- ■! '"• - **' ' p '*'"** -" -i' *?*"-'-" Aatf-' m.ji.g jafl^jr'a.jai'i'x-n.i T r~TOMnFrM[^^
lie No, 2407.
I TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
I ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM,
IN ADVANCE.
For six months, 75 cents.
K-\ll NEW subscriptions must be paid in
te. If the paper is continued, and net
'ithin the first month, §1,25 will be charg
not p*.id in three months, §1,50i if ~ot
n six months, §1,75; and if not paid in
lonths, §2,00. „
papers addressed to persons out of the
will be discontinued at the expiration of
je paid for, unless speeial request is made
or payment guaranteed by some
person here.
ADVERTISING.
■ lines of minion, or their equivalent, con
§■ a square. Three insertions §l, and 25
■■for each subsequent insertion.
03EPH A. NEEDLES,
MANUFACTURER OF
me : Silk & Hair-Cloth Sieves.
medium and fine in mesh; large, middle
size, and small in diameter.
mik ALLIC t LOTUS OR WOVEN M IRE,
Hfc i.est qualities, various sizes of mesh,
H„ v I to 60 inclusive, and frem one to
j. fell in width.
I are numbered so many spaces to a lin
■h, and cut to suit.
also keeps constantly on hand
jzi ynuaim 9
BR,, |, Sand, Ore, Lime, Grain, Gravel, Gu
■Ul„ac. Sugar, Salt, Bone, Coffee, Spice,
DyestutlV, Ac. Together with an as-
ICUT AND ANNEALED IRON MIRE.
of the above sold wholesale or retail, by
J. A. NEEDLES,
) 54 N. Front St., Philadelphia.
L. B. MUSGRAVE & CO.,
Wholesale Druggists.
AND DEALERS IN
O 5F5. XT Gr S3 ,
SPICES,
GHEKIO'i-LS,
m j *5 \f J } i -5 ,
a dK" mSr rC- s*
_0
BR. V N W' -~y
PAINTS.
r ?
Oils, Glass, &e ,
Hfiarkct st. above lltb. S. side, Pbila.
and country merchants are
to srive them a caii and examine
and prices, before making their
iraßscs. ma 22
■
GAS FIXTURES.
bscriber has ju-t received a splen
■l assortment of Gas Fixtures, aniong
fdeii are
fcEi-ITDSLIEF-Sj
■WANTS, BRAIfcLTS, DROP LILHTS,
HMIILI TUBES, (.LOBES A SHADES
■ Kits, all which he will sell at Philadel-
(cut, fitted and put up free of
) Call and examine for yourself,
pipe put into houses, shops, stores, Ac.
notice.
G. W. STEWART.
I GASrGAS!
ijU. SKI.'.IEIAIEII wouM respectfully iu- j
lorm the citizens of Lewistown that he J
1b.3 Fixtures of all kinds,
■relies -Stores, Dwellings, Public Build
chop.-, 0-e., in the best manner. Hav
locuied an experienced workman from
by, r. oiiutieiided to me to he one of the j
borkuKT. irt the State, I can safely war- ;
■ll work and feel confident of pleasing !
Lewi-town, May 22, 1850,
1T37/ FXB.HE.
t subscribers, trading as McWilliams & i
Icriett, have leased tiie Lewistown Mil! |
le now prepared to buy all kinds of grain,
Ihioli they will pay the highest market
lin will be taken in store on the same
fas heretofore by John Kterrett &. Co.
pitrs who wish to have grists ground, or
[chopped, will be accommodated on the
kl notice.
p will always have on hand for sale a full
Flour, Grain and Feed,
will be delivered to any part of town by
Ig orders at tie office in vbe Mill.
I of them will at all times be found at the
to give their personal attention to the
Hs, and they hope to merit a continuance
I patronage bestowed on the old firm.
GEO. W. McWILLIAMS,
F. R STERRETT,
fistown, January, 17, 1850.
DEC. 77. ELDER,
Attorney at Law,
ICE in West Marketstreet,opposite Eisen
it's Hotel, will attend to any business in the
iof Mifflin, Centre, or Huntingdon couu-
Lewistown. Jnlv J, 1853.
So a, a®(S/WSJ
ii i:i.r:o\ ii:\tist.
