Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-05-01


II understand the gentleman from Ohio
(Vallandingham) TO say, few minutes
since, that he had been accustomed to hear
the charge that it was the purpose of the
Republican party to interfere with slavery
in the slave States denounced as Loco
foco lie and SANDER aud [ wish to say
that. in my opinion, the charge was very
properly designated. | say it is not the
purpose of the Republican party. never
has been, nor ever will be. while | am a
member of it. to interfere with slavery in
the States by Congressional action. 1t is
SANDER upon the party to so charge; and
this wicked falshood. charged at the South.
and attempted to be proved by the reckless
statements of political partisans at the
North, has done so much to involve us in
our present troubles. 1t may be that some
who, as occasion suits them, act with the
Republican party. but are not of it, are in
favor of interfering with slavery in the
slave States But. sir. we do not get the
doctrines of party from few individuals
who may act with it, or be of it. but from
its authoritative utterances through its reg
ularly constituted organs.
"When the representatives of the Re-
publican party met at Chichago in 1860.
ard nominated the present chief executive
officer OF the nation. then they spoke sith
the authority of the people they represent
ed. and made the declaration that. in their
Judgment. Congress had no right to inter
fere with slavery where it existed under
State authority. And let me say here that
if that Convention had not so declared. or
if such had not been known to be the SEN
timents of the party, Mr.. Lincoln would
not to-day be the President of the United
States, nor would we now have Repub-
lican majority upon the floor.
"Dut it is doctrine Of the Republican
party that Congress has the right. the con-
stitutional power. to inhibit slavery in the
Territories. and abolish it in the District
of Columbia, and that is another reason
why the people gave their confidence to the
candidates of that party. believe the
present troubles which af1lict the nation
have come upon us because we ceased to
follow the footsteps of our fathers with
references to slavery. They evidently re-
garded slavery as inconsistent with oui
theory OF Government. and expected il
gradually to be removed under the benef
cent influences of our free Institutions
They endeavored. as best they could, tc
found this Government on the broad prin
ciple of mans natural rights. Their ear.
ly policy was against slavery One oil
their first great acts was to exclude it by
ordinance from the great northwestern Ter
ritory. They did not regard slavery as al
institution to be cherished and strengthen
ed, but as an evil to be tolerated where il
was protected by State jurisdiction. gl5
"Sir. let us return to the policy OF oul
fathers, and then we shall have peace. -
Let the nation be divorced from slavery
Let slavery cease wherever the national au
thority is exclusive. Leave it in the slav,
States to be managed solely by those who
are responsible for its continuance there
and then we may hope that this unhappy
agitation in the public councils of the ma
ton will cease. And. sir. Imust say that
in my Judgment. in no way could the rep
rcsentatives Of the slave States do great
: er service to their people than by aiding t.
restore the policy of this Government t.
that established by Washington and AID
ans. Jefferson and franklin. have beef
speaking of the doctrine in regard to sla
very as understood and proclaimed will
reference to our ordinary civil legislation
Now we are at war What policy tn
,. wickedness of rebellion may force upon tn
Government in self-defense remains to b
SEEN" l'..-,s. s.. s. s. - s