Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-04-22
S u T. &c II
OF
HOl. DAVID kILGORE, OF IND.
DELIVERED N THE HOUSE OF REPREsEN-
rATIvEs, MARCH 24th, 1883.

the all-exciting topic of controversy
has been discussed in every forin, TO
be able to introduce a single new idea,
nor would ]. ON this occasion, open
my mouth, but that it will be expect
ed, perhaps, by those whom | repre-
scnt here, that should say something.
| regret to see that bitterness of feeling
which is cvinced ON the part of gentle
men upon this floor in the discussion
of this subject. | represent a peace
able, orderly, law abiding Quaker con
stituency. The angry feeling with
which they are denounced upon this
floor would be startling to them. If
they could witness it as | have wit
messed it for the last few months. |
have been astonished to find gentle
men representing the interests of the
South denouncing men upon this side
unfortunately as band of Aboli
tionists, and applying to them the
general charge of negro stealing
Why, sir, just such denunciations
have tended to rouse that excitement
of party feeling which now RACES all
over the country. The people of the.
North are denounced. and charged with
every crime in the whole catalogue OF
crimes. 1t was. remarked the other
day that speeches made by Southern
gentleman were sent by Northern men
to their constituents. That is true;
and, on the other hand, when we hap
pen to lave an imprudcnt speaker up
on our side of the House, who denoun-
ces your institutions i'll terms OF bitter
ness, you also food your country with
his speeches. They are sent there, if
not to the mass of the people, at least
to the political leaders, for the purpose
OF showing Northern sentiment to-
wards Souther Institutions. Human
nature is the same, North and South.
We read your speeches; and we do it
for the purpose OF showing the feelings
you entertain towards US and our insti
tutions; and yoa circulate speeches
made by gentlemen of the North, ami
they have the same ciiect-to excite
public Indignation against us.
These things are done, too, when
partisan strife is raging all over this
country with unbounded licetiousness.
But, sir, we are called Abolitionists,
and denounced as fanatics. Why Is
this? Cannot gentlemen distinguish
between abolishing Slavery in the
States where it exists by virtue of local
laws, and extending it into Terri
tories that are Free? The difference is
to ME so palpablc that | think no man
ought to confound them. am an
old-fashioned Wing; and stand upon
this Slavery question, where the old
Wing party stood: where that distin-
guished leader of the Wing party, the
statesman of the nation, Mr.. Clay,
stood. Where. Slavery exists in II
State by legal sanction, there let it
alone. Where Slavery exists by vir-
tue of law, there let it alone, until
those having the legal authority deter
mine to abolish it. But, sir, where
Slavery does not exist; where Terri
tories are Free; where there is no law
creating the institution, | say, what
that eminent leader said among his
last declarations: Il never can and
never will vote, and no earthly power
will ever make me vote, to spread Sla
very over Territory where it does not
exist" But, sir, | am not alone on
this platform of principles. | would
like to inquire of Southern gentleman
upon the other side, if they have ex-
amined Mr.. Buchanan's political rec
ord closely? ! would like to know
whether they have not taken into their
bosoms an Abolitionist? If | am an
Abolitionist upon this subject, on ac-
count of occupying the ground l do,
James Buchanan is an Abolitionist
also, and has been one for the last 40
years. True, he may have been bap-
tized since the Cincinnati Convention
into the true faith of the South. Gen
tlcmen will pardon me for calling their
attention to a resolution signed by the
distinguished occupant of the White
House, in his native State, Pennsylva-
MIA, in the year 1910, when the Mis-
souri, question agitated the whole
country:
''Whereas the people Of this State pur-
ing the maxims and animated by the bene-
icence of the great founder of Pcnnsvlva-
mia, first gave effect to the gradual abolition
of bx
only rescued the unhappy and helpless Afri-
can within their territory from the tlcInoral
izlng infunce of slavery, but ameliorating
his state and condition throughout Europe
and America; and whereas il would illy
comport with those humane and Christian
efforts to be silent spectators when this
great cause of humanity is about TO be agi-
tated in Congress. by fixing the destiny of
the new domains OF the United States
Therefore,
"Resoired: That the Representatives in
Congress from this district be, and they are
hereby, most earnestly requested 10 use their
utmost endeavors as members of the Ma
tional Legislature, TO Ererent the eristenee OF
sfacery ia any Of the Rer Territories and
States which may be created by Congress.
''Resoired; as the opinion of this meet
ing, That n the Legislature of this State
~
deserving OF their wisdom and patriotism to
take into their early aud most serious CON
si,leration the propriety of insrrueting our
Representa- .ves in the National Legislature
TO use the most Jealous and strenuous ex-
ertions to inhibn the eristence Of siarery in
any Of the Territories and States which NAV
hereafter be created by Congress; and that
the members of Assembly from this county
be requested To embrace the earliest oppor-
tunify OF bringing ,hls subject before both
Houses of the Legislature. - fa a1fe
"Rssoired; That, in the opinion of this
meeting. the members of Congress who. at
the last .ssion. sustained the cause of JUS
tice. humanity. and patriotism. ia opposing
the introduction Of slarery into the State.
then endeavored Co be formed out of the
Missouri Territory. are entitled 10 The ,cdrBl-
est thanks Of erery friend Of humanity,
"Resofred: Tha, the proceedings OF this
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