Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-03-10

tne truth ana the right Is so much need
ed-and whence the power that causes
this adherence? Will he deny, Sir.
that the ''power behind the throne" in
this instance, and which is greater than
the throne itself, is the cohesive power
of public plunder. He admits that the
Lecompton Constitution is fraud, and
that it was not submitted to the peo-
pie, and in the next sentence lauds
James Buchanan for the sectional
course he has taken on this subject.
1t has often been the case that men
have loved the treason while they de-
spised the traitor. But now it becomes
necessary to reverse the order of things,
and we see the magic power of Democ-
racy displayed in the love for the trail
tor, while they affect to despise the
treason. They say they are opposed
to the Lecompton Constitution as it is
cheat and treason against popular SOW
ereignity, while they defend and eulo-
gize James Buchanan, at whose insti-
cation this swindle was perpetrated,
and is now endeavored to be forced
upon Kansas. Sir, can it be right for
the President to do wrong, and is he
to be praised for so doing? The
only plea that can be urged in behalf
of the course of the President in this
matter is ignorance 1t is true, Sir,
that the ear of power is sometimes
closed to facts which every man in the
nation besides is well acquainted with.
Especially is this the case III monarch
les. But is James Buchanan more To-
norant of the frauds of Lecompton than
Senators on the other side of this house
who denounce them? No, sir, the plea
of Ignorance is not sustained And if
it be true, then is that ignorance most
wilful. Where are the five Governors
that have been sent to Kansas within
the short space of three years? Let
the President call them to a witness
stand and be no longer deceived in a
matter that lies so near the heart of the
American body polite.
In the annals of history, the year
1857 will make up conspicuous page
Among the most prominent of the
events thereon recorded, 10 descend as
landmarks Of this age to future gener-
ations will appear two, which when
compared will cause every American
citizen to hang his head for shame
The one will point to proud Emper-
or, the Gar of all the Russians, whose
edict is law, and whose word is the
power of the Empire-opening his
heart and iberating his serfs-bidai,ag
his sloves go free, that they may ever
keep that year q year Of jubilee
The other will represent the President
OF the greatest Republic on the globe,
from the people Of which all his power
and authority is derived, and to whom
he is accountable for all his acts-stoop-
ing to bind the very feet ofhis subjects
with the iron links which clank between
the fetters of human slavery.
ask Senators on the other side to
contemplate the picture, and then tell
me if they are quite willing to be rep
resented as standing in the foreground
among the most prominent figures upon
the canvass, singing sHail Columbia"
to James Buchanan while he fastens on
the chains?
MIR. President, the debate upon these
resolutions has taken range somewhat
beyond the specific subject matter
they contain, and while I would not
digress too far from them, I wish here
to say, that on the slavery question, I
am confident that it is our duty to be
progressive. The more the slave pow
er forces its encroachments upon the
rights and privileges Of the Free States,
either by decisions of the Supreme
Court, by forced marches, or otherwise,
the more definite and determined not
only, but the more progressive should
be our action.
[ was educated Henry Clay Wing.
| cast my first vote as citizen, for that
eloquent and able Statesman, and up
to the time of the passage of the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, l entertained senti-
ments similar to those entertained by
him. l still hold it to be sound poIiti-
cal doctrine on the slavery question, to
oppose the extension Of slavery, and
let it alone in the States where it exists.
SO far as the action of the Free States.
as such, is concerned. But sir, if this
Lecompton swindle is to be crowded
through Congress by the South, regard
less of the will of the majority of voters
in Kansas, and against the wish of the
Free States, can see no course for us
to take hereafter, but such as will not
limit but extinguish slavery and drive
it from the land. When we see such
States as Missouri, Kentucky and Ma
ryland, struggling for freedom in be-
half Of free labor, can we do less than
to tender them our aid and sympathy.
When Slave States are moving in the
right direction, how can we, who enjoy
the blessings they strive to obtain look
on with cold Indifference?
The final struggle between the slave
oligarchy and the freemcn of the North,
hastens on-the sign of the times beto-
ken this. The plot thickens-states-
men are growing more and more SEN
sitive on the subject. The halls of
Congress have again and again wit
messed not only head to head, but hand
to hand contests On this question. 1t
is the duty of every man to watch the