and it, a 'Black Republican.' I think slavery is wrong,
morally and politically. I desire that it should be no further
spread in these United States, and I should not object if it should
gradually terminate in the whole Union. While I say this for
myself, I say to you Kentuckians, that I understand you differ
radically with me upon this proposition; that you believe slavery
is a good thing; that slavery is right; that it ought to be
extended and perpetuated in this Union. Now, there being this broad
difference between us, I do not pretend, in addressing myself to
you Kentuckians, to attempt proselyting you; that would be a vain
effort. I will tell you, so far as I am authorized to speak for the
opposition, what we mean to do with you. We mean to treat you, as
nearly as we possibly can, as Washington, Jefferson, and Madison
treated you. We mean to leave you alone, and in no way to interfere
with your institution; to abide by all and every compromise of the
Constitution, and, in a word, coming back to the original
proposition, to treat you, so far as degenerated men (if we have
degenerated) may, according to the examples of those noble
fathers--Washington, Jefferson and Madison. We mean to remember
that you are as good as we; that there is no difference between
us, other than the difference of circumstances. We mean to
recognize and bear in mind always, that you have as good hearts in
your bosoms as other people, or as we claim to have, and treat you
accordingly. We mean to marry your girls, when we have a
chance--the white ones, I mean--and I have the honor to inform you
that I once did have a chance in that way. I have told you what we
mean to do. I want to know now what _you_ mean to do. I often hear
it intimated that you mean to divide the Union whenever a
Republican, or anything like it, is elected President of the United
States. [A voice--'That is so.'] 'That is so,' one of them says; I
wonder if he is a Kentuckian? [A voice--'He is a Douglas man.']
Well, then, I want to know what you are going to do with your half
of it? Are you going to split the Ohio down through, and push your
half off a piece? Or are you going to keep it right alongside of us
outrageous fellows? Or are you going to build up a wall some way
between your country and ours, by w