Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-10-12
VOL. 33. NO. Al.

is the way to cheat destiny out Of its dues2-
Is it your ambition to have your descendants
read in the history OF our days there were men
living in 1860 shat with instincts so deprayed
that when they could not accomplish that which
was evil, they endeavored, at least, to prevent
that which was good?
And you who are warned by this sacred voice
of conscience that yon are doing wrong 10 ad-
herring TO Douglas, and yet obey the command
of party, here me: Is this party drill disci-
pline so omuipotent an idol that you would sac
rifice upon its altar your Independence, your
manhood, and all that constitutes your neral
worth2
And yeu who claim the exclusive privilege
of swearing by the Constitution aud the laws'
will you stamp the evidences ofahypocrisy upon
your brow by Indirectly ndorsing him who has
done more than any other living man to UNDER
mine the Con stitution and pervert the laws2--
Will you permit your political hucksterers to
barter away not only your votes, bur your con-
sciences and your houorf
But let the conspirators come on; We defy
them. Go on with your coalitions, which are
made with the distinct understanding that those
who unite to-day are to cheat each other to-
morrow. Has it become ruling principle in
your parties that the Crank and file have no
rights which the leaders.are bound to respecta'
You will find out your mistske. Look around
IL hars
ners, unwilling to submit to Jour freacherous
scheme TO rob the people of their electionsa-
Do you know what that t,meansa 1t means that
the man rises above the partisan. 1t means the
revival Of conscience in our politics. 1t is the
true sovereignty of the people yindicating itself.
(Cheers.)
Now build up Tour nole-hills, and call them
mpregnable fortresses. 1t seems Jou do not
know how small they are. The logic of things
will not roll its massive viii over them. Your
puny contrivances viii leave no trace behind to
tell your doleful story.
Sir, only those whose hearts are unmoved By
great moral impulses, can fail to see that We
are in the midst ef great moral revolution.-
They cannot prevent final victory; firmly be-
lieve they cannot retard it. No, they are aid
ing it in spite of themselves; for their general
rottenness demonstrates its necessity. Doug
las himself is powerfully promoting its progress.
He has taught the people of America great
sublime lesson.
think II was Senator pnoh Win opee said
that if Douglas were struck down by the South,
he would take his bleeding corpse and show it
to the youth of the Northwest as an example
of Southern gratitude. Let that modern Mark
Antony come in with his dead Caesar, (pardoa
me, it is neither Caesar dead nor Mark Antony
living,) let him bring in his bleeding corpse,
and would suggest the funeral oration. Let
him say to the youth of the American Repub-
lie: ssThis is Douglas. Look at him. For
every wound the South inflicted upon him, be
has struck blow at the liberties of his coun-
trymen. Let him serve as warning example
that man may be traitor to liberty, and yet
not become q favorite of the slave. power
Mark him. BY false Popular Sovereignty be
tried to elevate himself, true Popular Sover-
eighty strikes him down." Loud Applause
If the youth of America profit by this lesson,
then it may be said that even Douglas has done
some service to bis country. [Langbter.l-
Then peace be with him-his mission is full
filled.