The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-05-30


mocracy. because that party has taken un-
der its guardian care an institution which
can only exist and prosper at the sacrifice
and expense Of tie constitutional rights of
the citizen. Where slavery is, there can
be no free speech, no free thought. no free
press. no regard for Constitutions, no def.
erence TO courts.
And, Mr.. Chairman, as further indica-
ton Of utter disregard for constitutional
right, look at the infamous enactment
which the Democracy have placed upon the
statute-book, in the shape of a fugitive
slave law. That law not only makes char
ity crime and hospitality felony but it
strikes down the very safeguards of per-
sonal liberty. 1t creates Judicial officers in
express defiance of the Constitution. 1t of.
fers them bribes to decide against the poor
aud the forsalen. 1t is usurpation Of
legislation never conceded to the Fede.
raj Government, because the surrender of
fugitives from service was an obligation
imposed upon the States. 1t denies the
writ Of ha6eas corpus and the right of tri-
al by jury-bcons which are wrung from
the hands Of despotism by the blood of
thousands and the sufferings of centuries
As citizen Of Michigan, l glory in the
fact that that State has, by counter legisla-
ton, vindicated the sovereignty of the
State, and protected the personal liberty of
the citizen Whilst the Democracy de-
grades itself to do the bidding Of the slave
power. the Republican party rises to due
appreciation of its mission, as the conserva-
tor of right and the defender of constitu
tional guarantees.
And, to pass along hastily to the next
proposition. l shall convict this counterfeit
Democracy of disloyalty to the Union of
these States, by evidence which no man
will attempt to impeach. for it comes from
their own lips. While the Republican par
ty clings with unswerving fidelity to the
Union and the Constitution, the Democra.
cy is as disloyal to the one as it is faithless
to the other. This Hall yet echoes with
the menances of disunion which the accep.
ted leaders Of the Democracy thundered
in the ears of their colleagues and constitu.
ents. The word has gone forth, that this
Government cannot be Government Of a
majority, expressing its will under the forms
and requirements of the Constitution. We
are told that when this Government is ad.
ministered in accordance with the policy
of its founders, g to establish justice" I"
promote the general welfare. and secure
the blessings of iiberty." that then the par
ricidal arm of disunion Democracy will
rend it in twain. You and l, Mr.. Chair
man, heard the gentleman from Georgia
Mr.. Crawford declare i
Snow, in regard to the election of Black Re-
publican President, l have this to say, and
speak the sentiment of every Democrat on this
floor from the State of Georgia-we will never
submit to the Inauguration of Black ReDubli-
can President. Applause from the Democratic
benches, and Kisses from the Republicans. l
repees ;., cir and h"-e outhurIty say sv-
that no Democratic Representative from Georgia
, on this floor will ever submit to the inaugura.
ton OF Black Republican President Renewed
applause and Kisses The most
con6ding Of them all, cir, are for equality in the
, Union or independence out of it; having lost
all hope in the former, | am for INDEPENDENCE
! NOW AND INDEPENDENCE FOREVER"
, And we heard his colleague Mr.. Gar.
tIclII uCGtdIC tudI Wutu 1tCpuUllC0u L lSo-
ident shall have been elected
"The time will have come when the South
. must and will take an unmistakable and decided
action, and that then, he who dales is das
tard, and he who doubts is damned need
not tell what 1, as a southern man, will do
: think may safely speak for the masses of the
people of Georgia-that when that event hap
, pens, they, in my judgement, will consider i
= | q nf nd mo- ir,
mediately in convention, to take into considera
ton the mode and measure of redress. That i
/. my position; and if this be treason to the Gov
( ernment, make the most of it"
: We also heard the gentleman from Miss
!. issippi Mr. McRael speak for the Democ
+ racy of bis State i'll similar contingency
|, ~ said to my constituents, and to the peopl
1 at the capital of my State, on my way here, tina
. if such an event did occur, while it would b
their duty to determine the course which tn
State would pursue, it would be my privilege Z
q counsel with them as to what l believed TO b
s the proper course and l said TO them, what
say now, and will always say in such an event
that nv counsel would be to take independents
{ out of the Union in preference to the loss of COZ
stitutional rights, and consequent degradatio
l. and dishonor in it. That is my position, and
c is the position which know the Democratic pa
% ty Of the State of Mississippi will maintain.
Is And the gentleman Mr.. De Jarnette
e who represents the Democracy of the Ricf
mond district said to us. In reference
=. WILLIAM II. SEWARD:
a. you may elect him President Of the Norti
m but of the South never. Whatever the ever
of NAV be, Others may differ; but Virginia, in vie
of of her ancient renown, in view of her sic sen
.lt per tyrannis, will resist his authority"
II, But it is useless to multiply quotation
as of this character l shall give but on
re more, and that is important mainly fro'
.. pc the fact that it comes to us from the Sta
be of Texas, State which is hardly yet war
nd in the embraces Of its sisters a State whic
talks valiantly in one moment about arres
w ing the wheels of Government, and in Il
ch next moment asks imploringly Of that san
be Government, for additional protection
be gainst the iDcursions of its border Indian
re The extract derives additional signi
en- canoe from the fact that it fell from Il
st, lips of a candidate for Speaker, who r
e. ceived the votes, not only Of Southern b
also Of Northern Democrats. On the %
Ter of January last, the member from Tex
ter Mr.. Hamilton said:
~ Whatever NAV be said by some TO mainta
it at all hazards, l believe that dissolution