Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-03-11
EVENING SESSION.
SPEECH OF MR. MORTON OF TOLEDO.


Taking for his text the favorite Democratic
Maxim, that "Men die--principles never
Mr. Morton said he hoped ever to be governed
by principles rather than by devotion to men.
1t was his firm belief that the Democratic party
were moved by patriotic principles. and sin
cere desire to hand them down to posterity.
He took great pleasure In meeting with his fel-
low Democrats on this occasion; he sympathiz-
ed deeply and fully with the objects of meeting;
he conceded with everything said here to-day
The very ideas which we enunciate now were
given to the world many years ego. They have
not always controlled individuals or parties but
they have entered into the minds Of men, and
We have enjoyed their full fruition.
The question we are considering Is, whether
We shall still adhere to those principles. Other
doctrines have been engrafted upon them time
and again, and such anti-democratie doctrines
are now sought to be engrafted upon it, the
tendency of which would be to subvert the
principles and destroy the party. One of these
is fealty. Fealty to a good party is right; but
when party becomes corrupt, 1t is our duty as
true disciples of Democracy, to denounce the
corruption and those engaged in sustaining it.
We hear it said every day that we are acting
with the Black Republicans, and denouncing
the standard bearer of Democracy-that we will
be read out of the party. Now, it is proper
thatw should take reckoning. The men who
thus charge us do not appeal to the record; they
do not try US by the rule-by the text book of
the party. They said to US. you should not DIS
obey Mr.. Buchanan. Who is Mr. Buchanan
What did he say when nominated? He gave
the platform adopted ct Cincinnati his full as
sent, and pledged himself to carry out its doc
trines to the very letter. Here the speaker
took occasion to say that there IS not a Democrat
who opposes the LecomptoR measure with
more reluctance than himself; it was, and is,
his purpose to support Mr.. Buchanan as FAR as
is consistent with true political principles1
In 1856 the Republican party were charging
all over the land that the Democratic party were
seeking TO prevent the organization of party
against the introduction of Slavery into Kan
sas. 1t was under these circumstances-in the
light of this charge-that the Convention pass
ed a resolution, setting forth that Kansas and
Nebraska should come into the Union on an
equal footing with the other States. The De-
mocratic party then became pledged that they
would admit Kansas with such Constitution as
the people approved.
Mr.. Buchanan's present position was then
contrasted with his pledges made to the Nation
al Convention; his instructions to Walker and
Stanton were examined; the circumstances at
tending the elections in Kansas were detailed;
and now. in view of all the facts, we are to de-
eide whether the people have been left free to
choose their own institutions, and adopt such
constitution as they may approve. And at the
same time we are to decide whether the demo-
cratic party in Congress-that portion which
represents the President-have redeemed their
pledges; and if we find their course has not
been fair ful6lment of the principles of that
party. it is our duty to say so. and to say it to
Mr.. Buchanan. much as we regret to wound his
feelings. 1t is our duty to say that the admis-
sion of Kansas under such auspices as it now
presents is not in accordance with our pledges
during the campaign in which Buchanan was
elected. Who now is the Democrat--the De-
mocrat who stands on this resolution, endorsed
by Mr.. Buchanan, or the man who seeks to yio-
late it?
Unfortunately for Mr.. Buchanan, we cannot
follow him. The question then comes up: shall
we tolerate differences of opinion? have no
doubt that such is the devotion to the Demo-
cratic party, that its leaders would have been
willing that those who were honest in their op-
position TO Lecompton. should be permitted to
differ and go on in their opposition to such ad
mission. --
Mr.. MORTON protested against reading De-
mocrats out of the party, for opposing the Le-
compton measure, when any other branch of
the Administration policy might be assailed by
any member of the party with impunity. He
said:
VIII 1t be denied by any man IN my hearing
that the body of the Democratic party are OPP
posed to the Leeompton swindle? No. we have
the majority with US, and should not the minor
ity submit?
How does the President regard the Democrat
ic party? 1t is told of him, that in reply to an
applicant for the Post Office, he said, "Ah my
dear sir, there is no knowing who will be In
the Democratic party in ten days" Laugh
ter. This shows how he regards differences
of opinion on the Kansas question.
If We differ from the President on this ques-
tion, We are no longer in the Democratic party.
He has said to the Postmaster in this town
and to the Postmaster in Chicago, and how ma
ny others we knew not--you have committed
the unpardonable sin. And this night off goes
your Postmasters headl What do you want
men to submit to, gentlemen2 Democrats could
do nothing more servile than to submit to this
thing.
II is charged upon in the streets, and We are
too hard upon Mr.. Buchanan. When he wanted
votes, he said al am no longer James Buchanan:
l am only the instrument in the hands Of the
Democracy to carry out their will" Now he is
President Buchanan, and the President must
be sustained though the Democratic party falls.
But he Will have merry time Of it before he
gets through. IChees.
As It was remarked this afternoon. IL is posi-
tivevly unsafe to trust the Presidency in the
haHds Of man unaoquainted with the geogra-
ply Of the country. Buchanan hsd4never been
West Of Pennsylvania, he never had any Of
the principles OF jackson; though he tries 10
ape him. IL Is still but shs attempt cfs moRkey,