BFESSIONAL business promptly attend
■ 10, and charges reasonable.
■ ICE on North Main street, second door
■ the town Hall, arid nearly opposite the
|e office. je 21, 1855—tf.
E take this opportunity of informing the
IP'ihlic that we have obtained direct from
■BIOM tiOUSE all kinds <,f
piQuons,
■ ar e as pure as can beob'-tined in this
■ i expressly for medical purposes.
J. D. STONERQAD.
BSC HIVE DRUG STORE.
iFiEnsj'UiiS) &sm ITOIEMIBSIIBIB srs* <&a®iß(g.ia lwsrsiisrausißa ILISWI£SI?@WSS , 9 MiniFi! j iL;nss' i?& Q
The West Branch Insurance Co.
OF LOtk HAVEN, PA.,
JNSI'RES Detached Buildings, Stores. Mer
chandise, Farm Property, and other Build
l ings, and their contents, at moderate rates.
DIRECTORS.
Hon. John J. Pearce, Hon. G. C. Harvey,
John B. Hall, T. T. Abrams,
Charles A. Mayer, D. K. Jackman,
Charles Crist, W. Wi.ite,
Peter Dickinson, Thos. Kitchen.
Hon. G C. HARVEY, IVes.
T, T. ABRAMS, Vice Pres.
Thos. Kitchen, b'ec'y.
REFERENCES.
Samuel H, Lloyd, Thos. Bowman, D. 1).
A. A. Winegardner, Wm, Vanderbelt,
L. A. Mackey, Wm. Fearon,
A. White, Dr. J. S. Crawford,
James Quiggle, A. Updegratf,
John W. Maynard, James Armstrong,
Hon. Simon Cameron, Hon. Wm. Bigler.
Tl'|=*Ageiit for Mifflin county, G. VV. STEW
ART, Esq. ap23
l u('enmity from Loss miii Damage by Fire,
Aud the Penis of Marine and Inland Transportation.
CONTINENTAL
INSURANCE COMPANY.
Incorporated, by the Legislature of Pennsylva
miia, with a Perpetual Charter.
Authorized Capital, $1,000,000.
Office No. G1 Walnut St. above Second, Pliila.
Fire Insurance on Buildings, Furniture, Mer
chandise, Ac., generally. Marine Insurance
on Cargoes and Freights to all parts of the
world. Inland Insurance on Goods, Ac., by
Lakes, Rivcis, Canals, and Land Carriages, to
all parts of the Union, on the most favorable
terms, consistent with secuiity.
DIRECTORS.
George VV. Colladay, William Bowers,
John M. Coleman, Joseph Oat,
Edwin V. Macliette, Howard Hinchman,
GEORGE W. COLLADAY, President.
GALEN WILSON, Secretary.
SC?" Agent for Mifflin county, Win. P. EL
LIOTT, Esq. ' fcbl9-ly
INDEMNITY AGAINST LOSS BY FIRE.
Franklin h ire Insurance Compa
ny of Philadelphia.
Office 163 i Chestnut street, near Fifth.
Statement of Assets, §1,827,185 80
January Ist, 1857.
Published agreeably to an act of Assembly, be
ing,
Fist Mortgages, amply secured, §1,519,932 73
Real Estate, (present value, §109,-
000,) cost, 89,114 18
Stocks, (present value, §83,881 12,)
cost, 71,232 97
Cash, Ac., 64,121 56
§1,827,185 cO
Perpttual or Limited Insurances made on every
description of property, in Town and Country.
Kates as low as are consistent with security.
Since their incorpoi ation, a period of twenty
eight years, they have paid over Three Millious
of Dollars' losses by fire, thereby affording ev
idence of the advantages of Insurance, as well
as the ability and disposition to meet with
promptness all liabilities.
Losses by Fire.
Losses j aid during the year I6OG, §301,638 84
DIRECTORS.
I Mordecai D. Lewis,
| David S. Brown,
Isaac Lea,
Edward C. Dale,
i George Kales.
Chas. N. B meter,
Tobias Wagner,
Samuel Grant,
Jacob K. Smith,
Geo. W. Richards, |
CHARLES N. BANCKER, President.
