The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1863-05-30

Of Me perilous evils that now unhappilP be-
set US a. a nation, consists simply 10 this
fact. that years ago party arose In the
country proclaiming 10 the world higher
law than the Constitution. ] tell you. that
in my judgment he who proc:aims that
doctrine, and In the next breath swears col
sustain the Constitution, is perjured In the
sight Of God and man. Tho Constitution
is the supreme law. II provides for the
maintenance of these great rights Of free.
dom-free speech-a free Press-and who
shall take them away from US!
Yet, my fellow citizens, In the face Of this
fact. we have been told. here in Indiana,
not merely that public discussion was in
general terms prohibited; but we have even
boon told what particuhr measures Of public
|policy,we shall not discuss. am not going
TO descend into particulars upon this point.
but will tell you this, thai the Democratic
party will discuss the tax bill and the inter.
nal revenue policy ;(tor you have the money
10 pay;) il will discuss the coniscaton act
land the Presidents emancipation policy
These measures effect the best interests Of
the white man, and the peace and security
Iof the Government for generations 10 come.
Ito discuss them is our undeniable right
II plant my feet upon the Constitution and
solemnly declare, In behalf Of myself and
the great Democratic party. that we will
never surrender to any power on earth the
right 10 discuss all these measures, which
bear 50 fearfully upon our dearest interests
We will discuss tho Presidsnvs compensated
emancipa policy. We will discuss the
right Of this Government TO put its hand In.
10 the pocket Of the laboring white man fol
the purpose Of freeing the negro. We will
discuss the conscript act. We will discuss
the policy Of every law that is now or may
hereafter be placed upon the Statute Book
Those Of them that are, in our judgment
wrong, we will ask to be repealed. WI
will test their nstisulionality 10 the courts
In short, we will do al that our fathers have
1done to assert our manhood and freedom
to demonstrate TO the world that We are no
the degenerate sons Of glorious siFss. II W
are to give up these privileges u the biddinI
Of despot, let us hide the face Of the God
dess Of Liberty in funeral veil. deceive th'
world no longer with the sembIsnce Of free
dom, but accept as once the name Of des
potism and wear the collar Of slaves.
/ Do We propose, as Democrats, to do any
thing wrong! Do We love our country th
less that we inte nd 10 assert the heaven civ
len right Of free discussion! No. ss for ms
$50 help me God. II il because love m
|country moro. What Is your country an
mime! l have no country outside Of th
provisions Of The written law. Mr.. Lincol
and his cabinet constitute not my Govern
ment. They are merely public servants. =
be held responsible for their acts BY an intel
lligent, an honest and patriotic people,
Am !, in making these declarations. preach
ling to you doctrines subversive Of tho priI
.Iciples aud prscepts Of ne fathers! Let N
n ask you in oil candor, does II not seem VOL
derful thst may at this very moment
talking myself into . prison by utteFiu
!. these ancient sentiments Of liberty!
|. .somc.imcs seems to me % II . fsvcrs
! rldrcam had come upon this country, and %
: after while, We should wake up and hi
\ u|that we had simply been plagued with
!. .lhideous and oppressive nightmare. But
nj Hook around us to day and the sun is : hi
r,ling, the air is blowing; oil is real, and y
!, lin the midst Of al this reality, and In u
I moon Of tho nineteenth century, wo ere
.,lsaul.ed with this most terrible pernicio
land destructive heresy-this denial Of Y
right OF the people Of free government
!. control and manage that government
I. themselves.
',sl What does the Democratic party propo
- 10 dol II purposes, BY the help Of God,
Z. ..Ipreserve thu Constitution. The Consti'
o,I,iop made our Union; without Il the Uni
4. would never have had IN existence.
;,,Ibroueht your States together. Il and 4 alc
- Iheld them together for more than eigl
4. wears, and Il alone can bring them togetl
- Iacaln. Its the only power thst can rest
\. lshe Union. We ore constantly told 4
n is is incumbent upon 10 70 Do everything
ion our power 10 restore the Union. We
,sll ready and wiIIing-yes, We ere anxious
49, lao any thing and everything but what