Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-09
EXTRACT FROM A SPEECH OF
HON. OWEN LOVEJOY, OF ILLINOIS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, Feb. 81, 1859.

HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs, Feb. 81, 1859.
Within the last five ustrums. strange fanati'
csm has made its appearance in this country-a
fanaticsm at once monstrous and malign. Twen'
ty.fve years ago, by the universal sentiment oi
the country, Slavery was deemed a moral, social
and political evil wrong to the slave, On injury
to the owner, blight on the soil, detriment to
all the hes, interests Of the communities or States
where it was found, and, in its reflex influence.
reproach and damage to the whole country. BY
many. it may be, this evil was considered incura'
bly,, but still an evil. But within the period indi
Gated different sentiment has sprung up. This
fanatcism deems Slavery not an evil, bu; bless.
ing.
Formerly by sit, uud -ssiil by all right thinking
men, Slavery was regarded as O bag, ugly, ceform'
ed, wrinkled, and covered with the dauL and paint
of harlotry but now we are told it is angel of
beauty, virgin decked in bridal attire, to be gaz
ed on with complacency and love Candidates
who aspire to guberuatorial hOnors are made to
renounce opinions held quarter of a century
ago, and give in their adhesion to this new dogma,
to wit. that Slavery is a blessing. 1t is not any
longer the question how can be cured
whether by knife OF caustic, or other remedial
agencies to have cancer is now proclaimed
to be sound and normal condition of the human
system, the highest type of health, and. if on the
face an ornament and beauty spot. Every one,
to enjoy perfect health, must have this form Of
disease guawipg at his vitals. The spiri: of this
fanatcism has taken possession Of the Democratic
party, and worked tharein wonderful and almost
incredible transformation for, since the Ages
drew up the reins and started on their journey do
not ST Dose they have witnessed such siuI endous
Lie as the Democratic party now ie. l speak of
tho organization without any reference to the in.
dividuals who compose the party From the sole
of the foot even unto the head, there is sound,
ness in i; ; but wounds and bruises, and purify.
ing sores they have not been closed, neither
bound up, neither moliGed with ointment"-un.
medicated and unbandaged, it drips with its fnted
putresence.
Lock at the Presidents message, now under
discussion. 1t is instinct with stimulation and de-
ceit Professedly he deprecat the discussion and
agitation of the slavery question, and yet the
whole of the message is engrossed with it. Not a
leading topic of that state paper that has not di'
rect or remote bearing on it. What do we want
of another slice from Mexicof Is our population
pressing against our boundaries Let the vast
regions within our present limits yet unoccupied,
and which will not be occupied for the next
half century, answer that question. Why, then'
does the Executive urge the acquisition OF more Of
the Mexican domain? 1t is that Slavery and Dis
union, twin born of Darkness. may have a rail car
in which 10 ride. This is openly avowed, in the
other end of the Capitol. What is that part Of the
message relating to Kansas hut the querulous last
word of an old man, whose Pro- Slavery policy had
been condemned by the countryf What occasion
is there for the doleful tone of the message in re-
gard to the future decadence of the Republic,
which has given rise in Europe to so many proph'
ecies of i'll omen in regard to our future How
aeery the advocates of despotic government catch
up this Democratic SANDER and foretsll the down
fall of our free institutions.
But what is the troublea Is there any disloyal'
ty to the Union among the Republicans, or indeed
among any class in the free States No. Any
dissffecton toward our principles Of Government?
None. Did the Chief indite the message under the
influence of too deep potatioEs from the distiiia'
tiops of Ryef No one believes this. The Slave'
nv extending policy of the Administration had re-
ceiyed terrible rebuke from the people. They
had repudiated the Presidents Sancho Panza' tho
autocrat of the dinner table and the poor man.
shocked and bewildered and tearing his locks, like
King Lear, thought the Government was falling to
pieces, because Slavery Propsgandism had been
reprobated by the popular vote. H'ae faehrymae!