Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-08-23

Mr.. Hickman said;

MIR. hickman said;
lNr. President and Gentlemen.-
There was time not very far back IN
the past. when Slavery was universal
~ admitted TO be wrong IA se, uE-
wise in practice, detrimental to both
individuals and communities, and
against the spirit and genius of our free
system. Now. however, it is declared
to be divine III is origin, the highest
type of human civilization, and indis-
pensable to the maintenance of dem
ocratic republic. Formerly it was re-
garded as condition to be constantly
reduced, and finally to be extinguished.
Now, on the contrary, the demand ls
urged that it shall be extended. and
made controlling. Here L find the
cause or source of the great political
issue of the present. Shall slavery be-
come a national institution and a gov
erning power in the country, or shall
il remain as the Constitution left it?
This is not an inquiry propounded by
Us of rhe North, but forced upon us by
our brethren of the South. They re-
quire an answer at our hands, and we
can not avoid a response if we would.
Silence upon our part, under the cir
cumstances, could not be construed
otherwise than as affirmative Of their
claims. / make the distinct avowal
that slavery seeks the acquisition Of all
our new States; for two objects: first.
to secure the value of slaves, and sec-
cad, to direct the powers of the Fed
eral Government.
The irrepressible conflict" so fire.
quently commented on and denounced
by the South, is constantly admitted
and acted OH by them. They are too
astute as observers, and sagacious as
politicians, not to know there is a nee
essary and unending antagonism be-
tween liberty and slavery. If they
thought differently, there would be far
more peace and harmony between the
sections. 1t is their full appreciation
of the struggle for the mastery which
arms them for the conflict. and induces
them to wrestle for the victory. There
is no more evident fact than this, that
the advocates of slavery seek its extern
sion so as to limit the influence of the
sentiment of freedom. We hate tyr
amy, aud would prevent such con-
summation. They ask that all who
toll shall be held as property-bc re-
garded, in the chaste language of an ell
oqucnt Senator, as mud sills.' We
believe that God created all men free,
and imposed labor on them for Their
advantage. Which hypothesis has
proven true? We will see hereafter
But, knowing that the principles ol
Justice are uniform and eternal, pre-
sumo to believe that those principle.
Will prevail, and human tights be
maintained. | am not ignorant of the
fact that those who suppose they may
rightfully make merchandise of Moth
+. ers and their children seem to think
they can shape the designs of Provi
ience, and re-write the history of hu-
y manity, reversing every thing oul
fathers taught, and for the mainte
: nance of which they perilled life ano
honor. l must be pardoned for disa
greeing with them, and protesting
= against such conclusions.
The extension of negro slavery into
the territories of the United States ha:
y become a settled policy of the Demo
cratic party. This reality can not b.
/, disguised, and ought not to be denied
1t is easily accounted for. Unity o
: interest and unity of desire will al
ways produce a perfect concentration
of strength. The fortunes of the Soutl
have become completely Identified witt
d their peculiar domestic relations. b,
their harmony they have been enable,
to govern the Democratic party. and
thus far, to govern the country tlrougl
the agency of that party The vita
: force of that organization being in tn
South, and slavery propagandism re
garded there as necessity, it can no
be considered strange that the inilu
r. ence of the party should be SO directe,
as to fortify doctrines most congcnia
to the supposed welfare of those VIII
direct its machinery. To many it ha
/, seemed unaccountablc that executiv
action and legislative and judicia
proceedings should be so shaped, from
year to year, as to strengthen the fey
at the expense of the great mass Of on
: people. Let it no longer be regards
as a marvel or q mystery; the respons
ibility of it rests with those Northern
. men in whom we have reposed on
confidence and clothed with the gar
ments OF authority. Examine the re
corded votes in your National Con
gress and there learn why it is tina
Northern capital and labor are con
stantly borne down by the enormou
IT weight oil Southern exaction. Whe
II your reasonable requests are denied,
m neel not tell you, with earnestnes
and emphasis, it Is because eight mil
T ions OF men control eighteen million
through our representatives elected b
= party pledged to interests averse t
ours. Slavery educates its statesme
in high school, under able profess
: ors. 1t teaches that the Northern me
are cowardly. aud that their ambitio
A Is linked with avarice; and, uufortt
nately for US, it has arguments to fol
tity Its faith. In half century it ma
not be credited that less than a doze
men, trained under these circumstal
ce,. so alarmed Pcnnsy lvania Pres
dent a. 10 induce him To recast mei
> sage. violated the plighted faith upo
which he was elected. disgrace his II,
rn tive State, and degrade the high Off,
4 Ii u =