Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-02
Republican Meeting in Covington.

One of the largest political gatherings Of
the campaign last evening filled the Oddfel-
lows Hail. to listen to the remarks of Hon.
Salmon P. Chase and Fred. Hassaurek, Esq,
on he political topics of the day.
Mr.. Chase was first introduced to the
audience, and commenced his remarks by
saying that he came before the people of
Kentucky as a Republican, to talk with
them respecting the political questions of
the day. For himself, be was willing to
abide by the decision which the people
should pronounce on Tuesday next and he
believed that decision would be just one.
The principal question now agitating the
country was respecting the existence and
protection of slavery in the Territories, and
he proposed to examine the position of the
present political parties on that point.
The party which supports Mr.. Breckin-
ridge claims that slavery exists in all the
Territories by virtue of the Constitution of
the United States, and they claim that Con-
gress should interfere to protect it there.
Would this plan secure peace to the country?
The speaker thought not. The people would
not submit to have slavery forced upon them,
if majority of them were opposed to it. He
thought the reason why Mr.. Breckenridge, a
gentleman of unblemished character, fine
personal attributes and Acknowledged
ability, was not more generally supported
by the people of this country, lay in the fact
tDdJ IDe OOCtTl0e OF party no SeJ-
tlement of this vexed question.
Next comes Mr.. Bell. Does he propose
any adjustment of it? No. He ignores it
altogether. He (the speaker) felt the highest
regard for both Mr.. Bell and Mr.. Everett
personally. They were both gentlemen of
ability, experience culture and undoubted
patriotism. Both they and their followers
deserved the highest credit for their love Of
the Union, but as they proposed no scheme to
rid the nation of its present difficulties, he
could not act with them.
Then comes Mr.. Douglas, with h is plan of
! squatter sovereignty. Mr.. Chase would be
! willing to leave the whole matter to be de-
! cided by the people of the Territories, pro-
/ vided they could be left wholly free to settle
/ it themselves, without Congressional or
! Executive interference. But Mr.. Douglas,
| in his Nebraska Bill does not give them this
power. When this bill was before Congress,
Mr. Chase, although he was opposed to the
repeal of the Missouri Con promise, believing
that compromise to be the best possible set
! tlement of the question, nevertheless deter
mined that the principle of squatter SOW
ereignty should have Il fair trial, and,
therefore, introduced as an amendment to
the original bill, a clause providing that a
majority of thepRople of a Territory may, il
they see fit, exclude slavery therefrom.'
This amendment was rejected, Mr.. Dougla;
voting against it. Mr.. @. then introduced
another amendment. that the people of 9
Territory be authorized TO elect their owl
Governor and Judges, and determine theiI
own form of government This, also, wal
rejected. The Nebraska Bill never was in
tended 10 allow the people to govern them
selves. On the contrary, it left them exposed
to interference from the Executive, from
Congress, and from the Supreme Court. Mr.
Douglas claimed TO follow jefferson in hi
plan of governing the Territories.
The speaker gave a sketch of Mr.. Jelfer
sons bill for the government of the Terrific
ries, and his scheme of government for tn
State of Virginia, showing the difference be
tween Mr. Jefferson's plan and Mr.. Douglas
We have already seen the effect of Mr.. Doug
lass bill in Kansas. Did the people wan
any more ofit2
The Republican party did not design 7
interfere with the question Of slavery in tn
/, States, believing that it is question 70
each State TO determine for itself but the
do intend to reserve the Territories for FIRE
, labor until they are qualified to form Stat
Governments believing this to be for tn
best interests of the whole country. In th
, design they only stood where Washington
Jefferson, Webster, Clay and Benton ha
, stood, as was shown by their records.
! Mr.. Chase then proceeded to answer som
questions which were propounded TO hin
and then gave way to Mr.. Hassaurek, Wh
, made few characteristic remarks in tel
ing manner. We regret that the erowde
, state Of our columns will not permit us
1 give a sketch of them.