The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-05-27

Green" died in Cincinnati, May %.
Speech of Hon. Daniel w. Voor-
hccs UpOD Assuming the Office
of Chairman at the late Dem
Ocratic State Convention i'm ln-
diana. r .-
From the indianapolis Sentinel May 90.
Mr.. VOORHEES, SPEECH.
Mr.. Voorhees, said:
Mn Democratic Fellow 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
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 remember
ed to the latest hour OF lite, aud to be treas
ured up as one of the highest, proudest dis
tinctions ever conferred by my fellow cti~
zens. From grateful heart, heart often
deeply touched by the kindness OF my coun
,rymen, thank you. ....
We meet 10 day 10 accordance with the
time honored custom OF political parties
sinde the foundation Of this Government. -
There is nothing new in this assembly. We
meet as our fathers met before US; we meet
for the high and holy purpose Of taking part
in the discussion Of those matters which re
late to the welfare Of Government iormed
and created, and governed by the people
we do not recognize the TACT tsst any thing
has occurred to divorce the people of Indiana
from an interest in public affairs. We do
not admit that the Democratic party is in
any manner ostraciSed from participation in
matters Of government. ..-.
Holding the Constitution of my country
in nv hand, declare that this lawfpl as
sembly, lawful in purpose and lawful in act
In this great docum, mt read that it is at
ipalienable right OF the people peaceably te
assemble and ask tor redress OF grievances
No sadder grievances ever beell the children
OF men than those which atf1ct tine people
loi the United States at this time. Confu
sion and disorder darken The sky the yer!
earth is ladened with the sorrow OF our peo
ple; the voice Of woe and lamentation goe
3 up from every portion OF our distracted
country; the angel Of death has spread bis
wi, gs on the blast, and there has been nc
sacred blood sprinkled on the door.posts o
CUR homes to stay the hand OF the destroy
er. tl -t.l 1r,I. .a4 Gert .,.s d.stg..
II is in such time, my countrymen, tha
we meet, according to the plain precepts 0
THE. Constitution, to ask the Admnistratio OF
to redress those grievances which bear S
heavily upon US, and return speedily, to th
policy iuaugurated by the fathers OF ou
Government--that policy VIII ch made us
happy, united and lraternal people. a..
, | s Such being our objects, who shall tell u
we shall not meet? Where is the powe
= that shal! interfere with, OF prevent us fror
peaceably exercising our plain constitutions
3. rights? |, for one, plant myself upon tn
Constitution Of my country, it is the rock o
: (which build the church of my polito'
! faitb, and the gate, of hell shall not prevail
against it.. gf5.. I'D = .lqsi5l f.... ).
Having thus pcaceably assembled, accord
} ing to the plain precepts7 7ot the Constitution
! we are met, however, a. the very thresbol
by an issue which we cannot avoid, an issr
> which it is out of our power to ignore f
;. a single moment. We are met with plail
palpable and audaciors denial of the lioert
+ OF speece. And when thus met what sha
we say? turn again TO the Constitution
, TO the rock on which the temple of liberi
s Southland ask what does that Constit.
4 ton say! What it says, you, fellow citizel
: and are willing to do. 1t is the rule OF o.
! conduct and we know, no other. II is
safe guide in all cases; it leads over no III
certain grounds: it has been tried. Tn
: Constitution is all we want; we wi
:, Ihaye it as it is wi hout any additions or sui
8 fractions. When am met with denr
h of the right Of Tree speech, will come
, the Constitution and ask what it says.
u says that Congress, which is the onty iegi
n laiiye power known to the Government sha
: pass no law abridging the freedom Of speed
: or Of the press Thus saith the book. l.
/, j that be- true, though all the world be liza
= II the Congress OF the United States cal
y not, under the Constitution. pass any la
!, interfering with the freedom Of speech, CT
: anybody else do il? No. This is the hou
!. OF my refuge. Hither we will come {
safety; we will lay hold Of the very horr
OF the altar, and in the name OF Americ,
J liberty, and with Arm reliance upon ju
God. bid defiance to our prosecutors.
/ ask that this book NAV speak again
t our favor. II says that the Constituti,
and laws Of the United States, which sh.
4 be made in pursuance thereof are the D
g prems law Of the land. There is, there o.
! be no higher law than the supreme. Y,
can not, 60 sbovs it. You can not esca
7 this conclusion. One Of the perlious ev
Q now, unhappily beset us as 9 nation, consis
!. simply OF this fact, that three years ago
:, party arose in the country proclaiming
n the world higher law than the Constit