Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-08-20
SPEECH OF
HON. JOHN III. wICKIzER

HUN. JOl1N w
In The House Of Representatives. Of Illinois
Jan. 1SM, 1857, on motion to print 20,
BisselTs Inaugural Message.
MIR. SPEAKER: / had not intended I,
take any part in this discussion. Thi
protracted debate has taken me quite b,
surprise-occupying for the first time
seat in Legislative body. When | cam
here, | supposed it was the duty of legis
lators to proceed at once to the business o
Legislation and to the making of such law,
as might be necessary for the interest anC
well being of the people. Sir, had known
that this floor was to be the arena of a po
litical fight, and that all the issues of the
recent campaign were to be c-fought here
L should have come prepared-shoul'l have
brought my notes and documents, instead
of bills-and should have girdcd on the ar
mour to fight manfully for the faith, that
is, in the republican party. For, although
| have taken seat in the south wing OF
this house, in the midst of the .'tenth le-
! gion" of the TERRIFIED democracy, yet /
/ have the honor to be an humble member oi
that party denominated "black- -republi-
cans" Sir, not only sit here in the
midst of the said TERRIFIED, but SOLITARY
and alone''-I dine and sup with them
In doing this, | have this consolation: that
it is not the first instance where good
man has sat and supped with "publicans
and sinners" Laughter and applause. J
Still sir, have forlorn hope for the re-
formation of the south wing of this hall,
and this upon the promise that.
"Whe the lamp holds out to burn,
The rlest sinner may return"
= Jut sir, the question before this house is,
whether we shall print 10000, 10000 or
10 copies of Gov. Bissell's inaugural mes
sage | am for 10000, not that less
number would prevent full and ample dis
trbution Of the message among the people,
for, whilst we are here debating this ques-
tion, that message, by railroad and tele-
graph, is scattered throughout the repub-
lie, and is now being read by millions of
freemen, who respond to the truths it con-
tains. But what is the objection to that
message? understand it to be mainly to
that portion which refers to the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and wherein Gov. Bissell
deprecates the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise, and the spread of slavery over the
territories.
Now, sir, | propose for few momchts
to examine the sentiments in that part of
tho message, and to see whether they do
no: coaport with the doctrine, not only
ofthc f;i hers of the republic, but also. with
that of thc democratic party up to 1854,
to the introduction Of the Kansas Nebraska
bill into congrcs; and in doing this, shall
neccssarially be compelled to repeat the
facts and arguments which have often been
tod in the discussion of this question, du-
ring the recent canvass; but truth loses
nothing 10y repetition.
Sir, let me here state, for the benefit Of
the south side ofthis house, that | am cred
IDLY informed by one who WAS of their
number, but who refused to be sold to the
that in a caucus held by the |
democracy in this capital, upon the rcccp |
tion of the news Of the introduction of the
Kansas Nebraska bill into congress, every
member of that caucus agreed that the bill
was wrong, AND OUGHT NOT TO PASS; but
the leaders said, ''ths bill is introduced by
Douglas, and we must sustain our little |
Dug"
Mr. LoGAN-The gentleman from Nc
Lean is mistaken about that caucus. was
4 member of that caucus, and l heard no
such sentiment cxprcssed-I was always in
favor Of the bill.
Mn. WIcKIzER-I am glad to learn that
here was ONE in that caucus, who did not
nave to CHANGE his sentiments in order to
support that BILL
Sir. the democracy now object to Gov.
BisscPs message, because it deprccatcs the
'aid Kansas Nebraska bill, and suggests
he idea that slavery is anomalous in our
system of government, and that it ought
lot to be politically recognized as lead
ng favorite element Of society.
Let us now compare these sentiments
With those of the fathers of the republic
hose PATRIOTS sages whose memories we
III love to cherish. Mr.. Jefferson, in let
or to Mr.. John Holmes, Of the 20th of
April, 1890, said: i.a.
ssThc whole commerce between master and slave
perpetual exercise of the most boisterous pas
ions; the most unremitting dcspotism on the ono
'itt, dlu uc-tiuliiS suDinc,lon on tnc otncF w I'LL
he morals of the people, their industry also is de-
troyed- Indeed, L trcmbIc for my country, when
reflect that God is just and that His justice can
ot sleep forcver that, considering numbers, ma
urc, and natural mans only, revolution Of the
Thccl of fortune, an cxchangc of situations, I. a
nong possible events; that il may become probable,
. supernatural interference, The Almighty has
o attribute which can take sides with in such a
ontest.
1
Sir, he who now darcs utter such senti-
nents, is denominated an abolitionist and
black republican" ~ i
But again, sir, Mr. Madison in the con-
titutional convention said
"Evcry addition the states receive t. their num- =
er of slaves, tends to weaken and render them in =
lpable ofselfdefcnce. In ease Of hostilites with
,reign nations they will be the means OF inviting 5
tack, instead of repelling INVASION Itis neces-
'ry duty ofthe general government to protect every
art of their confines aganstdanger, well internal
externsl; everything therefore, which tends to L
'creise danger, thou 7h Il be ioeal affair, yet if it
wolves national expense safety, becomes of con-
rn 10 eo-ry part oftle Union, and is proper sub
ct for the Consideration ftosc charged rcth the gen
al administration Of The eorcram.at. hod it es- U
initial in every point of view that the general gov
nment should have the power to prevent the in I
ease of sIavers.''