Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-09-10
MIR. LINCOLN. OF ILLINOIS, ON THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

MIR. LINCOLN. OF ILLINOIS. ON THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The following grand aud eloquent tribute
to the Declaration of Independence, from one
of Hon. Abraham Lncon's recent speeches
is truly refreshing in these times Of political
degeneraoy;
"These communities (the thirteen colonies
by their representatives in old independence
Hall, said to the whole world of men: I'VE
hold those truths to be self-ovidont: that ali
men are created equal; that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain inalenablc
rights that among these are life, liberty.
and the pursuit of happiness. This was
their majestic Interpretation of the economy
of the Universe. This was their lofty, and
wise, and noble understanding of the Justice
Of the Creator TO His creatures. Applause. I
Yes, gentlemen, to all His creatures. to the
whole great family of man. In their enlight-
ened belief, nothing stamped with the Divine
image and likeness was sent into the world
to be trodden on, and degraded, and imbruted
by its fellows. They grasped not only the
whole race of men then living, but they reach
ed forward and seized upon the farthest pos
terity. They erected beacon to guide their
children and their childten's children, and
the countless myriads who should nhabit the
earth in other ages. Wise statesmen as they
were, they know the tendency of prosperity
to breed tyrants, and so they established these
great self evident truths, that when in the
distant future some man, some faction, some
interest, should set up the doctrine that none
but Anglo-Saxon white men were entitled to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,
their posterity might look up again to the
Declaration Of Independence, and take cour-
age to renew the battle which their fathers
began-so that TRUTH and justice. and mercy,
and all the humane and christian virtues
might not be extinguished from the land so
that no man would hereafter dare to limit and
circumscribe the great principles on which the
temple of liberty was being built. Loud
cheers.
Now, my countrymen, Mr. Lincoln con-
tinued with great earncstness,) il you have
been taught doctrines conflicting with the
great landmarks Of the Declaration Of indie
pendence if YOU have listened TO suggestions
which would take away from its grandeur.
and mutilate the fair symmetry of its proper
tons if you have been inclined to believe
that all men are not created equal in those in
alienable rights enumerated by our chart of
liberty, let me entreat you to come back
Return to the fountain whose waters spring
close by the blood of the Revolution Think
nothing of me-take no thought for the polit-
ical fate Of any man whomsoever-but come
back to the truths that are in the Declaration
of Independence. You may do anything with
me you choose, if you will but heed those
sacred principles You may not only defeat
me for the Senate, but you may take me and
put me to death. While pretending no in
difference to earthly honors. do claim to be
actuated in this contest by something higher
than an anxiety for Office. / CHARGE YOU TO
drop every paltry and insignificant thought
for any mans success 1t is nothing: am
nothing Judge Douglas is nothing. But do
not destroy that immortal emblem Of humanity
the Declaration Of american independence"
IHE lioRRons or TIC SLAVE TRADE.-
ne hey west hey Of The G"I, in its account
OF tne capture of the slave brig Putnam, by
tne T. D ship Dolphin, relates the follow
ing
me prize had on board, when taken,
ABOUT three hundred and thirty Africans,
mostly young-none OF whom were over thir
y i've years OF age and there was evidently
'ei" uH,hS on the voyage. More than
sever. e'Shths oi the slaves, male and female,
we're IN /" nude state They were confined to
.ne uecN IN sitting posture-'spoon fash
ion anu as we learn nom Dr. j. Nj. Browne
VI toe DolPhin' presented most disgusting,
s'ckenihg ana revolving appearance. Many
hau the ieprosy' Others with their eyes OBJ
'iuui'S rom lne socket others with horrible
soIes ana almost all conceivable ailments,
consequent to their position IN confinement
and treatment on board. Originally there
board, Of which number one hundred and for
ty had died
Among tho incidents of the capture. we
learn that the night before that event the
vessel being within about eighty miles Of the
port OF destination grand champagne blow
out was had on board, in anticipation Of soon
successfully completing the voyage and fin
gGHhS the proceeds-ot which we are inform
ca each oi the crew was to receive nine hun
urea uoHals' ana the owners expected to clear
one huhured ana thirty thousand dollars
put before they had time to sleep off the eff /
lects OF their potauons, the Dolphin hove in
slBnt AT daylight. much to their surpriso and