The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-06-21
From the Isdians Journail
Speech Of Hon. VIM. II. Dunn,
ereat ratification Hesliss 1t Philadelphia

4
| The following is the speech Of Hon. VIM.
n. Dunn. Of this State, at the grand Kepuo-
! Ican Ratification Meeting held in Philsdel-
nh;a couple of weeks ago. We have
been desirous for some time publishing it.
and Mr. Cases's on the Territorial question.
but have been prevented by the press Of
other matter, Of more immediate interest
We commend this speech to our readers as
one Of the best efforts we have encountered,
and full Of matter fer reflection and future
references:
NV fellow -citizsns:-I am deeply i'm
pressed with the significance OF the popular
enthusia sun demonstrated here this evening.
This is the inau2 uration OF the great con-
test Of 1860 ID the city Of Philadelphia and
State OF Pennsvivania; and, fellow citizens.
/ am impressed with the idea that the result
of tha contest in Pennsylvania depends, in
agfeaf degree. upon the result in this city.
and that the result of the contest in the
State will most probably be decisive of the
struggle ON the battle field Of the nation.
IT there be not in the great movement which
now possesses the hearts Of the American
people some great predominating principle.
II there be not some sense of outraged right.
il there be not some deep conviction OF
wrong and corruption in the administration
Of the government. l ask you what is the
meaning Of this excitement and these popu-
lar demonstrations. The nomination made
at Chicago has struck the great popular
heart. The people realize that the man
whom the times demand is coming, They
realize that the man who springng from
the body of the people has struggled his
way up through poverty, through all the
difficulties and privations incident to the
settlement Of q new country, to be the cam
didate Of the great organization in opposi-
ton TO the democratic party. must be a man
of mark, must be man of talent. must be
a man Of integrity, must be man upon
whom the great public trust can rest in Sc
curity. (Loud applause
II. my fellow citizens, there is in the
movement of the Republican party no high,
national, constitutional American aim; il it
be not founded in reason. in law, in patri
otism; il all this is an unmeaniug huzza. or
is purposeless beyond acquiring early con-
troll Of the government aud its places of
honor and profit. then indeed do we behold
a singular spectacle. and one altogether un
worthy of the intelligence and patriotism of
the American people. in that wild enthusi-
asm, manifesting itself in cheers and shouts,
by mutual congratulations, the booming of
cannon, the blaze of fireworks. by illumin-
ations and professions. by the hasty assem-
bling of vast and excited crowds, which
began at Chicago and has already extended
from extremity to extremity of the great
north and north west.
1t will, however, be my hurried effort to
show tist for the Republican movement
there has been and is necessity. growing
naturally out Of the progress OF events. and
that its aim is free from sectionalism as it is
possible for any concentrated movement,
involving federal action, to be, in country
cate as they are in ours.
Good and great in its purpose, and in
its illustrious names as was the old Wing
party its mission in most matters of mere pol
icy terminated with that cycle Of our history
which closed in the repeal OF the Missouri
Compromise. Its principles. however, sur
vive, and will endure to the end of the gov
eminent, in bold opposition to those extremes
of radicaism which have ever marked the
conduct Of the Democratic party. and of
that recklessness which hesitaes not. in its
eager pursuit OF party triumPhs to imperu
the peace and prosperity Of the country.
The repeal Of that compromise which gave
peace TO . distracted country was one Of
those acts OF reckless partizanshp charac
teristic of the Democratic Organization.
That repeal, and the associated moverne n Is
to subjugate Kansas to slavery. gave birth
to the Republican party. Here, in 1856, in
this goodly city of Philadelphia. so sancti
fed in our hearts by its revolutionary asso-
Citations, the representatives Of this party
first met in national convention. So irregu-
lar, yet so spontaneous was this movement,
that might almost say that the people them
selves rushed together for consultation; for
il ever there was peoples party. eminent.
ly distinguished from party of politicians.
this was such. Like Minerva. Ii burst into
being full formed and ready for action. No
time was had tor caucus arrangements or
combinations, for the sub.leties OF profession
| al politicians; no opportunity for concerted.
careful cooperation, bnt our party rushed
NO the strife with the eagerness. hopefulpess
and rashness of youth. The old well drilled
well appointed army Of our opponents. with
! it's hosts of Office holders, with It's baggage
trains and we'll filed military chests, could
not but be successful in such q contest
James Buchanan. "Pennsylvania's favorite
son." was elected, and in his Inauguration
was first seen family shining in the horizon
the baleful rays Of the Dred Scott decision
since become so famous in political con, TO
versies--a decision which claims for SLAYER,
the highest rights OF property and that i
!, can exist in our national territories in de
spite of the nations will and in defiance o
! the will Of the people inhabitng the terri
tories-a decision which, carried TO its 10 Il
cal results. in fact. places slavery under IA
tional protection in every State and Terri
tory of the Union-a decision so inconsist
ent with the teachings Of our fathers and will
she previous Uniform course OF judicial au
I thority, aud / may say SO startling TO tn,
national conscience, has united aud com
i pacted the elements Of opposition to this Ad
u miuistratien. in States having the eoustitu
tional power, and therefore the right I,
: make > President. and we stand before tn
country to-day great. . powerful. well or
ganised. disciplined party, ready to NEE
the enemies Of our institutions and Of tn
peace Of our country At the ballot box. an,
there settle these Questions. which will xiv
"a no rePoss until the party that violate
compromises add seeks To prose ct and ad
vance but one interest is utterly ysoserthrow,
. and cast down. And here. to night, in th
Il nt eh,,