("HAS. G. BASJCKER, Sec'y.
for Mifflin county, H. J. WAL
*I ERS, Esq., Lewistown. tnarlll
HATS, CAPS & STRAW GOODS
For the People,
AND THE PEOPLE'S CHILDREN.
HI U ID I A LIIIT,
JA AST Market street, Lew istown, opposite the
j Post Office, has just returned from the city
with a large and elegant stock of Fashionable
HATS, CAPS, STRAW ROODS,
&,c., suitable for spring and summer wear,
which, notwithstanding the advance of almost
everything else, he will dispose of at low pri
ces. " His store has been fitted up with large
cases, with glass fronts, so that the stock can
be examined at a glance.
%*He will manufacture to order any descrip
tion of hats, (having the best of workmen in his
employ and an abundant supply of material,)
should his extensive stock fail to furnish a suit
able article. Parents are especially invited to
call and examine his variety of Children's Hats
and Caps, comprising a first rate stock, from
which they can make choice to please them
selves.
His Ornish friends will find they are not for
gotten, and they may rest assured of finding an
article to their taste, or can have one made at
short notice.
Thankful for the patronage heretofore so lib
erally extended to him, he solicits his friends to
call—those indebted to square up and begin
anew—and any number of visitors from this or
the neighboring counties, to take a look at him
day or evening.
apl 6 N. J. RCJDISILL.
To Builders and Contractors.
LUMBER! LUMBER!
HERE IS THE PLACE FOR CHEAP Lll .TIBER!
JUST RECEIVED,
10 000 FEKT 11 ydluw Pine Work
; lU r VU ed Flooring,
1 5,000 feet 1 Yellow Pine Worked Flooring
10,000 " 1 White " •' Boards
47,000 " 1 " " n '
70.000 "3, 3£, 4, best Susquehanna Plas
tering Laih,
20,000 feet Roofing Lath,
12,000 " Common Plank,
10,000 " 2 fn. Panel,
1,000 Lights Sash. Any quantity of Doors,
Shutters, Blinds, &c., which we will sell from
10 to 20 per cent, cheaper than any other
dealers in (he country.
Hemlock, White Pine Joist, Studding, &c., al
ways on band.
I 1 respectfully invite all persons wanting any
; kind of Lumber to call and examine our stock
I and prices.
All orders for Frame Stuff for Houses, Brid
i ges, Barns, &c,,wiH be filled with promptness.
! au2B F. G. FRANCISCUS.
Freeburg Academy and Normal
School.
r PHIS INSTITUTION, located in the beau
r tiful and healthy little village of Freeburg.
Snyder county. Pa., will commence the second
(Spring) quarter of its Second Session on the
23d of March. In view of the great want of
proper instruction for Teachers in this and oth
er counties, a NORMAL DEPARTMENT will
hereafter be connected with this school, in
which Teachers will be prepared for the ardu
ous duties of the school room. That justly
popular Teacher, Lecturer and Author, Prof.
J. F. STODDARD, has been engaged to deliver a
course of Lectures and assist in arranging and
conducting the Normal exercises and training,
and it is hoped Teachers will avail themselves
of his services while in the county. An addi
tional Female Teacher has been engaged, and
other arrangements made to meet the wants of
all.
TERMS.
One-half payable invariably in advance.
For Board, Room, and Tuition,
per session of 22 weeks, §SO 00 to §55 00
Tuition only, per qr. of II w'ks, 2.50 to 8.00
Instruction on Piano and use of
Instrument, 9 00
For Circulars, &c., address
GEO. F. McFARLAND, Principal.
Freeburg, March 12. 1857.
LOG-AIT PCTTITLP.T.
CPIIE public are hereby respectfully informed
p that we have leased the above well known
Foundry, situate on Main street, in the borough
of Lewislown, a few doors south of the stone
bridge, where we will keep constantly on hand
a full assortment of all kinds of ST' >V ES,
_jJßviz.: Hathaway Cooking Stoves, different
Egg Stoves, Nine Plate Stoves, Ac.
and also
Iron Ft-ncc, Follow Mare, Mater Pipes,
Ac., and w ill make to order all kinds of CAST
INGS. All orders sent to us will be filled with
care and despatch, and on as reasonable terms
as at any other establishment in the State. We
hope, friends, you w ill call and examine our
stock before buying anywhere else. You will
utuioublcdlv save money bv doing so.
