Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-02-24

al Mohammedsn Princes have shown them
! selves better Christians than American
statesmen. by abolishing slavery and tho
slave trade in their dom mons. Even phleg-
matte Holland is in advance of US in the
great cause of emancipation.
Bit it now appears 70 be generally ex-
p"c;ed, both North and Snrh. Elst and
West, by statesmen and peonle. that the
Republican party will come into pow@r at
the Irxt Presidential election; nothing can
prevent this but their own divisions: and it
is proper that we should forewa.a the Deo-
pie Of Cuba, and Of N x'co. and of Central
Amer ca, that If, BY any means. they come
under The inrisdicrion of our Constitution.
its provisions wiu be enforced; and that "no
person among h-m shall be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process OF
! law Having sworn allegiance to the doc
trines of the ia har<, we are expected to
carry them feut in g'Ssd faith.
Mr.. Chairman. from childhood | have
mingled with the people know their love
Of justice, their devotion to liberty. The
great American heart 5eats in sympathy for
the oppressed, for justice to ourselves and
to mankind. The popular voice demands
the exercise of our constitutional powers to
drive oppression from our Territories, from
our ships while sailing upon the high seas.
from this District; to exclude it from III
support by Congress, by the Executive. by
our courts; to condemn it as an outlaw
and that the Legitimate powers of Govern
ment shall be exerted for Freedom. Give
the people an opportunity, and they will
elect President and Vice President, q
Senate and House of Representatives.
pledged not merely to these purposes, but
to put forth the moral influence Of our na-
ton to drive oppression from the earth.
To the attainment of this object my OF.
fetal labors have long been directed. Those
labors are row drawing TO close; and
shall soon surrender the cause, SO far as I
am officially concerned, 10 other and ablsr
hands. My Political pathway has been rug.
ged-beset with difficulties. have been
constrained TO meet many of my fellow.
memb RS on the field OF intellectual conflict,
and a: times those conf cts have been severe;
but am not conscious of having assailed
any man except in self-de:ence, and sepa.
rate from my opponents without feeling
of unkindness; indeed, if my desire, nay
earnest prayer. could avail, they should all
be just and wise, and pure AMI happy
Here, for many long years. have counsel
led ith friends and combatted opponents.
The scenes through which | have passed
Iush upon the recollection, as an about TO
! bid adieC 10 this arena Of my pulitica, life.
] shall lea,e it with emotions, but not with
| regret. shall bear with me to private life
many interesting recol ectiuns of the great
contest which gives character to the age in
j which We live. And | Big to assure Jos,
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, that whether
| in public or IN private lie, in prosperity or
! ad,ersi,y, whether living or dying, my
besrts desire and prayer to God shall be-,
that every human sonl may enj y that lib-r.
( ty which is necessary TO protect and ch'ri>h
| hfp, attain know ledge, and prepare for
| heaven; and, when | shall have rassed
away. let my epitaph ann 'unc- that hated
oppression and wrong- that LOVED LIBEgTY
| AND JUSTICE.