The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-13
SPEECHES AT THE REPUBLICAN soNvEN-
TON AT PITTSBURGH.
Judge r. p. spalding, Of Ohio.

| iaener 'nan taih. hs you are SO lmportunate,
however will make a few remarks recol.
lect the debates in this State in the Convention
to form your State Constitution. The Consti-
tuition of the United States was about being
then adopted. The great objection was, that
the odious traffic in slaves was not to be abol-
ished for twenty years. Mr.. Wilson, in that
State Convention, made this memorable re-
mark: Fellow-citizens, have no fear in vo-
ting for this Constitution, for another slave
State can never be added to the United States.
The glorious Ordinance 'S7 Of made free all
territory; and as Congress has full power over
the Territories, no slave State can ever enter
this Confederacy."
/ Then there were nine slaves States Now
there are six more-ffteen in all.
We are called on TO consult on the most eff
tectual measures TO stay the power of the slave
despotism. When our rights are about to be
destroyed, should we say, What State has done
most? Who has been Free.Soiler longest ?
For quarter of a century, was devoted fol-
lower of the Democracy of the land. Not till |
learned that every Democratic principle in the
text books was betrayed by the organization,
did leave it. | have not deserted my Demo
cratic principles but haze left the Democratic
party. My own individual sentiments would
carry me far in advance of any address or res
olution | would advise this Convention to put
forth. | am the last man to be called man
of caution. / am impulsive. But Mr. Greeley's
words this morning were words of truth and
soberness. / glory in the old Aboltionists.
They are the icebreakers in this cause glory
IN the spirit of my countrymen, that, at the
eleventh hour, repels the advances of despot-
ism. To every one, be he Wing or Democrat,
l extend my right hand, and bid him welcome
to this glorious band; and, whether he came at
the first or eleventh hour, he is equally entitled
to his penny.
l desire success in this campaign. desire
to drive the Vandals from the capital. We
must combine all the Anti n ebraska forces in
the Union. We all know there is conserva.
tive sentiment We can't drive it. We must
consult 1t, IN order to attain success. Now let
US be cautious. Let us be careful what resolu
tons we pass. If we declare our object to be
to redeem the United States from the RESPONSE
bility of the increase of Slavery, the people are
with us, and we shall carry the elections like
an avalanchel Applsuse.
III L occupied seat on the judicial bench
and negro, painting, should come before me,
| would say, the law is unconstitutional, and he
should go freel Applause. But others would
not go so far as / would, and we must take
things as they are When the Kansas bill was
passed, although the year before the Democra-
cy elected their Governor in Ohio by $4,000
ma jority, | ventured to predict that the Anti
Nebraska man would be elected by as large a
majority. "How will you do it? VIII you
unite with the Whigs?" they asked. / said l
would unite with anybody, and form an issue
where all could come together. We did raise
a standard, on which was inscribed, in letters of
light, ono more Slave States-no more Slave
Territory" Ohio gave $4,000 and odd major
ity for that standard. Applause. Think you,
gentlemen, that Ohio can be doubtful in the
coming contest? Not at all-not at all-not
at all! Applause. The people of Ohio are
trained to oppose the Administration aud the
Douglas policy.
One word more, and / am DONE Don't let
Abolitionists, Liberty men, Free-Soilers, be dis
couraged, if the resolutions Of this Convention
shall not be quite up to the pitch they have
been accustomed to. am done. Prolonged
applause.
Hon. Preston King, of Nov YsE&.
he said it was great pleasure to be here,
and see so many men celebrating upon ques-
ton not exceeded in Importance by any since
the one of the Revolution-the right of selfgov-
eminent. There existed at that time, against
the remonstrance of the people, the institution
of Slavery. Our ancestors found it in the coun-
try and when the Constitution was adopted,
the control of it was left to the States The
opinion was, that it was to pass away. They ex-
cluded it from the Territories, and the common
law of the country was Freedom.
The speaker proceeded to say that, in 1924,
Mr.. Calhoun began to build up in the South
sectional party, at the bottom of which was his
personal ambition; then he attempted to make
the country believe that the title 10 slaves was
as the tenure of property, when that title was
| was q m a hat,
cellent men thought SO yet The speaker alu-
ded to the Kansas difficulty, and mentioned the
fact that there were as many shareholders in
the State of New York az in any other State of
the Union.
The law Of the land was for Freedom and no
act, till recently, has been passed by the Legis-
lature to overthrow it. The speaker referred
the aggressions of the South, in that case to the
fact that the people regarded the laws, The
kansas-Aebraska law was intended to enable
the Judges of our Courts to make decisions
which they otherwise could not 1t was the
boast OF the common law, that it adapted itself
to every condition. But that was altered here.
In early life the speaker thought that Slavery
should not enter into politics. But the South
thrust this on the country when they aspired
to domineer over the North The people of the
North were practical people, not spending the
time idly. Their acquieseence in the compro-
mise of 1850 was caused by the belief that it
would exclude Slavery from free territory for
so they were assured by Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Csss, and
other great leaders Of the party. This acqui.
escence induced the South TO contrive the
Kansas-Ne braska act, more especially as the
compromise had failed of extending Slavery.
This Kansas act repealed the clause prohibit
ing Slavery in those Territories-and attempted
to establish the principle, that wherever the
Constitution extends, Slavery is guaranteed
The South also attempted to establish the right
of slaves t's transitss-a doctrine not to be sup
ported; for if the right to hold slaves for
day or an hour is recognised, why not for
lifetime, forever?
This battle was not to be fought in Kansas, but
by the people of the United States Territories
were common property, and popular sovereign
ty belongs to you and to me. In the idea of
popular sovereignty in country there was an
impracticability, because toe passage of the
very bill recognised higher authority, and !
that could not be called sovereignty which
took laws from another,
The speaker compared the Republican party
of to-day with that of 1898 and 1900. The
principles OF that party, founded upon the Con.
stltution and Declaration, were the elements of |
this. The very declaration of its principles |
was its strongest reason, for the Sun could not
be brighter by any contrivance used to look at
it. He proceeded to stigmatize the Kansas
laws as disgraceful and counselIed the people
OF the United States, by their votes, to put in |
power an Administration which would not
countenance such tyranny and usurpation.
DEATH OF A GENIUs.-Mr. William Raglan. |
whose sudden and mysterious death, on Sunday
last, has been announced, was a cabinet maker.
and to his skill and industry the medical world