Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-30
SPEECH OF HON. d. WILMOT,
AT PHILADELPHIA,

On Monday EUening, .August 9th, 1857.
Fellow Citizens. appear before you might
under the conscious feeling that will not be
able to meet the expectations of SO large and
intelligent an audience. l therefore invoke
your Indulgence and kindest charity while
make a few remarks. In the first place there
should be full and frank understanding as to
the relations which exist between US.
There is not one in a Thousand Of your cti-
zens, suppose, that have the honor of per
sonal acquaintance with. ! have, therefore,
no claims upon you, and it would be presump-
tuouS on my part to appeal to you for your
vote.
have been placed by portion Of the cti-
zens OF this Commonwealth, as representative
of principles, regarded by them as of vital in
flucnce to our common country.
If, aftera careful consideration of those prin-
ciples, you find them to be essential, then l
have right to invoke your aid and vote.
If these principles are vital to your own in
terestS, upon the ascendancy of which they
would prove vital to yourselves and children,
then have right to invoke your aid.
Invite no mans suffrage unless he believes
by supporting me, he supports his own highest
interests.
We are told by the dominant party that we
have no right to discuss the question of Sla-
very. In pronunciamento recently put forth
by the self-styled Democracy, they assume the
right to arrogate what the people should hear,
or should not hear; and by and bye, they will
assume the functions of saying what book
person shall read or shall not read. l main
tain there is no question that can arise, but
what it is open for discussion; nor is any at
tempt made to close discussion on any other
question but Slavery.
Fellow citizens, it is impossible to stop the
discussion on slavery, for you might as well
attempt TO arrest the sun in its course. We
read of vain and presumptuous prince who
commanded the tides to go back. These
modern Democrats might as we'll attempt TO
stay the tide of popular rights that affect the
rights of the whole people. 1t is not an alb
stract question, but one of practical interest,
which comes home to every one! 1t is one of
political power, which controls the destnies
and shapes its policy!
Shall a few hundred men in the interest of
slaves, or millions of freemen decide it Are
| not these practical questions? Again, it as
sumes position nearer to your own interests.
| The question is whether labor shall maintain
an honorable position, sink into degrada-
tion ? Is that not practical question?
Fellow citizens, there is question higher
still. 1t is question of Civilization or Bar
barism-whethcr Civilization, founded upon
principles of honor and virtue, shall go over
the country, or stop, and species of Barbar-
ism take possession of the land? Whether
civilization or the bowie knife shall control.
Whether the great questions that are to be
! discussed in our national halls shall be done SO
! on principles of reason and right, or with the
| budgeon. Ommense applause.)
| Permit me here to repel the sanderous as
saults that have been made upon me, through
| a venal and subsidized press-for slave power
poisons all channels of public opinon-a press
that, standing as the organ of Democratic O.
pinion, has lost all its old principles, and there
is not one in ten but what is paid to advocate
Human Slavery and resist Free Labor.
Ihat press charges me with advocating priu.
| clples subversive to our government-that
| am a rank Abolitionist. pronounce If n gross
! SANDER on my character and my princinIes il
they say l wish to interfere with the institu.
tons of my sister States. L am State Rigbts
man up to the hub, one of the Jefferson school
on that subject.
We have no power to interfere with slavery
| as it exists in the States. No more right to
affect the institutions of Virginia than they
have to affect our Public School system by
! Congressional enactments.
1t is different, however, in the Territories.
where we have as much right to be heard as
they, for they must be governed by Congress,
and we have right in determining the char
acter OF the government imposed on them.
| Allow me brief time to refer to the Wilmot
Proviso. (Applause.) In 1916, twill be rec
objected, We were engaged in war with Mexi-
co. The President sent in his message, ask
| ing for an appropriation of three millions to
| enable him to make peace. 1t was apparent to
every one that he wanted to purchase Terri
! tory, for was not Mexico conquered and lying
rent that this money was to be the first install
ment for the acquisition of Territory.
When the bill came up, which sas on the
day prior to the adjournment of Congress, /
offered an amendment twhichprovided, as a fun
damental condition, that neither slavery or in
voluntary seryitude should exist in any land
purchased in consideration of this appropria-
ton. For doing this should almost be afraid