The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
WooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY. OHIO APRIL l. 1868

that during all this time Mr.. Lincoln con-
templated violating his plighted faith to
the Democratic party, to the brave soldiers
on the tented field, to the civilized world,
in the future conduct and management of
the war.
What was the purposes for which this
war was prosecuted when the President
made his first and second call for men?
The declared purposes as enunciated in
the resolution offered in Congress by Ken
tucky's patriot, hero and sage-J. j. Crit
aenden-which resolution passed that
body by an almost unanimous vote, and
which the Republican General Assembly
last winter refused to indorse. Let me
inquire here if it is really true that "com-
ing events cast their shadows before" and
that even then our Republican friends
upon this floor, who are behind the scenes,
knew that the plighted faith of the Ad-
ministration was about to be violated?
The resolution says:
"That the present deplorable civil war
has been forced upon the country by the
disunionists of the Southern States, now
in arms against the Constitutional Govern
ment, and in arms around the CAPITOL
that in this National emergency, Congress,
banishing all feeling of mere passion and
resentment, will recollect only its duty to
the whole country; that this war is not
waged on their part in any spirit of op-
preston, or for any purpose of conquest
or subjugation or purpose of overthrow
ing,or Interfering with therights or estab-
lished institutions of these States, but to
defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union,
with all the dignity, equality and rights OF
the several States unimpaired; and that
as soon as these objects are accomplished
the war ought to cease
But let us go back little further, and
see what Mr. Lincoln said in his inaugu-
raj message:
81 declare that I have no purpose, di-
rectly or Indirectly, to interfere with the
institution Of slavery in the States where
it exists. l believe have no lawful right
to do so, and have no inclination to do
so. Those who nominated and elected
me, did so with the full knowledge that
had made this and many similar deelara-
tions, and had never recanted them, and
more than this. they placed in the plat
form, for my acceptance as law to them
selves and to me, the clear and emphatic
resolution which | now read:
g ResolUed, That the maintenance invio-
late of the rights of the States, and espe-
cially. the right Of each State to order and
control its own domestic institutions ac
cording to its own Judgment exclusively
is essential to that balance of power or
which the perfection and endurance O
!. our political. fabric depend, and we de
nounce the lawless invasion by an armet
force of the government of any State o.
Territory, no matter under what pretext
as amongst the gravest of crimes.
: But this you say was before the wa
broke out Admit it. But what doe
this consistent (D President say to GU
! French Minister through his mouth piece
/ VIM. II. Seward, his Secretary of State
: after the commencement of the war, ant
/. while foreign powers are anxiously IN
r quiring as to the objects for which it will
r be prosecuted. He says: You can as
: sure the French Government that it is no
t the purpose Of the Administration to an
n way interfere with the institution of slave
$ ry in the seeding States. Should it
o SO, the Supreme Court would at once de
y clare it unconstitutional" 1t will not dc
!, Mr.. President, for members to say to m
r tuat the President did not see this lette
) before it was sent to Mr. Dayton. A car
|. in Republican paper before me says:
T "All of my correspondence since | hay
! been in Office as Secretary, has been sui
:. rmitted to the President before it was sci
v off-eyen this note has been submitted
him. "(Signed) w. H. SEWARD,
el Secretary of State
e will say nothing, Mr.. President, of tt
d violation of Mr.. Lincoln's plighted fait
in the liberation of the slaves of the Di
r. trict of Columbia, as enumerated In h
discussion with the gall Douglas. But
IS will refer you to his revocation of Ge
N Hunters emancipation proclamation
ot Carolina.
4 When John c. Fremont issued his pr
did not wait the ordinary transit of tt
so mails by railroad, but the lightning
heaven was called in requisition by him
lie transmit a requisition of medifcatio
Again, when Horace Greeley Emporium,
e. him to violate his faith and subvert tt
N principles of our Constitution; and st
We later, when the Chicago ministers ferg
st their high calling and holy mission
er 'preaching Christ and Him crucified
III and made political partisan pilgrima
to Washington, and besought the Pres
es dent to violate his often plighted fait
st and give them an anti-slavery Cover
to ment, and, suppose, an anti slavery T
w BILE, he sent them home with joke and
n flea in their ears. Now, behold his co
We sistency. Two weeks had not elapsed ;
We ter the departure of these ministers, W
er had went to him with mission from
Id high, until this weak-minded imbeci
mt vacillating man did the very thing whi
de he had heretofore said he would not
g. and which would be unconstitutional if
:" did. e., issued proclamation interf'
nd ing with and breaking up the domes
of institutions of the Southern States.
he Now, then, I propose to fasten this +
ar- publican President and his doctrines upt
IN or attach him to Stephen Foster and
m? doctrines. And this brings me to I
of message of the President, delivered
NIL CONGRESS- on the first Monday of Dece