The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10

stood him to say that he supported Mr..
Douglas ut Charleston, had then bowed
down to the Southern Baal, and allowed that
portion Of the party to make platform and
nominate a candidate. Does the Senator
doubt that II Douglas and his friends had not
stood up rs they did and sworn never to yield
to them, that Mr.. Breckenridge would have
been elected to the Prcsidedcy If he had been
nominated? And If he had been elected
would there have been any war? 1t would
have been much moro crcditabe to them to
have Welded to the demands OF the Southern
members of their party at that timo, than ut
this time to yield what they then demanded,
and give up what they ask now when they
started with the point OF the bayonct ut their
breasts, which they have already plunged
almost into tho heart of tho country. Yet
the Senator and those of his party whom he
represents are willing no,o to yield them all
and more than they demanded at the Charles.
ton Convention.
II it had been merely matter of opinion
they might then have yielded and no one
have been harmed. But If they yield now
what do they give up? Why is the United
States superior to Mexico? or why is Mex.
leo distracted. and handful OF French troops
probably now in occupation OF their capital
It is great country it has resources nearly
equal to our own, and should have q popula.
tion nearly equal to ours. The reason why
it is distracted is because although protesting
to be republic, the first principle of re.
publican form of government is violated.
When one party is beaten in IN election,
they take up arms to enforce what their bal
lots could not effect, and sometimes succeed
in driving from power those whom they y'had
failed to defeat ut the ballot.box. Once ad.
nit that there is any appeal from that dccis-
ion and republican government is Mt an end.
Then the ''Man of Destiny" takes the reins,
and the free people are no longer free, but
the abcct slaves of dcspot. Would Senators
yield now to save II few lives and little use
less trcasure-to hayo the unborn millions
yet to come put under tho heel OF the tyrant?
We should be unworthy sons OF our Revoln-
tionary fathers FIVE should quail at any sac
rifcc necessary to secure tho permanent sue
cess of our country.
Gentlemen say that the proclamation of cm.
ancipation is unconstitutional and bad. |
hold different view. sir. but ! do not intend,
rs have before remarked. to discuss its rc'
suits. Some say thare has been no good re-.
sulting from it. Does any one believe it that
proclamation had never been issued that the
State of Missouri would have assembled q
convention. large majority of whom arc in
favor of emancipation? u it had not been
for the proclamation, does any one believe
that men who talk as soino men ut tho North
do, would have been hissed from the constitu.
tional convention of Kentucky? Has any
gentleman read the European news carefully,
and does he not believe that the proclana-
tion has helped our cause abroad? The peo.
pie of Europe felt no interest in the result of
tho struggle until it became war for hn.
nanity M well rs the Union. Why should
they? Ii slaves came into our lines they
were sent hack by our general officers to their
cruel masters. to the lash and tho chain. But
when it became war for JUSTICE war to
wipe out tho great iniquity which has long
been stain upon our escutcheon, fastened
upon us by our fathers in the old country,
then the descendants of those fathers could
find something in which to sympitllizc with
us. Yes Mr.. President, the proclamation
has done us much good among the masses OF
the people on the other side of tho water.
Has the proclamation had no effect to qnict
Maryland and Western Virginia? Money
llas large influence everywhere. and when
tho owners of slaves saw that 1t was to be
como question whether their slaves should
be taken from them without compensation,
or they bc remunerated for their loss, they
suddenly became loyal. think and believe
that the proclamation has done us IN i'm.
nensc deal of good. consider it as better
for our cause than hundred thousand men.
The people of the North are beginning to be-
licve this. and they will soon SEQ moro OF it's
good effect. Public sentiment ut the North
is gradually hardening down under tho inhu-
cncc of the position taken by the leading men
of all parties, that there il but one course Tor
loyal men-to support the constituted author.
tiles.
n each man is to be the Judge for himself
what is necessary to DO done for the country,
and ifeach is Mt liberty to give or withhold
his aid to the government according as he
agrees with its measures, how can we ever
prevail. We must bury all these difficulties
and sustain our government, the only one wc
have, or we shall be ground down by dcs
potism such us the world has never known.
Sir, if the history of our race from tho
time that Adam first saw the light to the
present timo be carefully examined, in no
country, however dark and barbarOus, can
YOU find IN institution so cruel and barbar-
ous as that of African slavery in this country
for the past fifty years.-not one with so few
mitigating circumstances, 10 little apology
for its continuance. They have slavery in
Brazil, hut, sir, that slavery is paradise
compared to that in the United States. The
children of Israel were in bondage to tho
Egyptians, and were compelled to make bricks
without straw. But even there tho child
was not torn from the mothers breast, the
beautiful daughter was not put upon the
block and sold to the highest bidder. to be
carried away to safe tho lust OF her owner.
In no ugc, in no country was there ever
known so dark, hcathenish. cruel slavery
us that which blackcns our fair fame. Aud
will gentlemen stand up and plead for the
continuance of this system when its existence
stands between us and the restoration OF our
Union? trust that God in his Providence
will in some way. through the instrumental
ty Of the rebellion inaugurated ny tho slave
holders. crush and anihilatc this barbarous
institution of human bondage. Our early
fathers believed it would soon die out Wash.
ingion and jefferson believed and hoped it
would. The Northern States did abolish it
carly. The adoption Of the Constitution
was declared in Massachusetts, to DO tho abo.
lition Of slavery. Other States followed,
and in few yeats the institution was con
fined to the Southern seaboard and Gulf