New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-14


o,her States were on the platform, among whom were
ths Hon. d. p. Banks Of Massachusetts,, ex Lieut..
Gov. Ford and the Hon. r. c. Psrsons of Ohio, the
Hon. Daniel E. EOmes Of Maine, and the Hon. N d.
sperry Of Connecticut.
Mr. SHERMAN said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: accepted the invitation
of the Young Mems Republican Union Of the City OF
New.York 70 deliver one Of series OF political "a,
dresses st this place with come hesitation knew
would have 20 speak to tbose familiar VITA all me
pohtcsl topics Of the day, and that my pubic daues
would allow me bat little tine for preparauon Conlu
have foTeseen this spectacle this crowded array OF
ladies and gentlemen could have anticipated so gen.
erous and hearty areception, would have been de-
tered from the 20 me, novel effect OF transferring
political speech from the stump or the nsn Oh isgs.a
lion 10 the lecture room. Trusting, however, 10 your
indulgence will attempt only simple state nent Oh
the issues dividing the two great political organizations
fSe P3esdeut of the United States in his last au-
pnsl message to Congress- declares that il has been
established that every citizen owning slaves may take
them into the Territories Of the United States and
tAere hold them ss slaves; and that hs right to do
must be protected by the Judicial Legislative, and Tx
esutiye branches Of the Government. He further de-
slsres that neither Congress nor any Territorial Iegis
atme nor any human power, has any authority to
ANAL or impair this vested right In former message
he SAYS that slaves regarded by the Constitution OF
the United States IS propertyhe same as horses or
eate-and may be carried into the Territories OF the
United States and there held as slaves not only with
out local or Congressional law but in defiance of both.
The Democratic party adopts these propositions as
part Of its political creed fairly state them rs among
be recognized principles OF that party mean OF the
controlling majority which guides its councils, and not
The exceptional fragments that hang upon its 0uskrts.
The Republican party denies these propositions, and
insists that Slavery is the creature OF local law de-
pendent entirely upon the law Of the state in which it
sxiss limited 10 the jurisdiction Of the state except
ing only thstf the slave escapes he may be recapured
And the Republican party athrms that Slavery Is a
social moral and political evil and that is the right
and duty of Congress and Of the people 70 prevent it's
extension into free territory
Upon this Issue, mainly, the Republican and Demo-
cratic parties about TO enter into contest for the
administration Of the Government for four years. and
perhaps for generation. This contest is factious
strife. II s constitutional trial between opposing
ideas, to be conducted in the mode presented by law
before the great Jury Of the American people Before
that supreme tribunal the Republican party Is willing
TO discuss it's upon lite merits and TO lis verdict
whatever il msy be- it lie pledged in advance 20 yield
cheerful submission The Democratic party, however,
epters the contest in different spirit. We are met at
the outset with the Distinct and oft-repeated threat
made by Democratic Governors, Senator's and Repre-
sntatives that If the Republican party should IN the
regular constitutional way By the votes OF the majority
of the Electoral College and OF the people, elect he.
publican Is President Of the United States, they Will
assoye the Government, break up this fair fabric Of
liberty and divide into hostile fragments the union OF
these States. As either Democrat or Republican
mRst IN al human probability be elected, the SUP
stance of these threats is that unless Demo: De
elected, there shall be no President OF the United
Ststss.
They win sink the chip that has thus far borne us as
nation on voyage 30 prosperous that the history OF
man does not present lie parallel. They tell us that
the Shareholders of this country are not allowed 70
carry their slaves into free territory, and there hold
them as slaves, they viii commit an overt act o. uea
son. They tell Us that If a Republican President be
elected, they viii resist his inauguration with open
force. There extraordinary threats are made 6y men
high position in the Democratic partly the men
who usually control that party. The Republican
party lie compelled at the outset TO consider whether
il win yield lie political organization surrender al s
deeply Cherished principles, and all the power and Pa
rOnage of the Government, 10 the menace OF such I'D
yesariee This is question Of manhood as well IS OF
principle. When they assume to be our governors,
high time TO test the virtue OF their cam Inc na.-
uraI effect Of such nenaces is to excite the Anglo
Saxon spirit Of us all. When the gauntlet is
thus thrown at feet we will take 1t up.
A. their equals and peers, we VIII lnsist tnat the
majority ehall exercise its right N conformity with
he Constitution and laws TO select the agents OF the
Government. We viii defend them In the exercise Of
their lawful functions and have doubt there are
patriotic men enough In every State 70 punish all VINO
sttempt 10 execute such threats.
But while it is our duty not to be moved by these
hreasf it is equally our duty fairly TO examine the
Sams Of these cpposng parties, ana 70 eest mem Ey
The Republican party Is only six years old, but ts
principles old as the Government. rs cardinal
doctrine was frst formally announced in July, 100,
by the Congress Of the Confederation, which prohibited
slavery in all the then exsng Territories ofNthe Uni
ted States by ordinance declared 70 be irrevocabe
The National Convention, then In session, and com
Constitution provision that Congress shall have
pewer to dspose Of and make all nsedful rules and
regulations respecting the territory other property
belonging 70 the United States.
The first Congress ap proved, ratified, and confirmed
the ordinance Of 1877 against Slavery. Since that
time Congress has repeatedly exercised It's plenary
power the Territories By prohibiting the importa'
ton Of slavee into them.
In 1910 the Supreme Court Of the United States see
Peters g. Cranch 1866 affirmed this power az follows
"The power Of governing and legslating fer Terri |
tory lie the inevitable consequence OF the right TO &C
onire and hold territory. Coud this position be con-
sted the Constitution declares that Congress shall
fhaye DO wer 70 dispose Of and make all needfd rules
"'and regulations respecting the territory or other
as property belonging TO the United States. Accord
"iney we find Congress possessing and exercising the
(" ABS0LUTE and UED1sPUTED power OF governing ana
"lsgisating for the Territory Of Orleans
In 1890 after full debate in the act admitting Mis-
,nnyI Congress enacted " That In ell that territory
"ceded bv France to tie United STATES, under me |
uome of Louisiana, which lies north Of go 3V OF
north latitude, not included within the bmts Oh tne
STATE contemplated by this act +" SLAVERY AND IN
yoLUETARY sFRyITUDE otherwise than as the pun |
ishrneut OF erinee SHALL BE- AND is HEREBY, FUN
EVER PROHIBITED"
This prohibition received the unanimous sanction OF
presidert Monroe and his Cabinet, of which Mr. Cal
bOun and Mr. J. q. Adams were leading members
In 1873, in Canters case, Il Peters RePi 5ill, tne
Supreme Court Of the United States again held as foi"
lows: In the mean time Florida continues 10 be |
Territory Of the United States, governed oy Inat
claRse In the Constitution which EN- 20 wers Congress
70 make all needfoI rules and regulations respecting
the territory or other property belonging 20 sp1
may BE the inevitable consequence Of the right 70
acquire territory. Whichever may be the source
whence the power may be derived, ne PoSsesstoH
{" IL 10 uHquesttoned . In legisating for |
+" the Territories Congress exercises the combined