The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-17
WASHINGTON, d. c..
The Fanaticism of the Democratic Party
SPEECH OF HON. OWEN L0vEjoY.
II THE o. s. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY q, 1859.

"ltnln the last nve lustrums, strange fanat-
icism has made Its appearance in this coun-
try-a fanaticism at once monstrous and malign.
Twenty-Five years ago, by the universal senti-
nent of the country, Slavery was deemed a
moral, social, and political evils a wrong to the
slave, an injury to the owner, a blight on the
soil, detriment to all the best interests Of the
communities or States where it was found, and,
IN Its reflex influence, a reproach and damage
10 the whole country. By many, it may be, this
evil was considered incurable but still an evil.
But within the period indicated, a different SEN
timent has sprung up. This fanaticism deems
Slavery not evil, but blessing.
Formerly by all, and still by al right-think-
ing men, Slavery was regarded as a bag, ugly,
deformed, wrinkled, and covered with the daub
and paint Of harlotry but now we told it is
an angel Of beauty, virgin decked in bridal
attire, TO be gazed on with complacency and
love Candidates who aspire to gubernatoral
honors are made 10 renounce opinions held a
quarter of a century ago, and give in their adj
hesion to this new dogma, TO wit: that Slavery
is blessing. 1t is Dotany longer the question
how a cancer can be cured-whether by knife
or causiic, or other remedial agencies-but to
have cancer is now proclaimed to be sound
and normal condition Of the human system, the
highest type of health, and, if on the face, an
ornament and beauty spot. Every one, to en-
ioy perfect health, must have this form of dis
ease gnawing at his vitals. The spirit of this
fanaticism has taken possession of the Demo
cratic party, and worked therein wonderful
and almost incredible transformations for, since
the Ages drew up the reins and started on
their journey, do not suppose they have wit
messed such a stupendous Lie as the Democratic
party now is | speak of the organization, with
out any reference to the individuals who COM
pose the party. From the sole of the foot even
,ha hood thor. iS no soundueSS i'm but
wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores: they
have not been closed, neither bound up. neither
Modified with ointment unmedicated and
unbandaged, it drips with its fetid putrescence.
Look at the Presidents message, now under
discussion. 1t is instinct with stimulation and
deceit. Professedly he deprecates the discus
sion and agitation of the Slavery question, and
vet the whole of the message is engrossed with
1t Not a leading topic OF that state paper that
has not a direct or remote bearing on 1t. W hat
do we want of another slice from Mexico? Is
our population pressing against our boundaries
Let the vast regions within oar present limits
Vet unoccupied, and which will not be Occu-
Iied for the next half century, answer that
question. Why. then does the Executive urge
the ACQUISITION of more of the Mexican domainY
1t is that Slavery and Disunion, twin-born OF
Darkness may have a rail Car IN which to rlde
This is openly avowed, in the other end OF the
Capitol. What is that part of the message re-
Iatiug to Kansas, but the quernous last word Of
an old man, whose Pro-Slavery policy had been
condemned by the country? What occasion IS
1here for the dOleful tone Of the message In re-
gard to the future decadence of the Republic,
which has given rise in Europe 10 so many
prophecies of i'll omen in regard TO our future
How eagerly the advocates of despouc govern
znent catch up this Democratic Islander, and
Gorefen the downfall Of our free Institutions.
Blu, what is the trouble? Is there any dis
LOYALTY 10 the Union among the Republican,,
or indeed among any class in the free States
No. ANY disaffectiOn toward our principles Of
Government? None. What then has excited
the fears of this urbane a4Ra hospitable old
gentleman? Did the Chief indite t,-e message
nnder the influence Of TOO deep pOtatiOns ifola
the Oscillations of Rye? No one believes this.
The STRENGTHENING policy Of the Admins
tration hal received a terrible rebuke from the
people They had repudiated the Presidents
Sancho Panza the autOcrat of the dinner table
and the poor man, shocked and bewildered,
and tearing his locks. IKE King Lear, thought
the Government was falling 10 pieces, because
Slavery Propagandsm had been reprobated by
the popular vote Hinc Lachyymde! BE com
forted. venerable Chief 1t is not the free in
situations Of our country, but the PrOSlavery
Democracy, that is falling asunder, like piece
Of limestone when water is poured upon IT,
So also in regard 10 Cuba. The real object Of
ats purchase is not the ee0Iced one. 1t is gov
erned by a race who do not speak our Ian
guage-who are unused TO selfgoyernment-
who have. and if annexed as States will con.
finue to have. an established form of religion,
or Church and State united but, in spite of
all, We are asked 10 purchase this island and
TO place thirty millions in the hands of the Ex-
ecutive, to begin the negotiations--that is, to
buy up the officials Does any one believe that
IT is for the benefit of commerce, the safety of
navigation that we are asked to do all this {?
If SO, why not seek to purchase the British
West Indies Have not "a much 20 fear
from England rs from Spain? And where is
Canada and the other British possessions, that
stretch all along our Northern frontier, from the
Atlantic 10 The Pacihe1 No; it is not for
the benefit of commerce. nor 10 guard against
invasion, that we are asked to purchase Cuba
but il is for the benefit of slave-breeders and
human.ii.sh mongers. And yet these Demo
Gratis profess that they want to get Slavery out
of national politics. Would to God they were
sincere Would to Heaven this beast of prey
would take the carcass Of the slain into its
lair 1t might gnaw the flcsL and craunch the
bones without molestaton from rne But in
stead of that, it asks me TO hold its victim while
it sucks the blood. But this, God helping me,
l never will do Take your pound of flesh if
II is so nominated in the bond, but do not ask
for the blood as well.
Read over the whole message, and Won will
find its entire texture to be Slavery. Every
topic is discussed with reference to its bearings
on the subject Of Slavery. And yet the Demo
Gratis with an impadeDce that challenges our
admiration for its snbiimity, turn to us, and
say, 4" DO not agitate this subject" Do not keen
APP this sectional strife To agitate, 10 legislae
20 make treaties, to annex territory, 10 purchase
empires, toY Slavery, is all right, but to do any
thing against Slavery is wrong and sectional.
And here is another phase of this fanatical
spirit, which has taken up its dwelling place
an the Democratic party. 1t identifies Slavery
with the nation, and especially with the South
Now, snl reckoned as ultra and extreme as
most on this subject, and yet no one has ever
heard me say anything against the South. 1t
is only against Slavery taat have spoken, and
propose to assail that only in those modes
justified by the Constitution yet I am sec
tional, and Republicans are sectional. When
they only seek to prevent the extension of a
system which is under the ban of the civilized
world, they are charged with being sectional.
In Illinois, We have supped full of this horror
And what is the proof? o, We have no dele
gates from slave States to attend our National
Nominating Conventions. Why have we none
Mark; because if delegates attend these Con
ventions they are mobbed and driven into exile
What if we, in the free States, should say to the
Democrats, If you attend the Charleston Con
yentiori. we will hang you," and thus keep them
all at home, and then reproach them with being
a sectional party because only the slave States
were represented "Well, you have no votes in
the slave States yOnr principles do not circu
late with us at all you dare not even proclaim