The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-05-12
+ C0ucluded fronz Nv mare.

CO71ctnded JYOH9 iW page
1T is proposed to attaint men for their re-
Egion and also for their birth. II this object
can prevail, vain are the triunlphs Of civil
freedom in its many hard-iought fields; vain
is that religious liberation which We all pro
fess. The fires Of Smithteld, The tortures OF
the lnquistion. the prescription Of non-con-
formists. may all be revived. Slowly amongst
the struggling sects was evolved the great
idea Of the equality Of all men before the
law, without regard TO religious belief; nor
can any party now organize a prescription
merely for religious land ! may add polltl-
CALI belief, without calling 10 question this
unquestionable principle"
The man who said 50 was Charles Sum
ner. Long continued applause and three
hearty cheers for Charles Sumner Then
the day was not far off when suddenly the
whole country was startled by the incredible
news that this noble head had dropped under
the murderous blows Of a Southern fanatic,
and that his warm blood had covered the floor
Of the Senate chamber--the nobiest SPHINX
ling that ever fortified barren soil
Laughter and applause And now ! tell
you. when he lay that lounge OF the ante
chamber, his anxious friends busy around
him, and his eowardly murderers sink ng
away--if al that solemn moment the first
question addressed to his slowly returning
senses had been, Shall those who support
your dastardly assalants with their votes be
deprived Of their suffrage? he would have
raised his bleeding head, and, with the fire
Of indignation kindling in his dim eye, he
would have answered: mo! In the name If
my country, no! For the honor Of Massa
chusetts, no! For the name Of principles for
which my blood is flowing, no! Let them
kill me, but let the rights Of man be saie!'
Tremendous applause.
Sir, il YOU want to bestow high praise
upon a man, you apt to say he is an old
Roman. But | know higher epithet OF
praise. 1t is: He is a true American! Aye,
Charles Sumner is true American; he is
representative Of the truest Americanism; and
to him | pay the tribute q my most enthu-
saslic admiration Enthusiastic cheering
Sir hope to see the day when his noble bust,
crowned with the love Of grateful people,
will stand there! Great applause
Sir, | am coming to the close Of my Ie-
marks But | cannot refrain from abiding
to circumstance which concerns myself.
! understood il has been said that in saying
few words on the principles Of Jeffersolian
Democracy few evenings since. had at
tempted to interfere with the home affairs Of
this State. and to dictate to the Republicans
their policy All, Sir. is there man IN
Massachusetts, except he be a sergan; OF the
Slave Power, who cannot hear me advocate
the equal rights of man without feeling
serious pangs of conscienco2 Laughter.
Is there son of this glorious old Common
wealth who cannot hear me draw logical con
illusions from the Declaration of indepen
dence; who cannot hear me speak OF the
natural rights Of the man to exercise of self
government, without feeling blush tiutterng
upon his cheeks? Ii SO. Sir, | am sorry for
it. il is his fault, not mine.
Interfere with your local matters. how could
II What influence could |, an humble stran
ger among YOU. exercise on The action Of Mas
sachuseus? But one thing | must tell you.
ii ought never to be forgotten that this old
Commonwealth occupies representative po-
sition. Her history Is familiar to the nation;
even South Carolina knows it. daughter
and applause The nation is so accustomed
to admire her glorious deeds for freedom, that
with this expectation their eyes arc turned
upon her. Massachusetts can do nothing in
secret: Massachusetts, can do nothing for her
self alone; every enc of her acts involve n
hundred fold responsibility. What Massa-
ehusetts does is felt from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific. But Massachusetts, need only be
herself in order TO be great This is her po-
sition among the Free States, recognized by
all. Can there be more honorable oue?-
Sons Of Massachusetts,. You may he proud Of
IT, Do not forget that from her greatness,
you cannot separate your responsibilities.
No; viii not NEEDLE with youl home con
Germs. | will, however. say a word for the
West. Strenuous advocate of State rights
and Of local selt-governmeut as | am ii you
ever hear OF any movement in the West
against the integrity Of the fundamental prin
ciples underlying our system of government,
/ invite you | entreat yoa, conJare you,
come one and all and make Our prairies re-
sound and our forests shake, and our ears
ring aud Jingle with your appeals for the
equal rights of man. Loud and continued
cheering.
Sir, | was 10 speak on republicauism at the
West, and SO | did. THIS as Western re-
puhhcauism. These are its principles. and
l am proud TO say tie primo piles are is policy,
These are he ideas which have rallied around
the banner OF liberty not only the natives of
the soil, but an inn merable host OF Germans.
Scandinayiaus, Scotcbmen. Frenchmen, and
= goodly number Of IFishmen also. And
here | tell You those are mistaken who be-
lieve that the Irish heart is devoid OF those
noble impulses which will lead him 10 the
side Of justice, where he sees his own rights
respected and unendangered. Under this
banner, all the languages OF civilized mankind
are spoken, every creed is protected, every
right is sacred There stands every element
OF Western society. with enthusiasm for a
great cause, with confidence In each other
with honor to themselves. This is the ban
ner floating over thar glorious valley which
stretches from the western slope OF the ALE .
ghauies TO the Rocky Mouutains-that val .
ley Of Jehosaphat where the nations Of the .
world assemble to celebrate the resurrection
OF freedom. Tremendous applausel The
inscription on the banner is not opposition
70 the Democratic party for the sake Of pla-
cling new set al men into office for this
battle cry OF Spectators oar hearts have no
response. nor is It restriction Of slavery and
-.str:..tiAn - he Ill. ~ sllfrarl,- t-ar tks