Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-22
WASHTNGTO NEWS AND GOSSIP
DRPRRRkD ARrIeLEs. f----

found the speech except It's exordium) deliv-
cred by the Hon. James Hughes, Of Indiana
on the 24th ult., in a Democrats nesting In
Indianapolis, which We publish by way of ex
hibiting to the Stars readers the marked diff
ference between the positions Of the Demoe
racy Of Indiana, and those in Illinois, claiming
to be Douglas Democrats II Is eminently
proper that every Democratic member of Con
gress especially, should read this speech care
fully, that all of them may comprehend pre-.
eissly what the true Issues are which exist
between the Northwestern Democrats whose
sentiments are represented by Mr.. Hughe:
and those represented by Mr.. Douglas. A
careful reading Of this speech by them will a,
once suggest where their political sympathies
justly belong:
In 1850, We met together in this hall, pro-
claimed our creed and went forth 10 victory
Never was there q more devoted, united and
gallant army than that which Ashbel p VIII
lard led IN that memorable contest. Indiana
achieved laurels thon that should live forever
green upon brOws- .--.... ....
had the honor to draft the State Platform
Of 1896 On the slavery question, the leading
issue Of the State and National elections, at
that time, ii was broad and unequivocal 1t
fndorset the Compromise measures of 1850
braska bill" Upon the construction of that
famous bill some difference Of opinion existed.
Some contended for estate equ Atty" con.
struction now established by the Dred Scott de
cision, others for squstter sovereignty. The
former was more acceptable to the South, the
latter to the North. Our platform left that
question to judicial decision, by which, il is
needless TO say, the Democratic party always
'abides. The preference of our people doubtless
was tor squatter sovereiguty We believe IL
the most expedient and equitable mode of set
Ting the question of slavery in the Territories.
We would most Of Us have been gratiied had
the Supreme Court Of the United States recog-
nlzed the legality Of squatter sovereignty; vet
even here in Indiana there were those who
denied il, and favored State equality. The
Dred Scott decision has settled that question
That decision has been sanctioned and accepted
BY the Democratic party everywhere. 1t is not
In conflict with the Cincinnati platform. 1t will
doubtless be approved by the Charleston Con-
ventiOn. Let me remind you of the resolution
adopted by our State convention of the Sth of
January last, resolution which no one op-
posed, not even those shining lights that are
now subsiding into epublieanisu, Gas kindred
drops are mingled into one" 1t is the unan-
imous voice OF the Democracy OF Indiana ex-
pressed in plain and Wig orous language:
:. RsSoIrsd, That in the late decision of the
supreme Court Of the United STATES, known as
the Dred Scott decision, we recognize 4 legal er-
position Of the doctrines Of the Constitution of
the United states and of the State OF Indiana,
and we hereby denounce and hold up to the uni,
versal execration and scOrn Of all royal American
citizens the l0athsOme doctrine Of f.neyro equal
ity," now sustained and endorsed by the So
called Republican party of Indiana, q natural
and inevitable consequence Of their opposition to
the decision Of the Supreme Court above named
This Dred Scott decision disposes of the oues-
ton Of slavery in the Territories forever, if
faithfully adhered to, and is National plat
fOrm tounded in justice, upon which the Demo
cratic party Of the whole Union can stand with
an unbroken front
As to the admission of Slave States into the
Union, the Republicans profess now to be di-
vlded among themselves We are united-ye
adhere to our doctrine-that they may come
in when, in the language of the Cincinnati
platform, they have sufficient population, -
with or without slavery, as their respective
constitutions may prescribe
The Kansas question, a temporary issue, is
settled by the English bill, in conformity with
the principle as 10 population, laid down in
the Cincinnati Platform, and, let me add in
the Fillmore Platform too
It's well known to you that voted for that
ball. Ii Is scarcely necessary to add that an
proved it. I defended it, population clause
and al, in my late canvass, and intend to
stand By it,
L have seen it charged in Southern newspa.
PeTs, and In the speeches Of some Southern
mS, who ought to have known better, that the
Northern Democratic Representatives had de.
serted the English bill 1t maybe true as to some;
lt ls not true as 70 all. Ii is VIGOROUSLY untrue
as to myself II is just as far from being true, az
the letters OF certain distinguished Southern
Democrats upon Illinois politics, recently pub
hshed, are far from being either wise or well
timed am very free to declare my opinion
that those letters were in very bad taste.
Now, what ground shall we, as y party in In
diana occupy on the slavery question in fu-
ture! Snail We go forward or 90 back? We
will soon be called on 10 unfurl our flag for the
great battle Of 1860. ! say, let US stand by
the DTed Scott decision-let rs stand by the
English bill
have witnessed, with regret, indications of
a purpose to keep enough Of the slavery ques-
uon open and in doubt to serve as q pretext
Tor agitation, and make an issue for election
eering purposes. The prolific brain of Mr.
Douglas has brought forth a new species of
squatter sovereignty, called "unfriendly leg
Isiation, the purport Of which is, that al
though the Constitution Of the United States
protects slave property in the Territories, il
needs the aid Of territorial legislation to give
~ eject Quite discovery truly, The com
bIned eject OF this patent squatter sovereignty
and the Dred Scott decision would lead us back
10 the very point in this slavery controversy
lrom which We set out.
The same views have been attributed 10 Sen
~'-oi VI 1Ai5s.SSippl. nave no Q0nDt ne
has been misrepresented. lie never uttered
any such opinions. If any Southern man
comes to as with such doctrines, let US call
him Southern dough-face, and tell him to 20
home.
Away with this continual shutting and pal
tering upon this question of slavery. Let rs
meet our responsibilities like men. Tho Dem
ocra,ic people Of the North are misunderstood
indeed when any such siekly and spurious
Pnnanihropy is imputed 10 them, as to require
their stomsehs ~
70 you here tonight, that if the Con-
tIon InISn % tne Onited States gives the slave
holder right to his property in the Terrific
ries, as believe it does, that right i nsriec,
under the Constitution, and n.eJs ,n tPe--;,e
rial legislation to make it so. A' 'oii'''
believe that utter the sentimsp, q, 49,,
sound Democrat in Indiana when 1 saw ~,
Tor the Constitution Of NY country in its Ia,.n-
aud spirit, and In all ITS consequences, imme
date and remote; and If that Constitu ton i'm
poses manacles upon every negro in the q Uniop.
am for it still, because il is the Constitution