Gen. Doge and slave trade.

DODGE, KIRKWOOD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/20/2008 at 10:19:20

Dubuque Weekly Times
September 22, 1859

GEN. DODGE AND THE SLAVE TRADE.

During the late discussion between Messrs. KIRKWOOD and DODGE in this city, Mr. Kirkwood said he had put the question to the General, whether he would support the Charleston nominee next year, if a resolution in favor of the repeal of the laws against the African slave trade, were incorporated into the Democratic platform. He had put that question to Gen. Dodge every day for two weeks, he said, and as yet had received no answer.

In his final half hour’s speech, the Gen. was interrupted by rain, and with Ben M. Samuels, Thom. Rogers and fifty or sixty Irish Democrats, repaired to the City Hall to finish. While there he stated that the reason why he had never answered Mr. Kirkwood’s question was because the Democrats when assembled at Charleston would not introduce such a plank into their platform! This is a contemptible evasion of the question. The fact is Gen. Dodge is bound body and soul to the South, and he dare not say anything that would offend a negro stealer. A man who has no soul of his own, and who is afraid to offend the kidnappers of the South, is not the man to be Governor of a Northern Free State.