Year: 1860

There is no man whose words should have
more influence with Anti-Lecompton Democrats
than those of Hon John Hickman of Pennsyl-
vania In giving his adhesion TO the Repub-
lican nominees, as the only way to practice
what be and other Anti-Lecompton Democrats
have preached, the cause of Freedom receives a
valuable accession.


The speech was lately made at Philadelphia.


SPEECH OF HON. JOHN HICKMAN.


Mr.. Hickman said:


MR. President AND GENTLEAEN:-The intelli-
gent voter Will so shape his action as to make
it conduce to the success of a principle, rather
than the elevation of a man. He will feel this
to be more the incumbent upon him at such a
time as the present, when the tendencies of par
ties are more distinctly marked than in any pre-
vious campaign. 1t will be my object, this eve
ming, to endeavor to exhibit, in a distinct Light,
! the dividing line between the political parties
OF the day, and TO ascertain, if possible, what
in all probability, would be the effect. upon the
country, of the election of the respective can
didates for the Presidency.


If this were a strife merely between individ-
ual men, 1t would possess but trifiing impor-
tanee, and shot Id not trouble you with it ell
ther in remark or suggestion. But as | regard
the contest, the determination will soon be made
not alone as TO our value in the confederacy, but





The policy of our government is IN many re-
spects, underlined. The more desirous ques-
tions affecting US have but recently become top
les of careful consideration. Our fathers were
unable to foresee, during the formation of the
Constitution, the greater embarrassments OF
which the future of the country was to be SUBJ
iected, and consequently no provision was made
against them. Subjects which distracted and
divided them, in their deliberations, have lost
much of their former consequence, and we seem
| to be more anxious to ascertain what they
shonld have said further, than what they act
| TALLY did say. Even the controversies in which
we ourselves have been engaged within the last
decade have been settled or lost sight Of, and
we are now about to enter into that conflict
which is to define many of the most important
powers of the government. and to fix the char
acter of the dominant institutions of the coun-
try. The propriety of re-eligiblly to office, the
exact relations between federal and local author
ity, the constitutionality of banks and inte rnal
improvements, the regulation of the currency,
and the distribution of the proceeds of the pub
Lie lands, are no longer agitated; and discus
sions upon them are only to be found In our past
history, and in the fossil remains of extinct par
ties 1t may in truth be said that old things
have passed away and all things have become
new.


u
past, when Slavery was universally admitted to
be wrong in sc, unwise in practice, detrimental
to both individuals and communities and against
the spirit and genius Of our free system. Now,
however it is declared to be divine in its origin
the highest type of human civilization, and in
dispensable to the maintenance of a democratic
republic. Formerly it was regarded Is a con-
dillon to be constantly reduced, and finally to
be extinguished. Now, on the contrary, the de-
mand is urged that it shall be extended, and
made controlling. Here | find the cause or
source of the great political issue of the present
Shall Slavery become national institution and
governing power in the country, or shall it
remain as the Constitution left ill This is, not
an inquiry propounded by Us of the North, but
forced upon US by our brethren of the South
They require an answer at our hands, and We
cannot avoid response if we would. Silence up
on our part, under the circumstances, could not
be construed otherwise than as affirmative of
their claims. make the distinct avOwil that
Slavery seeks the acquisition of all our new
States; for two objects: first, to the value
of slaves and second, to direct the powers of the
Federal Government.


"The irrepressible conflict" so frequently
commented on and denounced by the South, is
constantly adE itted and acted on by them
They are too astute as observers, and sagacious





and unending antagonism between liberty and
slavery. If they thought differently, there
would be far more peace and harmony between
the sections. 1t is their full appreciation of the
struggle for the mastery which arms them for
the conflict, and induces them to wrestle for the
victory. There Is no more evident fact than
this, that the advocates of Slavery seek its ex-
tension so as to limit the influence of the sentl-
ment of freedom. We ehate tyranny, and would
prevent such consummation. They ask that
all who toll shall be held as property-be re-
garded in the chaste language of an eloquent
Senator. as "mud sills." We believe that God
created all men free, and imposed labor upon
them for their advantage Which hypothesis
shall be proven true? We will see hereafterl-
But, knowing that the principles of justice are
uniform and eternal. presume TO believe that
those principles will prevail, and human rights
be maintained. | am not ignorant of the fact
that those who suppose they may rightfully
make merchandise of mothers and their chill
dren seem TO think they can shape the designs
of Providence, and rewrite the history of human
ity, reversing everything our fathers taught, and
for the maintenance of which they periled life
and honor. l must be pardoned for disagreeing
with them, and protesting against such eonelu-
sions.


The extension of negro slavery into the Ter





tied policy of the Democratic party. This real
ity cannot be disguised, and ought not 10 be de-
MED. 1t is easily accounted for. Unity of in
terest and unity of desire will always produce
perfect concentration of strength. The for
tunes OF the South have become completely iden-
titled with their peculiar domestic relations
By their harmony they have been enabled to
govern the Democratic party, and, thus far, to
govern the country through the agency of that
party. The vital force cf that organization be-
ing in the Soutlt and slavery propaganism re-
garded there as necessity. 1t cannot be consld-
cred strange that the influence of the party
should be so directed as to fortify doctrines
most congenial to the supposed welfare of those
who direct its machinery. To many it has
seemed unaccountable that executive action and
Legislative and judicial proceedings should be
so shaped from year to year, as to strengthen
the few at the expense of the great mass of our
people. Let it no longer be regarded as a mar
vel or a mystery; the responsibility of it rests
| with those Northern men in whom we have re-
posed our confidence and clothed with the gar
ments of authority. Examine the recorded
votes in your national Congress, and there learn
why it is that Northern capital and labor are
constantly borne down by the enormous weight
of Southern exaction. When your reasonable
requests are denied, need not tell you with
earnestness and emphasis it is because eight
millions of men control eighteen millions
through our representatives elected by party
pledged to interests adverse to ours. Slavery
educates lis statesmen in big school, under
able professors. 1t teaches that the Northern
| men are cowardly, and that their ambition is
linked with avarice; and, unfortunately for us il
has arguments to fortify its faith. In half a
century it may be credited that less than a doz-
en- men, trained under these circumstances, SC
alarmed Pennsylvania President as to induce