'iIJi
IllPlff1!,
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BY 0. N. WOl.DEN AND J. R. COKiNELIUS.
'THE UNION," established in ISM Whole No., 2,11?.
"CHRONICLE," established in IS 13 Whole No., 810.
LEWISBURG, UNION C0.7 PA., FRIDAY, MAY 18, iSGO.
At !il."t per Vear, alitsts in Advance.
THE ADMISSION OF KANSAS.
st.iti: oi- mi: oi vruv.
had oot clearly foreseen. Although they
bad inherited, jet they generally condemn
ed, the practice of slavery, and hoped for
, nf Will II NoT,lPl aiscoutiuuioce. 1 hey express-il this
took counsel from prudence, and enforced compromise of 1S5U was pronounced
of the Supreme Court, as if it I very and polygamy. ho, that cousiders ' The laborer in the free States, no matter
a settlement which has proved to be not a j full, una), absolute, and couiprcbcus.vc ; were possibly a true construction of the where this nation exists, ofwhatr.ces it bow bumble bit occupation, is a wbi'a
Glial oue j and which, as is now seen, i settlement of all cxistiug and all possible ; Constitution, that the power of deciding
QnnPf'M fll ll H! il S"UT'in! "s u'"cuulluu:luce- ney express-u tuis i practically lelt open all tlio great political ! disputes concerning slavery under tlie tea-! practicaKy Ic.r ever between freedom and
Jjj'tLtil Ul 1 1 IIIi III Ov, .V UlUj when they asserted, in the I-c'claration of issues which were involved. .Missouri aud ; eral authority. The two great parties, slavery in a portion of tbo contiucut far
la ihc 1. & s.Bjtr, ivarury in, iv.o. ludependuuee, as a fundamental principle I Arkansas were admitted as capital States, j fearful for the Union, struck hands in ma-; exceeding all that is yet orgauized, should
Mr. Frcsideut, the adiuissiou of Kansas . 0f American society, that all men are ere- while labor obtained, as a reservation, the king and in presenting this ai ao aJjust- be renout ccd by Congress, which alune
into the Lui"ti, without turther delay, i ated equal, and have inalienable rights to ' abridged but yet comprehensive field of nieut, never afterwards to be opened, dis- possesses any l.gislativs authority, aud
, I 1 I........ I I t i- 1' I. C" . 1 .
Wise, in recoiaiu ucujit?, i ua.Knnciiuj jaiicu oiaic, uowever, reserved toilscll ex- yaw, when the pi
its predominant insiiiutiuus, customs, nati- ; states are
its, and eeutiuieuls, doubts that the lie-' are : Maine
publicau pariy can and will, if unwaver
ingly faithful to that policy, aud just and
turbed, or even questioned, aud tbe people I should be assumed aud exercised by a ! loval in all beside, carry it into triumphal
present conditions of : accepted it by majorities unknown before. court which can ouly take coguizmce of j success ? Tu doubt islu be uncertain whe-
conjposcd, iu what ago of the world it acts nan, and be is p .litically the equal of bij
its part on tho public stage, aud what are employer. highfeco of our thirty -tlireo
free labor States. They
New HanirsLire, Massacbu-
a -1 1 f , Vermont, Rboilc Isiotid, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Ohm, .Micniptri, Illinois, Indiana, vv iseon-
sin, .Minnesota, Iowa, California, andOre
gon. 1 do not array them in contrast with
the capital States. I am no assailant of
anticipated the aiguuicuU lur this cuuclu- elusive political power over the subject of , the various parts of the Louisianian Terri- j The uew 1'rcsiJeut, chosen over an illus-1 the great question collaterally, in a pri- ! ther civilization can improve, or Christian
aion. slavery wit um its own borders. Neverthe-i tory are observed, and we seo that capital i trious rival, urn quivocally on the ground vato aetiou between individuals, aud ity save, mankind.
