Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-01-24
Sensible views from nm Unexpected

Mr.. George Thompson, who scme yeart
ago made himself much talked about by
coming over to this country and lecturiuq
against Slavery, has begun course Of six
lectures at Manchester, on "the American
War" The first was delivered on tho 18th
of December, at the Free-trade Hall, ard
is SO replete with good sense and a Just ap-
probation Of our position, that we are
tempted to extract from the Manchester
Examiner; the following abstract of IL, with
the reporters notes, which will show
the temper in which his remarks were re-
ceived: et
"Mr. Thompson said he hoped that one
result Of tho death Of the Prince Consort
would be the bringing about of better
feeling in this country. II those cold lips
in Windsor Tower could speak, they would
advise the people TO put away passion, pre-
judice and pride, to leave Of, the language
oftaunL menace and insult, and TO remit
to reason and justice the adjustment Of any
difference that for the present might disturb
the amicable relations between US and
America. To be neutral and not TO give
our sympathies to the North, was to be false
in the cause of freedom, and be on the side
of Slavery The North was in the right,
constitutionally and morally; and the South
was in the wrong. Slavery was the cause
of this carnival Of blood. (Hear, hear.)--
The South obtained the ascendency when
the American Government was established.
and maintained it until Mr.. Buchauan left
Office; and it was to regain that ascendcncy
that the South were now. in arms, and for
nothing else. It was not for empire that
the North were fighting, but for the iuteg
rity of their Government, and the institution
founded by their fathers. Felons and trai
tors were seeking to overthrow the Union
because they desired 10 erect, on the ruins
Of the grand republic, an institution the
most execrable, government based avow
edly upon the enslavement of mankind
Slavery being its chief cornerstone. Hear
hear. The North had no other object
than to prevent the establishment of that
government. Hear, hear, and Kisses,
which were cheered down. AS to Seces-
sion, nation alone could recognize the
right to secede, not the sworn servants of
the Constitution, who knew nothing Of
Secession. Hear. A constitutional right
to secede was constitutional absurdity,
and contradiction in terms. The Cousti-
tuition prescribed the means to be taken to
ascertain the sense of the people in reference
to any organic change. There was no un-
animity in the South, as most people
thought. Terrorism and lynch law were
there. Only seven days ago he breakfastet
with party of American gentlemen, in.
cluding two from Georgia, (Unionists,) whc
had been driven out for their known attach
ment TO the Union. They said that il
Georgia could be polled, tbree-fourths o
the votes would be for the Union. If the
whole South could be polled, the rattle
snake flag would soon give place to the stars
and stripes. Abolitionist as he was, be
could not say that Mr.. Lincoln bad, at any
time, had the right to decree the abolition
Of Slavery. He wished he had. Hear,
hear. Just as a magistrate was guided in
his decisions, not by his private opinion,
but by the law books, so Mr.. Lincoln, the
Chief Magistrate Of the United States, had
to be guided by the oath he took on the
4th of March to support the Constitution
and not by his inclinations, which would
make him wish to SEQ freedom in every
part of the republic. Hear, hear.l The
South was not menaced by the election o.
Mr.. Lincoln. He hoped that Mr.. Lincolr
would live to see the newspapers in thi,
country, which were daily giving columns
to the misrepresentation Of his acts, change
their tone; and that before he left the chair
Mr.. Lincoln would be the President of .
restored Union without slave. The Re
publican party, which triumphed in tho last
Presidential election, knew that they could
not interfere with Slavery in the seyera
States; all they said was, that it shoult
not extend into the Territories of the Union
and it was owing to that party that SLAYER,
had not overrun thousands of acres in tn
best part of tho country" Hear, hear,]
, Mr.. Thompson quoted largely from th
} history bearing on his subject, and conter
ded that the course Of the North had bee
right throughout, He remarked that, al
though emancipation was not the objec
of the North, yet the result of the confiic
would be that the Slavery system woult
be wounded. Hear, hear. AT the con
clusion of the lecture, which occupied NOR,
than two hours, vote of thanks to MI
Thompson was moved by Mr.. Nelson, sec
onded by Mr.. G. Wilson, and passed Will
exclamation. This concluded the pro
ceedipgs. a.49 si .--T .nr