Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-02-17
col. Forner,s speech.

.l Col, Forney's speech.
We make an extract from the speech
delivered by Mr.. Forney when serenadet
on the evening Of his election as Clerk
Mr. +. said:
] retired from the Clerks chair in the
year 1856, with my heart ardently beating
to see the man whom / then conceived tc
be the favorite son Of Pennsylvania elected
to the Presidential chair. Gentlemen,
had no hope in life before that-no aim OF
object. Then all was concentrated in the
one absorbing feeling to see that mans as
pirations carried out TO a successful issue.--
| assisted in his triumph. came back to
the State where was born, aud then, with
whatever selishness was in me, If any,
gave it all TO that man and his cause, and
the result was he was elected President Of
the United States--to the high Office OF
presiding for time over the destinies Of
this great country.
James Buchanan, elevated 10 be Presi-
dent of the United States, has become des-
pot. (Cries of "That he bas"-"Give it to
him.) A despot more intolerant than any
ever before known in the history Of this
country, and has performed acts of tyranny
which, if attempted in despotic France,
would create revolution. loud cheers,
and cries of "Good.'D l say it with pain
for Philadelphia, that never in the history
of the country, never in the annals Of any
President, has there ever been such pro-
scription of men-never such prescription
of individual opinions. (Cheers.) When
he was raised to that high position which
he has disgraced, raised by the votes Of
the North, he pledged himself upon bend
ed knees, to sustain the true policy of the
country. But now what do seel Why
/ see him turning against bis own people.
and crouching once more upon his knees,
this time before the South, that despises
him for his cowardice. (Cheers.) When
| see all this, and when see, also, that the
great Democratic party have not risen in
arms to protest against it, have only to say
for myself that for one will not submit to
it. tremendous applause from inside and
out.) l will not, say, submit to it, but
l will join hands with any psrty-with
Americans, with Republicans, with any
party of men to rebuke such prescription
as this.
n n +
The Democratic party, to which Mr. Bu-
chanau has bound himself, is devoted sole
ly to the perpetuation and extension oi
slavery. Cries Of "Thats so, and cheers.
But l, as one man who is resolved to stand
by the rights of the South, who is resolved
to see the Fugitive Slave law executed il
the letter and the spirit, who is resolved tc
march forward if necessary as humble
man in arms, am resolved for one to pro-
test against such an act. Loud cheers. +
This country has higher, nobler and
loftier destiny before it than the extension
or perpetuation of slavery. Loud cheers.
| say it frankly, that regret it is in exis-
teuce. | speak as l feel, and when see
all the power Of this government exercised
for the protection and perpetuation of that
institution, must protest against it.
Cheers. l have seen for the last eight
weeks men, Northern men, and l was
ashamed to see them, lending themselves
to the depravity, if may be permitted to
use the term, bat certainly to the degrade
tion, of endorsing principles never before
before witnessed.
You may remember this passage in "Ma-
zeppa"-my friend, Mr.. Jackson, of Ken
lucky, will also remember-when Mazeppa
Il cannot repeat the exact words,) is bound
to wild steed, which is turned of, and
which flew with him over mountains
through valleys and forests and across riv
ers, pursued by wolves, shouts back to hi.
tyrant and prosecutor, that some day ht
would return to repay him. Loud cheers.
"Some day l will return" said Mazeppa
"to thank you, Count, for this uneorteou
ride" Gentlemen, have had the rid
for the last two or three years-TIou,
cheers but I have also, Mazeppa-like
come back to settle with the respectable
aud venerable man at the other end of tn,
!. avenue for that ride. am returned t.
pay him respects. have returned to set
tie accounts with him. (Voice-'Don'
spare him; he shot us down like dogs will
marines.0 If he is now sitting in bis easy
chair at homo tonight he must hear you
loud aud hearty cheers, and they will re
mind him that his old friend Forney ha
come back to settle the old debt with him
4 Loud cheers and laughtcr.)