The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-03-09

radical men pursue the same policy, an,
have no doubt that the same disastrou
results will follow it if persisted in, w
have here in this Congress proposition
to repeal the fugitive slave law, thereby
nullifying a solemn provision of the Con
stitution.
| / ask gentlemen what will be the effec
of such policy in the State of Kentuck !,
and the other border States? These Ken
tuckians have proved themselves equal tc
every emergency. When the country
called them they responded like patriots
But they expected you wod1d act in good
faith toward them, and protect them in
their property and in their rights.
But now you propose to take, by the
strong arm of arbitrary power, FROM them
their property and their rights under the
Constitution and the laws. Is not that
the way to render alien the hearts of these
people of the border Statesy Is not that
a sure policy to make the border States
dissatisfied with the Government as ad-
ministered by you? Will they not resist
your course by every means known to the
Constitution and the laws of the country?
We have also proposition here to re-
duce the eleven rebellious States to ter
ritorial condition, to enact laws and gov
ern them as conquered provinces.
We have also here proposition which,
so far as this branch of Congress is con-
cerned, has already assumed the character
of law, to con6scate the real estate of the
people of the South. In other words it
is proposition in direct violation of the
Constitution of the United States, and
renders the restoration of the Union al
most hopeless if adopted and carried ints
execution.
We have also proposition to establish
a Bureau of Emancipation. Let me ask
gentlemen on the other side why they
do not cooperate with us in passing laws
to feed, clothe, and pay proper compen-
sation to our soldiers, and to the widows
and orphans this war has made. Why do
they overlook all the interests of the white
men of the nation, and rush blindly to
the negro. and think nothing and do moth
ing but what they fancy is for his vel
fare?
Sir, who is there here that believes for
a single moment that Congress has the
right or power to cstablishsuch Bureau
of Emancipation as is here proposed? 1t
is nowhere named in the fundamental law.
and is in direct violation of all our pre-
vious ideas of government and law.
We have also here proposition, plan
of the President for restoration-we have
the startling proposition which assails di-
.rectly the. only principle upon which a
republican. form of government can exist
we have proposition Ahat says one
man out of tenr may rontfoi and govern
the affairs of the other nine. And we
have here a proposition which says
further that that one man shall first
become an aboIitionist, and swear to sup
port the Presidents proclamatiens then
issued, and all others in prospect which
may be issued. He is first to turn abo.
litionist before the Administration will
place confidence in his patriotism and
place him in power. .srs, .
We have a proposition also. pending in
the other branch of Congress, which de-
clares that all laws shall be repealed
which makes distinction between the
raccs--between white and black Sir
this is the elimination of all the hopes o
these radical fanatics Here is the goa
toward which they are directing all thei
efforts: to dehase the white man to tn,
degraded level of the African negro.
Sir, know that gentleman on the othe
side will consider me disloyal know
they will say am sympathizer with th'
rebels; but | tell them that not only 8:
far as am concerned, but SO far as til,
Democratic conservative masses of th
country are concerned, they always have
| from the inception of this radical policy
they do to-day, and they will continue il
the future to enter their most solemn ant
earnest protest against 80 unwise an,
ruinous a policy.
| lam willing that gentlemen should crit
icise with the utmost scrutiny the actio
! of the Democratic party during its lon
and eventful career. l can justly an
truthfully say, that upon all occasions, il
the halls of legislation, through the pres,
in the forum, on the hustings, everywhere
at all times, in all variety ofcircumstances
the Democratic party has ever been tru
and faithful to the bond of the Union
always respecting the rights and interest
of the Union; always respecting tn
rights and interests of every section G
the entire country, never failing to war
their countrymen against the fatal effect
of sectionalism, which for more than
quarter of century past has been enga
! ged in the unholy work of overthrowin
the pillars of constitutional liberty. A
each successive wave of fanaticism ros
higher and higher, this noble old part
of Jefferson aud Jackson stood, lik
Corinth of old, breakwater against tn
double tide, until at last it eliminated i
the election of sectional Presiden
Even then, sir, ambitious but for the in
tegrity of the Union and the equal right
Of the States, it called into requisition a
the power and prestige of its great nam
to preserve the sacred compact of SO,
ereign States out of the horrors and sals N
4 ities of OWL war, and to recognize peace
| ful channels as the only remedy of tn
j commonwealth. With the only reeor
i that history will make of this time -hor
ored party, born with the Constitution
that has adhered to it through all of tn
4 vieissitudes of prosperous and adyers
fortune, that will live as long as constitu
tional liberty survives, and perish onl
amid the ruins of the Republic, with ths
i IL :. "a namonraf al