The national Republican., 1861-01-10
convince me. that whatever of high hone (aa I

convince me, that whatever Of high hope las I
think there ISL there may be in this, in the long
run, its sudden execution is impossibles II
they we're all landed there in day, they would
perish in the next ten days; and there are not
surplus shipping aud surplus money enough in
the world to carry them there in many times
ten days. What then2 Free them all, and
keep them among us as underlings2 Is il quite
certain that this betters their conditionf l
think i would not hold one in slavery at any
rate; yet the point is not clear enough to de.
nounce people upon. What next2 Free them,
and make them politically and socially our
equals? My own feelings will not admit of
this 1; and if mine would, we well know that
those of the great mass Of white people will not.
Whether this feeling accords with justice ard
sound judgment, is not the sole question, II,
indeed, it is any part Of it. A universal feel.
ing whether well or i'll founded, cannot be
safely disregarded. We cannot, then, make
them equals. II does seem to me that sys.
TENS of gradual emancipation might be adopt
ed but for that tardiness in this respect,
will not undertake to judge our brethren Of the
South.
"When they remind US of their constitutional
rights, acknowledge them, not grudgingly,
but fully and fairly; and would give them
any legislation for the reclaiming Of their fugi-
tves, which should not, in its stringency, be
more likely to carry free man into slavery
that our ordinary criminal laws are to hang an
innocent one."-Speech at Ottotcd, Ill.,, aug.
Il, 1858.
Has anything ever threatened the existence
of this Union, save and except this very institu
ton of slavery2 What is it that we hold most
dear amongst us? Our own liberty and pros
perity. What has ever threatened our liberty
and prosperity, save and except this institution
of slavery II this is true, how do you propose
to improve the condition of things by enlsrging
slavery-by spreading it out, and making it
bigger2
"You may have wen or cancer on your
person, and not be able to cut it out, lest you
bleed to death; but surely it is no way to cure
it to engraft it, and spread it over your whole
body. That is no proper way of treating what
you regard as a wrong."-Speech at Alton, Oct.
10, 1858. ,u
az suppose most of US II know it of myself
believe that the people of the Southern States
are entitled to a Congressional fugitive slave
law. As the right is constitutional, agree
that the legislation shall be granted to it, and
We profess to have no taste for running and
catching negroes; at least, profess no taste
for that job at all. Why, then, do yield sup.
port to fugitive slave law? Because do not
understand that the Constitution, which guar
antics that right, can be supported without
it."-Speech at Alton, Oct 10, S5S.
"The real issue in this controversy-the one
pressing upon every minds the sentiment on
the part Of one class that looks upon the insti,
tuition of slavery as a wrong, and of another
class that does not look upon it as a wrong
The sentiment that contemplates the institution
Of slavery in this country as wrong, is the
sentiment Of the Republican party. They look
upon it as being a moral, social, and political
wrong; and while they contemplate it as such
they nevertheless have due regard for its actua
existence among US, and the difficulties of get
ting rid of it in any satisfactory way, and to al
the constitutional obligations thrown about it
Yet having due regard for these, they desire
policy in regard to it that looks to its not ere
ating any more danger. They insist that il
and one OF the methods Of treating it as
wrong is to make provision that it shall grow
no larger. If there be a man among us wht
) does not think that the institution of slavery i.
wrong in any of the aspects Of which l have
spoken, he is misplaced, and ought not to b.
3 with US. And if there be man amongst u
1 who is so impatient Of it as a wrong as to dis
3 regard its actual presence among MS, and tn
s difficulty of getting rid of it suddenly in sat
n isfactory way, and to disregard the constitu
t tional obligations thrown about it, that man
o misplaced if he is on our platform. ."-Speech a
= Alton, Oct Is, 1858.
. FEW WORDS TO THE SOUTH.
- "We the Republicans, and others, formin
Il the opposition of the country, intend to stan
y by our guns to be patient and firm, and in tn
long run to beat you. When we do beat yor
a you perhaps want to know what we will
s with you. I will tell you, SO far as am al
n thorized to speak for the opposition, what W
mean to do with you. We mean to treat 20,
as nearly as we possibly can, as Washington
/. Jefferson, and Madison, treated you. We mea
is to leave you alone, and in no way interfer
d with your institution to abide by every con
d promise of the Constitution and, in wore
r. coming back to the original proposition, I
g treat you as far as degenerated men (ifwe hav
e degenerated) may, according to the example
s of those noble fathers Washington, Jefferson
@ and Madison. We mean to remember that yo
:. are as good as we are; that there is no di
i ference between US, other than the differenc
of circumstances. We mean to recognise an
bear in mind, always, that you have as goo
hearts in your bosoms as other people, or 9
Q we claim to have, and to treat you accor,
n ingly.-Speech al Cincinnati, Sept. II, 1859.
! DOUGLAS AND JOHNSON PLATFOR
n Resolved, That we, the Democracy of Il
u Union, in Convention assembled, hereby
q clare our affrmance of the resolutions unar
l. 4 n