The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-04

! Mr.. b. may initiate Gov. Willard, and
charge misconduct the Opposition in
connection with State affairs, from 1855 to
1857. These frivolous charges have been
frequently met and refuted by able pens and
able tongues; but, in view of the Georgia
Land Swindle, the person we are writing
about is the last man who ought to allude
to them. We do not think he will do so.
Mr. D. may possibly make the inevitable
charge of "abolitionism against the Re-
publicans. Iu Anticipation of such an oc-
currence, we re-publish, as we promised
yesterday, au extract from message he
sent to the Legislature in December, ls49,
when he first succeeded to the Governorship
made vacant by the election of Gov. Whit
comb to the e. S. Senate. The extract
reads
"There is but little diversity of sentiment
amongst the people of Indiana upon the
question of human slavery-yet, as decided
ly az are the opinions of our people op-
posed to this institution, we have ever mani
tested an unwillingness to interfere with the
constitutional rights of our brethren of the
OIH Te OIdleS upon btllS QcllSdlC SuAJCCb- AhC
territory thus acquired has come to US free.
The question is now presented to the Amer
lean people, whether this territory shall
remain free 1t cannot be doubted that the
response of the people of Indiana to this
momentous question will be in favor of free
DOM Whilst we are in favor of freedom,
let us exercise the forbearance towards our
political brethren of the Slave States of this
Union which characteriZes the conduct of
our patriots and statesmen. Nevertheless,
it is our imperative duty to assert our rights
as members of the same great family, and
manfully resist by ali legal and constitu-
tional means, the further advancement of
Slavery into territory belonging to the Gen
eral Government That Congress possesses
this power does NOT admit Of doubt, and
the only remaining question to be deter
mined is, whether it be expedient to exercise
that right To decide this question affir-
matively, the rejecting mind need only
glance over the history of our beloved coun-
try--the rise and progress in the arts and
sciences, in manufactures, mechanics inter-
nal improvements, and every other great ell
ement of social and political happiness in
the States of this Union, but too plainly ad-
monish US that bounds should be prescribed
to the baneful influence of human slavery.
1t may be said, however that this territory
was acquired by the common blood and
treasure of the nation and consequently we
should not agitate this subject. To this OBJ
lection it may well be answered that this
territory is common property-the people
of the Union are the owners-they eonsti-
tute one great confederacy of States, and
that all qusetionG involving common prop
erty and the common welfare must ever be
submitted to the wisdom and direction of
Congress. The propriety of expressing by a
joint resolution of the General Assembly
the voice Of the people of Indiana upon this
exciting question, is respectfully suggested
Thus have we shown up some of the past
opinions, &c, of the gentlemen advertised
by the Douglas Democracy to speak to-
night. In the light of this preface, it will
be interesting to hear them.