Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-30

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the protection of their interests. The cleo
ton of my friend from Ohio will be the
surest guarantee of the realization Of such
hope.
But, sir, apart from all this, know the
gentleman from Ohio to be man of just
and equable temper, of fair and honora-
bic nature, and incapable of pervertug par
| lamentary law into an instrument of parti-
san despotism. If know him to be other
wise, or if had the slightest doubt on the
subject, l would not give him my vote at
any time; as l will never aid in placing in
that chair, Mr.. Clerk, any man who will not
administer the rules of the House with
equal and exact justice to all parties.
But, Mr. Clerk, we are told that Mr..
Sherman is one of those who signed the
recommendation in favor of Helpers book
Very well, sir; did not sign it, and claim
no particular credit for not doing so. l
have read but little of the book. So far as
| do know anything about it, l understand
that it is work written by a native of a
southern State; book peculiarly and al
most exclusively addressed tosouthern men,
recihng the experiences of a southern man,
and drawing comparison between the pro-
ductiveness md the utility of free and slave
labor. The book, sir, must fall or stand
upon its own merits. And what is done
here9 Why, gentlemen magnify this book
into a tremendous engine of mischief
:, They proclaim that this book and all who
indorsc it are capable of producing infin-
ite mischief to the peace of this country.
They proclaim that all who indorse it in
dorse treason. Has not my honorable
friend said that, in so far as the book ex-
presses anything contrary to the Constitu-
ton of the United States, so far he con-
demns it. Could any declaration be more
unreserved, more candid, and, l may add,
more acceptable, if gentlemen are willing
to believe in the veracity of their peers up
on this floor. What have we to do with
Mr. Helpers book more than with any 9TH
er book? Are we to sit here as a college
of Jesuit censors, to expurgate the literature
of the country? Are we to convert our
selves from congressional and legislative
: body into literary tribunal and pass in re.
view the merits of every incendiary publ
cation which may be thrown out in the
country, and hold gentlemen responsible
for the sentiments Of that publication in 81
u far as they have read and indorsed it, di
J. rectly or indirectly? Why sir, this isa mos
e extraordinary proceeding. 1t lifts Mr.
G Helper intoa cons nuence he never dreamed
t of attaining. 1t lakes him an enemy o.
the South more formidable than he evel
: aimed to be, if, indeed, he aims to be al
S enemy Of the South at ALL 1t makes hin
l. an instrument of mischief far beyond hi
o capacity, and far beyond the imagination
c of bis most partial admirers. This book
n so full of mischief, which has been occupy
II ing the attention of Congress now nearly
g for an entire week, you have asked the
u the whole people of the United States tC
IS read and ponder upon. You have beer
n dwelling and dwelling upon its inhammato
J. ry text, sot that fit ever had any mischefir
y it, you have increased the power of tha
J. mischief to an incalculabe extent.
n And, sir what has been done upon th
d floor, is in perfect consonance with the ac
:. tion of the Democratic party. Who re
't pealed the Missouri COMPROMISED? VIII
broke the bonds of peace which had beel
6 signed thirty years before by the wise me
G of the North and of the South? Th
1t Democratic party. Who refused to carr
le out the provisions of the Kansas Nebrask
it bill9 Who deluded the people of Kansa
= into the idea that they were to have fre
of expression of their will on their organi
in form of government and who denied
le them9 The Democratic party VIII
y brings the question of slavery first into thi
n, hall? The Democratic party. Who dC
r lays the organization of this House by faC
lg tious expedients, and keeps the country j
g. a state of dangerous excitement by the vic
'e lent discussion of the slavery question
el when it is totally uncalled for9 The ReT
he resentatives of the Democratic party. Fo
or all the sectional bitterness now prevailing
II, and which grows out of the slavery agiti
a ton, the Democratic party is responsible
is By that it lives and by that it will perisl
Notwithstanding these facts, we are dali
is told that the North is the disturber of til
IL peace of the country; that it is implicate
G. in acts of conspiracy and outrage again'
Sc the southern States; and that it is respons
I'd ble for the acts of John Brown, and III
or sentiments of few radical and fanatics
III orators. am no apologist for the Nortl
MS The North needs no apology and has non
to to give. 1t is loyal to the Constitution,
IS is loyal to the Union; and they who see
IL to misguide and impress the people of II
is South with the idea that the people OF ii
is North, as body, are hostile to them, do
on for the purpose of factious mischief--a mi
Ia chief that will have a wider range, and
On attended by far more pernicious conseque
nd ces, than they, in their short-sighted foil
nd imagine.
Mt Mr.. Clerk, God forbid that /, as the Re
re resentative of a conservative constituenc
n- should have any part in embroiling diffe
1t. ent sections Of the country, or in misrepr
se senting one section of tho country to Il
,r- other, for mere political purposes and pa
g. tisan aims. 1t is impossible for the peop
sr- of the North and Of the South to live I
he gether in amity and concord so long as Il
he actions of individuals, or the actions of SIN,
nd bodies, are taken as indioes of dominant Sc
or- timent in those sections. Sir, the constt
ency in part represent is an eminent
'at loyal one. 1t has no sympathy with Jol
of Brown, or for those who melted him dire,
to y or indirectly, to his mad crusade in v
no ginia. The people of the city of Pbilad,