The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-09-16
s II IL E e. III
OF THE

HON. BEN NJ. SAMUELS.
The Democratic Candidate for Governor
of Lopa. Delivered at the Mass Meet
ing Of the Citizens Of Dubuque, on Sat-
urday Evening, August 29M, 1857.
Nominated by the Democratic party,
as a Candidate for next Governor of
Iowa, I shall commence the campaign
tonight, designing if health and strength
will permit, to keep it open and prose
cute it vigorously until the day of cleo
ton. shall visit the electors of Iowa
and make known the sentiments I en-
tertain on federal and State politics.
that is, on such branches of federal
politics as are involved in the canvass.
l will give frank, candid and undis-
guised expression of my opinions, and,
should the people of Iowa elect me to
the Office for which I am candidate,
you may rely upon it will carry out
the views I proclaim.
FEDERAL POLITICS.
First, as to federal politics. I am
what is called "a state rights man." I
regard the Federal Government as one
of limited powers that all the powers
it possesses are expressly conferred
upon is by the Constitution Of the Uni.
ted States, or those which follow by
necessary implication, and am in favor
of limiting the Government to the exer-
else of its legitimate powers. While
exercising powers within its proper and
prescribed sphere. lam in favor Of MAIN
tanning its authority and enforcing obe.
dience to its enactments. This is abso-
lutely essential to our existence as Gov
ernment. Republics cannot exist with
out obedience to law. When the author
ity Of the Government is disregarded or
derided, when its solemn Legislative en-
actments cannot be enforced its days are
numbered, its end is near at hand.
But to be more particular in regard
to Federal politics: l am in favor Of
maintaining the authority of the Gov
ernment in Kansas, and of enforcing
obedience to its laws. verify believe
that had the United States Government
been more prompt and energetic, and
less reluctant to resort to extreme meas
ures, that affairs in Kansas would have
been entirely settled long before now
Had the spirit Of the Hero Of the Her.
mitage been in the White House at the
head of affairs, Lane anu S..:.. Ell: :sc..- Gle .
and few more factious leaders would
have been either killed or quieted long
since. But affairs in Kansas may be re-
garded as settled now. True, there is
lingering dissatisfaction among some
who are ambitious to become immortal
either by glory or by shame. But the
people, ever honest, ever virtuous, have
seen Lane and Stringfellow strike hands
in friendly speculations, drink their wine
and play their cards together, and they
have learned that no reliance is to be
placed in such men. They have turn
ed away from them, and are now relying
upon themselves.
/ am opposed to the enactment, by
State government, of any law either
tending or designed to bring the State
and Federal Governments into conflict
with each other. Hence, were I chosen
Governor Of Iowa and such law as l
have described should pass the General
Assembly. l would unhesitatingly re-
turn it to the House from which it ema-
mated, with nay objections, or, in other
words. I would interpose a veto. No
specially styled Personal Liberty
Bills" would pass into laws under my
Administration with my consent. They
are nothing more nor less than nullit-
cation, and am no nullifer. On the
l am in favor of inculcating
obedience to law--of cullivating fra
ternal feeling between the citizens of the
different States--a reverence of the Con-
stitution and love of the Union. Il
maintain that a want of loyalty to the
Union is treason to the country. i
adopt the language ascribed to General
Jackson and say 1.-THE American Union
it must, and shall be preserved"
I know it will be expected that l
should speak of slavery-of slavery in
suc AoC<stCo ouA 0i~SoI Ill Ilo lcIIltOIlcS.
l do not perceive that this subject enters
properly into this canvass, but as our
opponents have made it the only issue
in their resolutions, and propose to lose
sight entirely Of State policy. l have
word or two eay upon it before pass
to other subjects.
With slavery in tie States, neither
the State Of Iowa nor the Government of
the United States has any right, either
legal or moral, to interfere. 1t belongs
to the State in which it exists either to
abolish or perpetuate slavery.
With regard to slavery in the Terri.
tories my views are That it is the ex-
elusive right, the privilege, the province
Of the people Of the Territory to deter
mine for themselves whether slavery
shall or shall not exist in their State
And it is unwise and injudicious, and