Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-04-05
Mr.. Bates vindicated n. Republican.

Mr.. Bates yindicated ms a Republican.
"a Missouri Emancipationist' has written a
long letter from Washington to the New York
7ri6unss in vndication of Mr.. Bates Rcpubli-
can. from which We make the annexed extract
BATES, many years ago, long before the Rernbli
can party had an existence, became convinced of
the evils of Slavery, and resolved an indiy idual
10 do his duty in the premises. He accordingly
prepared his slaves for freedom, and subsequently
cmancipated every of them-thrty in number,
We believe. Here We have practical illustration
Of Republican principles. This is worth some
thing. 1t is worth great miny professions:
Let me ask you in what particular Mr. Bates is
not as truly and purely representative of the
principles the Republican party as Mr. Chase, or
Mr.. Seward himsclf1 | understand that the card-
nal principle of the Republican party is opposition
to the extension of slavery in the Territories, Mr..
Bates has stood on that principle always, and un-
swervingly any man in the nation. He has or-
posed and does oppose the slavery propagandism Of
the Democratic earty sternly as Mr. Chase, or
Mr.. Seward, or any Republican living.
But If Repubicanism means more than mere op-
position to the extension of fSavery-which is sort
of negative position-if il means an enlightened
and Christian protest against the institution ITSELF
as "rclic of barbarism," then let me ask you who
more nobly represents that Republican idea than
Edward Bates of Missouri. who, born to tile her-
tage of Slavery, and swathed from Ills cradle in the
preudces in favor of the slave system, yet had the
moral ken to through its pernicous nature; and
the moral courage, amid a slaveholdng people; to
unco the folds of the hydra from around his house
hold, and stand forth emancpationist in practice
years before the great lights Of the Republican
party" such as Seward and Mr.. Chase, had cleva-
ted the grounds Of emancipation into illusrious
political principles. Why, twenty years ago, twen-
ty years before the present Republican party was
formed or thought of, Edward Bates held and was
quietly working out in practice the fundamental
principles of Republicanism. Mr.. Bates is indeed
one the Fathers of the Faith, of which Mr.. Sc
ward and NJ. Chase certainly honoIcd and able
apostles.
But let me ask further, in order to arrive at the
true luster of Mr.. Bates position--Does Republi-
cailism mean even something more than protest
against the institution itself "rclic of barbar-
ism!" Does 1t mean, also. positive vindcation
OF Free Labor. as the only honest agency by which
mln may elevate himself in society," Then what
is the record of Mr. Bates on this poini9 Not only
did he cmancipate all the slaves that ever came
into his possession, but he did it wisely and hu
namely, as well considered scheme of ife He
did not turn them adrft, ignorant, helpless and
provided for, to become paupers and a pest to So
ciety, bu! he carefully instructed them and pre-
pared them for freedom, and established them as
well as he could in life. 80 that they might be SELF
supporting. and useful to society. And one Of
them, at least-an intelligent boy-hc educated
thoroughly, and sent to LIBERIA TO be what he re-
ally is-I missionary of civilization and Christians
ty among the heather. tribes of his kindred
race. N
| Willie Mr.. Bates was doing ths worl. Of Rnniani-
~ for a dependent class by his unaded free labor,
he was at the same lime rearing and educating one
l.,~-~ e.. r
ordinarily gives to man, Excuse me that I
mention here the particular fact that the wife
Of Mr.. Bates, a South Carolina lady, has born him
in their long mtrricd life seventeen children eight
OF whom survive. Consider these two families, sir
the white and the black, that Mr. Bates has pro-
vided for as Christian father and phlanthropist.
and tell me what citizen Of this great Republic has
more gloriously illustrated the dignity and power
of free labor2 Is itany wonder that Mr.. Bates has
almays been poor-too poor to be politician and
sccker-too poor to occupy seats in Congress
and Cabinets, which he had the opportunity to &C.
cupy, but declined because he had "work to do
and could not afford to hold officei Let any can
did and true ehearted m an in the world consider the
relative efforts of Mr.. Bates, Mr.. Chase and Mr..
Seward, towards eifec.ing wise and Christian So.
luton of the great problem of Human Slavety in
our government, and the comparative trying cir.
cumstanccs of their Individual relations to il and
my word for it, he will hail Mr.. Bates rs a very
Paul among the apostles of Republicanism-.he
true Jeffersonian Repubcanisn. which it is the de.
sire and purpose Of the present Republican, party to
restore. And Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Seward will hail
this award with manly pride and fratcrral sympa-
thy.
| Mr.. Bates niiy not be the man to lead the Re-
publicans IN the next canvass, though you and /
might hold that for many good he should be,
not the least of which is the absolute certainty of
his election ifhe should be the nominee at Chicago
U,,f h.. o<,.l. al. 4 A
it not be said that it is because he is not identified
with the Republic party, aud is no fit representa-
tive ofits principles. BY putting aside Mr. Bates
on such grounds. the Republican party would bc do
ing grievous wrong to itself, and fragrant in
Justice to one of the most llustrous advocates of
human freedom, and indicators OF the power and
duty OF free labor, that this age has Produced
Mr.. Bates is gloriously identified with certain prin
ciples in regard to slavery and freedom. Ii they
are not the principles of Repubicansm, so much
worse for the Republican party.
a ..~V a.