The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-06-04
Mr.. RICHARDSON. Sixty.three

II
votes were given against it, and all the
rest-scme several thousand--were given
for it.
Throughout the State of Illinois abo.
litionists are opposing this constitution,
and Democrats aud conservative men are
advocating its adoption. a
Four ffths, and perhaps nine teuths,
of all the med that carry muskets aud
knapsacks in the army of the West are
opposed to the doctrines of negro equal
ity and abolition, as preached by the gen
tleman from the Bureau district of Illinois.
He is a man of great boldness, apparent
ly, and must do him the justice to say
shat he advocates abolilion and its con-
sequences with great fearlessness, though
he is too discreet to make as strong
speeches in southern Illinois as he does ut
Chicago He and several other gentle.
men of kindred opiuious favored nae by
canvassing through my district during the
last campaign that made for Congress,
and it gives me great pleasure to state
that they were quite moderate. ID
A VOICE. Didn't they give you votes?
Mr.. RICHARDSON. Well, sir,
they were like the boy whom the min
lister of the Gospel found fishing on
Sunday. Said he, "My boy, you are
very wicked, you ought not to be sport
ing upon the Sabbath "Oh," said the
boy, Il amt doing no hurt, and amt
wicked, for I haven't cauga. single
fish" Laughter So it was with ny
abolition friends when they sported in
my district; they were not vary wicked
for they caught no fish. Laughter.
Sir, will not digress, but return to
the consideration of the solemn respon
lsibilities that are resting upon US. Our
country is menaced by seoessionists in
arms, rebels, upon one hand. and by
abolltionists, nulli6ers of the laws and
the Constitution, upon the other. Sir,
I propose bayonets Cor the former, bal
lots for the latter. These two classes
disposed of, and there will be return
to the prosperity, the peace and happi-
ness of the earlier days Of the Republic.
Sir. these armies were raised to exc
cute the laws and maintain the author
ity of the Constitution in all the States.
They are, sir, to suppress armed viola
tors of that instrument. And, SIR, it
remains for the people at the ballot-box
to suppress these northern violators Of
the Constitution, if they would preserve
the ri ghts and liberties of American free
men.
For one, wherever I am called, and
whenever, shall be alwaps ready to dis.
charge my portion of this duty. Meth
er the cry of disloyalty Dor the charge
of sympathy with the rebels, whether il
emanates from usurpers Of the peoples
rights in high places, or from the base
plunderers of the Government, who
make the negro hobby-horse upon
which they ride to enormous and ex.
tortionate contracts-neither, sir, shall
deter me from the full and complete
fulfllment Of my duty as a Representa-
tive. I denounce here-and no one
shall gainsay my right to do so as the
Representative of a gallant and loya
people-the action of this Congress anc
of the several Departments upon the
negro question. denounce it as hav
ing neutralized to great extent th,
effect of many of the hard earned vic
tories which our soldiers have Tough
and won for s'the Constitution as it is
and the Union as it was" This, sir, i,
what life and happiness has been per
/ lied for in the loyal States; for this
u now address you: for this, upon this is
sue, I shall 60 before the people of my
l State during the coming fall; for this
sir, I shall expect there to speak; to act
and to vote; for this, sir | expect tina
extreme men, abolitionlsts and disunion
| lists, will be banished from the councils
of the nation. aas s.
4 This great work accomplished, grim
visaged war will smooth his wrinklet
front. The din of arms will be lost il
the hum of contented industry and tn,
/ hymn of domestic endearmebt. Th;
Constitution as it is, will stand sub
i timely forth an enduring monument t.
the wisdom of our fathers; the States
J restored, like stars that have wandered
to their original places in "the Union al
} tit was:" our people once more on tn,
highway of nations and on the marcl
towards the fulfllmest of that gran,
destiny which God has signed to them
I All these things I hope for, all thes
4 things / shall realize, unless the peopl
j are again deceived by abolition under
some new name. Under the pane Q
! Republican abolition can do no NOR
harm: in that character it's role is ended
;, 1t will next appear in a new dress
Already its leaders are calling loudl,
| for tho formation of a so.ealled Uniol
party-this is indeed an attempt to stea
t the livery of heaven in which to serv
the devil. Let the people, being fore
warned, be forearned against the mex
3 appearance of abolition. Trust no sue
t affiliations, for one more success Of tn
f abolition party, under whatever name
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