Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-05-08

OOu grant 10 De fe-eStaOESneQ.
1t was essential to the quiet and security
of Slavery in the Union that conscientious
Northern men should regard it as purely
local, sectional, State institution; but.
while it lorded over the National Me-
tropolis, how could they? No State law
has any force there as such: the legisla-
tive power over the Metropolis is express
ly and exclusively vested in Congress; the
laws under which men and women are sold
and whipped there are Federal laws.
whether by adoption or express enactment
No foreigner could visit our capital, and
go away believing this other than a slave
holding country. All the casuistry and
hairsplitiing on earth could not make it
otherwise.
That the Nation, when grappled in dead
~ strife with Slaveholding Rebellion,
should resolutely seek to clear itself of all
guilty completely with the cause of this
treason, would seem q matter of course
That the slaveholers of the Federal Dis
trict, like the STAKEHOLDER everywhere else,
are, as a body, hostile to the Government.
and sympathizers with the Rebellion. is
fact which may easily be verified, did not
its intrinsic probability suffice. That the
Vallandighams and Steeles who misrepre-
sent the Free States at Washington. should
consider this the scrong time to abolish
Slavery in the District is matter of course;
who does not know that, to such as they,
all times are unpropitious for transform
ing slaves into freemcn? Those who de-
claim against doing it now would have
resisted any step looking to Emancipation
as determinedly ten, twenty, or thirty
years ago. 1t is not the time but the act
that provoles their fierce antagonism.
That the shareholders as class, with
the great body of the less excusable cham
pions OF Slavery, object to District Eman-
cipation. there can be no doubt. They al
ways did and always will oppose it, why
not new? The practical question is
Shall that which ought to be done be at
tempted when it can be or cannot? Those
whoryish it defeated, will, of course, pre-
fer the latter: why should not those who
wish it carried, by the same token, choose
the former?
In the debate on this measure Of Justice
and true peace. many things were forcibly
said on both sides, but nothing more to
the point than a brief speech in the House
at the close of the debate by Mr.. Riddle,
a young member from Northern Ohio
Hearken to its noble and inspiring ex-
ordium:
Mr.. Chairman, great truth is weak
ened by what men call elucidation. Illus
tration obscures it; and demonstration
brings IT to doubt He who permits him.
self TO be put on its defensive. is a weak
man or coward.
y great truth is never so strong as whcr
left to stand on its simple assertion. The
thing right forever remains right. under
/ all possible circumstances and condition S
IN all times, places. and seasons. Nor car
1t be changed at all. Not all power, nor
the combination of all power. no matter
how employed or applied. can change it
/ in the least. 1t matters not at all how
men call Though the unanimous world
conspire to call it i'll, and tag it out with
all vile epithets; though all obscene months
make it common, and lewd tongues toss
1t into sewers, and delicate and refined ears
may not hear tit is nowise changed
| No matter what i'll happens to it; though
cast out, exiled. banished, and 'outlawed,
marked aud forever banned. made leprous
with contumely and reproach; though pris-
on-tried, condemned and executed, and It's
body, like carton, cast to vultures, it still
! lives, is still right; holds its old place. and
old sceptre. Nor can any man by any
power. under any circumstances; for any
thing, be absolved from the allegiance
he owes it..
So, too, its great opposite. wrong must
be forever wrong. anu not right Nc
matter, though taken from its native hill
and enthroned crowned king; though @
universe bow to it, and cry. sAll haill
though constitutions be written to sustain
it; though laws be enacted in its name, and
ermined judges wrench the maxim of wis
dom's gray fathers for its support; thous 81
jurors be sworn by it, and all magistrates
bound to enforce its DEGREES; though its
name be written in all holy places, and
! graved on all shrines, and its maxims
mingled in the rites Of holy ministration,
and its sanctiied hands only can bless and
curse. join and put asunder; though ii
reign till hoary prescription grows up and
surrounds it. with wall of custom and
habit and use, that existed time whereof
the memory of man runeth not to the con
trary;' still it is wrong and not right =
It's reign is usurpation its laws an cut
rage. against which rebellion is righteous;
and the immunities and privileges which it
1 confers ara fha fruits of rohharv murder