This speech which was expected for some time with considerable interest by politicians is now before us, and as we see stated elsewhere, we suppose may lie regarded as a fair exposition of the principles of the Republican party.
The epoch is classic in style and clear and definite in its statements, but lacks the impetuosity and fire of the Senator’s campaign speeches of ‘56. This results no doubt from the care with which it is said to have been prepared, and the effort to make it express exactly the views of the speaker and his party.
It smacks more of the lawyer than the orator, and whilst it sets forth the views of Northern men upon the subject of slavery, is dignified and respectful towards the South, and free front that vituperation and abuse so common in Congressional speeches. Mr. Seward declares slavery to he detrimental to the interests of our couutry, but maintains the right of Slave States or “Capital States,” as he calls them to regulate their own affairs — he denounces the John Brown raid and all interference of that kind, but advocates the liberty of speech and the freedom of the press.
He charges the present unhappy state of the country upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise — asserts the power of Congress over the Territories, and declares himself opposed to the further extension of slavery. — Speaking of the Republican party, he says:
“I know of only one policy which it has adopted or avowed, namely the saving of the Territories of the United States, if possible, by constitutional and lawful means from being the homes of slavery and polygamy. I may perhaps from the necessity of the case infer, that it will in all Courts and places stand by the freedom of speech and of the press, and the constitutional rights of freemen every where ; that it will favor the speedy improvement of the public domain by homestead laws, and will encourage mining, manufacturers, and internal commerce, with needful connections between the Atlantic and Pacific States — for all these are important interests of freedom.”
Civilian & Telegraph, Cumberland, MD, March 8, 1860