Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-12-25

9t<l1 ~ We u1{
49,. - ~ '~cr- :. = I
lI|gl a = nia<t sTzteuI = uc
have formed il, lake II I'll - w6 -
liked it 20 suit ourselves. and ask No
questions, but vote for it, or you shsll
not vote. either for a Slave or Free
State" In other words, the legal ef-
feet OF the schedule is this ali those
who are in favor of this Constitution
may vote for or against slavery, as
they please !; but all those who are
against this Constitution are disfrxn-
chised, and shall NOT vote al all. That
is the mode in which the slavery prop
osition is submitted Every man op-
posed 70 the Constitution is disfraR-
chised on the slavery clause. How
many are they? They tell you there
is majority, for they say the consti-
tuition would be voted down Instantly,
by an overwhelming majority, if you
allow a negative vote. This shows
that a majority is against il. They
disqualify and disfranchise every man
who is against it, thus referring the
slavery clause 70 minority Of the
lpeopie of Kansas, and leaving that mi
nority free 70 vote for or against the
slavery clAuse. as they choose.
is THAT FAIR ?--ouorEs FROM THE
a PRESIDENT.
Let me ask you if that is fair
mode Of submitting the slavery clause?
Does that mode of submitting that
particular clause leaye the people per-
tectly free TO vote for against slavery
as they choose? Am l free TO vote
as choose on the slavery question, IL
you tell me shall not vote on it until
vote for the Maine Liquor law Z? Am
| free 70 vote on the slavery question,
if you tell me that ! shall not vote ei-
ther way until | vote for bank ? Is
it freedom of election 70 make your
right to vote uponone question depend
upon the mode in which you are going
sss sS s1ss % 49, sasT With III i Is that
/ freedom yof election? Is that the
great fundamental principle of self
government, for which we combined
and struggled in this body and
throughout the country TO establishes
the rule of action in all time 10 come?
The President Of the United States
has made some remarks in his message
which il strikes me it would be very
appropriate to read in this connection.
He says:
The friends and supporters Of the Nebraska
and Kansas act, when struggling on a recent oc-
easion 20 sustain its wise provisions before the
great tribunal oi the American people, never
differed about It's true meaning on this subject.-
Everywhere throughout the Union they publicly
pledged their faith and honor that they would
cheerfully submit the question Of slavery 10 the
decision Of the bona hde people Of Kansas. with
out any restriction or Qualification shaterer.-
Of popular sovereignty, which is the vital princi-
pie OF our free Institutions"
Mark this /: W 81
Had IL then been insinuated, from any guar
ter. that IL would have been a sufficient compli-
ance with the requisitions OF the organic Law for
the members of a convention, thereafter 70 be
the people. and 70 substitute their own viii for
that Of leg ly ascertained majority Of their con-
sS'9sn's' ~ TINS would nave been instantly reject
Yes, sir, and will add further, had
it been then inrimated from any quar-
Ter and believed bv the American neo-
ple. thai we would have submitted the
slavery clause in such manner as 10
compel man 10 vote for that which
his conscience did no, anproys IN or
dar ~ vo,a ON the slaysry cl.nsa mo,
onlv would the ;dsa have besn rs;sc,ed
!. bnt The Democrai;o cand;dale sor the
prss;dancv would have haen re;ec,ed .
and every man who hscksd him would
have hesn re;ec,ad too
80
DOUGLAS WILL STAY "hhHh h1
THE PARTY MAY 90.
The President tells us in his mes
sage that the whole party pledged our
faith and our honor that the slavery
question should be submitted 70 the
people, without any restriction or
qualification whatever. Does the
schedule submit II without qualihca-
tion ? lt qualities it by saying. "You
may vote on slavery II you viii vote
for the constitution; but you shall not
} do so without doing that." Thn is a
very important quallhcaiion--a quail
tication coniessedly in violation OF our
platform. We are told by the Presi-
dent that our faith and our honor are
pledged that the slavery clause should
oe suom'''eu -, w''nou' ~ uai'n's'lo1 'nlls %
hs calIad mon 10 forfeit INV faith and
NV honor IN order 10 enable a small