Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-08-09
SPEECH OF
HON. J. M. HICKMAN,
At Philadelphia, July oath, 1860
THE ISSUES AND THE CANDIDATES.
OF PENNSYLVANIA,

,,oko il couduce to the success of a principle,
rotbor than the elevation of a man. He will
fopl this to be the more incumbent upon him
at snch g time as the present, when the ten
donc;ao of nartjes are more distinctly marked
than in any previous campaign. 1t will be
nv object this evening to endeaVor to exhibit
in q distinct light. the dividing line between
the poitical parties of the day, and to ascer'
tain if possible, what, in oil probability.
would be the effect, upon the country, OF the
election of the respective candidates for the
Presidency
If this were a strife merely between indi
viduaI men, it would possess but triting i'm
nortance, and should not trouble you with
either remark or suggestion. But as regard
the contest, the determination will soon be
made not alone as to our value in the Con
federacy, but as to the destiny of the nation
itself
The policy of our Government is. in many
respects, underlined The more serious ques-
tione affecting Us have but recently become
topics of careful consideration. Our fathers
were unable to foresee, during the formation
of the Constitution, the greater embarrass-
ments to which the future Of the country was
TO be subjected, and consequently no proVi-
sion was made against them. Subjects which
distracted and divided them, in their delibera-
tons have lost much Of their former conSe-
oueucc, and we seem to be more anxious to
ascertain what they should have said further,
than what they actually did say. Even the
controversies in which We ourselves have been
engaged within the last decade have been set
tied or lost sight Of and we are now about to
enter into that conflict which is to define many
Cc tho (Hnvarn.
ment. and to fix the character of the dominant
institutions of the country. The propriety OF
rp.eligibility to Office the exact relations be
tween Federal and local Authority, the con.
stjtutonalily of banks and internal improve
men.s, the regulation of the currency, and the
distribution of the proceeds of the public
lands are no longer agtated ard discus
sOns upon them are only to be found in our
past history, and in the fossil remains of ex-
tinct parties 1t may in truth be said that
old things have passed away and oil things
have become new.
There was time, not very far back in TIE
past, when Slavery was universally admitted
10 he a wrong IN Sc, unwise in practice, detrl
mental to both individuals and communities,
and against the spirit and genius of our free
system. Now, however, 1t is declared to be
divine in its origin, the highest type of human
civilization, and Indispensable to the main
tainance of Democratic Republic. Former
" it was regarded as condition to be con-
stautly reduced, and finally to be extinguish-
ed Now, on the contrary, the demaRd is
urged that it shall he extended, and made
controlling. Here and the catse or source
of the great political issue of the present
Shall Slavery become a national institution
and a governing power in the country, or shall
it remain as the Constitution left it This is
not an inquiry propounded by US, of the North,
but forced upon us by our brethren OF the
South. They require an answer at our hands,
and we cannot avoid response if we would
Silence upon our part, under the circnmstan-
ees, could not be construed otherwise than Us
Affirmative of their claims. | make the dis
dOCt avowa that Slavery seeks the acquiSi-
ton of all our new States for two objects
first, to secnre the value of slaves and, Sec
Ond, to direct the powers Of the Federal Gov
eminent.
The irrepresshIe conflict" so frequently
commented on and denounced by the South.
is constantly admitted and acted on by them.
They are too astute as observers and saga
clOus as politicians not to know there is a nee
essary and unending antagoniSm between Lib
erty and Slavery. If they thought different
iy there would be far more peace and harmony
between the sections. 1t is their full appre-
cauon Of the struggle for the mastery which
arms them for the conflict, and induces them
10 WreSte for the victory. There is no more
evident fact than this, that the advocates OF
slavery seek Its extension so as to limit the
influence of the sentiment of freedom. We
hate tyranny, and would prevent such con-
summation They ask that all who toll shall
oe held as property-be regarded, in the chaste
language of an eloquent Senator, as mud
sIlls" We believe that God created oil men
'Fee' and imposed labor upon them for their
4d'antage. Which hypothesis shall be proven
true We will see hereafter But know
'"g Ihat the principles Of justice are uniform
Nuu eternal, presume to believe that those
principles will prevail and human rights be
maintained. am not ignorant Of the fact
@a' those who suppose they may rightfulIy
make merchandise of mothers and their chill
G.en seem to think they can shape the de-
s,sns OF Providence. and re-write the history
" " humanity, reversing everything our fathers
'uoaght, and for the mantainance of which
Suey periled lite and honor | must be par
in aoueu LOT dlsagreelng with them, and protest.
'ug against such conclusions
n Inc extension of negro Slavery into the
territories of the United States has become a
seIIed policy CT the Democratic Party. This
.tedn'y cannot be disguised, and ought not to
of oe aenled 1t is easily accounted for. Unity
S !, interest and unity of desire will always pro.
SoN1 So perfect concentration of strength. The
''''uneS OF the South have become completely