Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-06-15

tn1s Aic Two tulnEs WHICH tnat congress dellb-
erately framed, and carried TO maturity at the
same time, are Absolutely inconsistent with each
other!
THE ABsURDITY OF CHARGING INCONSISTENCY
UPON THE FATHERS.
Aud does not such affirmation become impu-
dently absurd when coupled with the other
affirmation, from the same mouth, that those
who did the two things alleged to be nconsis-
tent understood whether they really were in
consistent better than we-befter than he who
ailIEins that they are inconsistent tAppianse
and great meIriment.) Ii is surely safe to as
sumo thar the ssthirtg- nine'' trainers Of the
original Constitution, aud sbe ssventy-six mem,
bers of the Congress which framed the amend
meats thereto, taken altogether, do certainly
include those who may bo fairly called ssour
fathers whosframed the government under which
We iiye." And so assuming, defy any man
to show that any one of them ever in his whole
life declared that, 10 his understanding, any
proper division of local from federal authority,
or say par. of ths Constitution forbade the
Federal Government TO control as to slavery
IN the Federal Territories. Loud applause. J
So q step further. defy any Que to show
that any living nlaD in the whole world ever
did. prior 10 the beginning of the present CEN
iurg, land / might almost say prior to the be-
ginning of the last half of the present century,)
declare that, in his understanding, any proper
division Of local from federal authority, or any
part of the Constitution, forbade the Federal
Government to control as TO slavery in the
Federal Territories. To those who so now de-
clare | give, ret only sour fathers who framed
tie Government under which we liye," but
with them all other living men within the CEN
tnry in which it was framed among them TO
search, aud they shall not be able to find the
evidence of single man agreeing with them.
Now and here let me guard a little against be-
ing misunderstood.
MODERN DOCTRINES FALSE AND DECEPTIVE.
i do not mean to say We are bound to follow
implicitly in whatever our fathers did To do
SO would be to discard all the lights of current
experience--to reject all progress all improves
ments. Wha. ! do say is, that if we would
supt aAnt che opinions aud policy of our fathers,
n zny case, We should do 30 upon evidence so
conclusive, and argument SO clear, that even
their great authority, fairly considered and
weighed, cannot stand; aud most surely not in
q case whereof we ourselves declare they un-
derstood the question better than we. Laugh
ter If any man, at this day, sincerely believes
that proper division of local from federal
authority, or any part Of the Constitution,
forbids the Federal Government to control as
to slavery in the Federal Territories, he is right
to say so, and to enforce his position by all
truthful evidence and fair argument which he
can. But be has no right TO mislead Others,
who have less access to history and less leisure
to study it, into the false belief .'that our
fathers, who framed the government under which
we live," were of the same opinion thus SUBJ
sttutiug fAlsshood and deception for truthful
evidence and fair argument. (Applause.) If
any man at this day sincerely believes sour
fathers, who framed the government under which
We live" used and applied principles, in other
cases, which ought to have led them to under
stand that proper division of local from fed
eral authority, or some part Of the Constitution,
forbids the Federal Government to control as
to slavery in the Federal Territories, be is
right to say so. But be should, at the same
time; brave the responsibility of declaring that,
10 his opinion, be understands their principles
better than they did themselves-(great laugh
terl-and especially should he not shirk that
responsibility by asserting that they "uuder-
stood the question just as well, and even better
than we do no now" (Applause.l
WHAT REPUBLICANS ASK AND DESIRE.
But enough. Let all who believe that our
s'fathers who framed the government under
which we live, understood this question just as
we'll, and even better than We do now," speak
as they spoke and act as they acted upon it.
This is all Republicans ask-all Republicans
desire 10 relation to slavery. As those faith
ers marked it, so let it be again marked, as an
evil not 10 be extended, but to be tolerated,
and protected ooly because of and so far as
its actual presence among US makes that tole-
ration aud protection a necessity. Loud ap-
plause Let all the guarantees those fathers
gave it be, not grudgingly, but fully aud fair
ly maintained. For this Republicans contend,
and with this, SO far as l know or believe, they
will be content. [Applause.l
And now, if they would listen-as | sup
pose they will uot-l would address few
words to the Southern people. [Laugbter-l |
would say to them: You consider yourselves a
reasonable and just people, and | consider
that in the general qualities of reason and
Justice you are not inferior to any other people;
still, when yon speak of us Republicans, you
do so only to denounce us as reptiles, or, at
best, 80 no better than outlaws. You will
grant hearing to pirates or murderers, but
nothing like it to "Black Republicans. p
Laughter,l
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOT SECTIONAL.
Ia all your CONVENTIONS with one another,
each Of you deems an unconditional condemna-
ton of s.Black Republicanism'' as the first
thing to be attended to. [Laughter.l Indeed
such condemnation Of us seems to be an indis-
pensable prerequisite license, so to speak
among you TO be admitted or permitted to
speak at all. Now, can you or not be prevail
ed upon to pause and to consider whether this
is quite just to us, or even to yourseives?-
Bring forward your charges and specifications,
and then be patient long enough to hear us
deny or justify. You say We are SECTIONAL