Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-21
Mr.. yooRHrEs' SPEECH.

Dir. VOORHEES, sad:
My Democratic FeIlO,o 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 NV sincere
and heartfelt thanks. AT such a time aud under
such circumstances as those which surround
this hour. TO be called upon 10 preside over such
an assemblage a the one before me- Is an honor
to be remembered TO the latest hour of life and to
be treasured up rs one of the highest proudest dis
tinctons ever conferred by NV fellow citizens
From grateful heart, heart often deeply
touched by the kindness of my cOuntrymen,
thank you
We meet to-day in accordance with the time
hOnored custom Of political parties since the
foundation Of this Government. There Is moth
ng new In this assembly We meet our faith
ets met before u; 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 tie
fact that auy thng 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
participation in matters o! government.
Holding the Constitution of my country In my
hand declare that this is lawful assembly,
lawful in purpose and lawful in act. In this great
document j read that it is an inalienNble right
of the people peacably 10 assemble and ask for Il
redress OF grievances. No sadder grievances ever
befel the children Of men than those which at
fict 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 sprinked upon the
door posts of our homes to stay the hand of the
destroyer 1t is in such time. my cOuntrymen,
that we meet according TO the plain precepts OF
the Constitution. 70 ask the Administration TO
redress those grievances which bear 80 heavily
upon us. and return speedily to the policy nau
gurated by the fathers OF our Government-thst
policy which made Us happy, united and frater
nal people.
Such being our objects, who shall tell US we
shall not meet? Where is the power that shall
interfere with or prevent US from peacaby ex
ercising our plain constitutional rightsY /, for
one plant myself upon the Constitution OF nv
country; il is the rock which built the church
of my 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 issue
our power to ignore for a single moment. We are
met with plain, palpable and audacious denial
OF the liberty of speech. And when thus met what
shall we do? What shall we saw
turn again to the Constitution-to the rock on
which the the Temple of Liberty but-and
ask what does that Constitution saw What IL
says YOU. fellow citizens, and are willing to do
1t is the rule of our conduct and we know
no other. 1t is a safe guide In all cases;
been tried The Constitution is all we want; we
will have it as it is, without any addi-
ions or subtractions. When | am met
with a denial of the right of tree speech. will
come to the Constitution and ask what IL saws.
IL says that Congress, which is the onls eglsla
tive power known To the Government shall pass
no law abridgng the freedom OF speech or OF
the press Thus saith the book Let that be
true though al the world be a liar. II the Con-
gress of the United States cannot under the
Constitution, pass any law interfering with the
freedom OF speech. can ANYBODY else do
it? No This is the house of my ref
uge Hither we will come for safety: will
lay hold of the very horns of the altar, and in
the name of American liberty. and with firm
reliance upon ii Just God, bid defiance TO our
prosecutors.
| ask that this book may speak again
i'm our favor IL 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
thar the supremeIaw You canno. 20 aboveit You
can not escape this conclusion. One of the per
lions evils that row uahappily beset us rs ma
ton. consists simply in this fact that wears ago a
party arose in the country proclaiming 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
perjurcd in the sight OF God aud man. The Con
sttution is the supreme law. Ii provides for the
maintenance OF these great rights OF freedom
Tree sPeech-a Tree press -aud who shall take
them away from "?
Yet my fellow citizens in the face of this fact
we have heen told. here in Indiana. not nerel,
that public discussion 10 general terms prollib-
Ited; but we have even been told what particular
measures OF public policy. we shall not
discuss am not going TO descend
into particulars upon this point, but | will tell
YOU this. hat the Democratic party will discuss
he AK till and the internal revenue policy: (iot
YOU have the money to pav;) II will discuss the
confscation act and the Presidents emancpa
tion policy. These measures effect the
best interests of the white man, and the
peace and security of the Government
for generations TO come To discuss them
is our undeniable right plant my feet up
on the Constitution and solemnly declare, in be
halt OF myself AMI the great Democratic party.
that will never surrender To any power on
earth the right 10 discuss all these measures.
which bear 81 ieariuly upon our dearest interests
We Will discuss the Presidents compensated
emlncipaton policy We will discuss the right /
Of tins Government To put it, hand into the pocket
OF the labOrns white man for the purpose OF
freeing The nero Weviil discuss the cOnScrpt /
act We Will discuss the policy OF every
INV that Is nov or NAV hereafter he placed upon |
the Statute Book Those of them that are in our
Judgment. wrong. We will ask 10 be repealed. |
!" e VIII test their cOHsttCtOHalIty IN the courts.
In short We VII! DO all that fathers have done
10 assert our manhood and freedom; 10 demon T
strfe 20 the world that We not the degeger +
ate sons OF glorious >ire>. Ii we are to give up
these privileges AT the bidding OF despot, let
Us hide the iace OF the Goddess OF Liberty ID 4
funeral vel. deceive the world 10 longer with i
the semblance OF freedom, but accept at once
The name OF desp0tism and wear the collar o,
slaves.
Do We propose - Democrats. to do any
thing wrong Do We love our country the +
less that We intend 20 assert the heaven given
righ; OF tree discu>sonl No, a. Tor me. 30 help /
God. il j. because | love ms country more I
What i YOUR country and nine! | have
no country outside OF the provisions q. the
written1lw Mr. Lincoln and his cabiuet con
gitu,e not nv Government They are merely
public servants l. be held responsible for their
acts by an iutellg gent. an honest and patriotic
people Am I. IN making these declarations
preaching TO Won doctrines >uover>ive of the