The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-02-04


Constitution, TO human Nature, and to God
cous,rain US to maintain our Repubicdr
doctrines.
l. speak of tho fundamental truths which
constitute the basis of our political faith, y;
they constituted the basis of the Dcctara
tiun OF Independence. These truths ar,
immutahle aud Interchangeable as their Di
uinc Author. They must forever romalI
the basis OF our action. while the Constltu
lion shall hc maintained, or tho party shal
exist. On matters Ot policy, our platform
may DO changed to suit occasions rs the,
ARISE; but the great central truth on whlct
we all unite. must remain unchanged. Tnr
constitutional powers of Government mus
at all times DO welded to secure every hu
man soul under its exclusive jurisdiction. 1t
the enjoyment of tho rights which God has
bcsroWcl on him.
To this doctrine there can bo no modilcn
tion. There is no neutral ground between
rigt aud Cr0Hg, between L,Jsrty aud
SiGrery Every human being is eutltIud Ia
live. to that liberty which is necessary to um
fold his morgl nature, and prepare tot
heaven. And no that is not with US on thi,
point. must be against US. Aud whom poll
tic.aus suggest that tho Republican party
shall abandon tins primal truth, | reply
thorc are million OF electors IN these
States who will not abandon this doctrine oI
tho Constitution. tbs tnth OF our Rrpu5
ljcan fathers. Men who have laborcd ten
fifteen, or twenty wears, to bring out this
great principle, will not suddenly abandon
It. taco to tho right about, and again submit
to tho domination of tho slave power
They will not bo deceived. nor dCtraudod oI
thor votes. They will sustain no man for
tho office of President or Woo President,
because thcy do not know whether no is
right ar tGrOAg ; bat candidates, to obtain
support, must sAow by thclr past action or
present pledges. that they stand uncondl-
Uoually upon thcso primal doctrines.
| am aware that our opponents charge
the Republican party with abandoning thor
platform. brcausu members OF this body
voted at our last session, tor the amrndmOnt
to thn LccomptOn Constitution, in urGur to
dutuat that Infamous measure. EyOu tho
President ia his message. repeats this
charge. For tho benefit ut that high funC
uonary, aud others. | will say that momburs
OF Congress dill no. mako tho Republican
platform, aud they cannot unmnks it. Tho
people Who framed il. will SEQ TO ITS prosor
yLtIuu. True. tho President has cause to
complain. Wa loft our fortress, and, by
strategy in tho opon fod, wo captured his
Loc0mptOu host; Uu; It is not usual Tor
PRISONERS thus 20 complain OF tho superior
science of thUir captUIs.
1t has been objected, that political party
cannot stand upon moral and religious truth.
[ roply, it cannot at this day, stand WithOut
such basis Tho progress of Christian CIV.
riizttion has demonstrated that tho popular
mind can no longer be satisfied with moro
questions OF policy, whlIo tho Gbvofnment
Is made to sanction the most urIdut dUspOt.
ism, and encourage crimes Ot tho most lla
grant character.
We do not say tho black man is. or shall
be-. the equal of the whlto man; or that he
shall vote or hold Office, hpwGyUr Just such
position may be; but we assert that ho who
murders Il black man, shall bn hanged that
ho who rObs IL black man of his liberty or his
prupurty. shall bU punished liko other Grim.
iuais. Wo deny that crime depends upon
tho complexion Of him against whom it is
committed.
Sir, our Government should havo lod tho
natons of tho oarth IN this glorious work !;
but il is now too late for US to aspire TO chat
proud position. Tho Emperor OF Russia is
at this tIno engaged in freeing tho slaves Of
his Empire, whIlu our President is seeking
tho extension of human bondage. England
long since ropuiIatcd African Slavery
France initiated tho nnbIo example Soy
orai Mohammoian Princes hnvo shown
themselves better Christians than American
statesmen, by aboIishiug slavery aud the
siAvo Trado in their d0minlnns. Even
Holland is in advance of US in
the grnlt cause ot emancipation.
But it now appears to 10 generally OK
pcctod, both North aud South, East aud
Wcsr, hy statesmen aud people, that the
Republican party will como into power at
tho next Presidential election; nothing can
prevent this but thoir own divisions aud it
IS proper thut we should forcwarn tho people
of Cuba, and OF Mexico, aud OF Central
America. that it, by any means. they como
undor tho Jurisdiction of our Constitution.
is provisions ,DH be en(orcrd and that mo
person among MPH shall be deprived of life,
iborty. or property. without due process of
aV." Having sworn allegiance to tho doc.
rinOs Of tho fathers, NO aro expected 10
AIRY them out in good faith.
Mr.. Chairman, from childhood have
mingled with tho people. know thoir lovo
# Justice, their devotion to liberty. The |
.ruat Amuricun heart boats in sympathy for |
he oppressed, for Justice to ourselves and
o mankind. The popular voice domands
hn exercise Of our constitutional powers
% drive oppression from our Territories,
nom our ships while sailing upon the high
seas, from this District To exclude it from
al! support by Congress, by tho Executive.
by our courts to condemn il as an outlaw
aud that tho legitimate powers of Govern.
mont shall bo oxor:ed for Froudnm Gvo
he poop!o an opportunity, and ihoy will
loct President and Vice President, a Sen
TO and House of representatives, pledged
ot morely to these purposes, but to put
Drth tho moral influence of our nation to
rive oppression from tho Garth.
To tho attainment of this object my official |
abors hayO long been directed. Those la
,ors are now drawing 10 II CLOSE; and | shall
onn surrender tho cause, SO far as | am OF.
icplIy concerned. to other aud abler hands |
Wy political pathway has been ruggcd-ho. |
ot with difficulties. / havO becu constrained |
% meet many of my fellow. members on tho
ird of intellectual couilct, aud ~ times
hose cOuilcis have been severe but am
not conscious of having assailcd any man rx.
sept IN snlt.defunco, and | separate from my
opponents without IA focling of uukudnoss
indeed, II my deSirn. my earnest prayer,
,0nld avail thoy should NIL br Just aud wise.
md pure and happy. lIero, for many long
'oars, have counscllud with friends aud |
opponents. The scenes through |
which | have PASSED, rush upon tho rccul. !
oction. MS | am about to bid adieu to tho
arena of my political life I shall oavo it |
emotions, but not with regret, | shalt bear