Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-10-08


The Hon. J. NJ. Ashley has been doing yeo
mans service in the Lucas district during the
campaign. he has most thoroughly can
vassed the large district and has met Gen.
Steedman, his Douglas competitor, in polit-
cal debate, whenever and wherever the latter
has been willing to discuss with him the is
sues Of the day. Mr.. Ashley wields most
trenchant blade, and we clip the closing pOr-
ton Of his second speech in the debate with
Gen. S. at Toledo, Sept. oath, as follows;
There is just this difference between him
and myself on the point Of Popular Sover-
eighty: believe firmly that the government
of the United States has the power, and
that it is its duty to prohibit Slavery in the
Territories. lie believes 1t has not But
go further, and say if the government refuses
to do it, the people may do it themselves
That is the pure Popular Sovereignty which
Douglas denounces.
In Dacotah, which was detached from
Minnesota, there is no government to-day,
because Congress refuses TO give them one.
The duty of the people, in such case, is to
make government for themselves.
Under my opponents doctrine you see
the yilest crimes committed in the Terrific
ries.
Look at Utah, where the basest outrages
are committed with impunity. Look at
New Mexico, where they enslaye white men.
In no land blessed with civilization, and un-
der the administration OF no other party in
this country, except the one to which my
opponent belongs, could the twin relics of
barbarism, Slavery and Polygamy find shell
ter in our National Territories.
To our shame be it said, that this Is the
only christian nation in which rulers give Ii
cense to iyfaHy and who release in our nat
ural Territories the possessor of slaves and
the deluded followers of pretended spiritu-
al teacher from every restraint and give them
absolute power.
Under the policy Of no other party could
our Territories be made the nursery Of crime,
and the widow and daughter be permitted to
marry the same man, uncle and neice be-
come man and wife, concubinage be openly
practiced, and fathers own and sell their'own
children as slaves.
AT these enormities the christian world
stand appalled,, and the fair fame Of our
country is covered with reproach. When
shall it cease2 the patriots and christians of
the nation ask. My opponent replies, '.Non-
Intervention is our doctrine and his great
leader answers, 81 do not care VhstAer Il is
Vstsd up or aOlOn"
Our only hope, then, is to wrest the Gov
ernment from the hands of the men who
''don't care, and place it in the hands of
those who do care. Then, and only then,
shall we be called to Danish and render pow
erless for future evil this incestuous den OF
robbers and assassins in Utah, and drive
from every department of the Government
the representative of an Oligarchy who do
not hesitate to enslave any race, and make
merchandise of their own children. Too
long, already, have the American people sub
mitted to this reign of unrestrained icen-
tiousness and pro-slayery despotism. Too
long nave they submitted to the dictation OF
reckless party leaders and consented TO the
election of men TO represent them in Con-
gress who ''don't care" whether the right
was voted up or down. Under this banner
of ~ don't care" these Representatives, or
rather these counterfeit Legislators imposed by
party leaders upon the people, have trOdden
under foot the landmarks Of our fathers,
betrayed liberty, and given the sanction of
the nation to the crimes Of Polygany and
slavery.
These small men with their smaller party
spy-glasses in looking out upon the vast fir
manent of history have been unable to read
that which has been and that which is to be,
have been unable to comprehend the great
truths with which the sons Of struggling hu-
manity in battling for liberty have lighted
Hhc 49, 9Io md
which to day their own strong arms and
brave hearts have gilded all over with the
efulgence and glory Of the coming morn.
Entrusted with the government Of great
nation and the lead Of a generous and noble
party they have refused to he guided by the
teachings which the history of mankind has
taught the world for the past 600 years, and
because Of this refusal the government Of our
fathers under their direction has been per-
verted, and the good old party of Jefferson
| and jackson has been led TO ruin. The
mission of the Republican party is to lead
/ the nation back to the platform occupied by
! Washington and Jefferson and so we do
care whether the right or wrong is voted up
or down within our National Jurisdiction
And we stand to-day upon a platform
which commends itself to the Judgment of
the rejecting portion of the American peo-
plea platform which needs no defence at
my hands, from the puny shafts hurled at it
by the gentleman who has just taken his
seat We eintend on that platform, to place
our candidate in the Presidential chair, and
woe to the traitor who attempts to stop him |
But time, which waiteth for no man, hath
overtaken me, and must close. I thank
you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for your pres
ence and attention.
The conclusion of this speech was also
greeted with loud cheers, and the meeting
broke up about half past ten clock.