'DANIEL liEARLEY A SONS.
Lcwistown, March 26, 1857.-y
New Arrangements,
\FTER returning our sincere thanks to our
numerous friends and customers for their
continued patronage, 1 would inform them that
1 am still to be found at
r rr.'Y W I
With a desire to bring my business nearly to
CASH, after the first of April our credit terms
will be Thirty Days arid accounts not to exceed
Fifty Dollars. We hope still to conduct our
business so that we shall enjoy the good will
of our numerous customers, and that the num
ber may be greatly increased.
mar! 2 F. J. HOFFMAN. ~
KIM DitJ) SlfJiMJt
Has Jast Opened a Splendid . Issortmcnt
OF
SPRING & SUMMER GOODS,
IF you want a cheap Dress, cat! it ilit* CM Cm tier
It' you wont a cheap shawl, call at the Old Corner.
If yon %va:il cheap Silks, cult ai the Old Corner.
It' you want cheap M.latins, call at Ihe Old Corner.
If you want Kentu. ky Jeans >.r Tweed-, call at lire Old
Corner. Al-n, Flannels, all kinds and colors.
It' y on \v : i.l abulias or He re ges, call at t he Old Corner.
If you %vatil Brilliant, s or Lawns, call at the Old Corner.
If you want La Villa Chillis, call at the Old Corner.
If you %%-anl Silk Cruvellus, call ai the Old Corner.
If you want Mourning Goods, call at the Old Corner
If you want striped Skirting Muslin, go to the Old Corner.
If you want patent Crinoline Lining,go to i!,. Old Corner.
If you want Collars, I tidersleeves, Edging?, Inserting?,
Flouncing*, or any Knibroiilt-ries, g" n> the Did Corner.
If yon want Corded Skirts, Sontag Skins, or lion, s, call
at I he Old Corner.
If you waul Clollis call at liie Old Corner.
If you want Casttniieres, call at ilie Old Corner.
If von want Sfalioells, call at the Old Corner.
IF YOU H .H.VT JiJVYTHt.YG TV THE UK V
QOOUS TI.VE, (to TO THE Ol.lt C'K.VF.h
If you want to make choice from over IM)uylesof Wall 1
Papers, go to the Old Corner.
If you Waul a Carpet of any kind, go to the Old Corner.
If you want Groceries, tiuetuaware, or Cullery, call al |
the Old Corner.
If jou want Clothing, Knots or Shoes, Hats or Caps, call i
at the Old Corner.
If you have Country Produce to exchange for Ootids,call
al the Old ( orner.
If you want Bargains in anything, call at the Old Corner.
•VCmmtry Dealers supplied with Goods by wholesale
at a verv small advance above rilv wholesale prices.
ap23 GEORGE BLYMYER.
BOOKS! BOOKS!
. AT
GIFT SALE.
V HANDSOME GIFT, ranging from 50 cents to $lO,
wilt be given to each purchaser of a Hook utjuukin's
Bnok and Jcwelroy Store The following comprises a
portion of the hooks on Ins shelves ;
Periscopirs, by William Elder,
Sense and Sensibility, by Miss Auslen,
Geoffrey Moncton, by Mrs. Moodie,
Three Hundred Religious Titles,
Clouds and Sunshine in the Life of a Village Pastor,
Headley's Sacred Plains,
Language of Flowers,
I.ives of the Three Mrs. Judsons,
New England Tales, by Mrs. Sedgwick,
The Elder Sister,
Fashionable Life, by M. A- Eastman,
The Young Lady's Mentor,
Home Scenes, or Christ in the Family,
Uueethoy, by the author of the Wide Wide World,
Visit to Europe, by Professor Silliman,
Lectures on the Progress of Arts and Sciences,
England and its People, by Hugh Miller,
The Youth of Madame de Longueville,
The Aroii Bishop, or Romanism in the United Stales,
lips and Downs, hy Cousin Cicely,
Dred, by Mrs. Stnwe,
Mechanic's Text Book,
Wager of Battle, by 11. W. Herbert,
Eventide, by Etlie Afton,
Salad for the Solitary,
Household Narratives for the Family Circle,
The Three Colonies of Australia,
Pious Dead of the Medical Profession,
The Christian Family Library,
Gan Eden, or Pictures of Cuba,
The Poetry and Mystery of Dreams,
Lives of Generals Scott and Jackson,
My Courtship and its consequences, by Wykotf,
And an endless variety of other useful, scientific, reli
gious, and miscellaneous books.
in thu Country mon
ey for any book named on the bills, can have
the book and gift forwarded iu auy manner
they may direct. If by mail, thoy must send
25 cents additional in stumps or money to
prepay postage. ap23
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1857.
iiiaHisiiLiiilMblia.
