Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-17

I House, and IN their own lmaglnatlOns.
They say if a Joint convention is once
constituted it may do any thing lawful
to be done in such convention. No
Joint convention was ever convened in
Indiana except under Joint resolution
concurred In by both Houses for a
specified act, and no other business
was ever transacted when they so met
except the specific business indicated
in the resolution. That is true in
reference to the history of Indiana.
But in this instance they failed to get
Joint resolution passed, and how do
they claim the election was legal?
Why it was the duty of the Speaker
of the House of Representatives to de-
clare the result of the election for Gov
ernor in the presence of both Houses
of the General Assembly, and from
that duty gentlemen inferred the right
to elect two United States Senators,
But | will not infict upon you a repc-
tition of the particulars of this cleo
tion.
One idea further in reference to our
trip to Washington, and | don't know
that / can illustrate il better than to
bring to your recollection that in olden
times there was certain man who
went from Jerusalem down to Jericho
and fell among thieves, and was evilly
entrcated. and the Lecompton Jews
passed by on the other side So it
was with us.
do not suppose for moment that
this result is to be final. 1t is for you
to say what effect this is to have upon
the future politics of Indiana. / am
glad that no such decision was made
in the pure and palmy days of the u.
). Senate. in the days when Clay,
Calhoun, Webster. SiIas Wright, and
such men were Senators. / am glad
lit was not made in Patrick Henry's
lifetime. The effect of that decision
might have been more alarming and
dangerous i am glad that bright era
had passed long before this monstrous
wrong was perpetrated.
There are only two provisions in the
Constitution of the United States in
which we recognize the features of the
Confederation. and in which the orig
inal independence and sovereignty OF
the States is acknowledged. First,
In the election of United States Sen.
ators: and secondly, In the election
of President by the House of Repre-
sentatives in case OF an election by the
electors failing. Knowing this. still
we did not expect a different result
from partisan majority. ! did no,
feel humblcd by any part ! took in
that contest. lost no self respect by
attempting to assert the rights of the
State of Indiana; nor do | suppoS,
any eclipse has come over our star in
the national galaxy. l did not feel
either, as though | was figuring fel
office, for | bore a commission from
the people of Indiana; felt as free
man, having right to look Senators
in the face, as the ambassador of a
great State. hope my colleague and
myself, the only legal Senators from
the State, bore ourselves during this
whole contest in manner worthy o
the high trust reposed in u.s. If my
mission there had been simply upon
the personal request of my friends, ol
for the mere sake of Office upon my
own part and upon his, it would have
been an unimportant matter in the
history of the country; but it is ar
important question whether we are tc
submit tamely to the violation of the
/ Constitution of the United States and
of the State of Indiana, and to have
our State rights and State sovereignty
tramplcd under foot in our persons.
When much Younger than | am
now, trust | did not seek office with
undue avidity, and now | am sure
shall not do il. Long years ago | may
haze had ambition, but mach tha,
was hope then is memory now. Wis
ions of glory" fit less palpably befor,
me now; yet | hope my sense of right
duty and justice shall live as long a,
| live.
Buried in the dust this perished heart mus
lie,
But that which warmed ii once shall never
die
My love for our common country
and her noble institutions, | trust
shall die only when / myself shal
cease to exist. \ mere desire of plac,
and power for personal aggrandize
ment or for the emouments of office,
trample under feet with scorn. i IN
more proud this day. as one Of fac
sovereign citizens of the State of In
diana, than | should be with Haunting
robes of office around me, wrung from
the bleeding Constitution and violated
laws of the State.
Now, gentlemen, / trust, even if
do betray some warmth upon this sub
ject, no Lecompten man will consider
that | am in any degree excited, OF
that | have any personal bitterness to
ward him.
Col McCarty has anticipated me il
much that was necessary to be said il
reference to the enormities of this Ad
ministration, but it is theme so fruit
ful that ! can not forego wholly tn,
exquisite pleasure of expressing 1
sense of my contempt for Its measure,
and men. Now, gentlemen, what arr
the political signs of the times? From
the present indications there is to be /,
union of all the elements of opposition
for the purpose OF rescuing this Gev
ernment from the present corrupt Ad
ministration, and it is an object wor
thy of our mightiest efforts. Go t,
WASHINGTON that canital of cor,,rn