The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-04-26

SPEECH OF HON. OWEN LOvEJOY,
OF Illinois, In the II. 3. House Of Rcpresen.
tatiyes, February a. 1859.

Within the last five lustrums, a strange
fanaticism has made its appearance in this
country-a fanaticism ut once monstrous
and malign. twenty-five years ago, by
the universal sentiment Of the country,
Slavery was deemed moral, social, and
political evil; wrong to the slave, an in
jury to the owner, blight on the soil, a
detriment to all the best interests of 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 evil was considered incIra-
bic, but still an evil. But within the pc
riod indicated, different sentiment has
sprung up. This fanaticiSm deems Slave
ry not an evil, but blessing.
Formerly by all, and still by all right
thinking mep. Slavery was regarded as a
hag, ugly, deiormed, wrinkled, and cov-
cred with the daub and paint of harlotiy
but now we are told it is an angel of beau
ty, virgin decked in bridal attire, to be
gazed on with compiacency and love p
Candidates who aspire to guhernatorial
honors are made TO renounce opinions held
quarter of century ago, and give in
their adhesion to this new dogma, to wit !:
that Slavery is blessing. 1t is not any
longer the question how cancer ca n be
cured-whether by knife or caustic, or 9TH
er remedial agencies-but to have n can
Ger is now proclaimed to be a sound and
normal condition of the human system, The
highest type of health, and, if on the
face, an ornament and beauty spot. Eve
ry one, to enjoy perfect health, must have
this form Of hsease gnawing at his vitals.
The spirit of this fanaticism has taken pos
session of the Democratic party, and work
ed therein wonderful and almost incredi.
bic Transformation for, since the Ages
drew up the reins and started on their
journey, l do not suppose they have wit
messed such stupendous Lie as the Demo
cratic party now is. | speak Of the or
ganization, without any reference to tho
individuals who compose the party -
"From the sole of the foot even unto the
head, there is no soundness in it; but
wounds, and bruises, and putreiying sores:
they have not been closed, neither bound
up, neither Modified with ointmcnt'-un-
medicated and uubandaged, it drips with
its fetid putresceI ce.
Look at the Presidents Message, now
uhder discussion. 1t is instinct with simu-
lation and deceit. Prefessedly be deprc.
Gates th3 discussion AMI agitation of the
Slavery qu s,ion, and yet tie whole of the
II essagc is engrossed with it. Not lead
ing topic Of that state paper that has not
direct or remote bearing on il. What do
We want Of another slice from Mexico?-
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, docs the Executive urge the acquisi-
ton Of more of the Mexican domain! 1t
is Tat Slavery and Disunicn, twin-born
of Darkness, may have rail Car in which
to ride. This is openly avowed, in the
other end of the Capitol. What is that
part Of the message relating to Kansas, but
the qucrulous last word Of an old man,
whose Pro- Slavery policy had been con-
demued by the country! What occasion
is there for the doleful tone of the message
in regard to the future dccadence of the
Republic, which has given rise in Europe
to SO many prophecies Of i'll omen in re-
gard to our future! How eagerly the
advocates of dcspotic government catch up
this Democratic slandcr, and forctel the
downfull of our free institutions.
But what is the trouble? Is there any
disloyalty to the Union among the Rcpub
licans, or indeed among any class in the
free States No. Any disatfection to-
ward our principles Of Government IT.
None. What then has excited the fears of
this urbane and hospitable old gentleman.
Did the Chief indite the message under
thci influence of too deep potations from
the Oscillations of Rye! No one believes
this. The Slavery-extendiDg policy of the
Administration had received terrible re-
buke from the people. They had repudi
ated the Presidents Sancbo PAM, the
autocrat of the dinner table; md the poor
man, shocked and bewildcred, and tearing
his locks, like King Lear, thought the
Government was falling to pieces, because
Slavery Propagandism had been rcprobat.
cd by the popular vote. Hinc iachrymae!
BE comforted, venerable Chief! 1t is not
the free institutions Of our country, but the
Pro- Slavery Democracy, that is falling as.
sunder, like piece of limestone when wa
ter is poured upon it. SO also in regard
to Cuba. TIL, real object or its purchase
is not the avowed one. 1t is governed ty
race who do not speak our language
who ale unused to selfgovernment--who
have, and if annexed as States will con-
tinue to have, an established form of re-
ligion, or Church and State united, but,
in spite of all, we are asked to purchase
this island, and to place thirty millions in
the hands Of the Executive. 10 begin the
negotiations-that is, to buy up the off.
cials Docs any ono believe that it is for
the benefit Of commerce, OF the safety of
navigation, that we are asked to do all
this II so, why not seek to purchase
the British West lndiesl Have we not as
much to fear from England as from Spain
And where is Canada and the other Brit
ish possessions, that stretch all along our
Norther frontier, from the Atlantic to the
Paciicl No; it is not for the benefit Of
commerce, nor to guard against invasion,
that we are asked 10 purchase Cuba; but
it is for the benefit Of slave e-breeders and
q al tIaa<.