Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-09-03

Ma. LINCOLN on rnE DrcL,EAIloy. The
following grand and eloquent tribute to the
Declaration Of Independence, from one Of
Hon. Abraham Lincoln's recent speeches
is truly refreshing in these times OF Poli,i-
cal degeneracy;
..Thcse communities (the thirteen colo
ni,s) ~ their representatives, in old lnde'
rendenee Hall. said to the whole world OF
men: 1--WE hold these truths % be self ev-
idcr, tina, All men were created equal ;
that they are endowed by their Greater with
certain unalienahlo rights; that among
thc., are life. liberty and the pursuit Of
bappiness." This was their majestic Inter
prrtatiou Of the economy Of the Uuivcrse.
THIS was their lofty and wise. AMI noble
understanding Of the justice Of the Creator
to Ills creatures. (NPPlause) Yes gen
tlcmcn, 10 az lie crcaturcs, 20 the whole
great family Of man. In their enlightened
belief nothing stamped with the Divine i'm
ace and likeness was sent into 'he world "a
BE- tramrlyd on and degraded and imhrutcd
by 10. fellows. They srasP,d not only the
whol, race 90 men then living. but they
reached forward and siJt,l upon the tarth-
ct ros,srj,y. They erected a b,acln 70
guide thsir children AMI their childrrn'
children. and th- COUNTLESS Iuyriad' who
should inhabit the earth in other Aye
Vie statesmen IS they w,rs, they knew Che
tendency Of prosperity to brc'd 'yrani'' and
- they established these great s'li-eyiicut
truths, that when in the distant future some
man. some faction. some interest, should
st up The doctrine that non, but rich men
or none bat white men. or none but Anglo
Saxon white men, wgry euEtl,l 10 lie, !Ib-
erty and tbc pur.ui, ofharrires., their pos
terity might l,ok up again 90 the peSlar'.
ton % Independents, aud take courage .
rcngw the battl, which thor fathers hcsan
~ that truth and Justice, AMI mercy, and all
the humane and Christian virtues mishtno'
D. e1tiusuishgl from the land 81 that no
man would hereafter dar, &, Limit AMI cir
cum.crih, The great principles on which The
tie trmrls liberty was being built. Loud
cheers.
Now. my couutrymen (Mr Lincoln cone
tinuol with great carne-tuc-s.) % you have
bcln taught Doctrines conflicting with tAr
great landmark, Of the Declaration % indie
reudencc It you have listened TO suggestion
which would take away from ~ grandeur,
and mutilato the fair symmetry oI IT, pro-
portions. u you have bcsn Inclined 90 D.
Iicve that all men are ro' created equal in
tho, inalieuahl, rights enumerated 10y our
chart Of liberty, l,t me entroat You q come
hack. Return % the fountain WHOSE wa''
err srrir. close ~ the blood Of the rcyolu-
ton. Think nothing of me-take no
though, Tor ,be political fate Of any man
whomsosyCr-but come back % the truths
that are in the Declaration q lniepend-
cncc. You may 90 anything with me You
choose, Il you will bu, heod thc.a sa,rcd
principles You may not not only defeat
me 1r the senate, bat You may take the
and nut me % death While pretending no
indifference 90 earthly h0nors, | 10 e.d'm 20
b. ac,ua,od IN TIN. contest oy something
higher than an ANXIETY for oace. | charge
YOU to drop every raltry and in'ieuidsant
thought ior any mans success. IL - moth
in-: | am nothing judge Douglas i
nothing. b. % ~ drg-ay iba' iuv'or'a'
cmIln Of iuJuali'y-iis Declaration Of Ina
cioss istPr7aro..