ard confident
of the future, though so many of her sisters
| had wondered in the storm and darkness of
the previous day. Here is party, strong,
compact, resolute, founded on a principle
which is indestructible and immutab lie;
which a lies itself with all the traditions of
our people; commends itself to the svmpa-
thies of every human being; and is approv-
ed by the almost unanimous Jud gment of the
civilized world Such party cannot be
subdued, nor can it be dispersed.
1t may be temporarily defeated bu: it
will come out strong from every defeat; if
it be borne to the earth, it will receive con-
slant accessions as it marches along; the
young will attach themselves to it in the
ssS4or of youthful and generous impulse; the
nature man will give it the approva. OF his
well considered judgment; and the old will
see in it the only hope for the civilization
and union OF our great Republic of the
| West. While we thus stand ready for
every emergency, and eager for new con-
test, where are our politica adversaries, and
what is their probable future! 1t appears
to me that they are in condition of great
peril as party g. that it is scarcely possible
for them to cohere for the next four years.
The party contains within itself the seeds
OF disorganzation. 1t has gone into power
upon opposite principles, proGessed in diff
fer ent parts OF the country. In Pennsyl-
vania, "BuchaLan, Breckinridge and Free
Kansas" was the cry. In many Congress
sonal districts multitudes OF electors were
deluded into the belle that they were vot.
ing for men who would make Kansas free
and some of the candidates doubtless in
tended acting to that end. When the ques.
ton of admitting Kansas as a slave State
comes before Congress, how will the men,
bers vote who have come from district:
thus misled! Will they follow the admin
stration, or satisfy their constituents
the latter, the administration will be de-
feateG within two years; if the former,
new Congress will meet Mr.. Buchanan witt
|, 1 majority against him after two years.
The South has the control of the presen
Administration, it held the control of tn,
Cincinnati Convention, and it now controls
the Presid ident elect. 1t has us far carri
: ed matters with high hand and intends t
carry them with a high hand hereafter
Will the Northern supporters of Mr.. Buch
anan 60 with the South, and submit to thi
dictation! 1: they do, every free State ths