New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-26
POLITICAL ISSUES And PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATES.
.ualL DOUGLAS Or LINCOLN BE SUPPORTED
,cvclas DESCRIBED BY ONE WHO KNOWS HIM.
SPEECH OF
SPEECH OF
THE HON. JOHN HICKMAN.
Delivered in Concert Hail. Philadelphia, on Tuesday
Erening, July "a, 1860.

mon him at such time as the present. when the ten
denotes Of parties distinctly marked than in
any previous campaign. 1t will be my object, this
evening" to endesvor to exhibit in distinct light, the
dividing line between the political parties of the day,
and to ascertain possible, what, In all probability,
would be the effect upon the country Of the election OF
she respective candidates for the Presidency.
II this were q strife merely between individual men,
h would possess but triing Importance, and should
lot trouble you with either remsrk or suggestion But
a regard the contest the determination will soon be
made not alone as to value in the Copfederaey but
n 70 the destny Of the nation itself.
The policy of our Government is in many respects,
updefned. The more serious questions affecting us
have but recently become topics Of careful consdera
Uon Our fathers were unable TO foresee, during the
formation of the Constitution the greater embarrass-
eents 10 which the future Of the country was TO be
subjected and consequently no provision was made
against them. Subjects which distracted and divided
tSem in their deliberations have lost much of their
Warmer consequence, and we seem TO be more anxious
10 ASCERTAIN what they should have said further than
what thew actually did say. Even the controversies IN
which we ourselves have been engaged WITHIN the last
decade have been Settled lost sight of and we are
row about 10 enter into that conflict which to define
many Of the most important powers OF tne Govern
nent and TO fix the character OF the commant insutu-
s;ons of the country. The propriey OF reehg6iy 10
cfce the exact relations between Federal and local
authority the constitutiOnay of banks and internal
improvements the regulation of the currency ana the
strbution of the proceeds of the public lands are no
longer agtaed; and discussions upon them are only TO
be found In our past history, and IN the fossil remains
Of extinct parties. II may In truth be SAID that ola
things have passed away, and all things have become
new. -.
when Slavery was universally admitted TO be wrong
IN Sc unwise in practice, detrimental TO both lndvld-
mails and communities and against the spirit and genius
however. 10
be divine in Its origin the highest type OF human CIV
uization and indispensable 10 the maintenance OF
democratic republic Formerly It was d rsgs aS Ia az b
extinRuisbed Now, on the contrary the demand Is
urged that it shall be extended and made controing
Here find the cause or source OF the great pohuca
issue of the present. Shall Slavery become National
institution and governing power in the country or
shall remain the Constitution left 1t This Is not
an inquiry propounded by Of the North but forced
upop us by our brethren Of the South. They require
m answer at our hands and we cannot avoid response
five would. Silence upon our part, under the elrcum
stances could not be construed otherwise than affirm
alive of their clsms. make the distinct avowal that
Slavery seeks the acquisition of all'our new States
for two objects: FIRST to the value of slaves;
and second to direct the powers Of the Federal Gov
eminent
"Tbe irrepressible conflict" 50 frequently COM
mented on and denounced by the South, constantly
admitted and acted on by them. They are too astute
ss observers and sagscious as politicians not TO know
there is a necessary and unendng antagonsm between
Liberty and slavery. IL tney nOugm ulHefebIiy,
there would be far more peace and harmony between
the sections. II is their full appreciation OF the strug-
Rle for the mastery which them for the conflict
and induces them to wresle for the victory. There is
NO more evident fact than this thai the advocates OF
Slavery seek it's extension TO limit the influence
of the sentiment of Freedom. We hate tyranny, and
would prevent such contamination. They ask that
all who toll shall be held as property-be regarded IN
the ehaste language of an eloquent Senator mud
fils" We believe that God created all men free and
imposed labor upon them for their advantage Which
hypothesis shall be proved true we Will see mere
after But knowing that the principles of Justice are
uniform and eternal presume TO believe that those
principles will prevail and human rights be maintained.
am not ignorant of the fact that those who suppose
they NAV rightfuy make merchandise of mothers and
ther children seem to think they shape the designs
ef Providence and re-write the history of humanity
Ieversng everything fathers thought and for the
maintenance Of which they periled life and honor
mnst be pardoned for disagreeng with them, and pro-
testing against such conclusions.
The extension of Negro Slavery into the Territories
OF the United States has become settled policy Of the
Democratic party. This reality cannot be disguised,
and ought not 10 be denied. 1t is easily accounted for.
Unity of interest and unity Of desire will always pro-
uce perfect concentration of strength The fortunes
of the South have become completely idenuned with
their peculiar domestic relations. BY their harmony
they have been enabled TO govern the Democratic par
ty and thus far TO govern the country through the
agency of that party. The vital force OF that organza'
ton being in the South, and Slavery proPae re-
garded there as necessity, it cannot be considered
srange that the influence of the party should be 80 d.
reced as TO fory doctrines most congenia TO the sup
posed welfare of those who direct ts machinery. 10
many has seemed unaccounable that Executive acon
and Legislative and Judicial proceedings should be 70
shaped from year 10 year. to strengthen the few at
the expense of the great mass OF our people. Leu IL
no longer be regarded as marvel or mystery; the
responsibility Of it rests with those Northern men IN
whom we have reposed our confidence and clothel
with the garment OF authority. Examlue the recorded
votes in your National Congress and there learn why
X il that Northern capital and labor are constantly
h,xp Hoyun nv q
action. When your reasonable requests are de-
MED / tell You, with earnestness and emphasis,
il lie because eight millions Of men control eighteen
millions through our representatives elected 4y d
marty pledged 10 interests adverse TO ours Slave
nv edueates fits statesmen in high school under able
professors IL teaches that the Northern men are cow
ardly and that their ambition is linked win avarice
and unfortunately for Us 1t has arguments iorty us
faith In half century it may not De credited that
less than dozen men, trained under these clrcunsan
ees 80 alarmed Pennsylvania President as 70 nduce
him TO recas Message, violate the phghted Iah upon
which he was elected, disgrace his native STATE ana
degrade the high Office 10 which he had then but recent
ly been elevated And yet not only TINS mas Deeh Done
almost within presence, but the representatives, OF
free constituencies have been induced 10 lend the ald
20 force servie labor into competition with that OF sne
white man. and Slave State into the sisterhood OF
indepepdencies throw the balance OF power against
their own people. Some Of these are now not only
respeetable members Of the Douglas church, but mis-
sionares among the unbeeving and outside barbarans
have some of them very distinctly in my recollection,
and would be quite refreshing TO hear their remarks
In audation of Popular Sovereignty, such they de-
MED to Kansas, and Id remuneration OF southern
demands, TO which they succumbed as reluctantly as
sfrice seduced damsel 10 her lover, believe II was
Mirabeau who said the presents OF despotism are
81 always dangerous; he should have included In his
remark the threat Of the tyrant as wen as us
The ALLEGATION that Southern combinations are formed
for the purpose of counteracting opposition ex.remss
Il sbeer false pretense, resorted 10 s blind ana
cheat. No fears ever sprung from such parehlsse.