Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, “New Orleans Delta on the Illinois Republican Convention,” July 5, 1858

    Source citation
    “New Orleans Delta on the Illinois Republican Convention,” Chicago (IL) Press and Tribune, July 5, 1858, p. 2: 6.
    Original source
    New Orleans (LA) Delta
    Newspaper: Publication
    Chicago Press and Tribune
    Newspaper: Headline
    New Orleans Delta on the Illinois Republican Convention
    Newspaper: Page(s)
    2
    Newspaper: Column
    6
    Type
    Newspaper
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Transcriber
    Don Sailer, Dickinson College
    Transcription date
    The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.

    New Orleans Delta on the Illinois Republican Convention.

    From the New Orleans Delta.

    GRAND CONVOCATION OF FANATICS. – The Black Republicans of Illinois lately assembled in Grand Council in Springfield. The nomination of a State ticket drew together as precious set of [pestilent?] fanatics and demagogues as can be found outside of New England. Somebody named Lincoln, who in the eyes of his friends is an unshorn Sampson of Free-soilism, was the favorite of the Convention for United States Senator, in place of Douglas. This Lincoln made a speech in which he hit the “Little Giant” some terrible blows, then proceeded to demolish the Democracy, and obliterate Slavery. As everybody was a Lincolnite, the proceedings of the Convention began with Lincoln and ended with Lincoln. The go-between nomination for State candidates seemed to be of nominal importance.

    The Chicago TRIBUNE, the “honest [logo?]” of a journal which supported Lane in Kansas, though knowing him to be one of the greatest knaves in the Union, grows jubilant over the doings of this convention – claps its hands, stamps its feet, and cries out,

    “Sound the loud [timbrel?] over Egypt’s dark sea.”
    Jehovah has triumphed; his people are free.”

    Here is blasphemy for you! Cromwell is said to have labeled his cannon with the scriptural words: “Lord, open [thou?] our mouths, and we will show firth thy praise!” but the canting Puritan would yield the palm of impiety to the man of the Tribune, who proclaims that the negro-stealers of Illinois are the people of Jehovah, and that in the unanimity which marked the proceedings of this Black Republican Convention, Jehovah has triumphed. Garrison and Abby Folsom must look to their laurels.

    Some of the speeches delivered in this Convention are exceedingly rich specimens of Western eloquence, and while they provoke a smile, it is well enough to remember that the sentiments uttered by these speakers show an unalterable hostility to Slavery, and a determination to drive the knife into the lungs of the South.

    The “Hon. Mr. Sweet” made a sugary speech, which pleased the palate of the Black Republicans amazingly. Sweet upon the Free soilers, sour upon the “negro-drivers,” and serve upon the Democracy, his remarks were received with rapturous applause. We give a brief sample of his effect. “He felt called upon to deny, in behalf of the Republican party, that the principle of freedom was sectional. The shout of sectionalism raised by the Democratic party, was [illegible] the cry of “stop thief,” to cover their own [illegible]. The [illegible] of [illegible] was the essence of the millennium. Kansas is only [illegible] of the fight. The great battle reaches yet before us and beyond us. May we never lay down the armor until the Declaration of Independence is again the guiding star of the Republic.”

    This terrible “Sweet” was followed by one [Hurlbut?], who asked:

    “Would the Republicans of Illinois retrogress in their effort to write a new page in American history? [Cries of no, never.] Shall the Western [Republicans?] hereafter be a living fountain of truth and liberty to the world, or a [pestilential?] pool whence proceed the [alarms?] and death of slavery! The doughface's love of slavery is great, but his love of [illegible]is greater. Private [Illegible] a fearful alternative. [Laughter]

    It is quite evident that the Black Republicans of Illinois are making a united effort to sweep the State at the approaching election. Indeed, everywhere in the West, the anti Slavery leaders survey the field, raise themselves in their stirrups, and swing high the black banner, confident of success in the great battle of 1860. [Government?] and [illegible] fruits of an honorable age. [Illegible...]

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