Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-12-19

Ind total lack OF experience In pub
dc affairs" said Judge Smith in adj
dressing the convention, with the in
tellectual and physical igor and prac-
sical power of the gentleman who has
just addressed you on the other side
(Senator Dickinsou), 1 should almost
Eemble for my cause did not remem-
Der the success which attended the
youthful David when he went forth
TO accept the challenge of the chief
Of the PhfliStineS, armed in all the
panopy of war.
This pleased the convention and the
delegates applauded. The speaker then
proceeded to pay his respects to Sena-
or Dickinson, provoking mingled
cheers and misses. He concluded in
this language:
II desire to make an allusion to the
appeal made to the prejudices of the
convention against US. We have pre-
served silence upon the subject and
are disposed to allow this convention
10 deal with us as they see fit in their
sober judgment. Perhaps we may be
rejected from these walls. If so we
shall not go out discouraged, dis
graced or denunciating. / can assure
the gentlemen of this convention we
are no 'abolitionistS. So far from
being political abolitionists, we re-
gard them as our political foes. After
you have summered and w.ni cred
with us in prosperity and adversely
you will not find in this broad union a
set of men who stand up more firmly
for the protection of state rights and
the Democracy of New York. When
the first movement shall be made to
interfere with the domestic policy of
any State in the union none will sound
the watchword of ALARM sooner than
the sentinels who stand upon the bull
wlarks of freedom i'm the Empire
state.
"But it as due to add, in the spirit
of candor and frankness, which should
always characterize the intercourse
of the democracy, that while we shall
preserve the rights of the states we
are also uncompromisingl in favor
of extending to all free territory tina .
this union may acquire the provisions
Of the ordinance which was framed by
Thomas Jefferson and was extended to
the Northwest Territory in 1887. I
trust because we are in favor of the
principles of Thomas Jefferson we are
not to be excluded from the Demo-
cratic convention.
"Ali l ask is that if we be excluded
upon that ground beseech you inthe
name of the truth, in the name of JUS
tice, in the name of the Democrat tic
equality, to state frankly and boldly
the ground upon which you exclude
US. lit may be that we shall be ex-
cluded from this convention, disgraced
hx tlfH of tnest hian
implies "a suspicion of our adherence
you that we shall not go GU tfeeling
that we have been conquered. Our
banner will be flying and upon 1t
shall be written this motto: ''The
principles of Jefferson, dear to New
York, now and forever"
The speakers eloquent plea to the
convention was in vain, but his part
In the convention did not end here. He
was chosen to formulate the reasons
why the delegation could not accept
the terms offered and at his dict2ltion
the protest which is printed above was
drawn up and signed by the thirty
six members of the delegation.
Returning to New York the barn
burners held a great mass meeting in
City Hall Park in New York and is
sued an address. They called Martin
Van Buren, from his retirement and
nominated him for president against
Lewis Cass, the regular Democratic
nominee chosen in the Ba.ti;..Cre con.
vention. 1t was the Van Eu:.n vote
in New York that defeated Cae1s and
brought about the eieo;i Ct Taylor
and Fillmore. The Wla:ct provisc
Furnished the rallying cry for Il party
divided on minor questions. an issue
that led to the election of Lincoln fol
president twelve years later.
The historic protest, now in the pos.
session of Arthur C. Smith of this
city, lay for nearly half century IN
the law Office of Matthew Hale of AL
bany, and in 1892 was sent by the
latter to Judge Smith. In acllnowledg.
ing Ms rec III Judge Smith said in 6
letter ~ r Hale:
ct i + historic interest, for it car
truly l. hiatt the stand taken BY
the I;t is delegation was the be
ginrirc + the end of slavery.
ginniI g cf he end of slavery in this
count. = Rochester Her; lI.