THE CONSIDERATE DOCTOR.
A poor girl, who had just recovered from
a long spell of sickness, gathered up her
scanty earnings, and went to the doctor's
office to settle her hill.
Just at the door, the lawyer of the place
passed info the office before heron a simi
lar errand.
"Well, doctor," said be "I believe I ant
indebted to you, and I should like to know
how tnuch."
"Yes,' said the doctor, I Attended upon
you about a week, and what would you
charge me for a week's services, or what
do you realize, on an average, for a week's
services?"
"O," said the lawyer, "perhaps seventy
live dollars."
"Very well, then, as tuy time and pro
fession are as valuable as yours, your bill
is seventy-five dollars."
The poor girl's heart sunk within her,
for should her bill be anything like that,
how could she ever pay? The lawyer paid
bis bill and passed out, when the doctor
turned to the young woman, and kindly
inquired her errand.
"1 came," said she, "to know what 1
owe you, although I know not as I can ev
er pay you."
"I attended you about a week" said he.
"Yes, sir."
"What do you get per week?"
"Seventy five cents," said she.
"Is that all?"
"Yes sir."
"Then your bill is seventy-five cents."
The poor girl paid him thankfully, and
went back with a light heart. An old and
rich man ot my acquaintance was once re
marking to the doctor, that no one earned
their money so easily as the doctor, or could
gel riclt so easily. The doctor reminded
Itiin of the many losses incurred, as thev
inust visit the poor as well as the riclt.—
"Well," said my old friend, "you must
charge the rich more, and then you can af
ford to lose by the poor."
Not many weeks after, the old man was
obliged to employ the doctor for some time.
At the last visit his bill was presented, and
strongly resisted as enormously high.
"Hut," said the doctor, "you know what
you told inc, and 1 have only followed your
adi ice.*'
Not a word more was said, hut the a
mount was immediately paid.
CAUGHT IN A THAI*.
It was lately that a strange event occur
red in the village of Champignolles,
France. One of the inhabitants had dug
a pit lor tiic purpose of catching a wolf,
and, after covering it, put on the top, to
attract the animal, a living goose. Anoth
er inhabitant of the village saw from a
distance the goose, fluttering and strug
gling to get loose. The obscurity (it be
ing twilight) not permitting him to distin
guish the trap, he approached and fell to
the bottom of the pit. The pit was Bor
ten feet deep and the sides perpendicular.
Great was the astonishment of the man,
and greater yet was his embarrassment, at
liudiug himself in that position; and it was
not until after having for some time called
in vain for help thai he resolved to wait
patiently lor daylight, and meanwhile
made himself as comfortable as possible.
Hut hardly had he taken this resolution
when he felt a heavy weight fall on his
shoulders. This was a wolf, which, at
tracted by the bait, had also been caught
by the trap. You can easily imagine the
fright of the unfortunate man. Indeed,
the terror of the four legged animal was
not less, for it retreated at once and laid
itself down in one corner and did not
move during the night. At length day
broke, and to the poor companion of the
wolf it seemed time for it to break, for the
night had seemed terribly long. The
owner of the trap came early to see what
he had caught, and found his neighbor in
the pit. lie drew out the unfortunate man
more dead than alive: but he was less gen
erous towards the wolf, which he killed,
notwithstanding his exemplary conduct
through the night.
to being upright anil faithful
in the performance of our duty, be decided,
and then vou will make either friends or
foes worth having.
for a Debating Club:—lf a
man had a grizzly bear by the tail, would
it be policy to hold fast or let go?
political.
Judge Wilmot's Acceptance.
TOWAXD ■, April 23, 1857.
