The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-07-05

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United States. should deem any prospective
action of Congress the subject both legs
/ aud Constitutional
Well, that was Judge John Laws good Ian
then; but it is bad Law GOV. is seems. with him.
Laughter aud come sppiaase.l That gertie-
some more. l will read the opinion Of prom
ioent Senator, DR.. Graham n. Fitch. don't
| know whether you consider hun alive dead
down here. Laughter and much applause.
| Col Foster "a prominent Demoeraf)-He 10
dead. Continued laughter aud increased ap-
/ plause
| A voce-There is more Democratic author
| ity for yon. (Continued laughter
Mr.. Morton-Dead. the gentleman says.
Col Foster tagain inserrapting)-And polit-
ically damned!
Mr.. Mortoa-The gentleman adds that he is
dead and damned Well. if he be so. his an
thority is better. because he is dead because he
has forsaHen his priucipies. Mr.. Fitch said in
reply to q letter, as read:
"PLYMoUrH, Aug. II lS49.
"Sir: AS there few who thiLk that you
have not been quite definite enough on some Of
the questions involved in the present canvass,
| wish you TO answer the following questions,
to wit:
Il. Will you. if elected. vote for the un-
conditional abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict Of Columbial
80. Will you vote for the abolition of the
inter State slave trade! (if the same is con-
sututional. of which | am not sa'is6ed.)
.3. Will you vote for the Wilmot Pro-
viso being extended over the Territories of
California and New Mexico. and against any
law authorizing slaves 10 be taken there as
property?
'PIease answer the above questions yes
or no, wi hout comment"
To which the Doctor replied:
"Wilh pleasure l answer yes to all the
above questions.
Entertaining the views indicated in my
answer above. shall not only vote yes on
those questions. but if no older or abler
member. whose influence for them would be
greater than mine. introduce them to Con-
gress. shall do so myself. if have the
honor OF holding a seat there"
l will read you some further authority
outside of the State of Indiana. I will
read little from one Stephen A. Douglas.
a "leetle giant" sometimes called "the little
joker" What did he say? Hear what he
said in 1s49:
''The Missouri Compromise had its ORR
gin in the hearts Of all patriotic men. who
desired to preserve and perpetuate the
blessings of our glorious Union; an origin
akin to thai Of the Constitution of the Uni
fraternal affection, and calculated to remove
forever the only danger which seemed to
threaten at some distant day to sever the
social bond Of union. All the evidence of
public opinion at that day seemed to iudi
cate that this Compromise had become can
onized in the hearts of the American peo-
Pile rs sacred thing. which no ruthless
hand would ever be reckless enough to des-
troy" ss
Ny friend says that it has been . Sun 9th.
cred war. Mr.. Douglas did not seem to
think 50. He spoke in the highest terms Of
il. and gave 10 it the lame dignity and the
Same sacred character as to the Constitution
Of tho United Sases itself: and he said it
v as so sacred that "no ruthless hand would
ever be reckless enough to destroy" it,
Who afterward proved to be the reckless
hand! Mr.. Douglas himself Much ap-
plause.
TO DoUGL AsiTEs.
Gentlemen, allow me to remark right in
this come ction, in 1850 the Compromise
passed; we had then dangerous sectional
agitation goiug on; the waves rolled high
aud threatened to engult the pillars OF the
republic. The Spirit OF compromise was
abroad. A compromise was made. II gave
peace to the naiioo. In 1852. in the great
contest between Pierce and Scot. the sla-
very question scarcely entered, it scarcely
disturbed the repose Of the country North
or South. The country became calmeI up
to the beginning of 1854. In fact 1t h as
been said that there had been no such har-
mony and good feeling between the North
aud South since the days OF the adminis,ra-
ton of Washington as existed after the pas
sage Of the compromise OF 1850. But
Douglas brought forward the proposition TO
repeal the Missouri Compromise. 1t was
not asked tor by any body. No class OF
men were desiring it. No petitions were on
the table Of either House asking for the re-
| peal of that compromise; but when Mr..
Douglas IS Northern statesman, came
| forward and offered i, 10 the South. they
had TO take il; they thought perhaps they
could not go home having refused to take
| the oder made by q Northern man, the re-
suit of which would be the breaking down
Of the barrier set up against slavery; aud
from that time forward we have had in this
country the most dangerous sectional agita-
ton that ever existed; we have had the
bloody wars Of Kansas: We have had tina,
spirit engendered that first brought into ex.
is,ence the Republican party. and that has
at length divided the Democratic party
For what has all this BEEN As l have
said, it was not asked for. 1t was done "a
secure. as Ar. Douglas thought he would
the gratitude of the South aud the support
OF the South. He believed it would give
to him claims upon the South that would
make him President Of the United States
and it Was done to graafy his own persona
snd political ambition. Now the same
South. by one Of those decrees of an over
ruling Providence. is pursuing tais man t.
destruction She declares that the fruit b.
presented to her has turned to ashes on hel
lips. They accepted the promise. the bid
that was to give 10 them the vast terriscries
of the West. bat they now see that like hi
father. in olden times, he had neither king
doms nor territory to give. Great ap
plause.
tsoIs ask nov upon what ground this -,
should be eievnled 10 the first ofkee in tn
gift of the American people. II it be don
| II will be upoo tie principle that the hs;r a