The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-08-25
Morton and willard-The Discussion, &c.

morton ana Wlllaru- 4Ae OASSNsSACAi Gc'
We hope to hear no more ofAshbel P. Will
lard in this region from our Democratic friends.
Let them forever keep their mouths shut
about this demagogue Many of us have now
heard him-we have seen him face to face with
his opponent in discussion-and never, we
venture to say, were fairer representatives Of
the BLACKBOARD and gentleman in politics
placed side by side, than when Willard and
Morton stood ON the same stage at Apollo
Hail. Willard, with his coat off, vest unbut
toned, bare breast exposed, face red and peeled,
and expressionless of everything but liquor
believing like mad bull or rampant bully;
furiously declaiming as if he thought noise
and violence must carry conviction where he
had not argument or document; lying sweat
ing, paving in vindictive impotence; securing
applause by raging Fourth of July patriotism;
disappearing every position Of his opponent
and lodging every manly position on his own
part-this representative BLACKBOARD Of the
lowest political blackguardism, of the vilest
dregs that rise to the surface in times Of polit
ical agitation, is the Democratic candidate for
Governor of the sovereign State Of Indiana!
Judge Morton looked like a gentleman, acted
like gentleman, and e0as the gentleman in
every word he said. He is a close reasoner
and eloquent speaker keen and shrewd in de-
bate, armed in every position, impenetrable to
the attacks Of the foe, but irresistible in his
own charges Willard is vastly overrated. He
is nothing more than brawling stumper,
fair declaimer. He is poor reasoner, and de-
ponds entirely upon the clap trap of furious
patriotic appeals, and his own thunderous
statements, to carry the crowd. He is a prop
er man to play with the prejudices and pas
sions of that class who are incapable of think
ing for themselves or approaching reason in
others, but he can never secure the vote Of
single intelligent man by such speeches as he
made here. Judge Morton appealed entirely
to the reason. He argued his case, proved his
positions by the evidence, and permitted his OPP
ponent no standing place upon which to rest
a foot. He achieved complete and signal tri-
umph over Willard. Let us not hereafter
hear any more talk about Morton lodging
Willard, or such humanity charges as that
which emanated from print in this city last
week, that Morton .feignea sickness to avoid
meeting Willard. We now know who and
just what this man Willard is. He has been
measured before this community, and we know
the whole length, breath and depth, both ofhis
moral and mental nature. By this measure we
pronounce him unworthy the confidence of any
portion of the people of Indiana.
We have not the space to enter into details
of this discussion, but there are one or two
points calling for notice. After Morton had
finished his first speech, Willard took the
stand, INDUCED in stale, fiat and improbable
witticism at the expense Of several editors,
and then called upon Morton to say whether
he was for Fremont or not. Morton replied
he would in his next speech perfectly define
his position. Willard insisted he should an
swer nom. Morton did so, and said what every
body knew, that he was Fremont man. All
right then-and Willard left the subject
When Morton took the stand the second time
he asked Willard two questions which he had
asked him without receiving a reply, in his
first speech. Has Congress the right to pro-
hibit slavery in the territories? Are you,
Willard for or against the extension of slavery?
Willard said he would answer in his next
speech. Morton said Willard had insisted up
on reply to his question, and he had replied,
and he now insisted upon Wizards replying
to him. He would not do it, nor could Nor
ton get reply from him. An indignant shout
rose from the audience which was continued
till Morton stopped it by gesture Willard
did not reply to these questions in his after
speech. He advocated squatter sovereignty,
and the whole gist Of his remarks not argu-
naent, was in favor of the extension of slavery
but he dared not say Congress had not the
right to prohibit slavery in the territories nor
did he declare whether he was for or against
the extension of slavery. He defends the pro-
slavery side OF the question in this region. but
he knows he dare not do it in theNorthern part
Of the State, and he was thus afraid TO dis
tinctly answer the questions. This illustrates
just how paltry demagogue he is. He lodged
discussion with Morton, until the latter had
his appointments made in the Southern Sec
ton of the State, thinking that in this region,
Morton fayoring Fremont, he Willard, could
hood wink and bamboozle the Fillmore men in
to going for himself In this, he is finding him
SELF mistaken. Whenever he affords the Fill