Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-01-19
Who Have Violated Compromises.
SPEECH OF HON. J. HICKMAN.
or YEsEsYLvASiA.

Delivered in the House Of Repre-
sentsiives, Dec. a., 1880.
The Constitution newspaper. the
organ of Mr. Bnchanan's Administrs-
tion. having charged upon the Anti
Lecompton Democracy bargain with
the Republicans to effect an organiza-
tion Of the House
Mr. Hickman said:
Mr. Clerk. with regard to the attack
made by the Presidents newspaper on
myself and others. / have bu, word
to say. Ii made by the Presiden,
himself. he knows it to be false. Ii
made by any other person. he does not
know it to be true; for. sir, the reason
why occupy the position here to-day
which | do occupy. is because | could
not be purchased. [Applause from
the Republican benches and from the
galleries. This reading Inc ont of
the Democratic party has been faith
fully preserved in for the last four
years, by many abler and stronger than
the gentleman from Missouri. [Mr.
Noell, and still they have not yet got
rid Of me, and it viii take them per-
haps four years longer of persevering
effort. if l shall choose to remain SO
long in their good company.
My treason to which very
frequent reference has been made here,
not merely during the present session.
but during former ones. has history
connected with it---a history with which
the gentleman from Missouri ought 10
be acquainted. Sir. it dates back four
years, when. in this Hall. on the
grievous charge being made--a chargc
which prevailed the country, and which
was believed by the countrv-thai
fraud and force and all manner oi
crimes had so far invaded the Terrific.
ry of Kansas that they had prostra,ed
thoroughly the people, | chose to in
troduce resolution TO investigate thai
charge. That was the time when my
treason commenced, for l then tool
the stand against an undivides
Democracy: and. sir. charge on tha
undivided Democracy. from whom
do dissent to-day-not. however
[bo:ause have failed TO be Democra
IA pcrssvoring effort. both in thi
Hall and in the other wing OF III
lCapi;ol. to stiae that investigation an'
to suppress the proof of the fraud
Then. sir. l was read from the Demo
cratic party: and yet. after tho com
mittce, which | was. to some extent
instrumental in raising. land this i
the first time | have ever referred L
it, had made their report to Congress
no man In the country was sufficient,
recklass to deny that the charge whicl
hal been preferred was fully an
completely proved. Then. sir. | wa
denounced as renegade and traitor
and for what? What was the bod,
I of nv offence? Because l chose t
differ from tho Democracy. believing
that tho charge ought to be investigat
ed. and that. if fraud existed, it ougl
to be revealed. And have they eve
washed their hands OF it to this day
No. sir; to no greater extent tha
silence may have done it.
Well, sir, | returned home to m,
people with all the brand of treaso
which that body of men could plac
upon my forehead: and Mr. Buchanan
the present President of the Unite
States. endorsed my Democracy in th
face of that accusation which had gon
up against me, and insisted on m
denomination. as he believed that
wcnlG be valuable to his canvass. III
Buchanan did not denounce me.
Now. a word in respect to tha
a canvass. for the mere purpose c
!, instsuting brief inquiry as to wher
/. the charge Of treason" may properl
y rest. and as to who is the renegade.
+ The State of Pennsylvania was in yer
imminent peril at that election; an
= Mr. buchanan knew that the electio
n in that State rested upon the answe
n to single inquiry. which was thi'
Was 1t safe to trust him with th
!. management, Of Kansas affairs? WIS
sir. it can 60 proved by g thousan
living witnesses. if necessary. tbs
:. during that summer. this man. wh
|. now fills the Executive chair. made
/. his business to pledge men. everywhel
,. N the North. TIA. il he should succee
I. in his election. as Re knew the Free
b State element in that Territory TO !
the st-oase.. Kansas should come inl
the Cn:oa as free and no. as . sla'
y State. Tat fact has been frequent
4 stated. II has asver been denied
/ Pennsylvania. and BY means OF d
pledges tha. no thus gsve. dill b
succee5 IN .s--vf-- tha, State IL Il