Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-02-02
The Democratic Party and Slavery
The Constitutional Amendment.

The world does move. That this is
true in regard to the Democracy aud
Slavery, we have recently much evidence.
The following for instance, which we find
in the New Albany Ledger. heretofore a
strong pro-slavery sheet. indicates the way
the ca. is going to jump. The Ledger in
troduces the article in the following quiet
manner, evidently intending il as feeler:
"In the course OF speech in the House
of Representatives in favor of the propo-
SCI Constitutional amendment prohibiting
slavery. Mr. Odell, Democratic member
from New York. said Of the South: "
The Democratic party had been their
faithful defenders. We were and had
been their frionls through evil and good
report. We hal stool by them in all
their interests. More than this. we have
yielded our own convictions and prejudi-
ces to theirs. AS we met them from time
to time in our national conventions it was
/ only to submit to new demands made up
on us to favor, strengthen. and extend
their system Of slave-la5or. To secure
peace and harmony these demands were
acctdcd to. The steadily increasing necu-
MARY interest Of the Shareholders gave
them power. and led them, in the love Of
, gain. to depart from the principles and
teachings OF the fathers on this subject.
With the modern STAKEHOLDER it was no
longer an evil to he endured for awhile
but blessing to be pcIpetuated through
ali future time.
From our present stand point the error
Of thus having yielded to the slave power
Of the South is clearly seen by the nation
and more kcenly felt BY the Dem ocratic
party. need not saw to the intelligent
men who surround me that ii the party
North had rssi,tcd this encroachment up-
on the religious belief AMI northern senti-
ment forced upon Ne by the South. the war
now xaging would never have been inau.
..uIated Better far for our country and
the race had we exerted our power and
manhood at an earlier period in our histo-
nv.
By many it is believed that time Of
war is not oppoItune for amending the
! Constitution under which we have had
such unparalleled prosperity. Upon this
point l have a clear, uneriiag guide in my
conscience. which tells me, in clear and
distinct voice, that in war or peace. in
sunshine or storm, prosperity or adversity,
i, is best for individuals and nations TO do
right Ny inquiry upon this point is
simple in that direction. have ever be-
licved slavery wrong. The North have
ever believed it. Hardly one can ct pre-
sent be found who will claim that slavery
is now. or has ever been. other than an
evil. Hence, with these convictions, if |
live until the day when the vote upon this
measure shall be taken my name will be
recorded in the affirmative.
The past history of our country clearly
illustrates the effect Of the system of slave
labor. We have bat to contrast the
growth ard advancement of the States
South with those North, to mark the pro-
gress of each section. as shown by the
census, in religion, education, agriculture.
mechanic arts. and especially in material
wealth. The results given are most con-
elusive.
The South by rebellion has absolve.l
the Democratic party at the North from
all obligations to stand up longer for the
defence of its ''corner stone." They arc
now using the very system which this
amendment proposes to abolish. for the
overthrow Of our Government. founded
upon the broad principles Of right, Justice
and humanity.
In their prosecution Of tho war against
us. the master is compelled by the laws of
their Congress to place his slaves at the
disposal OF the military authorities for our
destruction. The time is at hand when
in far greater numbers this class will be
used against us. as indicated by :he dis
cussions now going on at tee South.
We have information that is credible,
and must be believed. that the authorities
at Richmond are ready to lberate their
slaves. and are willing to abolish an insti-
tuition for which they began this war that
they may the more certainly ensure our
overthrow and destruction by securing TO-:
reign aid and recognition.
Shall we consent to present the strange
spectacle to the world that we of the
North have no interest in the question OF
freeing the slaves, when the men most in
terested are willing to do it.
With these fact; before me | have no
question as to my duty. We had better
far at this time break down the force and
physical power Of an institution that is be-
ing used for our destruction by our ene-
mics.
Again. why shculd Northern men. rep
resenting on this floor northern constituent
cies. hesitate to permit such constituencies
to vote for the freedom Of slaves, when
Southern men. representing SHAREHOLDERS,
ask MS to rid them of this eviR $50
Another objection urged against the
passage Of this initial measure is that the
slave States are not represented upon this
floor II is no fault Of mine that their