Gentlemen:—-On my return home, after
an absence of two weeks, I found your
communication informing me of my nom
ination as a candidate for the office of
Governor, by a Convention of the Free
men of Pennsylvania, opposed to the lead
ing measures of (he late and present Na
tional Administrations, which assembled
at the State Capitol on the 25th ultimo,
together with a copy of the declaration of
principles promulgated by that Conven
tion.
I accept the position to which I am cal
led by the unsolicited suffrage of the body
whose organ you are; profoundly grateful
for so distinguished a mark of the confi
dence of my fellow citizens, yet painfully
sensible of my inability properly to meet
its responsible obligations.
The approaching election is one of no
ordinary interest. Important questions of
State policy, affecting the public welfare
and prosperity, are not alone involved in
the issues presented. As one of the lar
gest and most powerful of the sovereign
Slates of our confederate Republic, the
honor and interests of Pennsylvania aro
deeply concerned in ihe principles that
animate her National Government. She
cannot, with safety to her independence
and the liberties of her people, be indiffer
ent to the momentous questions of Nation
al import in progress of settlement—ques
tions touching the constitutional powers
of the Federal Government, and vitally
affecting tiie dignity and rights of free
labor. Nor can site, without dishonor,
withhold her protest against the wrongs
indicted upon her sons in a distant Terri
tory, under the license of Federal author*
iv.
The dearest rights of freemen, secured
by plain, constitutional guarantees, are
ruthlessly violated on the soil of our na
tional domain. American citizens are
made the victims of a tyranny unknown
in the despotisms of the oIJ world. The
annals of civilized and Christian nations
furnish no examples of cruelty and out
rage on the part of a government towards
its people, such as has been endured by
the people of Kansas, unless they he found
in the persecutions of the Huguenots, un
der Louis the Fourteenth, of France, and
of the Protestants of the Netherlands, by
the Duke of Alva, under Philip Second,
King of Spain. Indeed, the barbarities to
which the people of Kansas have been
exposed, were of a character so inhuman
as to provoke incredulity in the minds of
a large portion of our citizens. Thou
sands have been deceived into the belief
that, for partisan purposes, fictions were
substituted for tacts; although no events in
Aiueiican history are better authenticated
than are the murders, robberies, arsons,
and lawless rapacity inflicted upon the
free settlers of Kansas. These outrages
had for their object the subjugation of that
Territory to the curse of slavery.
We speak of quiet being restored to
Kansas, because armed bands of lawless
men do not to day infest her highways
and plunder her people—because her towns
are not sacked and the cabins of her set
tlers in llarnes. This peace is deceptive
and insecure. It will be broken the mo
ment that the people of Kansas make a
vigorous elfort to recover those rights of
Mflnch they have been fraudulently and
violently deprived. The purpose of her
enslavement is inexorably pushed forward.
A system of ingeuiously devised fraud,
kindred to that employed in the usurpa
tion under which she now groans, is being
carried out for the consummation of this
great wrong. To this end also the power
of the Federal Government is basely pros
tituted. We are given words of fairness,
but persistence in support of the wrong.
Every appointee of the President in Kan
sas is an active co worker in the scheme
for her enslavement.
Principlas of eternal truth and justice,
which lie at the foundation of a Christian
civilization, and upon which repose the
rights of humanity, are defiantly assailed
by the power that controls in our National
Government. These truths, declaratory
of the natural and inalienable rights of
man, contained in the Great Charter of
our liberties, are condemned by our high
est judicial authority as unmeaning and
false. The sanctuary of our Courts of
Justice- is closed against an entire race of
men. The poor and downtrodden are not
allowed to petition for a redress of their
wrongs, in those tribunals of human Gov
ernment that should most nearly represent
the beneficent attributes of the Creator
and final Judge of all men.
In view of these inconteslible facts—of
the wrongs perpetrated against the rights
i of American citizenship, and the dangers
to which our liberties are exposed—thus
presented in its true aspect—the contest
before us assumes a dignity rarely given
to human aflairs, and imposes duties upon
our citizens as high aud solemn as ever
j appealed to the hearts and consciences of
men. The question is before us—from its
demands there is no escape. Decide we
must, either for the right or for the wrong.
Sooner or later the verdict of this great
New Series-Vol. 11, No. 27>
Commonwealth must be pronounced on
the issues forced upon the country by the
advocates of human bondage. History
will record that verdict to her endurin< r
honor, or to her everlasting shame.
