Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-02

and the white man. British statesmen opposed
immediate emancipation upon the ground of ex-
pediency alone. American statesmen should Op-
pose it. not only upon that ground but also upon
the ground that the Constitution gives no power
to interfere with the domestic institutions of the
several States-no such power either in peace or
in war.
But to reach the goal of their hopes, the AbO-
litionists of this country are willing to override
expediency, the law, and the Constitution; to
destroy the Government itself, in order to eman-
cipate at once all the slaves of the South.
Mr. colleague Mr.. Loyejoyl says twothirds
or three fourths OF the army are AbOlitionists
This may be true. but upon the new Constitution
for the State of Illinois, which contains pro-
vision to exclude negroes from locating within
the State, the soldiers do not vote like Adolf
tionists. Eleven of our regiments have already
voted upon the adoption of that Constitution
Mr. Wickliffe-How did they voter
Mr. RichardsOn-Sixty- three votes we're given
against it, and all the rest--some several thous-
sand-were given for it.
Throughout the State of Illinois AbOtionists
are opposing this Constitution, and Democrats
and conservative men are advocating its adop-
ton.
-Four ffths, and perhaps nine tenths, of all the
men that carry muskets and knapsacks in the
army of the West are opposed 10 the doctrines Ol
negro equality and abolition, as preached bv the
gentleman from the Bureau district of Illinois
DE is man of great boldness, apparently, and l
must do him the justice to say that he advocates
abolition and its consequences with great fear
lessness, though he is too discreet to make as
strong speeches in Southern Illinois as he does at
Chicago. He and several other gentlemen of
kindred opinions favored me by canvassing
through my district during the last campaign that
l made for Congress, and it gives me great plea
Surp n state that they ve-o onifa n,odorata
NOice-Didn't they give YOU votes?
Mr.. RichardsOn-We sir. they were like the
boy whom the Minister of the Gospel found fish
ing on Sunday. Said he, "My boy, you are very
wicked; you ought not to be sporting upon the
Sabbath" "Oh," said the boy, 81 amt doing
no hurt, and amt wicked, for l haven't caught a
single fish" Laughter So it was with my
abolition friends when they sported in my dis
trct; they were not very wicked for they caught
no fish. Laughter.
Sir, will not dlgress, but return to che con
sideration of the solemn responsibilities that are
resting upon US. Our country is menaoed by Sc
cessiOnists in arms rebels, upon one hand and
by abolitonists nullifers of the laws and the Con
stitutiOn. upon the other. Sir, propose bayo-
nets for the former, ballots for the latter These
two classes disposed of, and there will be a re-
turn to the prosperity, the peace and happiness
of the earlier days of the Republic Sir these
I
tam the authority of the Constitution in all the
States. They are, sir, to suppress armed viola
tors of that instrument. And, sir, il remains for
the people at the ballot box to suppress those
Northern viOators OF the Constitution, if they
would preserve the rights and Liberties of Amer
lean freemen.
For one, wherever / am called, and whenever,
L shall be always ready 10 discharge my portion
of this duty. Neither the cry of disloyalty nor
n,
emanates from usurpers of the peoples rights, in
! high places, or from the base plunderers of the
| Government, who make he negro hobby horse
upon which they ride to enormous and extortiOn-
ate contractS-nelther sir shall deter me from
the full and complete fulfillment of nv duty as
Representative. / denounce here-and no one
shall gainsay my right to do so as the Represen-
tative of gallant and loyal peope-the action
of this Congress and of the several departments
upon the negro question. denounce it as hav-
| ing neutralized to a great extent the effect of
many of the hard earned victories which our sol
diers have fought and won for 1.-THE Constitution
as it is, and the Union it was" This, sir, is
what life and happiness have been periled for in
the loyal States; for this | now address YOU; for
this, upon this issue, shall 20 before the people
of my State during the coming fall for this, sir,
| shall expect there to speak, to act, and to vote
for this sir expect that extreme men, abolition
councils of the nation.
This great work accomplished, grim-visaged
war will smooth his wrinkled front The din of
arms will be lost in the hum of confer led indus
try and the hymn of domestic endearment. The
Constitution, as it is, will stand sublimely forth
an enduring monument to the wisdom of our
fathers; the States restored like stars that have
wandered, to their original places in "the Union
as it was;" our people once more on the highway
of nations and on the march towards the fulfill
ment of that grand destiny which God has as
signed to them.
All these things hope for, all these things
shall realize, unless the people are again deceived
/ by abolition under some new name. Under the
name of Republican abolition can do no harm
in that character its role is ended. 1t will next
appear in a dress. Already its leaders are
| calling loudly for the formation of a so-called
| Union party-this is indeed an attempt to steal
the livery of heaven in which to serve the devil.
Let the people, being forewarned, be forearmed
against the next appearance OF abolition. Trust
no such affiliations, for one more success of the
/ abolition party, under whatever name it may
sumo, and our nationality is lost forever and the
wreck of our Republic will strew the pathway
of nations with those of Greece and Rome.
From the contemplation of such future / turn
in horror; upon such scenes. Mr. Chairman,
trust my eyes may never rest, such results
never WeeD.