Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-03-21
: SPEECH OF
HON. WILL CUMBACK,


"ho hHu hfoktn on the ftsuINlluu TO- i
ported from the Committee OF Eec.
tons In the Kansas Contested. Elec-
ton case,
Mr.. WILL CUMBACK aaId:
Mr.. SPEAKER; II did not intend,
while / am Member Of this House,
TO commit the fashionable folly Of ma
king speeches, nor do / rise now for
any such purpose: but. sir. cannot
be silent, Il that silence Is any way
construed into scquiescenee TO the
doctrines promulgated by the gentle
man from Missouri. Mr.. Oliver who
has just taken his seat The gentle
man has recently become convert to
the Democratic party, and everybody
knows that new converts in politics or
religion are always jealous IN the be-
ginning, and hasten to proclaim the
opinions ofthe cause they have espous-
ed. s'i- IS ~
Mr.. Oliver, Of Missouri. Has not
the gentleman recently become u con-
vert 10 the Republican party from the
Democratic party?
Mr. Cumback. MIR. Speaker, will
answer the gentemsn's interrogatory
with great pleasure. Sir, when was
connected with the Democratic party.
II then held to the same doctrines as to
the extension Of slavery to which 1
now hold, and which | ever win stand
by and maintain. The teaching Of
the Democracy in Indiana and the
doctrine Of their platform. before this
Nebraska bill was conceived in sin
and brought forth in iniquity, - were.
that Congress had the power. and
should exercise II, to prevent the in
PRODUCTION OF slavery into the free Ter
ritories Of the country. Sir. l speak
advisedly. and from the record. In
my own State, but short time since,
tho banners OF the Democracy were
proudly waving over all their foes.
and on u was inscribed this doctrine:
"Rssolpsd, That the institution OF
slavery ought not TO be introduced in.
TO any territory whore Il does not now
exist. eH ,,e. t.
Resolved. That inasmuch as Cali.
fornia and New Mexico are IN fact and
In law free Territories, IT is THE
DUTY OF CONGRESS TO PRE-
| VENT THE INTRODUCTION OF
| SLAVERY INTO THEIR LIMITS"
| / refer TO this doctrine TO show IL
there Is any great amount Of ''conver-
son." Il is that the so-called Democ-
racy have left this Jelfersonian doc
,rine. and are now bowling down in
shameful submission to the behest Of
the slave power. But II this one wit
ness is not sufficient TO make out a
case Of conversion against the Democ-
racy. offer another 10 put the matter
beyond dispute; for II is said IN Holy
Writ, by the mouth Of "two witness
es all things shall be established"
AT the next session Of the Legisla-
ture of our State after this platform OF
Democracy had been adopted. and a
splendid victory achieved by the elcc-
ton Of the Legislatures Of the State. by
a'large majority in favor Of the vic
tors, and almost the entire delegation
Z to this body Of the same party. the
Democratic Legislature became a little
suspicious that their representatives
in Congress might fall from grace, and
, abandon the time honored doctrines Of
the party. They somehow feared
I they would lack the nerve 10 do their
whole duty, and that same Democratic
: Legislature. to strengthen and support
them. passed the following resolution.
ss kind OF "tonic'--in modern
phrase 10 give them backbone in the
defense of Democratic principles:
BE Il resolved BY The General Assem-.
bly, Of the STATE of Indiana. that our
Senators be instructed. aud our Rep
resentatives in Congress be requested,
I. so 10 cast their votes and extend their
influence To have migrated upon any
law that may be passed for the organ
ization Of territory recently acquired
from Mexico, A PROVISION FOR
EVER EXCLUDING FROM SUCH
/, TERRITORY SLAVERY AND In
INVOLUNTARY SERyITUDE. other
wise than in punishment for crimes
whereof the party has been duly con-
yicted." iie
Mr.. Speaker, | take the principle
, contained In that resolution--the con-
stimional power to inhibit the further
spread Of the blighting curse Of slave
ry--for my instructions, and commend
. it 10 my colleagues---each and all Of
. them from my own State. Ii is sound
and healthy doctrine. But TO put this
matter entirely ut rest, / will offer a
. word or two OF corrobaration.
But a short time since, our Legisla-
r ture had Senator to elect to repre-.
D sent us in the other end Of the Capt..
tol, and Of course there were several
patriotic gentlemen who were willing
: to make the sacrifice on that occasion
But before the Democracy could COM
0 NIT such an important trust to any
member Of their party. they appointed
a committee to investigate their sound
ness on the question of slavery exten.
! sion. Mr.. Whitcomb's answer to the
: intcrrogatories of the committee were
most satisfactory, and they chose
him. His answer is as follows.
INDIANAPOLIS. Dec. 10. 1848.
: GENrLEMEN:-Your letter Cf thi.
date, in relation to the subject Of the
r extension Of slavery into our newly.
acquired Territories of New Mexico
Ind California, has been received
= ! have time to give but brief reply
e -one, however, which / trust will b.
e sufficiently ineligible for your pur
pose.
y As stated in my recent message e
: the Legislature. these Territories bay,
. come to us free, by their own laws
|, from the institution Of slavery. nj
Q i,scontrogsrti5le that slavery there or else
g sohere cannot erist wifhout The sanctio,
Of positive lao. l AN OPPOSED
y NO TILE ID CGANE on ANV GTTnI