.The repeal of the Missouri Restriction,
and the attempt to force slavery upon Kan
sas by fraud and violence, precipitated
upon the country a conflict between the
antagonistic systems of free and servile
labor. In the issue of this conflict is in
volved the democratic character of our
institutions of government, and the inde
pendence, dignity and rights of the free
white laboring man and his posterity.
Slavery is the deadly enemy of free
labor. The two cannot co-exist on the
same field of enterprise Either labor
will vindicate its right to freedom, or it
wi 1 sink into dependence and dishonor,
free labor is clothed with intelligence and
power. It stands erect in the dignity of a
true manhood. It sustains by its energies
all the noble institutions of a refined and
perfectly developed social life. It is the
source of our prosperity and national
greatness. Slavery is labor in ignorance
and chains—a brutalized humanity, stim
ulated to industry by the lash of a master.
It makes the laborer an article of mer
chandise, without aim and without hope.
In the place of an intelligent citizen, ready
to defend with his life the honor and in
terests of his country, slavery gives to the
State an ignorant savage to be held in sub
jection. it endangers the social fabric by
converting its great element of strength
into an implacable enemy.
Never, in the history of partisan war
fare were men more unjustly and perseve
ringly misrepresented than* are the oppo
nents of the extension of slavery. This
arises in part from the intolerant nature of
slavery, and the weapons it is necessitated
to employ, and partly from the fact—so
omnipotent has the Slave Power become
in our government—that support of its
every demaud is made the single test of
psrty fidelity, and the only road to official
preferment. The citizen who dissents in
terms of earnest and manly protest against
whatever exactions Slavery makes, be
comes thereby—in so far as the National
Government can impose disabilities—al
most as much an alien and outlaw as is
the slave himself. I-f the freemen of the
North consent to occupy such a subordi
nate position in the government of their
country, the spirit of manly independence
will be crushed out in their posterity.
Our sons will become a submissive and
servile race, stripped of manhood and of
self-respect. The slaveholder, proprietor
of the soil and master of the government,
will dominate ovt> r thera with scarcely less
of arrogance and power than he rules over
his hereditary bondsmen.
1 o this condition are the non-slavehold
ing whites of the South already reduced.
1 hey have to-day little more of practical
power in the formation of public opinion,
and in the affairs of government, than has
the slave. The same fate awaits our pos
terity, if slavery is allowed to monopolize
the virgin soil of this continent. It is the
inevitable retribution of heaven on any
people that have not the courage and in
tegrity to maintain their rights. It is not
true that the defenders of the rights of
free labor seek the elevation of the black
race to an equality with the while. They
do not propose the emancipation of the
slave, but leave that question, both as to
time and the mode of its accomplishment,
with the States iu which slavery exists.
They wish to deal with this great and em
barrassing evil in a spirit of friendly for
bearance towards these States, but they
cannot carry their forbearance as far as to
virtually become slaves themselves—as to
surrender the soil and government of the
nation into the hands of an aristocracy
founded upon property in slaves.
Free white labor has rights in the soil
superior to the pretensions of slavery.—-
The slaveholding capitalist claims thai his
property, being largely invested in slaves,
will depreciate, unless the field whereon
he can employ it be enlarged. The white
laborer, also, has a property in his labor,
quite as sacred and as worthy of the care
of the Government; and where is the field
upon which he is to make that labor prof
itable to hunseil and family, if slavery
shall monopolize the fertile and virgin
lands of the West? Labor is depressed
almost to the starving point in the densely
populated countries of the old world, be
cause of the narrow field upon which it is
imprisoned. The demand for labor is
small, compared with the thousands who
have labor to sell. So it will be at no dis
tant day in this favored land, unless we
keep our past public domain as a sacred
inheritance for the free white laboring man
and his posterity forever. In the soil of
our extended empire, the toiling masses
have the only sure guarantee for their fu
ture prosperity and independence. This
the cupidity of capital would take from
them; and here lies the real issue that the
Slave Power has forced upon the country.
It is a struggle for land.
On tho one side stands the owner of
| stave proper.; , demanding a field on which
to employ his servile labor—upon the oth
i er side stands free labor, claiming the soil
as an inheritance for a free posterity.—
1 Central and Western Europe, teeming
i with its millions of population, is not as