Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-09-29
tcugaes Speeches.

Stevens Point, Col. Fairchild of Madi-
| sen, Bostwick O'Conner. Of Bcloit, and
! EO. HayiIand Of this place. The exer-
cises we're opened by the selection of
A1r. L. NJ Haw!ey as chairman, who
introduced Mcclure to the audience.
lie was talking when We had arrived,
and therefore we do not know ali the
points be attempted TO carry. OF
course his great aim was to prove that
Popular Sovereignty TAs right and
that S. A. Douslas was great and
good mar. Without even limiting at
the bred Scott decision, which Doug
lag has repeatedly endorsed, and which
knocks Popular Sovereignty end-wise,
he claimed that this principle was
fought for and Won by our Revolution
airy heroes. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. They fought to govern
themselves, to be sure but not to blast
whole territories forever with slavery,
and thus shut out one section of the
country from settling there. For IN
stance, supposing this question: was
left to Mcclure to decide, and be sho'd
legislaCe that slavery should exist in
the territories, would it not be an in
tringemcnt on the rights of every man
who designed to make the territories
his future home? He would not ONLY
be leglslating for himself, but for the
whole country. Slave territory and
slave States are sources Of 2oeaAneSs
and expense to the general government,
and therefore no true and sincere we'll
wisheF of his country would thus curse,
not only the territory legislated upon,
but TIE the whole coufederacy. He
certainly has neither a moral nor legal
right to 10 so. This is all there is Of
Popular Sovereignty. But Tie deci5-
ION il the case Of bred Scott steps in
aud says that slavery already exists III
the territories by virtue of the constitu-
ton, and Douglas says he bows in snb-
mission to this mandate Of the highest
judicial tribunal Of the country. What.
| tnen, is the object Of making Popular
Sovereignty hobby before the peo-
pie? TO deceive them. 1t sounds
pretty and enticing, and designing pol,
iticians hope to catch votes thereby
It seems to us too fimsy to mislead the
most ignorant.
He alluded to the oft repeated accu-
sation that Lincoln denounced the Mex
lean war while in Congress, as uncon-
stitutionaliy and unnecessarily com
mencod, and refused to sustain the ar
ny while in that distant country. Mr..
Lincoln dill not take Lis seat until the
war was ended, and Mac ought to have
known it and shut his mouth Oh that
subject.
The speakers illusions to the ability
and public services Of Mr. Lincoln were
unworthy the lowest penthouse black
guard. IL knows, as does every one
WHO has read his speeches, that Lin
coin is the peer Of NJ. Douglas in eve
ry respect, Notwithstanding the latter's
lengthy experience and, in many de-
sirable respects, his superior. No fair
minded and intelligent man will deny
this.
NJ. Park followed in his usual funny
style, and confined bis speech to an
elaboration Of that made by the former
speaker, and to replies to remarks
made BY members Of the AUDIENCE
lie advanced no new ideas, and did
not attempt to make new argument
IN favor of voting for Douglas, except
! that he was a great and celebrated
parsonage. So were the Borgias and
50 was Calhoun. His effort was con
>idered, by even members Of his own
party. fiat, stale AMI unproftable y
! Come again, Park; but we would ask
die favor Of allowing a reply. VIII
you grant it?
! Col. ). G. Fairchild was next intro
duced, and a greater mass Of senseless
twa!d'r, ,n;s>satencnts and low abuse
We never heard fall from the lips Of
any man who has gained such notoriety
rs a politician, as Col. F. We have
room - allude to only one point. II
his attempt to show that Lincoln was
On ignoramus, he said that the Repub.