Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-11-01
EGr. Lincoln on slavery--.Nr. Everett.

tne 5ectlOnaIlsm OF our party ana canuIual6S.
That is all they can say against US. and yet
that is falsehood. Mr.. Lincoln is not a
sectionalist nor does he stand upon a SEC
tional platform.
To prove Lincoln's position, we have only
to refer to his platform, his record, and his
speeches. His record is not extensive, yet it
is everything that his friends could DESIRE
During his brief term in Congress Lincoln
voted for every principle which we now ad-
vocate, and we are not only willing bat de-
sirous that his record should be critically ex-
amined 1t is upon the slavery question tha!
most objection is urged against our party.
yet upon that point there is no public man
more national or conservative than Lincoln.
A bill was brought into the House on the 20th
Of July, 1913, to establish territorial goyern>
mems for Oregon. California and New Mexi-
co. This bill contained proyiso prohibit
ing California and New Mexico from passing
any laws for or against slavery. Lincoln vo-
ted to lay this bill upon the table.
On the 2lst of December resolution was
offered, instluctng the proper Committee to
report bill prohibiting the slave trade in
the District of Columbia. Lincoln voted
against the resolution, desiring to arcompa-
ny such bill with necessary and equitable
provisions. This question again came up in
the shape Of another resolution, when Lin
coin offered bill as an amendment. 1t was
the most wise and just measure for the grad
ual abolition of slavery in the District Of Co,
lumbia that was ever proposed in Congress.
1t provided that no more slaves should be
brought into the District, and that those who
choose to emancipate their slaves should be
paid their full value out Of the United States
Treasury. It also provided that the bill
should be voted upon by The freemen of the
District, and that it should not become law
unless majority of the inhabitants were in
favor Gift.
This is the bill upon which our foes base
this charge of Lncoln's Aboltionism. There
is certainly no intelligent person on the face
of the earth who would object to the proVis-
ions of that bill. Lincoln desired to leave
the vexed question to the inhabitants Of TIL
District, and if they were in favor of it to
provide for insuring the slave owners against
loss. In his debates with Judge Douglas
Lincoln. in answer to one of the questions
propounded by the Judge, said that as a
member of Congress, with his present views
he should not be in favor of endeavoring te
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
Lncoln's answers to these questions pro-
pounded by Judge Douglas at Freeport, fur
nish complete statement of his position or
every question connected with slavery. Il,
declares that he would not oppose the ad-
mission ofnew slave States, if the people de.
sired slavery. lie is in favor of keeping sla,
very out of the Territories, but considers tha
when State is ready for admission into The
Union, the people have right to adopt suat
institutions as they see proper, if they d,
not conflict with the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. lie declared that be was not
and never bad been in favor Of the uncondi
tional repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, aoc
that the people of the Southern States wer,
entitled to such law under the Conatitu
ton.
Those who talk about Lincoln's irrepres
sible conflict sentiments, intentionallv falsi
fy his position. lie is not Che man tc con
tradict his own statements. and never utter
ed a word not in harmony with the declara
ton referred to above. Those statements
comprise his whole position on the SLAYER,
question, and it is as conservative as any on
could desire. lie is accused of favoring ne
gro equality, and although it is hardly wortl
while to notice calumny SO manifestlY alb
surd. the following extract from one of hi
speeches, is conclusive and to the point:
81 am not, nor evel have been, in favor O
bringing about, in ony aOay, the social ant
political equality Of the white and black ra
ces. | am not, nor ever have been, in favo
/ of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor o
qualifying them to hold office. nor to inter
marry with white people; and | will say il
dQUltiOA " tuic, tHdb lbCIo rs q puySiC1t O4A
ference between the black and white race
which | believe will forever forbid the twt
races living together on terms of social ant
4 political equality. And inasmuch as the.
cannot so live, while they do remain togethe
1 there must be the position Of superior ant
inferior and l, as much as any other man
am in favor Of having the euperiOr position
assigned to the white race"
It will be seen that Lincoln is not even il
favor of allowing negroes to vote, differin,
in this position from some Of his supporter
in the Northern States.
AS the Bell and Everett journals AM
speakers are among the most busy in charg
ing Abolitionism upon US, it may be WORT
while to refer to the record Of one of thei
own candidates upon this subject Everett
has never been considered By the South a
sound upon the slavery question. He ono
undertook to defend slavery upon principles
but received such acathing rebuke for
from Southern men, John Randolph anon,
the number, that he soon changed his tune
After General Harrison's accession to tn
Presidency, he nominated Everett as Minis
ter to England. The Southern Democrat
| Conotoru vatod ora;naf an N firno; ;po Eb;s no.,s