Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-10-23
MisteIIalreous Reaoinp.
SHAM DEMOCRACY ExGMPIIFIED.
SPEECH
on
HON, BENJAMIN F. LETTER. OF OHIO,

AASN' DnNS AMIN r. LnllhhI VI OHlO,
IN THE
House Of RePresenGaiIVesAug. s, $50.
Mr.. LETTER. do not propose, Mr.. Chair
man TO enter elAbOrAtely into the discussion Of
the question Of Slavery tonight. Ny purpose
10 10 define the position Of the Democratic par
'ty Of the North, In lie days Of triumph. in con-
neesion with this question. /, cir, have been
either fortunate or unfortunate In being assOci-
atsd with that Party-until within q very few
years-ever since have been voter, and al.
ways took an active part ia procuring the sue
,sess Of lie principles. acted with that party
because il was party which prOfessed re-
gard for correct principles, and the advance
ment Of Freedom and free Institutions, not on.
ly hsre, but throughout the whole civilized
world.
l acted with il; sir, until found that il had
rspudiatsd every principle which was PrOiessed
by It, and abandoned every salutary measure
q had ever proposed, IN the region Of country
where lived, and which embraced within its
unbOunded and enlarged phlanthrophy the
whole Christian world, Why, sir, we, as
Democrats. never could declare strongly en-
ough in favor Of the universal emancipation Of
all meS who were held in Slavery. We traV-
eIOd off into Germany, into Austria, into France
into ireland, into Mexico. All Gods creation
was too small for us; our philanthrophy was
unbouuded. But we had no disposition to in.
terlere with Slavery in the States where Negro
Slavery was tolerated. And yet, before take
my seat, ] undertake to show that no party In
this country ever declared SO emphatiCaIly, and
in such strong language. against the institution
OlSlavery, as did the Democratic party, al the
time when | acted with it, and subsequently 30
wAntOnly abandoned it's principles and profess
ions. What they intend To do hereafter, can
not Say. There is no telling what they mean
10 dc; for to-day we find this same party decla
ring in one place in favor Of the Cincinnati
platform, which cOntemplaes the enulAVement
OF Kansas, and in another place we fnd them
declaring. that il they elect their candidate for
President. il will undoubtedly secure the free
dom Of Kansas.
They have been playing this game Of "fast
and loose" and intend tonight 10 arraign
them on q charge of attempting to elect their
candidate for President under false pretences
intend tn try them; mean 10 cOnvict them:
Ihen shall sentence them; and when Novem-
Der comes, ! will assist in executing them.-
Their condemnation Is now written upon the
hearts OF millions of freemen Of the North, who
have with shame been looking upon the blank
picture their conduct presents, Their condem-
nation is full, just. perfect, and overwhelming:
and, more than all. richly deserved. Their
frauds upon the people have been exposed.
their deceit has been developed; and now they
stand only as monuments Ofthe scorn and con-
tempt Of an outraged and indignant people, to
admCnish all political transgressOrs and cove
Aant breakers, that "the way Of the Iransgress-
or 10 hard"
Nov. sir, what has been the position of the
Democratic party 10 regard to this question Ol
Slavery? Permit me to direct your attention
for few moments to the campaign Of 1859.
and 10 some Of the party doctrines which were
Ehen issued, in showing the position Of the par
ty at that time upon this subject, when We had
published throughout the NOrthwest-tO show
his sOundness upon this questien-the speech
of Franklin Pierce. made in New Hampshire,
With the Nsg AampshFs Patriot to back it,
Etshowed that be abhorred the institution o
Slavery as much as it was possible for mar
10 abhOr any wicked thing; that he regarded i
% an aeeursed institutions sud so his party a
the North then regarded t. Iwill not quot
the language Of this high funcIiCnaty on IhA
occasion, in IayOr Of the position have taken
/ do not think bis endorsement would help M
much. Laughter
Nov, sir, ! propose to look at the condition
8. sf The country before the repeal Of In Missou'
Compromise, and, like the gentleman frOr
Keutucky. [Mr. Underwood, show where th
country was Ia regard TO this question Of Sis
spry. Sir, The agitsticn Of Slavery did nc
COmmsucein 1916. asstated by that gentleman
At that time, with these Democratic prect
dentss with this condition Of the Democrat
party y the North. We we're opposed to oil al
I,s.ion the subject; We banded round, an
asiaF . possible suppressed all agitation
the aubIset. Il was necessary to keep she pa
" together, and We all knew Il. and acted a
eoFdingly,
When The slaFery agitation commenced.
is4T-e, after Rs had acquired this immen
empire Of New Mexico, California, and Utal
then we found coming upon Us tho Wilm
~ ProvisO, Well, What did We as pemOcFa