Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-06-15
pIr. Lincoln and the mexican war.

W
ever, instead Of fulfilling its promise, it nero
y reproduces long rambling electioneer-
ing piece Of bombast and fustian, which was
concocted for it and appeared in its columns
during the Senatorial canvass two years ago.
1t sets forth no new ideas, nor does il dare
to dispute any statement which has been
made by us in reference to Mr.. Lincoln's
record. The charge which the unscrupu-
lous organs of the bogus democracy were
putting forth, was, that Mr. Lincoln during
his Congressional career, had voted against
granting supplies to our army in Mexico
We have pronounced this malicious false
hood, and the Registers article so far from
contradicting, fully and completely vindi-
Gates our assertion. After thorough
search through the Congressional records,
in keen hunt after such votes, has utterly
failed TO find anything in the least, substan-
tiating the foul slander. True, as we have
again and again admitted, Mr.. Lincoln,
along with many democrats, did not believe
the Mexican war was constitutionally begun
by President Polk; but, after the country
was involved in hostilities, he never on any
occasion voted to withhold supplies or mu-
nitions of war from our soldiers. This
charge was concocted, as we have stated,
during the Senatorial contest of 1858, by
uncrupulous demagogucs, and Judge Doug
las attempted to make political capital out
Of it. But Mr.. Lincoln met it boldly and
squelched it to the earth at once and most
signally. We quote from his speech at the
Charleston debate:
Judge Douglas complains, at considera-
bic length, about disposition on the part
of Trumbul and myself to attack him per-
sonally. want to attend to that suggestion
moment l don't want to be unjustly ac-
cused of dealing illiberaly or unfairly with
an adversary, either in court, or in a politi-
cal canvass, or anywhere else. would des-
pise myself if 1 supposed myself ready to
deal less literally with an adversary than
was willing to be treated myself. Judge
Douglas, in a general way, putting it in di-
rect shape, revives the old charge against
me in reference to the Mexican war. He
does not take the responsibility of putting
it in very definite form, but makes geo
eral reference TO it. That charge is more
than ten years old. He complains Of Trum-
bull and myself because he says we bring
charges against him one or two years old.
He knows, too, that in regard to the Mexi-
can war story, the most respectable papers
of his own party throughout the State have
been compelled to take it back and acknowl-
edge that it was a lie."
Here Mr.. Lincoln turned to the crowd on
the platform, and selecting Hon. Orlando
B. Ficklin, led him out and said:
'I do not mean to do anything with Mr..
Ficklin except to present his face and tell
you that he personally kuows 1t to be a lie /!
He was a member of Congress at the only
time l was in Congress, and he TFicklinl
knows that whenever there was an attempt
to procure vote of mine which would in
dorsc the origin and justice Of the war, l
refused to give such Endorsement, and voted
against it; but never voted against the
supplies for the army, and he knows, as well
as Judge Douglas, that whenever dollar
was asked for by way of compensation or
otherwise, for the benefit of the soldiers, I
gave all the votes that Ficklia or Douglas
did, and perhaps more"
"Mr. Ficklin-My friends, I wish to say
this in reference to the matter. Mr.. Lin
coin and myself are as good personal friends
as Judge Douglas and myself. In refer
euce to this Mexican war, my recollection is
that when Ashmun's resolution amend-
ment was offered by Mr.. Ashmun of Mass
achusetts, in which he declared that the
Mexican war was unnecessary and unconsti.
tutionally commenced by the President
my recollection is that Mr.. Lincoln voted fol
that resolution"
"Mr. Lincoln-That is true. Now you
all remember that was resolution censur-
ing the President for the manner in which
the war was begun. You know that they
have charged that l voted against the sup
plies, by which starved the soldiers who
were fighting the battles of their country
l say that Ficklin knows it to be false
When that charge was brought forward by
the Chicago Times, the Springfield Regis
ter Douglas organ reminded the Times
that the charge was really applied to John
Henry; and / DO know that John Henry
is now making speeches and .fercely bat
ling for Judge Douglas"
Thus it appears, and the Registers filei
will fully show the fact, that when the
charge was first started that sheet so fal
from reiterating it, cautioned the Chicago
Times, that it referred not to Mr.. Lincoln
but to Col. Henry of Jacksonville, his i'm
mediate predecessor, man who is now one
Of Mr.. Douglas most blatant supporters
while in further confirmation Of Mr.. Lin
coins votes, Col. Ficklin, who is now one
of the Douglas aspirants for tho Governor
ship, is produced upon the stand and made
to acknowledge that the charge is fou
calumny, wholly destitute of one grain o
truth.
So much for an unblushing falsehood
which is now sought to be revived sgains
Mr.. Lincoln, by the minions of Judge Doug
las. 1t did not go down when first promul
gated by an INSCRIPTIONS foe in 1858, anC
it is too thoroughly understood by the peo
pie TO be swallowed now.
Two Partisan ltsrateurs quarrelled abou
the size of the capitals in which their name,
should appear in "poster." One of then
went to the others house and threw raw
eggs at the ceiling of each room. The
1nartv of the second mart" Drocured n has