Indiana State sentinel., 1863-05-25
Mr.. Voorhees, said:
My Democratic Felloo Citizens Of the State of
Tndiona.

Mr.. VOORHEES, said: -..
My Democratic FeIlop Citizens Of the State of
Indiana:
For the distinguished honor which You have
just conferred upon me in calling me to accept
this elevated position, return to you my sincere
and heartfelt thanks. At such a time and under
such circumstances as those which surround
this hour, to be called upon to preside over such
an assemblage as the one before me, is an honor
to be remembered to the latest hour of life and to
be treasured up as one of the highest proudest dis
tnctions ever conferred by nv fellow citizens.
From grateful heart, heart often deeply
touched by the kindness of INV countrynen, /
thank YOU
We meet tn day in accordance with the time
honored custom of political parties since the
foundation of this Government. There is Doth
ing new in this assembly. We meet our faith
ers met before US; we meet for the high and holy
purpose of taking part in the discussion of those
matters which relate TO the welfare of Govern
ment formed and created. and governed
by the people We do not recognize the
fact that anything has occurred or can occur to
divorce the people of Indiana from an interest in
public affairs. We do not admit that the Demo
cratic party is in any manner ostracised from a
participation in matters of governmsnt-
Holding the Constitution of my country in my
hand. / declare that this is a lawful assembly,
lawful in purpose and lawful in act. In this great
document read that it lie an inalienable right
of the people peacably to assemble and ask for
redress of grievances. No sadder grievances ever
befell the children of men than those which af-
flict the people of the United States at this time.
Confusion and disorder darken the sky; the very
earth is laden with the sorrow of our people; the
voice of woe and lamentation goes up from every
portion of our distracted country; the angel of
death has spread his wings on the blast, and there
has been no sacred blood sprinkled upon the
door posts of our homes TO stay the hand of the
destroyer. 1t is in such time, my countrymen,
that meet according to the plain precepts of
the Constitution, to ask the Administration to
redress those grievances which bear so heavily
upon us, and return speedily to the policy inau-
gurated by the fathers of onr Government-that
policy which made us happy, united and frater-
nal people
Such being our objects. who shall tell US we
shall not meet7 Where is the power that shall
interfere with. or prevent us from peacably ex-
ercising our plain constitutional rightsi /, for
one, plant myself upon the Constitution Of my
it is the rock which built the church
of nv political faith, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it
Having thus peaceably assembled, according
to the plain precepts of the Constitution, we are
met, however, at the very threshold by an issue
which we cannot avoid, all issue which it is out of
our power to ignore for single moment. We are
met with plain, palpable and audacious denial
of the liberty of speech. And when thus met what
shall we dot What shall we sayg
turn again 10 the Constitution-to the rock on
which the the Temple of Liberty is built-and
hat hat tf
says you fellow citizens, and are willing to do.
1t is the rule OF our conduct and we know
no ether. IL is safe guide in all cases;
il leads us over no uncertain grounds; 1t has
been tried. The Constitutions is all we want; we
will have il as il Is, without any addi-
ions or subtrsctions. When | am met
with denial of the right of tree speech. will
come to the Constitution and ask what it says.
Il says that Congress. which is the only legisla-
tive power known to the Government. shall pass
no law abrdging the freedom of speech or of
the press Thus saith the book Let that be
true, though all the world be liar. If the Con-
gress of the United States cannot, under the
pass any law interfering with the
freedom OF speech. anybody else do
Ii? No. This is the house of my ref
uge. Hither we will come for safety; we will
Law hold of the very horns of the altar, and in
the name of American liberty, and with firm
reliance upon just God. sid defiance to our
prosecutors. .tt
] ask that this book may speak again
in our favor Ii saws that the Constitution
and laws Of the United States, which shall be
made in pursuance thereof, are the supreme law
Of the land There is. there can be no higher law
than thesupremelaw. You canno. 20 aboveit. You
can not escape this conclusion One of the per-
lous evils that now uahappily beset US ma
,.or onn.;~tc In, shis that voars /.
party arose in the country procsimng to the
world higher law than the Constitution. / tell
you, that in my judgment he who pro-
claims that doctrine. and in the next
breath swears TO sustain the Constitution, is
perjured In the sight of God and man. The Con-
,tirution is the supreme law. 1t provides for the
maintenance of these great rights of freedom
|ree speech-ra free press-and who shall take
hem away from usI
Yet, my fellow. citizens, in the face ofths fact,
We have been told. here in Indiana. not merely
hat public discussion wasn general terms prohib- |
ted; but we have even been told what particular |
measures of public policy. we shall not
discuss. ] am not going to descend
nto particulars upon this point but / will tell
Fou this, chat the Democratic party will discuss |
he tax bill and the internal revenue policy; (for |
gou have the money to pay;) it will discuss the |
,on6scation act aad the Presidents emancipa- |
ion policy. These measures effect the
,est interests of the white man. and the
peace and security of the Government
or generations to come. To discuss them |
8 our undeniable right. / plant my feet up
IN the Constitution and solemnly declare, In be- |
,alf of myself and the great Democratic party.
hat we will never surrender to any power on
,arth the right to DISCUSS all these measures,
which bear so fearfully upon our dearest interests
Ne will discuss the Presidents compensated
emancipation policy. We will discuss the right
,fthis Government to put It's hand into the pocket
II the laboring white man for the purpose of
reeing the negro. We will discuss the couscript
lct. We will discuss the policy of every
aw that is now or may hereafter be placed upon
be Statute Book. Those Of them thar are. in our
Judgment. wrong. We will ask 70 be repealed
Ne will test their constitutiouHlity in the courts
n short, We will do all that our fathers have done
assert our manhood and freedom; 70 demon
trase to the world that We are not the degener-
IT, sons Of glorious sires. II We are 70 give up
hsss privileges At the bidding OF dsspot, lee
y hide the face of the Goddess of Liberty 10
uneral veil. deceive the world no longer With
he ssmblancs Of freedom, bat accept at tonce
- name r. dsspesisn and wear The cellar Of
1avek