The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-10-20
ADDRESS
OF THE
Republican State Convention.
IN IL. p,oric ar fhe .Ct1fe of WIscon-

election ia of unusual Importance. New
or before has National Administration
20 completely abandoned the original
principles upon which this government
was founded. While the constitu ton of |
this United States, as Mr.. Madison con
tended, contains nothing which can re-
mind coming generations. that such an
aboinipation as Slavery, ever existed in
this country, the President declares an
extra judicial decision; which, makes Sla-
very, the ruling and paramount interest
in our national policy, to be the supreme
Law of tho land. Not only has tho liberal
and time-honored policy of excluding
Slavery from the territories been aban-
doncd, but Slavery is maintained there in
spite of the soenny expressed will ofthe
people, and its continuance has been made
she sole condition on which territory is
to be elevated to the rank of a sovereign
State. The great commercial and indus
trial interests, with which the welfare and
prosperity of the people are inseparably
connected, have been unscrupulously sac
rificed to the d.ctation of the slayeholdine
aristocracy, and even the great highway
of internal communication, " hich is to con-
meet two oceans, is to be diverted from its
natural direction, because the STAKEHOLDER
wills it. "
L. While II was the opinions of our great
est statesmen, that honesty, faitbfulncss
and ability should be the only criteria by
which the claims of aspirants to office
were to be judged, the present Admins
trstion has shamefully prostituted its pow
sr and patronage, by purchasing the votes
Of National Representatives with execu-
tive fayors, and by debauching the poIi;i-
cal morals of the people on the largest
scale by alternate threats and bribes.-
Abandoning the practice of wise econ
omy in the expenditures of the govern
ment, the Administration lavshed the
money of the people with unheard Of
prohigacy for the purpose of supporting
Its adherents and quariering an army Of
idle and Unsuitable officeholders on the
treasury of the nation.
In what feature of this administration
are we to recognize thespirit which ruled
the earlier and better days of this Repub-
Lief 1t permits even the despets of the
old world to put us to shame. While the
Emperor of Russia in full possession of
bis arbitrary power, pays his tribute to
the spirit oflour age, BY taking measures
FOR the emancipation of the serfs, the
President of the U. S. declares that the
Banner of this Republic shall carry Sla-
very Ill its folds wherever it may be borne.
While the former oyerawes his subjects
by the ever ready array of his standing
armies, the latter endeavors to rule free
people, by addressing himself to tho We
nnhty and greed of hireling politicians.
9Ahieh is the more disgusting? Where
s-the pride, where the honor of the A
merican peoplel
Citizens of Wisconsin. You have con-
demned President Pierce's Administra
ton by a majority of IA 900 votes.-But
what wrong has Pierce ever committed,
what outrage has he ever sanctioned. that
has not been far out done by Buchanan
Every vote that is not cast against him.
will be counted for him. Every suff-
rage not exercised will be considered an
endorsement of his acts.
Do not forget that the election this
year will foreshadow the result of the
Observation-Disclosures in 1850, and that the
election OF chief magistrate may be
thrown into the lower House of CONGRESS-
for which you have now to choose Rep-
resentatives. If ever a cause was dear
to your hearts let it be this. If ever YOU
worked for great and pure principle, work
now. One vote may decide the future of
this Republic.
The political situation Of Wisconsin has
no less claim on your attention. The
corruption and abuses practiced under
several Administrations, have stained the
reputation and ruined the character and
credit of our State. FaithIess officers
have plundered the treasury, squandered
the money of the people, and gambled
away the funds set apart for the educa-
ton of our youth, and numerous legisla-
tors have betrayed the trust rcposed in
them, by accepting brides. No fair min
ded man can deny, that anon the per-
$ ms who participated in these frau ..uent
transactions, an overwhelming large ma
jority. belonged to the Delgocra;ic organ
nation. But above all. may the Repub-
leans ave the merit of having, in spite
of the united and stubborn opposition of
the Democratic party, invcstig tied IL g
- outrage committed and the perpetrators
without respect to party or statioD.-
while the Democrats, far from excluding
from their ranks the numerous defaulters
an corruptionists, have endeavored to
screen themby eonfering upon them new
honors and 1ew trusts, the Republican
party have not hesitated to expose their
tainted members, and honestly endeavor-
ed te clear its ranks of all corrupt ele-
ments, and we may say with pride, that
the Investigations moved and carried bv
tue Republicans in our legislative bodies,
have stopped the populations, and that
the property of the people is safe in the
hands to which it has been entrusted
If ever it was necessary that men Of prin-
eiple and honesty should be elected to our
Legislature, it is now, when conflicting
interests are fighting each other. and when
INSCRIPTIONS means will be resorted to
in order to bias the judgment of our leg
lslators. Let no promises to relieve YOU
from personal and pecuniary obligations,
induce you to forget your duty as free
men and Republicans, aud let no consid-
Grafton move you to cast vote for an op-
ponent Of true Republican lrinciples.
Remember that the Republican party
4 identified with the cause Of hnn,nI, M.