The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-06-03

Address OF COL. CURTIS
Ts the PespIs ~ shs First Cenrres.
sAonal Dlssr1cs.
FnLLow. Onx.Ns: The proportions OF this
District are 30 understanding over thirty
| nine coantiss, and containing at least three
hundred thousand psople-itis impossible for
mo TO become intimate with oil your interests:
and although have traversed Southern lows
in every part, and made great number OF
public speeches, my personal aequaintanee il
comparatively limited. For the purpose OF
promoting closer intimacy, and bring before
you some matters OF grave Importance TO
yoc, and our whole country, take this 90.
c.sion and mode Of approaching you st .
leisure hour in tho morning, noon, or eve
ming, whom, from ths toll Of the day, you
have time for rest, rsposs and reflection.
tender you my grateful Acknowledgements for
year confidence oppressed By your support
in the 35th Congress, which has recently ter
minated and also for the further kindness
in sleoting me to the 36th Congress, upon tho
duties OF which am soon to enter.
| entered the Political arena immediately
after the adoption of the Republican plat
form Of 1856, which was in june Of that
year; and the conservative construction
which gave to il, triumphed in this Demo-
cratic district, and secured = prestige for the
Republican cause which had some influence
throughout the Union. The positions hsye
taken, have been construed . little different;
some good Republicans have departed from
my views on immaterisl points but in the
main have found great unanimity in the
construction given to our principles, and 4
spirit OF federation generally prevails among
the leaders and supporters Of the Republican
organisation. Our opponents have labored
hard TO alarm tho masses, BY falsely charging
that 80 are for revolution, Intervention, and
insurrection /; whereas We arc in fact oppo-
sing fanaticism and innovation that threat
On the psaceof society and tho safety Of tho
Union. Coarse spithsts, scornful feproaohes.
and revolutionary threats, were exhausted BY
our opponents 80 save them from national
defeat in 1856 but truth 10 gradually van
gushing error, reason has resumed has natu-
raj prerogative, and the naughty leaders Of
the Democratic party, with few exceptions,
now assume weapons and language becoming
their own dignity, and our determination and
probable future destiny.
The repeal Of tho Missouri Compromise.
sscanonizsd in tha hearts Of the people. .
was the 6rst frightful step that alarmed the
country. The immediate advance Of slavery.
the Kansas imbroglio, tho contempt ex-
pressed for free labor, the undue influence Civ
On to Southern politicians, and the announce
ment Of principles that stiHe freedom and give
slavery endless bounds and duration, have
augmented the public anxiety and apprehen-
sion. Slavery in the territories, re- opening
the slave-trads, slavery every where, Vas
boldly advocated BY Southern fanatics, and
the Democratic organization WAS moulded and
shaped to support and establish these mon
strous heresiss in our political system. The
Administration, enfesbled by the in6rmity
OF years, easily yielded to extrsvsgant
assumptions; and in the face OF repeated
popular apprehension, tho persistent leaders
still hold defiant attitude and WELD the ma
tional power to support these revolving and
ruinous usurpations. Ia the meantime ex-
travagance, large national debt, frauds at
the bsllot-box, frauds in the Territories,
frauds in theaward Of contracts, and faauds
every where have been announced to the peo-
crease with every revolution OF tho political
circle. The people are moving. The human
sea 10 agitated, and its waves roll high and
deep. The corruption and frauds that are
exposed and brought to tho surface, shock
and shame the public morals and mortify tho
national pride. The rise and progress OF
the Republican party and power arc the nat
ural consequence Of Democratic liesntious-
ness, folly and extravaganza. Reasonable
men OF all parties and oil sections cast about
and seek remedy for the dangers and ruin
that seem TO threaten our Republic. The
name, the platform, tho power and policy OF
the Republican organisation Offer rational
and successful remedy for threatening disas-
tns.
What lie the Republican platform? Sim
ply . reproduction Of the principles Of those
who founded our government, and IN ex-
preston OF our determination to abide by
and develop their glorious designs. So much
has been said to misrepresent us, that will
insert that portion OF our platform which
our adversaries most assail, and which be.
lieve to be most impregnsble:
ssWhereas, this Convention OF delegates,
assembled in pursuance Of call addressed
to the people of the United States, without
regard to past political differences or tivi.
sions, who are opposed to the repeal OF the
Missouri Compromise, to the policy OF the
present administration, to the extension OF
slavery in Kansas, and in favor Of the adj
mission OF Kansas as q free State, for the re-
storing the action Of the Federal government
to the principles Of Washington and Jeffer-
son, and for the purpose Of presenting candi-
dates for the Offices OF President and Vice
President;
Resolved, that the maintenance Of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration Of
Independence, and embodied in the Federal
| Constitution, IRE essential to tho preserva-
ton Of our Republican institutions, 90 that
the Federal Constitution, the rights OF the
States and the union Of tho States shall be
preserved"
call special attention to the last clause
in this our first resolution, which declares
| oar devotion to the " Constitution, the rights
of the States, and the Union Of the St0tss.''