The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-05-03

SPEECH OF HON. OWEN LOvEJOY, Or
ILLINOIS, DELIVERED IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FER
| ~, 1859.
Within the last FIVE lustrums. strange
fanatic;sm has made its appearance in this
country-a fanaticism at once monstrous
and malign. Twenty-Five years ago, by
the universal sentiment Of the country, Sla-
very was deemed moral, social, and polit-
ical evil a wrong to the slave, an injury
to the owner. a blight on the soil. a detri-
ment to all the best interests Of the commu.
mites or States where it was found, and in
its reflex influence. reproach and damage
| to the whole country. BY many, it may
be, this evil was considered incurable, but
still an evil. But within the period indi-
Gated, different sentiment has sprung up.
This fanaticsm deems Slavery not an evil,
but blessing
Formerly by all, and still BY all right
thinking men. Slavery was regarded as a
bag, ugly, deformed, wriDkled, and covered
with the daub and paint of harlotry; but
now We are told it is an angel Of beauty,
virgin decked in bridal attire, to be gaz-
ed on with complacency and love- Candi-
dates who aspire to gubernatorial honors are
made to renounce opinions held a quarter Of
century ago, and give in their adhesion to
this new drama, to wit; that Slavery is =
blessing. 1t is no, any longer the question
how a cancer can lie cured-wbether ty
knife or castle, or other remedial agencies;
but to have cancer is now proclaimed t.
be a sound and normal condition of the llu-
man system, the highest type of health, and,
if on the face, an ornament and beauty spot.
Every one. to enjoy perfec, health, must
have this form Of disease gnawing at his Vi
tails The spirit of this fanaticism has Ia
ken possession Of the Democratic party, and
worked therein wonderful and almost in
credible trsnformation: for, since the Ages
drew up the reins and started on thir jour
ney. do not suppose they have witnessed
snch stupendous Lie as the Democratic
party now is. speak of the organization,
without any reference to the individuals
who compose the party. From the sole of
the foot even unto the head, there is no
soundress in it but wounds. and bruises,
and purifying sores they have not been
closed, neither bound up, neither Modified
with ointment" and unban-
daged, it drips with its fetid pu.resceuce.
Look at the Presidents message, now
under discussion. 1t is instinct wish simu-
latiou aud deceit Professedly he depre-
Gates the discussion and agitation of the
Slavery question, and yet the whole of the
message Is encrossed with it. Not lead
ing topic Of that State paper that has not a
direct or remote bearing on 1t. Wba; do
We want of another slice from Mexico >
Is our population pressing against our boun-
daries? Let the vast regions within our
present limits YET unoccupied, and which
will not be occupied for the next half CEN
tury, answer that question. Why, then,
does the Executive urge the acquisition of
more of the Mexican domain 1t is that
Slavery and Disunion, twin-born of Dark
ness, may have rail car in whice to ride.
This is openly avowed, in the other end Of
the Capitol What is that part Of the mes
sage relating to Kansas, but the querulous
last word of an old man, whose Pro-Slave-
ry policy had been condemned by the coun
try? What occasion is there for the dole
full tone of the message in regard to the fu
ture decadence of the Republic, which ha,
given rise in Europe to SO many prOphecie:
Of ill omen in regard to our future! How
eagerly the advocates of despotic govern
ment catch up this Domestic slander, anC
foretell the downfall Of our free institu
tions.
But what is the trouble Is there an,
disloyalty to the Union among the Repub
licans, or indeed among any class III ,h'
free States No. Any disaftecton to
ward our principles of Government >
None What then has excited the fears o
, this urbane and hospitable old gentleman
Did the Chief indite the message undc
D the influence of too deep potations from tb
!, Installations of Rye! No one believes this
Z The Slavery-e1teuding policy of the Ad
D ministration had received a terrible rebuk
from the people They had repudia,ed tn
Presidents Sancho Panzs, the autocrat c
! the dinner table and the poor man, shock
ed and bewildered, and tearing his lock.
like King Lear, thought the governmen
was falling to pieces, because Slavery Pro
pagandism had been repudated by the POP
ular vote. Hinc lachrymac BE eon
forted, venerable Chief Ii is not the fire
institutions of our country, but the Pro-Sle
very Democracy, that is falling asunde,
like piece of limestone when water
9 poured upon it. So also in regard to CT
ba. The real object of its purchase
= not the avowed one 1t is governed by
race who do not speak cur language-wh
are unused to seifgoyernment-who hay
and If annexed as States will continue
3 have, an established form of religion, {
's s Church and State United; but, in spite
!. all, We are asked to purchase this islam
!, and to place thirty millions in the hands
: the Executive to begin the negotiations
that is. to buy up the officials Does ar
= one believe that it is for the benefit of cor
merce, or the safety of navigation. that v
!. - are asked to do all this Ii so, why n
seek to purchase the British West Indies
!. Have We not as much to fear from Englar
!. as from Spain: And where is CanaC