Year: 1876

iHc ioiioWihS ID al eAtTdCC from
a speech delivered February 10th
and 18th, 1868, before the Senate
Of the State of Michigan, Mt Ian
sing by s. w. Fowler, State Sena-
tor.


Among other things


THE SPEAKER SAID.


"The democracy of Wayne Co.,
at their convention held in 1868.
Resolved:


Eighth-That we arc freemcn
determined still to be free and no
servile minions of usurped authori-
ty shall manaclc our limbs, incar-
cerate US in political prisons, or
prevent the free expressions of our
sentiments; and VIC caution the
usurpers against possible civil
war in the North, in which blood
may he poured out in torrents in
defense of constitutional liberty"


In the eighth resolution of the
Wayne democracy, they say they
arc "freemcn." Yes, Mr.. Chair
man, under this government with
the blessing of Heaven, they are
free, happy and prosperous. An
American citizen has been the
proudcst title any man could wear
and II passport all over the world
outside of America. All they have
and arc they owe to the Govern
ment under God:-that Govern
ment never did-never proposed
to abridge single right of an
American citizen-it has only put
forth its arm to prevent the consul
nation of the great sin of its de-
struction. No loyal man has ever
been disturbed in the quietude of
his home. No loyal man has the
remotest fears of being disturbed
in the enjoyment of any right.
Yes, they are free; under the Gov
ernment of the United States thcy
may continue free; the path of du-
ty is the path of safety-stand by
the Government, crush out rebel
lion, and freedom and free institu-
tiOns are secured to us, our chill
dren and our childrcn's children
forever. But safety is in the Gov
crnmcnt and not out oft. DO you
say that you do not like the pilot;
and that the old ship of state is be-
ing carried out of the channel laid
down upon the chart in the Consti-
tution,that you sec breakers ahead
IA threatening lee shore upon
your left; and rocks and shoals all
around, that are not laid down up
on the chart, that the chart of the
Constitution points to clear weather
and smooth water! All this may
be truc-but do you not remember
that since that chart was made
there has been a land slide of over
seven States directly in to the chan
mel marked out by that instrument,
that there is mutiny on board
much of the canvass has been torn
away-thc old ships flag has been
trampled under foot, her ballast has
been destroyed, and her whole frame
is shiveriny under one of the most
terrible gales, the most awful storm
of rebellion that ever beat upon the
sides of any ship of state.


The pilot found men on board
cutting the tiller ropes, and others
cndeavoring to fire the ship. lie
ordered them confined, and has
thus far saved the ship, torn and
broken as she is.


He calls for help; the storm grows
dark; the ship shivcrs in every tim
Der, onc-tcnth of her crow are al
ready washed overheard, it requires
the aid of every soul to man the
ship; he calls upon them to bear
hand; for Gods sake men, lay hold,
or we are dashed upon the shore.
Now, what will you do? Will you
spring as one man to the rescue,
man the ratlin, brace up the sails,
help ut the wheel, and secure the
mutincers, who arc destroying the
ship, that she may safely ride out
the storm and come again into the
quiet waters of peace and security,
where she may once more bear
proudly up the old flag, as a beacon
of hope, safety and liberty to the
oppressed of all lands, through all
time to come. This would be tho
impulse of the patriot-nothing less
than this can any man do who loves
his country. Men of Michigan!
will you do this? or will you go be-
low, sympathize with the mutinccrs,
curse the pilot for illegal arrests
and swear that not another man
shall be arrested until the ship is
brought into port or it is done by
due process of the law! Heaven
help the people to choose, for on
that choice hangs the fate of the
nation. II the ship goes down, the
most of us will sink with her God
grant that | may not survive my
those who survive the
wreck will be left floating upon un-
known seas, without chart or com
pass, shut out from the genial rays
of the sun of liberty, a curse to
themselves, Kissing and by word
to the world. Yes, Mr.. Chairman,
as the democracy of Wayne county
resolve 'thcy arc freemcn' but they
'lo not know that every link they
break from the golden chain that
binds this government together may
Al