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

For the distinguished honor which you|
have just conferred upon me in calling me
70 accept this evatcd position. | return 10 you
my sincere and heartfelt thanks. AT such
10 time and under such circumstances ss
those which surround this hsur, TO be called
upon to preside over such an assemblage as
the one before mo, is On honor TO be remem.
Ibcred TO the latest hour Of life and 10 be
treasured up as one Of the highest, proudest
distinctions ever conferred by my fellow
citizens. From grateful heart. heart
often deeply touched Dy the kindness Of any
counirymen, thank you.
| We meet to-day in accordance with the
time-honorod custom Of political parties since
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 10
the discussion Of those matters which relate
10 the welfare OF Government formed and
created, and governed by the people. We
do mol recognize the fact that anything has
occured or can occur 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 . part.
Icipaion in matters Of government.
i Holding the Constitution Of my country
ia my hand. | declare that this is a lawful
assembly, lawful in purpose and lawful in
, act. In this grea, document read that il
is an inalienable right Of the people peacaby
Ito assemble and ask for q redress Of griev.
lances. No sadder grievances ever befel
1.-The children OF men than those which al
!, dict the people Of the United States at this
time. Confusion and disorder darken the
lsky, the very earth is laden with the sor
row OF our people; tho voice Of woe and
lamcntation goes up from every portion OIL
onr distracted country; the angel Of death
has spread his wings on the blast. and there
has been no sacred blood sprinkled upor
the door posts OF our homes 10 stay the hsns
B lof the destroyer. Il il in such q time, ml
I, ,Icountrymen, that We meet according to th'
e 2rccepts Of the Constitution. 70 ask tht
E administration 10 redress those grievance
d (which bear SO heavily upon US, aud return
2 g|spcediIy to the policy inaugurated BY th'
. fathers OF our Government-tha polio,
!, which made Us happy, united and fratcrna
9 people.
!. Such being our objects, who shall tell VI
d we shall not meet! Where is the Powe
/ ,ha, shall interfere with. Or prevent Us iron
n pcaccably exercising our plsin constitutions
/, for one, plant myself upon 'h
e Consti,u,ion Of my country; il is The rocl
on which build the church Of my politica
u faith, and the gates OF hell shall no. Prevsi
ID against il.
,i Having thus peaccably assembled, accord
rtllng 10 the plain prcccpts Of the Constitution
q we are met, however. at the very threshold
IIby an issue which we cannot avoid, an issu
% which II Is out Of our power to ignore for
a. |sinple moment. We arc met with Plail
c and sudacious denial Of The liber'
lof speech. Ard when thus met what cha
re- we dol What shall we say! ! turn sgai
g-lto the Constitution-to the rock on whie
stho Temple Of Liberty is 5uilt-and ~
ID wha. does that Constitution say' What
is says you, fellow. citizens, and ] are williI
,is to do. It is the rule Of our conduct and v
know no other. 1t Is safe guide In
cases, Il leads us over no uncertain ground
III has been tried. The Constitution u
we want; We will have il as il is, witho
any additions or subtractions. When
met with denial Of the right Of free speee
oil will come 10 the Constitution and ask WI
irelt save. II ssys that Congress, which 70 !
at only Legislative power known 70 the Cover
men,, shall pass no law abridging the fl
rk. dom Of speech or Of the press. Thus saith
In book. Let tha, be lruc. though oil the wo
my be liar. II the Congress Of the Uni'
wo States cannot, under the Constitution, p
bed any Law interfering with the freedom
- speech, can any body else do Il! No. !
for|is The house Of my refuge. Hither We
come for safety; we will lay hold Of the Y
ofhorns of The altar. and 10 the name Of An
ican liberty. and with . firm reliance "
Just God, bid defiance 70 our persecus'
!. I ask that this book may speak again
our favor. II says that the COnstitus
and laws Of the United States, which q
HI.