The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-06-29
speech OF Hon. Henry clay Dean,

nI
/ propose no speeoh but nero sum
mary Of the dangers which called US to
gether upon this singnlarly appropriate
occasion.
It is in no spirit of faction that We have
presented series of resolutions settinG
forth our grievances and suggesting oul
remedies.
We have reproduced the first Ken
lucky resolution, because it's abandon
ment has cost US the loss Of State Courts
State Legislatures, State Conventions
legitimate State remedies, and finally, the
States themselves have fallen prey q
our surrender of their sovereign powers
and only the plain and simple truths Of
that resolution, vigorously enforced by US
can offer to the people Of the smaller and
remoter States any remedy whatever foI
the evils they suffer, and the wrong in
flicted upon thep BY the larger and rich
cr States of the seaboard.
Neither this resolution nor tho Demo
cratic doctrines have in them the pur
pose, spirit or tendency to the dissolution
Of the Union, as tine and transpirine
events now fully demonstrate. But up
on the contrary, it is the high and holy
purpose Of the Democratic party to pre-
serve the Union forever aud extend tho
area Of It's glory-not merely by the
physical geography Of moustains, river,
and lakes, standing armies, tax gatherers
bank monopolies and consolidated capital
but by that affection, interest and dcvo
ton 10 the States and the people which
is inspired by justice, equality and free
government. The Union was not made
to destroy but to protect free government
End all Of the natural rights Of the peo
pIe. to which all government must be
subsery:ent.
The Union of the States rest upon pre-
cisely the same grounds as docs thai
more sacred relation Of husband and wife
But no law given cocld apologize to mod
ern civilization or Christianity for the at
tempt to bind in perpetual legal bonds the
delicate, helpless wife to the strong and
cruel husband. Separation is the last re
naming remedy Of the weak against
the strong. Of the injured against the
aggresssor. By common consent al
liberal governments have interposed di
vorces aud grant ahmonies, as the only
security of the ipnOccnt against the
guilty.
The argument is not good, that thi;
would separate all families, but upon tho
contrary il makes those who would re
tain the blessings. of the Union sacred
more careful Of their mutual rights and
more diiigcnt to consult their mutual in
tercst, which is the very object of ths
solemn Union.
Religious liberty, with all of the hal
lowed rights of conscience, draws It's en-
tire support from civil liberty. Blu
every Christian, after the most solemn
administration of the sacrament by thu
consccratcd officers of religion, exercises
the right TO withdraw from the tyranny
Of church government.
What il the church Of England, the
Church of Luther, the Church Of Calvir
and the Greek Church but rebellion
against, and secession from, the Roman
Catholic Church?
What is the Methodist Episcopa
Church but rebellion against, aud Sc
cession from, the Church of England
What is the Protestant Methodist
Church but a rebellion against, aud se
cession from, the Methodist Episoopa
Church ?
What is the Campbellito Church but {
rebellion against, and secession from, the
Baptist Church? Or, in other words
every subsequent Christian Church. IL
the full and free exercise of their reIig
ious liberty, are obnoxious to the objec
ton Of rebellion against, and secession
from, the parent Church. 1t were to bt
desired that all churches should be one
bound in the charms Of blessedness anC
love. But since they will not be, every
friend of religious liberty demands iol
himself and for his church the rights O
civil communities, and as the church il
one by the free government of cacl
separate organization of its members, 81
is the great union of the States one By
the separate government of the States
as provided in Mr.. Jefferson's resolution
of 1898. Just as religious in centraliza
ton is the parent of the most horribl,
persecution so is Capitalization the sourc,
Of the most cruel despotism. Now is th'
time for the appeal to the doctrine Of thi
resolution.
The wisdom and foresight of the states
man and patriot in the assertion of tn,
rights Of seif.government at q time wher
every American was pcrifng his life t.
maintain them inyiolate, was not more re
markable than that when at the very tim,
every right of selEgovernment imperiled
and tyrants are taking advantage Of thei
temporary power. That Democrats shoult
fear to assert, enforce and defend it wher
it is in fact the only barrier that stand
between us and that despotism which i
sweeping as deadly simeon over every
hamlet Of the most beautiful country of th'
continent, leaving desolationin in its horrible
path, and marking its loathsome trail will
innocent blood, enforcing its power il
violation of law.
The overthrow of civil government il
America was the only way in which th'
doctrine Of this resolution could be over
thrown
The Reconstruction Bill is the mos
monstrous crime of the Christian era.
Is Il crime against free governmen
in this-that'iit disfranchises without ia
dictment, triaf or any other process D
law, tho learned, intelligent and highly
cultivated citizens representing the husi
ness, manufacturers, commerce, navigation
and property of eleven millions of people