The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-05-17


bond, we abide by it. We entered into
this Union with States, Knowing that they
held slaves; and we feel ourselves bound
TO sustain that institution so far as the
law and the Constitution require US to do
SO, bat no further.
Does the South respect our rights as
much as we do theirs? Why, sir, free
man cannot 90 into slave State and
speak what George Washington and
Thomas jefferson taught, without being
considered an Abolitionist, an incendiary,
dangerous man taken and punished IN
the most shameful manner, and sent out
of the country; and he may think him
self we'll off if he escapes with his life
They break open the mails, and destroy
what they plea1e of the contents; and
more than that, We are told that we must
not exercise the right of suffrage in the
manner we think proper. When we are
ready to give up all these rights we shall
be fit for slavery, but not before.
propose to devote some remarks now
to the discussion of that other principle
of the Republican party-protection to
American industry. Upon that subject
| cannot expect to say anything very new
or interesting; anything which has not
been said by others better qualified to
discuss it than / am. The best minds
of this country have been turned to Its
examination; and think | may safely
say, that, when they have done SO with
an impartial desire to arrive at the truth,
the decision has almost universally been
, in favor of the doctrine.
Before l proceed to the discussion of
that subject, | wish to notice some re-
marks by the gentleman from Virginia,
Mr.. MILLsoN. who addressed the COM
mittee aday or two since. | did not hear
the gentleman's speech, but see it re.
ported in the Globe; and 10 order that he
: may not be misrepresented. | will read
= what he said on that occasion
" But understood the allusion of the gen
/ tleman from Pennsylvania, and it confirms me
. in the supposition that have INDUCED for
some time past as to the objects Of the Repub-
lican party, with which the gentleman is avow-
edly associated. What is that party2 Sir, |
4 say, for one, that do not fear the Republican
: party in any of its assaults upon slavery. |
, am not sensitive because do not fear you,
gentlemen. You can do netting that dread,
You will do nothing that can alarm me-"
The gentleman said only what he be-
: lleyes, and what every other gentleman
on that side of the House believes, if he
; would speak his true sentiments. The
Republican party have 10 desire, have no
8 design, have no power, have no wish, to
interfere with slavery in the States where
it exists. They have said SO in every
!. form, on every occasion, and gentlemen
ought to believe US and | am glad to find
the gentleman from Virginia does. He
says further.
"Yet YOU maintain your organization, hop
ing that the strong anu-slavery sentiment
which you attempt to nourish and perpctuate
will induce the people to remain with you.
} bound together as Republican party; and
when you are lifted into power, then you will
give that protection to northern manutactur-
; ing apd mining interests, and persecute those
grand and gaudy schemes of internal i'm
: provement, that you have been prevented for
! so many years from accomplishing, by the
stern opposition of the Democratic party"
am obliged to the gentleman from
Virginia for that candid and frank avow-
, al of what he believes to be the position
E and objects Of the Republican party
That Is, no doubt, the true secret of the
opposition to that party op the part Of
| our Democratic friends. They do not
' fear us on the slavery question. They
themselves say SO, speaking through one
! of their most distinguished leaders OF
:. this floor; but they oppose US because
s they believe that, when We do get into
f power, we will pass laws for the pTotec
: ton of northern industry. That is the
$ true secret of their opposition. They
$ are not afraid of us on account o.
f slavery; and why should they be? Do
(; we not hold the same principles on thai
a subject that Henry Clay held in his life
time? We stand precisely where ht
n stood when he was supported by large
t majority of the shareholders for the Pres
| idency. | ask leave to read what Mr.
e Clay says on that subject:
e $50 long as God allows the vital curren
E to flow through my veins so long as reason
: holds her seat enthroned in my brain, | vii
never, never aid in submitting one rood o
: free territory to the everlasting curse of hu
man bondage"
h Does the Republican party hold an
stronger position than this No, sir
: What does he say again with regard tt
: the moral, political, and social aspect o
: slavery?
9 al have made no change from the earlies
{ moment when | could consider the institution
# Of slavery. have held and have said, from
J. that day down to the present again and again
o and shall go down to the grave with the
opinion, that it is an cvl--a social and poll