The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-09

a contest. James Buchanan, Pennsylva-
MAS favorite son. was elected, and at his
inauguration was first seen family shining
in the horizon, the baleful rays of the bred
Scott decision, since become SO famous in
the political contentions-a decision which
claims for slavery the highest rights of pro-
perty, and that it can exist in our national
territories in despite of the nations will
and in defiance of the will of the people
inhabitiug the Territories decision which,
carried to its logical results, in fact, places
slavery under national protection III every
State and Territory of the L nion-a deci-
sion so inconsistent with the teachings of our
fathers and with the previous uniform course
of judicial authority, and may say so start
ling to the national conscience, that 1t has
united and compacted the elements of oppo-
sition to this Administration, in States hav-
ing the constitutional power, and therefore
the right, to make a President, and we stand
before the country to-day great, powerful,
well-organized, disciplined party, ready to
meet the enemies of our institutions and of
the peace of our country at the ballot-box,
and there settle these questions, which will
give US no repose until the party that vio-
lates compromises and seeks 10 protect and
advance but one interest is utterly over
thrown and cast down. And here, tonight,
in the presence of this mighty assemblage,
l proclaim that the Republican party, not
withstanding the imprudent zeal and crude
utterances of many of its too ardent sup
porterS-I say the Republican party has
proposed nothing, has threatened nothing,
has Swallowed forth nothing which, in sub
stance, has not had the sanction, both North
and South, of the most eminent statesmen
our country has produced.
Have the past four years demonstrated
any necessity for the continuance and pro-
gress of the Republican party l ask the
question, when its simple annuncation
suggests that it is the only hopeful opposi-
ton to that Democracy whose misconduct
gave it birth, and who, in the present Adj
ministration, have SO signally disturbed and
disgraced the country by stirring up strife
at home, by All offensive foreign policy, by
attempting fillibustering, by INSCRIPTIONS
efforts to acquire Cuba, by degrading home
and foreign appointments, by corrupt
dispensation of public patronage, by default
ing officers of most conspicuous positions,
by an annual expenditure of over $50, OO0,-
600, by treachery and outrage in Kansas, by
its extreme Southern demands-demands
which coldly look to the alternative of the
absolute control of the Government by a
minority, or dissolution of the Union.
I have no time here to array proof of
these charges. You know they are true
The country is painfully conscious of their
truth. Now, if the power of this Govern
ment is to be wrested from the hands that
have so abused that power, ask you what
party is to do it2 What strong arm is 10
stretch forth and wrest from the Democratic
hands its baton of authority? 1t is my
Z = L. L1ls he -
up and ordained the Republican party for
this great work, and in its good right arm
is our deliveraace. The welfare of our
country demands that this party shall pro-
gress, with moderation and force, and it
will, to ultimate success.
That the principles and purposes of our
party are misunderstood, as well as inten-
tionally misrepresented, you well know
That our purposes are not extreme, but
moderate and conciliatory, let the action of
the Republican representation in Congress,
during the present session, attest. We
have marched steadily forward in the dis
charge of our public duties, notwithstand-
ing the Incorporate abuse, and almost indie
eency of attack, to which we have been sub
jected. And | rejoice 10 bear such testi-
! mony. We point to our record, it may be,
with too partial pride, but feel the proud
! consciousness of desiring to act with justice
| and fairness to all sections of our beloved
| country.
We have no aims butfor our country's good.
{ The Republican party, in every authorita-
tive way it could adopt, has disclaimed all
purpose or desire to interfere with the do
nestle institutions OF any of the States
But we claim a Constitutional right to do
as our fathers did, and, like them, pre-
ba WI of 81 int
ritories. We claim the right to use every
Constitutional authority in behalf of the
interests of free labor. looking to the well
fare of our children's children, to far Off
| cities, commerce, schools, and all the varied
| enterprises of peaceful civilization to be ac-
/ complished by the labor of free people
1 If such sentiments be reasonable, then were
our fathers, the men who met, and COUNSEL
/ ed, and determined in that Hall of indie
| pendence traitors.
+ And the South, why should she complain
when we ask to settle this slavery question
| as our fathers did, and let the country
j again have repose. The South boasts that
1 she has the best part Of our goodly inheri-
! lance. Let her enjoy it in peace and pros
! perity. She has now sufficient territory to
lsupply all her demands for cultivation for
perhaps a century to come. Let her be
satisfied with her rich possessions. In COM
ing years, when the present actors on the
stage of public life shall have all passed
away, public sentiment may undergo an en-
4 tire revolution. The South may become
satisfied that slavery is not the blessing she
now claims it to be, Orthe North may cease
to regard it as an evil, and thus this dis
! tracing question, in the peaceful progress
! of events, may work out its own solution.
4 Let US postpone to the future what belongs
/ to the future.
an CONCLUDED TOMORROW