The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-10

| cial, and political EVIL OF SlaVery. nat cruel
mockery It is What a monstrous absurdity is
the attempt to vindcate such legislation in the
name of Popular Sovereignty How palpable
it is that the cry of popular sovereignty is a
cheat and fraud and all belief in the sham q
miserable delusionl As at
We have to thank Mr.. Douglas for the dis
cussion, flor his coming provoked IT'D which
has exposed this pretension, and deprived it of
all power to do further mischief The verdict
of Ohio this fall is against this wretched coun-
terfeit of great and vital truth. 1t will no
longer pass current among her people. All at
tempts to give it circulation will only discredit
those who make them. For this, L repeat, we
may thank Mr.. Douglas. l eheerfully admit
that he has more than paid the debt he owed
me.
Another lesson has been deeply impressed
on the minds of the people of Ohio by the dis
cussions of this fall. 1t is this That the De-
mocracy of 1859 is neither in faith nor practice
the Democracy of l849. The party name is
preserved, but neither the men nor the princi-
pies of the party remain the same. The so
called Democratic party of to day renounces its
old doctrines of equal rights and exact justice
TO all, guarded and secured by equal laws and
Just administration, and substitutes for them
the dogmas of the propagandists and perpetual
lists Of Slavery, wretchedly disguised under the
hollow pretences Of popular sovereignty. This
change of principles announces a change In
men. Of those who most boldly and zealously
maintained the Democratic faith in l849 vast
numbers have been compelled by simple fideli-
ty to that faith to join the Republican ranks.
And who have taken their place in the mis-
called Democracy of today? Look around
and see. You know the men. They are Wings,
who, either from mistaken views of obligation,
or from mistrust of the people, and dislike to
the doctrine Of Equal Rights, were Pro-Slavery
in their feelings; Americans of like mind and
sentiment and some Free-Soilers am sorry
to add, who have forsaken the doctrine and
party of Freedom for the creed and party of
Slavery.
Those are the men who FIJI up, in part, the
ranks of Democracy, broken and thinned be-
cause of its own apostacy from its own faith. l
say in part for we all know that the Demo
cratic party which, while protesting hostility to
Slavery extension and zeal for enfranchise-
ment, limited only by respect for the rights of
sovereign States, commanded large majorities,
has, ever since its apostacy from its principles
was made manifest, been reduced to a minority
in Ohio. The men who have joined the party
compensate neither by number nor by vigor for
the men who have been constrained to leave it
rather than abandon their principles.
1t is now clearly seen, that when the Demo
cratic party enjoyed TIE confidence of the peo-
pie, it proclaimed the doctrines which the Re
publican party now proclaims. 1t respected the
rights of man as man. 1t declared their origin
to be, not from society nor from institutions, but
from God. 1t held them to be, therefore, sacred
and inviolable No matter how humble or OBJ
scqre the individual, it was enough that God had
given to him manhood, to establish for him, be-
yond all question or cavil an inalienable title to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The
weaker, the humber, the more obscure the in
dividual, the more sacred the duty of the Gov
eminent, deriving its Just powers from the con-
sent of the governed, to protect and defend him
in these rights-deareSt TO him lchO has lille
besides. Democratic leaders everywhere pro-
claimed that this doctrine Of the rights of man,
guarded by the power of the people, was the
glorions distinction of American institutions,
and invited the oppressed of all nations to seek
the safe shelter of their protection. In this
sign they conquered. Inspired by this faith,
native-born and foreign-born 6ocked to their
standards, and achieved splendid triumphs.
But now, who looks for Democratic victory
in a truly free State? Now and then, perhaps,
when the people are asleep, such thing may
happen but Democratic majority in free
State is now an exception to a general rule, &C.
casioned and explained by some special cir
Democracy IS defeat. This weakness is the
logical result of its desertion of fundamental
principles. 1t is the decline in faith and power
which inevitably follows when the ministers Of
Freedom desert her shrines and offer forbidden
worship at the affairs Of Slavery. And this de-
cline is permanent in its nature. There is,
therefore, no future for the Democratic party,
unless, indeed, it shall return to its old faith,
revive its ancient worship, and resume the de-
fehce of its original principles. OF this there
appears no ground for hope. For the vindica-
ton of the fundamental principles of personal
liberty and constitutional government-fOr re-
form in National as well as State administra-
tion-for the safeguard Of all their material in
terests, the people must therefore, in my judg-
ment, for years to come, at least, look to the
Republican organization. l do not doubt that
this organization now deserves popular conf
dence, nor do | doubt that it will be retained as
long as it is deserved.
Permit me now, and in this connection, to
say few words to you about matters in this
country connected with the organization and
action of parties. l shall speak frankly, and
shall trust your kindness and generosity for
candid hearing.
In 1854, Immediately after the repeal of the
Missouri Prohibition, we all united, native and
naturalized, in q common determination to re-
dress that wrong. We knew no such distinc-
tons as American or Republican. We trusted
each other frankly and generously, and the re-
suit was a complete and signal victory. The
next year, while the great mass Of the Ameri-
cans of the State gave liberal aud unhesita-
ting support to all the nominees of the Anti
Nebraska State Convention, the majority ofthe
Americans of this county refused their support
to me as nominee for Governor. 1t is useless
to discuss the reasons for this refusal. 1t is a
qualification to me to know that far the greater
number to whom those reasons then seemed
sufficient have since seen cause to change their
opinions, and permit me now to count them
among my friends. In that year, however, not
withstanding the disagreement as to Governor,
an union was attempted upon a county and
Legislative ticket. A ticket was nominated.
The nominees we're almost all opponents of
mine, but my friends had united in their NOM
ination, and permitted no personal feeling to
influence my action. | voted for them all,
without an exception. Since that time, when
ever the Republicans and Americans have seen
fit to organize in this county an united oppo.
sition to the Pro-Slavery Democracy, | have
given to the Opposition my earnest support.
You all remember how cordial and how effect
i've was that union year ago. ] then saw
with inexpressible qualification native-born and
foreign-born rivalling each other in earnest ex-
ertlons for the common cause. 1t gives me
pleasure now, as it gave me pleasure then, to
acknowledge the activity, the generous zeal,
and the great efficiency of the Americans who
contributed so largely TO the triumph then
achieved by the Opposition; and the Ameri-
cans themselves, am sure, would be the last
to refuse deserved praise to the equal zeal, act
iyity, and efficiency, of our naturalized fellow
citizens.
1t was my hope, confess, that ike union