The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-12-29

NY democracy III Tue race OF J0aJ pf0teS-
tation which had gone up against me, and
insisted on nv denomination, as he believ-
ed that it would be valuable to his canvass.
Mr. Buchanan cid not denounce me.
Now word in respect to that canvass,
for the mere purpose OF institutinga brief
inquiry as to where the charge of treason
may properly rest, and as to who is the
renegade. The State of Pennsylvania
was in very imminent peril at that elec-
ton; and Mr. Buchanan knew that the
election in that State rested upon a single
point, which was this: his safety upon
the question of the management Of Kan
sas affairs. Why, sir, it can be proved by
a thousand living witnesses, If necessary,
that during that summer, this man who
now fills the Executive chair, made it his
business to pledge men, everywhere in the
North, that if he should succeed in his
election, as be knew the free-S State ee-
ment in that Territory to be the strongest,
Kansas should come into the Union as a
free and not as a slave State That charge
has been frequently made. 1t has never
been denied in Pennsylvania; and by
means of the pledges that be thus gave,
did he succeed in carrying that State at
the November election. As soon, how
ever, as he reached the city Of Washing
ton, ii was discovered that the mind of
the President had undergone very sad
den change--not that his judgment was
convinced. because | think ii can be very
clearly shown that he never alleged that
his mind had undergone any change mp
to that time but he made the fear that
three or four southern States would sCcsde
from the Union, pretext for urging up
on Congress the adoption Of the tracdu-
lent Lecompton constitution Now, we
begged leave to differ from him in his
policy. We were again denounced as
traitors, and agaid read out Of the Demo,
cratic party. Well, sir, the Presidents
hand was raised against us, and everything
that Executive power and patronage could
do was none Tor the purpose cf destroy
ing us in our respective districts. We
are now back here again, to rebuEe again
the treachery of this wicked aud reckless
Administration and if that is treason, the
other side have got to make the most Ct
it.
! have said all that propose to say
upon that poiot at this time. Ishall avail
myself of another opportunity to 50 INTO
it at greater length.
Now, sir, the charge Of treason that has
been made was not sufficiently powerful
to humiliate and disgrace US, and we find
this newspaper adding to it a charge of
corruption. If there is any man in this
body Of men who knows of any contract
or agreement that | have entered into
with anybody, for any purpose, let him
proclaim it now, or forever hold his peace
| have never done so anywhere at any
time; and say now, that if the election
Of my friend, Col. Forney-and | take
pleasure in calling him my friend-that
If | could procure his election as Clerk Of
this House by entering into covenant
with any man here, upon this side Of the
House, | would refuse TO do it. As Mr.
Buchanan could not purchase me, 50 can
| not be purchased by others. Applause
and hisse8 | have already been offer
cd more than | am worth, and | refused
to sell myself at that. Laughter and ap-
plause Why, sir, this is all false pre-
tense | know where the trouble is and
the country knows where it is. | have
ventured to express opinions against Civ
ing to slavery an unlimited charter to trav-
ell where it peases. That is the body of
my otfense; all the rest is false pretensc
And | desire to say now, that if Democ-
racy consists in supporting all the claims
which the southern country may make
upon us, shall very soon cease to be a
Democrat. | have been in this House
long enough to learn many things which
I never could have learned at home, and
Think it has perfected my education upon
this point: have learned that a nan may
support every measure of a Democratic
Administration and yet if he votes against
a single interest ofslavery, lie is Jpse titct0
no Democrat; but if he vote against every
measure of the Administration, and will
sustain the interests Of slavery, he is ipse
tacto a good Democrat. / put that as
God s naked truth before this House and
before the country, aud intend to stand
upon it as a solemn conviction.
Now, sir, | wish to say word to the
other side Of the House and | intend, IN
what | say upon this occasion and upon
every other, to treat every man here as |
would be treated myself, respectfully; but
| shall express my opinions, if | choose
to do 50, all of them, tearlessly. There
as contest between the North aud the
South, aud the admission might just as
well be made DOW as at any future time.
There IS a state of feeling existing between
the North and the South which cannot
10 ra,onved n II as deem laid as rho