The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-03-06
col, Gtngerf and the Union,
From the Post of March .

you were misled by statements Of others, us
to the tenor Of my remarks on that occasion.
am made to say that if the Republicans sue
coed in eecting their candidate for the Pres
idency this year, the South will seccde from
the North, and the Union will be dissolved.
This version Of what | said, is calculated to
mislead the public and do me injustice
therefore take this opportunity of repeating
what | stated on that occasion, upon the sub
iect referred to, as follows
| stated it to be my opinion, that all par
ties formed on sectional issues were danger
Gus to the perpetuity of the Union; that the
Republican party Of the present day is form
on sectional issue. That party has de-
clared over and again, that all questions Of
national policy which have heretofore divi-
ded the people Of this country, are now dead;
that it has for It's basis a single idea, sin-
gle issue, ana that issue is freedom or slave
~. That upon THIS one paramount issue the
next contest for President is to turn; upon
this issue no man in his senses can believe
the Republicans can receive single South
ern electoral vote. How then DO they ex-
peet to elect their candidate except bv an ap-
peal to the free States to unite, not As citi-
zens Of the United States, but as citizens Of
the free States alone; and to enter into the
contest as the North against the South P
The North, 10 succeed. must unite; when
united, they hope to succeed by numerical
strength, over the South, upon an issue pure
y sectional. If such result should take
place, what would be the position Of South
ern representatives in Congress- Woula
they stand on equality with the North, or
would they he in the condition of the con-
luered Ii is known that the South claims
under the constitution an equal right with
the North, to emigrate to any Of the terrific
ries Of the United States, and, as citizens Of
that territory, TO express their opinions
equally with the Northern cmigrants as to
whether they shall live under a free or slave
constitution.
The issue now presented by the Repaid
leans denies this right to the Southern emf
grant 70 the Territories. They claim that
Congress, through the representatives Of
the Northern States, have the right to make
the constitutions Of the new States and
that they Will make them to suit the views
Of the Northern emierants. What viii the
South viii DO ii such cri-is2 The ques-
ton is answered, By asking what would the
North % if the South was in the major
lty, and attempted So great wrong upon
the North as 10 declare that the Northern
emigrants should have no voice III the mat
ter, but that they would FIX slavery upon
them to suit the views Of Southern emf
grants ! dil not say that the South would
sacedo upon the election Of the Republican
candidate for the Presidency this year
But-l did say that the South you'd secede If
the injustice which have mentioned, should
become the fixed policy Of the country,
and have no hesitation in saying, that
were citizen either Of the North Or South,
would Dissolve the Union rather than
submit 70 such degradation. This coufeder-
acy was not formed TO enable one section Of
this country 10 trample upon the dearest
rights Of another, (the right to make the law
under which they are to live merely because
that section may have the majority and the
power to do it. 1t was framed for the pur-
pose of securing the equality Of all the States
Of this Union, and the people thereof. 1t
was framed for the purpose Of preventing
maiorities from trampling on the rights 81
the minority. | am for the Union, there
fore am opposed to this Republican party.
1t has bat one plank in It's platform, AMI
that plank i Injustice, prescription ana
wrong, and not only not warranted by the
constitution, but clearly in violation Of the
rights Of the people. Il embodie. the same
principles which caused the revolution.
Then Great Britain claimed the right 70 MAKE
laws for the Americans without consulting
the Americans who lived in the colonies.
The Republicans claim the right to make the
fundamental law for the people of the terri
tories WITHOUT consulting the people Of the
territories. And our fathers rebelled and
declared that when a government failed to
accomplish the object Of its creation, it is
right to abolish it. maintain the same doe
trine now and openly proclaim il. If this Be
treason, let those who choose make the most
Of It.
lie who is willing to be slave, is unfit to
be freeman. Let the South ever attempt
to commit the wrong on the North which tn e
Republicans now openly avow to be their in
tention to commit on the South, if they have
the power, will oppose them with all the
power which God and nature has given me.
| favor no injustice towards any portion Of