The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-02-14

In the evening after his election to the office
of Clerk, Col. Forney was waited upon by large
number of his friends accompanied by band
which serenaded him. A speech was demanded
from him. in which he paid his respects TO the
President in some back-handed compliments,
more frank than tlatteriug He also told the
Democratic party some plain truths about their
subserviency TO the slave power, and defended
the Republican party against the infamous at
tacks that have been heaped upon them by the
pro- slavery press and politicians. Wesive below
an extract showing the spirit of his remarks:
when he WA. raised 10 that high position
which he has disgrsced-raised by the votes OF
the people of the North, he pledged himself
upon Bonded knees 10 sustain the true policy
| of the country But now what do see :
WHY, | See him turning against his own peo-
| pie, and crouchIng once more upon HE knees,
this time before the South, that despises him
for his cowardice. Cheers. When | see all
this, and when | see. also, that the great Dem
| ocratic party have not risen in arms 10 protest
against il, / have only 10 say for myself. that
for one will no, submit 10 it, Tremendous ap-
plause from inside and out l will not, say,
submit 10 it, but will join hands with any par
|
party OF men-to rebuke such prescription
| this is. II you tell me from this tina, therefore
| am opposed 10 the institutions of the South, |
say TO. Cheers And | reply that, on the
contrary, feel the same devotion TO the South
| that have ever felt. Continued cheers Now
let Inc say, without protracting these most desul
tory remarks, let ME say with regard 10 the Repub
| lican members, that they have been most atroc
outy slsndered, that the whole Republican yarty
of the North have been sandered, in having been
held responsible for the unfortunate outrage a,
Harper's Ferry. There have been expressions
and opinions, and sentiments uttered against the
leaders of the Republican party against which
all honest instinct, and even party prejudices re-
volt. What is the actual truth? WHY. the We
~ mouientjthat the news of that invasion reach
ed the North, they were struck with horror
and there was not a man who did not denounce
and who did not deplore it. Cheer. We have
! In these days some singular statesmen, particu-
larly among those Who are allied % the Admins
/ tration party aud amongst them some who
aspire 20 be the candidates for the Presidency
But see this business Of holding a whole party
| responsible for the acts of few individuals has
| gone out of fashion. But we are told that while
all other men are 10 be forgiven for their pecul
| lar doctrines, that while the American party are
TO be forgiven, the Republican party are 10 re
ceive no absolution. If YOU allow me TO saw
but | think l will say il whether you allow
ii or not cheers the Democratic party, to
which Mr. Buchanan has bound himself, il devo-
ted solely 10 the perpetuation aud extension
of slavery. Cries of that's SO, aud cheers J
! This country has a higher a nObler, and lo.iier
destiny before il than the extension or perpetual
ton of slavery. Loud cheers say il frank
| iy, that regret that is in existence. speak a.
| feel, and when see all the power of this gov
eminent exercised for the protection aud perpet-
ua,ion Of that institution, | must protest
against it. Cheers | have seen for the
last eight weeks men, Northern men, and | was
ashamed TO see them, lending themselves to the
depravity, if | may he permitted TO use the
term, but certainly 10 the degradation, of endor-
sing principles never before witnessed"