The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-02


us. II is not the issue which the President
desired to present and, allow me to say,
that think Il il Of too slight character
20 engage the attention OF the people OF
this country. The people OF the Sorth
have not been very narrow in the matter OF
supporting candidates for Office. hope the
Senator will excuse me for mentioning
South Carolina again. Mr.. Butler. Ger
tainly.1 But IL were 70 select State in
this Union which has exhibited itself in
narrow light on that subject, since the for
nation of this government, il is that same
State of South Carolina. If the Senator
will take this book [uiekey's Constitution
which lies on tho desk and look over il, he
will see that about half the time. since the
formation OF tee Government. South Caro-
lima has refused to vote for the regularly
nominated candidates OF either party, but
has taken both its candidate for President
and Vice President from the Slave States,
most generally selecting one Of its own cit
liens for one office, whether he had been
nominated or not. The record shows this
fact. If the Senator will examine tit
lies before him-he can satisfy himself in
very few moments as TO the truth of my
statement. Then say-and say il with
all rcspect-the charge Of narrow and sec
tional views against Us comes with rather an
i'll grace from the honorable Senator from
South Carolina, because the Republican
party Of the North once, aud for the first
time, when il could do no otherwise-when
no candidate from the Southern States main
tanning the principles OF that parry pre-
sented himself, or was presented by his
friends, and when that party must, Of no.
cessity, nominate men who would maintain
its principles-while South Carolina her
self has set 50 III an example on that point,
from the foundation Of the government
No, sir, that is not the question. The ques-
ton which the President wished to present
is very different one. lie did not dare,
out Of respect for himself, 10 rely on the
mere circumstance that both candidates had
been taken from the North, because the
history Of the country would have shown
that there was no foundation for the charge
OF sectionalism in that alone. The Senator
from Texas saw this when, in connection
with the speech made by the Senator from
South Carolina. he introduced the phrase,
nominating sectional candidates upon a
sectional issue" To be.sure il IL the issue
alone that can make party geographical.
IL is the issue, not the location Of the can
didates. 10 which the President refers rs af.
fecting our party with u geographical char
acter.
Sir, you had an issue as sectional in the
last campaign Us we had. You contended
on your side for the right 10 carry slavery,
Us you contend now, under the constitution,
into the territories OF the United States,
whether free before or not. Ne repelled
1t we fought it; we denied il; we en-
deavorcd to prevent it. Wenominated can
didates whose opinions were similar to our
own. What else should we have done?-
Should We 80 into the camp Of the enemy
and nominate man 10 carry out our prin-
ciples who did not agree with us? By no
means. You could come into the Free States
and find candidate whom you could RELY
on to carry out your yiJws, and suppose
he will do so, although, as has been well
said, you did not dare, or you did no. think
II wise" dare is not proper word, |
suppose, 10 be used on these occasions = 10
take one of the great champions OF your
cause, and place hun before the people rs
your candidate. Ii Was the issue, then,
that made the party sectional. Was there
not as we'll geographical candidate at the
South alone? Did the fact that you could
find at the North candidate for President,
deprive the issue Of its sectional character
or did it make your party any the less a
geographical party? We invited voters
from all sections Of this country. Weshould |
have been happy to have found them in the
Slave States, IL they had chosen to give them
to us. Il is the last thing we desired TO
elect President by the votes Of the Free
States alone; but if compelled to Il, on an
issue 80 vital to our own interests, 81 impor- |
tRnt To us, is 10 he thrown in our face, by |
the President of the United States, that we |
formed geographical party and not only |
that, but formed geographical party with |
. design to overthrow the Government OF
the United States, CT dissolve the UniOn?-
| repeat, that when the President made that
charge covertly in the message which he has
sent TO Congress, he made charge which |
had no foundation in fact, and is dcrogatory
10 the true character and honor of the pco- |
pie who compose that great party.
lCoNCLUDED NENr WEEK