The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-01

,sipasd IN be House of Representatives, a, LdianapOs
ne PAN tna

not upon political mlsslon nor 10 mlnge ia the discus
sions OF public meetings, but upon professional business
and 10 renew my acquaintance with two old familiar
friends called John Doe and Riebard Roe
trust, however, that may not live 10 the time
when shall be indifferent 10 the welfare of the demo
cratic party unwilling TO do my humble part TO pro-
mote its success in whatever walk of life may be
found
You have together night to take counsel of
public affairs and to interchange opinions upon the pres
eht condition and future of the democratic par
w. IL Is eminently proper at this time to do Men
from every part OF the State here fresh from the peo
pie, and it is right we should confer together.
Let US speak to another kindly but without re-
serve IL differences Of opinion exist the first step to-
wards concert Of action must be the uterance of
tments shall speak for myself alone, and plainly for
shall speak honestly, but with no desire to wound the
feelings OF any man. l propose TO be very brief and
shall not attempt to play the orator but simply to
my opinions on some points of Importance
wish to hear number of friends from different
parts Of the State might that may collect far
possible, the sense of the party This is time to
ter into an elaborate discussion of public affairs 10
consume an evening in set speeches from two per
In 1856 we met together in this hail. proclaimed our
creed, and went forth TO victory. Never was there
more devoted united and gallant army than that which
Ashbe 7 Willard led in that memor, bic contest. In
diana achieved aurels then that should live forever
green upon her brows.
had the honor to draught the State platform of 1856
On the slavery question: the Leading issue of the State
and national elections ut that time IL was broad and I'M
equiyocal 1t endorsed the compromise measures of
1850 and their application Embodied in the Nebraska
bill Upon the construction of that famous bill
difference of opinion existed.
Some conended for estate equality" a construction
established by the bred Scott decision Others for
squatter sovereignty. The former acceptable
10 the South the latter to the North Our platform left
that question TO judicial decision by which, it is needless
to say the democratic party always abides The prefer
ence OF our people doubtless was for squatte sovereignty
We believed it the expedent and equitable mode
OF settling the question OF slavery IN the Territories We
would most of us have been gatfed had the Supreme
Court OF the United States recognised the legality of
suater sovereignty yet here in Indiana there were
those who denied it, and favored State equality The
bred Scott decision has settled that question That de-
csion has been sanctioned and accepted by the demo
cratic party everywhere 1t is not in conflict with the
Cincinnati platform 1t will doubtless be approved by
the Charleston Convention Let remind you of the
resolution adopted by State convention of the Sth of
January last, resolution which no one opposed-not
even those shining lights that sulsiding into
epublicanisn, 'as Kindred drops mingled into one
1t is the unanimous voice of the democracy of Indiana
expressed in plain aud vigorous language
Z Resolod That, in the late decision of the Supreme
Court OF the United States known the bred Scott de-
cson we recognise legal exposition 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
universal exection and of all loyal American citi
the loahsome doctrine of NEGRO equality - now
sustained and endorsed by the socaed republican party
of Indiana natural and inevitable consequence of
their opposition to the decision Of the Supreme Court
above named.
This bred Scott decision dispoes of the question of
slavery in the Territories forever if faithfully adhered TO-
and is national platform founded in Justice upon which
the democratic party of the whole Union stand with
unbroken front. a. HFE
AS to the admission of slave States into the Union the
republicans profess to be divided among themselves
We are united adhere to doctrine that they
may come in when in the language of the Cincinnati
platform. "they have sufficient population with OF
without slavery, as their respective constitutions may
prescribe. .... ...
The Kansas question: temporary issue-is settled by
the English bill, in conformity with the principle as to
population laid down in the Cincinnati platform and let
me add, in the Fillmore platform, too
1t is well known to you that voted for that BILL 1t
is scarcely necessary to add that approved it. de-
Tended it, population clause and ALL in my late canvass
and intend to stand by it, SRI n
have it charged in southern newspapers and in
the speeches of some southern men, who ought to have
known BETTER that the northern democratic representa-
hves had deserted the English bill 1t may be true AS
to it is not true to all 1t is VIGOROUSLY un-
true as to myself 1t is just far from being true AS
the letters of certain distinguished southern democrats
upon Illinois politics. recently published from being
either wise or well timed very free to declare my
opinion that those letters in very bad taste Now
what ground shall we party in Indiana occupy on
the slavery question in the future? Shall 90 forward
go back We will soon be called on to unfur our
flag for the great battle of 1860 say let us stand by
the bred Scott decsion-let stand by the English
bill
have Witnessed with regret indications of purpose
to keep enough of the slavery question open and in doubt
to serve as petext for agitation and make issue for
electioneering purposes The prolific brain of Mr. Doug
Las has brought forth species of squatter sovereign
ty called ''unfrendly legislation the purport of which
is that although the constitution of the United States
protects slave property in the Territories it needs the aid
of territorial legislation to give it effect! Quite discov
cry, truly The combined effect OF this patent squatter
sovereignty and the bred Scott decision would lead us
back to the very point ia this slavery controversy from
which we set out. ~.
The same views have been attributed to Senator Davis
OF mississippi have no doubt he has been misreprc
sented lie never uttered any such opinions If any
southern man comes to us with such doctrine let us call
him southern doushaoe and tell him to go home
Away with this continual shutting and palterng upon
this question of slavery Let us meet our responsible
ties like The democratic people of the North are
misunderstood indeed when any such sickly and spurious
philanthropy is imputed to them as to require diluted
doses OF abolitionsn 10 give tone to their stomachs
say TO you here 70 night that ii the constitution of
the United States gives the STAKEHOLDER right TO his
property In the Territories, believe it does that right
Is perfect under the constitutions and needs no territorial
legislation to make 1t so.
believe that utter the sentiment of every sound
democrat in Indiana when say for the constitution
OF my country IN its letter and spirit and in all its
sequences, immediate and remote and If that constitu
ton imposes manaoles upon every negro in the Union
am for it STILL because IL is the constitution of my con
try And take the decision of the Supreme Court as n
binding exposition of Its terms III the bred Scott de-
cson adhered to- in its plain meaning there must be an
end OF slavery agitation except with those who war upon
the government itself; will have more political is.
sues slavery but il IL is misinterpreted evaed or
ftered away, viii again be divided Distracted and
cursed with slavery agitation,
TIE RANK on THE S11pE m cDJryyy rtpo