The Portland daily press., 1864-09-07
Mr.. Sweat in favor of perpetuating sla
VERY.

During the closing session OF Buchanan's
administration. Democratic Congress, by the
necessary two-thirds vote, adopted an amend
ment to the Constitution, to be submitted 10
the States, in fdror Of sldDery; to give slave
~ an additional guarantee, and forever to ex-
clude Congress from interfering with the in-
stitution In the States where it existed.
When this amendment came before the
Maine Legislature, Messrs. Bion Bradbury aud
A. p. Gould advocated 1t, and though the
shareholders were then in armed rebellie n,
they were willing to give them this additional
guarantee. Mr.. Sweat was in the Senate, and
though that body did not have the question
before them, he was known to be in sympathy
with Messrs. Bradbury and Gould, and ready
to vote and speak In favor of that measure.
This is fact No. l.
Now for fact No. g. Before the last session
of Congress was a proposition 10 amend the
Federal Constitution so as to abolish and In
hibt forever, all slavery or Involuntary servi-
tude except for crime, In all the States and
territories of our common domain. This if
adopted, would simply place the question be-
fore the States. and enable the people, IN q
Constitutional manner, to rid the land OF the
great prolific cause of all our troubles.
For this proposition every Republican or
Union man voted. Erery Democrat except
four VOTED AGAINST 1T. l.. ID. NJ. SWEAT
VOTED AGAINST IT; and the measure failed
because it did not receive the necessary two
thirds vote.
What does this prove? II proves that the
Democrats la Congress Fernando Wood.
Sunset" Cox, ID. W.Voorhees, GEo. II. PEN.
DLEroS, L. II. NJ. SWEAT, et II geaus o,ane.
think more OF Slavery ,han Of Freedom; that
while they viii vote % give slavery new
lease OF is forfeited lle, while they will give
1t increased guarantees, while they will for
ever place il beyond the power OF the people
10 disturb 1t, they peremptoriiy refuse to
allow the people the prisileg OF changing their
own constitution In taeor Of freedom. They
say-Mr. SWEAT SAYS BY his vorE-that
Congress has the right to propose amendments
to aid slavery but not TO iJureit. They say
IL rs right to perpetuate the curse of negro
bondage, but not right 10 let the sovereign
people make free constitution.
Let u be borne In mind, therefore, that Mr..
sweat Is IN the interest OF slavery that he is
In favor o. perpetuating this national curse
that he denies the people the privilege OF yot-
ing upon the question; that HE IA ArRAIn
TO TRUST THE PEOPLE!
Let 1t be remembered, that on every ouas.
lion touching the interests Of slavery and
freedom, l.. ID. NJ. SWEAT, misrepresentng
the liberty loving people of the LIST Congress
s.onal District, voted with Fernando and Ben
Wood; with James Brooks, the recreant son
oil New England; with "Sunsel" Cox, the in
famous defamer of New England and her hon
oNd founders; with Dan. v oorhees, the plCtier
OF treason and conspirator against the Gov
eminent, and with Geo. III. Pendleton. the
boon companion and sworn friend of c. l..
Vallandigham.
ana let 1t further be noted, that while
vote Tor JOHN LYNCH is vote for the Union
and vote for ireedom-a vote TO allow the
people to pass judgment upon and amend
their own organic and fundamental law
vote for free labor and against slavery. a vote
for L. d. M. Sweat is vote In favor Of per-
Petuating slavery; vote denying to the peo-
pie the opportunity to amend their own con-
stitution; vote that Slavery Is more sacred
and more to be regarded than Freedom.