Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-16

Is now defending the interests Of Freedom
against the cncroachmcnts and assaults Of the
Pro Slavery Democracy. When you look for
ward you will find that this same wing of the
Northern Democracy, which when they we're told
they must sustain slavery in Kansas or be
thrust out Of the party, though reluctant at first
soon entered Scalously into cooperation with
the Administration for this purpose is the same
wing Of the same party that will assist in plant.
ing Slavery in all the territories in this country
whenever they are called upon to do so by their
Southern masters.
then repeat, my fellow citizens, il is be-
cause this Democratic party of tho North has
become thoroughly dcmoralized, il is because it
has abandoned all its old positions on the suo-
jset of Human Freedom, it is because il has
become a more instrument in the hands OF the
Southern wing for the propagation Of human
slavery, that the people Of tho North have no
longer auy confidence in il, aud every recurring
election shows that the party is diminishing in
power year by year and month by month, in
tho free States Of the Union. Now / know Of
no more notable instance Of this sort than my
honorable competitor himself That gentle.
man, as you all know not moro than ten or eleven
years ago, prolessed. and honestly believed
those great doctrines which now constituts this
platform of tho Republican party In his cels-
brsted letter to Mr. IIoilmsn, that gentleman
distinctly and definitely took ground upon all
these questions iust | am now advocating
them, aud Just az the whole Republican party
from Maine TO California is advocating and
defend ng them to-day. Yet We are nov per-
mitted to hear this same gentleman coully dis
avOw all these his former sentiments abandon
ALL these his former manly positions, and
distinctly and uncquivocally deny the power Of
Congress to prohbH Slavery in the Territories.
And Tor the purpose my fellow citizens, as l
find that my hour is abort closing, Of asce--
tanning the exact position of this gentleman in
reference to one or two other questions, /
propose now TO call his attention to a few in
terrogations, which hope he will favor us with
frank aud explicit answers TO at this tmo and
in this place.
ask him first
l. Has Congress. or Territorial Legislature,
the power to establish Slavery.
,. DO you affirm or deny the Interpretation OF
the Federal Constitution, made by majority Of
the Judges of the Supreme Court Of tho United
States in the Dred Scott case, that the Terri.
torial Legislature has no power to exclude Sla-
worry from the Territory
3. Did you, in 1850, deny the constitutional
ity Of the Fugitive Slave act 1850!
4 Did you, in 1852, denounce the Fugitive
Slave Act os unjust, and declare that it ought
to be repealed!
/ find my fellow citizens, in an article that
appeared in the National Democrat, ofthis place,
taken from tho Washington Constitution, and
purporting to have been written by Attorney
General Black, the confidential friend Of PTesi.
dent Buchanan, the language which | now
read TO you, and ! want to hear the gentleman
distinctly and dunequivocally in reply toit
"Wc believe iu submitting to the law as do.
eded by the Supreme Court, which declares
that Tnrritosi.l Totialstura canuot auv mara
than Congress interfere with the rights of
property in a Territ ry. That the settlers of
Territory are bound to wait until tho sovereign
power is conferred upon them with proper
limitation before they attempt to exercise the
most dangerous of all its functions"
That is to say, that the people of Territory
have no right to exclude slavery until they come
to form their State Constitution. New want
to know whether the gentleman stands upon
tho platform rs here laid down by the Attorney
General of the United States, or whether he
stands upon the platform of Stephen A. Doug
las who is reputed 10 be a prominent can
didats for tho Presidency before the Co.Ven-
ton at Charleston. In other words, l want the
gentleman to distinctly define his position.
don't want to be fighting men of straw
want him TO tell this people now and here,
whether he agrees with me upon the great
question of Congressional Intervention, or
whether he takes his position alongside the
Southern wing of his party, or alongside of
Stephen A. Douglas! Having decided this
matter, as l truht he WILL shall then have an
opportunity to refer 10 and discuss any position
he may choose to take.
Mr.. DENNIsoN having concluded his opening
speech, Mr.. FoorE, the President OF the meet
ing said, that it was scarce necessary for him
to perform the duty OF introducing Judge
RANSEY to an audience by whom ho was
personally so well, and so 'favorably known,
Judge RANNEY will now address you.
Judge RAMSEY then rose and said
FELLOW CITIZENS - regret that can
make but few Of you hear in consequence Of
an irritation Of my lungs. My fellow citi-
zsns, | know what suggestions and arguments
you desire to hear-such as you can think
upon when you 60 home, and decide whether
they be right. l have lived amongst you
from my childhood, and l know well enough
that while great many Of you have differed
from me in regard to matters Of governmental
policy, nevertheless you will do me the Just
ice to consider all l have to advance. | do
not pretend to any profound knowledge in the
science Of government. Placed where l am
without any solicitation on my part, stand
be the principles Of the party that has placed
mo in nomination. You will of course act
accordingly as these principles receive your
appreciation or disapprobation.
My friend has turned your attention to GER
tain matters of State policy. | shall first no
tice these, and then turn to other SUBJECTS
There is one subject that ii is remarkable my
friend should not have alluded to-whether
the laws OF the United States shall be nulli-
fed within the borders OF the State OF Ohio, or
whether she will maintain them. | have not
heard one word about that Notwithstanding
it constitutes prominent part in the Repub-
lioan creed, as laid down at Columbus.
My friend says he is unable to agree with
me about several matters Of State policy
That is certainly 50. 1t will be for the peo-
pie of Ohio to determine which is right. lie
claims that the Democratic party has not full
filed promises which it made when it came
into power in 1852, in regard to economy in
public affairs. cannot now state details in
reference to this matter, but the fact is, that
the expenses Of the State government after
taking effect Of the new Constitution, for good
and necessary reasons were larger than be-
fore, some OF which are that new laws were
to be enacted for the carrying out Of the new
provisions, large public improvements we're
adopted and passed upon by both parties in
the Legislature and commanding the support
OF both parties. Nevertheless state tho fact
to be with respect to the expenditures for the
last three years, since the Republican party
have been in power that they have exceeded
annually what they were the four years be-
fore-When the Democratic party was in pow
er. These things, however, must OF course be
Investigated elsewhere, whore the figure can
be studied more carefully.
My friend complains again that the Demo-
cratic party did not pass laws for the proteo-
ton OF the Treasury. | reply all the laws IN