The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-08-28
speech Of Hon 5. r.. Curtis.

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1t has seldom been our good fortune, to
listen to more pertinent and effective
speech, than the one which was delivered by
Col. Curtis on last Wednesday evening"
The Hall was crowded, and the greatest at
tention was manifested by the large audi
encc.
1t is not our purpose---however much We
may desire ito give full report oil the
speech; but it is fitting that we glance. over
some of the important points that were COM
pretended in the remarks Of the speaker
The discourse commenced with the PROPOSE
ton that there are but two great political
antagonisms in the country-Republicanisln
and self styled Democracy. These political
organizations have, to great extent, ABB
sorbed all others; and it is the destiny OF
the country that ono of these great parties
of the Union must control the functions OF
government.
The speaker then proceeded to demon
state, in the clearest manner, that the Gin
cinnati platform of 1856 is evasiye and
uiyocul-that Northern Democrats were
seduced into the support OF buchanan on
the plea that he was opposed to the extern
sion Of slavery; and that so soon as he reach
cd the Presidency, he cut loose from his
! hypocritical alliance with the North, and
surrounded himself with the most ultra pro-
slavery influences. His cabinet, his agents,
his advisers, the appolntees of his Admins
tration, were, nost Of them, from the South.
The North was spurned in his councils; and
from the first it was obvious that the whole
weight of his executive influence would be
thrown into the scale of slavery. In his first
message to Congress, he recommends that
the great mail route from the Mississippi to
| San francisco be established on the sd
parallel Of latitude, while he knew well that
the shortest and most practicable roue to
the Pacific traverses Iowa, Nebraska, and
the great Platte valley. The contractors
were forced into the adoption of the South
ern route, at an expense of 100000 year.
Camels were imported to traverse this de-
sert route-Artesian wells Of extraordinary
depth were bored-a desert and worthless
valley was bought at an exorbitant price, a
portion Of the army was detached to pro-
tect the route from hostile savages: and all
of this expense was incurred to deprive the
North of its legitimate rights, and to build
up at our expense the peculiar institution oil
the South. This mail route, on which such
extravagant expenditures have been lavish
ed, was designed as the pioneer OF the great
Pacific Railroad. Thes.South must have the
benefit of this vast improvement, notwlth'
standing it is conceded by Southern mer
that the 4lst parallel, intersecting the West.
) ern boundary of Iowa, proposes, beyond al
question, the most practicable routeto the
Pacific. 1T
The Lecompton issue was clearly and Tor
chilly presented. 1t was established oeyont
doubt, that the Administration, fpm the
first. has been committed to the exiensiot
of slavery into free Territories. While the
infamous Lecompton Convention was III SEES
sion, a standing army was ordered by the
President to protect this incendiary and rev.
dictionary body. p
The speaker then remarked upor the ex-
travagance of the Goyernmen pro'ing that
the present fiscal year will show IN expen'
diture of nearly 100000 0O-lDre thar
. twice the amount that was expended by Fal
Buren's Administration at IL period when
corruption and Extravaganza were the evil
spirits controlling the Govsrnmen.
There were many other points to which
the speaker alluded; and We regre, that we
; have not space to record them. The posi-
) tions assumed by Col. Curtis were solled
and massive. lie had fortified himself with
facts, and his remarks carried conviction
to his hearers. We can assure cur Repub-
lean friends all over the District, that Polk
county will do her duty toward our candl'
date for Congress. We are aIivehere to the
vital issues between the parties and while
. we intend to work for victory OF the solid
platform of our State Ticket, We intend also
that the LIST District of Iowa shall continue
to be represented in Congress ly a fearless
able and outspoken Republlcan.-Des MoiHe
Citizen.