Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-12-24

ask me to do an act which the President, in his
message, has said forfeiture of faith, violation
of honor, and IT, 1t merely for the expediency of
saving the party Twill 60 as far as any of you to
save the party. have as much heart in the great
cause that binds US together as party as any man
living. will sacrifice anything short of principle
and honor for the peace of the party; but if the
party wilhot stand by its principles, its faith, its
pledges, will stand there, and abide whatever con-
sequences may result from the position. Let me
ask you, why force this constitution down the
Threats of the people of Kansas, in opposition to
their wishes and in violation of our pledges
What great object is to be attained? Cui bono,
What are youto gain by it7 Will you sustain the
party by violating its principles? Do you propose
to keep the party united by forcing division, -
Stand by the doctrine that leaves the people per-
fecty zee to form and regulate their institutions
for themselves in their OWL way, and your party
will be united and irresistible in power Abandon
that great principle and the party is not worth saw
ing and cannot be saved after it shall be violated
trust we are not to be rushed upon this question.
Why shall it be done7 Who is to beneftted7 Is
gamer? Neither the North nor the South has the
right to gain sectional advantage by trickery or
fraud. But am beseeched to wait until | hear
from the election on the 2lst of December. am
told that perhaps that will put it all right and will
save the whole difficulty. How can it7 Perhaps
there may be large vote. There may be large
vote returned. [Laughter.] But deny that it is
possible to have fair vote on the slavery clause:
and say that it is not possible to have any vote
on the constitution. Why wait for the mockery of
an election, when it is provided unalterably that
the people cannot vote-when the majority are
disfranchised?
If the Toombs bill does not suit my friends, take
the Minnesota bill of the last session-the one so
much commended by the President in his message
as model. Let us pass that as an enabling act,
and allow the people of all parties to come togeth
er and have fair vote, end will 90 for It. Frame
any other bill that secures fair, honest vote to
men of all parties, and carries out the pledge that
the people shall be left free to decide on their do
mestic institutions for themselves, and / will 90
with you with pleasure, and with all the energy
may possess. But if this constitution is to be fore
ed down our Threats, in violation of the fundamen
tai principles of free government, under mode Of
submission that is mockery and insult, painful a:
it will be to me, / must break all associations OF
connections rather than forfeit my principles.
have no fear of any party associations being
ed Ishculd regret to see social and political tie:
severed; but if it must be- if cannot act with yor
and preserve my faith and my honor, 1 will stand
on the great principle Unpopular sovereignty, which
declares the right of apeople to be left perfect.
free to form and regulate their domestic institution
in their own way. Twill follow that principle wher
ever its legal and logical consequences may tax,
me, and will endeavor to defend it against assault
from any and all quarters No mortal man shall
be responsible for my action but myself. BY m,
action l will co npromit no man.