The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-03-24

SPEECH OF HON. OWEN LOVFJOY,
eaf - of Illinois,
Delivered in the House of Representa-
tiVes, February 81, 1883.
Within the Last Eve lustrums, strange
fanaticism has N adc its aPpeara nee in this
country fanaticism at once monstTou:
and ualigu. Twenty five years ago, BY
the uuiSersa sentiment Of the country
Slavery was deemed moral, social. aud
political evil; wrong to the slave, 40 lu-
jury to the owner, blight on the soil, a
detrimeut to all the best interests o! the
communities or States where it was found,
and, in its reflex influence, a reproach
and damage to the whole country. BY
many, it may be, this csii was consider
ed incurable, but still an Gil. But with
in the period indicated, a different senti-
ment has sprung up. This fanaticism
deems SIn.,ry not an evil, but blessing.
Formerly BY all, aud still by all right
thinking nlcD, Slavery was regarded as a
hag, ugly, deforned, wriDklcd, and cOv-
cred with the daub aud paint of harlotry;
but now We are told it is au angel Of beau
ty, a virgin decked in bridal attire to be
sazed on with compIacency aud love =
Candidates who aspire to guteruatorial
honors are made 10 rcHoubce opinions
held a quarter Of century ago, aud
give in their adhesion to this pew dogma,
to wit: that Slavery is blessing. 1t is
not any longer the question how cancer
can be cured-whether by knife or caus-
tic, or other remedial ageucies-but to
have cancer is low proclaimed to be
sound aud normal condition OF the human
system, the highest type Of health, aud, if
on the face, gu ornament aud beauty spot.
Every one, to enjoy perfect health, must
have this fotm OF disease gnawins at bis
vitals. The spirit OF this fauaticisni has
taken possession OF the Democratic par
ty, and worked therein wonderful and
almost incredible transformation; for.
since the Ages drew up the rciUs and
started on their journey, | do not suppose
they have witnessed such a stupendous
Lie as the DeUocratic party now IS. L
speak Of the organization, without ans
reference to the indiriduals who compose
the party. From the sole of the foot E.
ven unto tie bead, there is no soundness
in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putre
flying sores; they have BOT been closed,
neither bound up, neither modified with
ointment nt'-CuueGicatcd and uubaUd
aged, it drips With its feti} putresccnce.
Look at the Presidents message, now
under discussion. 1t is instinct with sin
ulatiou and deceit professcdly he de-
precates tbe discussion and agitation Of
the Slavery question, and yet the whole
of the message is engro-sed With it. Not
leading topic Of that state paper that
has not a dire>t or remote bearing on it.
What do We want of another slice fron
Mexico! l. our population pressing "a
gainst cur boundaries! Let the vast
regions within our prcSeut limits yet un
occupied, and which will uot be occupied
for the next half century, answer tba.
Question. Why, then. does the Execu-
tiEe urge the acquisition Of more Of the
Mexican douainl Ii is that Slavery
and Disunion, twin-born of Darkness,
may have rail car in which to ride
This is openly ayowed, 10 the other end
of the Capitol. What i. that part Of the
message relating to Kansas but the quer-
ulous las: word of sn old uan, whose
Pro Slavery policy had been condemned
by the country What occasion is there
for the doleiultone of the message in re-
gard to the future decadeBce of the Re-
public, which has given rise 10 Europe to
go many prophecies of i'll omen 10 regard
to our feturel How eagerly the aivo-
Gates Of despotic government catch up this
Democratic slander, and foretell the down
fall of our free institutions.
But what's the trouble Is there any
disloyalty to the Union among the Re-
publicaHs, or indeed among any class in
the free States No. Any disafection
toward our principles of Government =
None. What then has excited the fears
of this urbane and hOspitable old gentle
maui Did the Chief indite the message
under the influence Of too deep potations
from the Oscillations of Ryel No one
believes this. The Slavery-e xtending
pOiiCJ VI tuS diiOu udu TSCelR-
ed terrible retuke from the people
They bad reFudiated the Presidents
Saucho Panza, the autOcrat Of the dinner
table; and the poor man shocked aud te-
wildcred, and tearing his locks, like King
Lear, thought the Government was fall
ing to pieces, because Slavery Propagan-
dism had been reprObated by the popular
vote. Himc lachyywaae! BE comforted,
venerable Chief 1t is not the free in
situations of our country, but the Pro-Sla.
very Democracy, that is falling asunder,
like a piece of limestone when water is
poured upon it, So also in regard to Gu
ba. The yeak object of its purchase is
not the agoued one. 1t is governed by
race who do not speak our language
who arc unused to self-goTeTnment-wb