The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-06-26
SPEE ECH OF HON. j A Nh f 5
HUG HES.

GHES.
The following speech of Hon. James
Hughes. one of the Judges of the Court oi
Claims. (Which we give TO the exclusion
of other matter. is from his own manu-,
script. We hope it will be carefully read
and considered
GENTLEMEN havs come to the capit-
al of our State. not upon political mission,
nor to mingle in the discussions of public
meetings. but upon professional business,
and to renew my acquaintance with two
old, familiar friends. called John Dee and
Richard Roe.
trust. however, that I mag not lire TO
see tile time when / shall be indifferent TO
tie 'ceJare Of tie Democratic party, or
unwilling to do my Aun,Jle part TO promote
its successful achatever acaM Of life / MAJ
be found.
shall speak for myself alone, and
plainly, for l shall speak honestly. but
with no desire to wound the feelings of
any man. propose to be very brief and
shall not attempt to play the orator. bu.
simply to stale my opinions on some
points Of importance.
X
In 1856 we met together in his hall
proclaimed our creed and want forth to
victory. Never was there a more devoted,
united and gallant army than that which
Ashbel P. Willard led in that memorable
contest Indiana achieved laurels then.
that sheuld live forever green upon her
brows.
had tie honor to draft the STATE plat
form Of 1856. On The slavery question.
the leading issue of the State and national
elections at that time, it was broad and
unequivocal. 1t endorsed Z" the Compro
mise measures of 1850 and their appl,ca-
tion as embodied in the Nebraska bill. -
pom the construction of that famous
bill some difference Of opinion existed.
Some con;ended for State equality"--
construction now established by the
Dred Scott decision-others for squatter
sovereignty. Our platform left that ques-
ton to judicial decision. by which, il is
needless to say. the Democratic party al
ways abides. The preference of our peo-
pie doubtless was for squatter sovereignty
we believed il the more expedient and
equitable mode of settling the question OF
slavery in the Territories. We would
most Of US have been gratiied had the
Supreme Court Of the United States recog.
nized the legality of squatter sovereignty.
yet even here in indiana there were those
who denied it and favored State equality
The bred Scott decision has settled that
question. That decision Has been sane
toned and accepted by the Democratic
party everywhere. 1t is not in conflict
with the Cincinnati platform. 1t will
doubtless be approved by the Charleston
Convention. Let me remind you Of the
resolution adopted by our State Conven-
ton Of the 9Th of January last, resolution
ahch no one opposed-not even those
shining lights that are now subsiding into
Republicanism. "as kindred drops are
mingled into one''-it is the unanimous
voice of the Democracy OF Indiana. ex-
pressed in plain and vigorous language:
Z. RESOLVED, That in the late decision
of the Supreme Court of the United States
known as the Dred Scot decision. we rec
ognize legal exposition of the doctrines
Of the Constitution OF The United States
and Of the State Of Indiana. and we here
by denounce and hold up To the universal
execration and scorn Of ali loyal American
citizens the loathsome doctrine Of negro
equality" now sustained and indorsed by
the SO called Republican party of Indiana
as natural and inevitable consequence o.
their opposition to the decision OF the Su'
preme Court above named.
The Dred Scott decision disposes Of the
question Of slavery in the Territories for
ever, If faithfully adhered to, and is a ma
tional platform founded in justice. upor
which the Democratic party OF the whole
Union can stand with an unbroken front
As to the admission of slave States into
the Union. the Republicans profess nov
to be divided among themselves. We are
united--we adhere TO our doctrine THAI
they nay come in when. in the language
of the Cincinnati platform, "theY have sui
ficient population" with or without sla
very, as their respective Constitutions may
prescribe.