Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-09-02
A POLITICAL "REMINISCENCES.
John l.. Uaie's Revolt Against the
Pro- slavery Democracy.

John l.. Haic's Revolt Against the
Pro- slavery Democracy.
From the close of John Quincy Adams adj
minIstration In 1890 TO March 1916, the demo.
cratic party OF New Hampshire had maintain
ed uninterrupted control OF that statc. This
first open revolt IN the democratic party Of
the north against the policy of slavery cxtcn.
sion occurred IN New Hampshire on account
OF the scheme for the annexation Of Texas.
On the It'll of January, 1915, Mr. John 7. Hale,
who was one of the most popular democratic
representatives In congress, wote his we'll
known letter 10 the democratic electors OF
New Hampshire declaring his refusal to vote
for the Texas scheme, Although ho had re-
ceiyed the regular nomination for another
term, u special convention was callt at Con-
cord, which struck his name from the ticket.
Franklin Pierce, then chairman Of the state
central committee, made tour among the
towns to urge his fellow democrats to sustain
the action OF the special convention and
"throw Hale overheard
This injustice 10 n brave man, who had gal
gantly stood by his convictions, fired some OF
tho younger men of the party. In Exeter
Amos Tuck, young lawyer, said IL John L.
Hale was to be politically ostraclsed on nc
count OF his opposition 10 slavery, he was
ready 10 go with him. To this Mr.. Pierce re-
piled that he had met Ia his travels over tho
state only one other man who had talked that
way, aud that was John l.. Hayes, Of Ports
mouth. Mr. Pierce was then United States
district attorney for New Hampshire, aud Mr..
Hayes was clerk Of the United States courts,
and was also chairman OF the Young Mems
Democratic association In Portsmouth. TO
him, therefore, Mr.. Pierce first unfolded his
views after arriving in Portsmouth in tho
course OF his tour
But MIR. Tuck and Mr.. Hayes called a meet.
ing OF independent democrats at Exeter to
sustain Mr.. Hale, and 10 Mr.. Hayes belongs
the honor OF printing the first democratic pro-
test which appeared Ia New Hampshire against
the extension OF slavery after the letter OF Mr..
Hale This protest was In the form OF n
speech which Mr.. Hayes had attempted TO de-
liver at Democratic caucus IN Portsmouth.
aud, being suppressed by the party leaders, he
had printed and circulated II In the form OF
pamphlet.
Franklin Plerce's motives appeared In the re-
mark: eve must throw overheard Mr. Hale, or
we shall lose favor with the southern mem
Mr. Pierce subsequently became president Of
the United States, but Mr.. Hale did not suffer
by adhcrlng TO his convictions. He was not
only returned 10 congress ut n later period,
but was subsequently promoted to the United
States senate. Mr. Hayes connection with
these interesting events, OF which there are
now 80 few survivors, has prompted him 10
embody them In this pamphlet, entitled, "A
"Reminiscences OF the Free Soil Movement In
New Hampshire which viii be preserved as
an important contribution TO the history OF
that period. Hon. John T., Hale was a great
orator, ms well as a man Of profound moral
convictions In the trial Of Theodore Parker
for high treason at Boston In abettlng the res.
cue OF fugitive slave named Shadrach, Mr..
Hale was counsel for the defense, and In al
dressing the jury he said: "John Debree
claims that he owns Shndrach. Owns whati
Owns mani Suppose John Debree should
say that he owns the moon and has an eNclu-
slve right TO It's beamsl Would a Massachu-
setts itIry find IL sol And vet moons shall
wax and wane no more; the earth itcelf shall
crumbe and decay, while the soul OF the poor,
hunted, prosecuted Shadrach shall live ON with
the life of God Hlmselfp' 1t was TO this
speech that Charles Sumner referred In one OF
his letters, when he said that IL had been re-
ported TO him by these who heard II as q speech
worthy of Curran or Erskine. Boston Adver-