In coming forward among the political less, it unavoidably presented itself in i retains undisputed possession of what it ! of greater ability, even if not niorercliable which action the Constitution will not suf- I may perhaps infer, from the necessity ; State.-". Ail of the States are parcels of
strologers, it shall be an error 01 juug- ttieir consultations on a bond of iodcral ! then obtained, while labor is convulsiug ! purpose, to maintain the new treaty mvio- fi r the cmrt to entertain, if it involves ; of the case, thut 11 will, in all courts and my own c uutry the best of them not so
meat, aui not of disposition, if my inter- Union. The new Government was to be j the couutry with so bard and so prolonged I late, mude baste to justify this expectation twenty dollar? of money, without the over- ' places, stand by the freedom of speech ; wise and great as I aro'sure it will here-
pretatiuu ot the feverish dreams which are a representative one. Slaves were capital j a struggle to regain the lost equivalent when Congress assembled. He said : ruling intervention of a jury of twelve I and of the press, and the constitutional after be; the State leat developed and
disturbing the country shall tend to fo- in some States, in others capital bad no i which was then guarantied to it under cir- i "Wh-n the crave shall have closed overall good and lawful men of the neighborhood 'rights of fretmeo everywhere; il.at it will i perfected among them all, is wiser aud
mint, rather than to allay, the national investments iu labor. Should those slaves j cumstanceg of so great solemnity, we may who ate now endeavoring to men the obliga-1 wrliere the litigation arises! Tho indo- ; favor the speedy improvement of the pub- ; better than aDy foreign State I know. Is
excitement. 1 shall say n ithiug utineces- be represented as capital or as persons, or ! well desire not to be uudeceived if the ' "ODS vt Ju,v' lhe -v'ar lbi0 Ul" be "'curreJ j pendent, ever-renewed, and ever-reeurrmg j lie domain by homestead lawn, aud will ! it, then, in any.aud in which, of the States
aanly of persons, because, iu our system, should they not be represented or taxed at Missouri compromise was indeed unueecs-' L as a I'er""' U",J y"h an'"-'1y a" TP'- j repiesentntive l'arliament, Iiet, Congress, ! encourage miuing, manufacture, and iu- ; I have named, that negro eq'ia.ity offcadj
the public welfare aud happiness d. peud all? The fathers disagreed, debated long, ' sarily accepted by the free States, influ-! ted- peace brou"ht with it a creat aumenta-! 01 Legislature, is the one chief, paramount, j terual commerce, with ne'edful connections , the white man's pride ? Ttroughout the
and compromised at last. i,ach fctate, enced by ciiggerati.ius of the dangers of ! tiou ot u-rritnrv. Distuibins questions aroe, essential, indi-pensible institution in a Ke- i between tbe Atlantic aud 1'aciba States - wide wor!d, where is tbe State where class
disunion. The Missouri debate disclosed ' bearing upmi ihe iloine.-tic institutions of a i public. Kveo liberty, guarantied by or- for ali these are important iuterests of free- ( aud caste are so utterly extinguished as
truths of great iiiomcnt for ulterior use : ' portion of the Confederacy, and involving j ,,3nc jet if it be held by othertenure dom. For ad the rest, the national cmer- : they are in each and every oue of tbem ?
than the guardian c-iro of such a repre- geuctcs, not individual influences, must de- j Let the h jropeau immigrant, who avoids;
" ..- . ii. i... ..;., . l it., ir.i ;u;. .i,i ..i,..tj -
sennmei.t. in relation to details and specific ' popular asseiuuiy, is uui preen , -. '! ' , """ " .
they dete'iniued, shall have two Senators
in Conzress. Three-filths of the slaves
.hull 1.,. elsewhere renn-senle,! .ml I,, t,- l-:... TV.. :. i- , . u ! he constitutional riehts of the Stales. But.
- - t l lilt. lai t 3 CilNI U II ' IIU C II I Lai . I I,. f I
i . . i-i , i i I , ... . . . r - ' . 1 : no w ihstaudiiiLT t ilierences of opinion and
IM1 ni'rilill. V hut. Ghmi ! he if.ine it ta I M n IPC t n itireni.e i it tit- n e I itii ;i I t n lu re.k n '
chiillv on iuatituiious, aud veiv little on
men. I shall allude but briefly to inci
dental topics, because they are ephemeral,
aud because, even iu the inid-t of appeals
to passion aud to prejudice, it is always
safe to submit solid truth to the ekliberate
cousideraliou of an holiest aud enlightened
people. ! chattel, aud restore him as such, or might I
It will be an overti ming source oi n regard iniu as a person, aud Uarb.T aud ; states have a natural facility for alarming
Euatne, as well as of sorrow, if we, thirty protect him as a man ? Tbt-y compromised j lhai loyalty by threatening disunion,
lulliious Kuropeaui by extraction, Amer- i agaiu, aud decided that no per.-ou held to 'i'liinl. That the capital Stales do not prac
icaus by birth aud discipline, aud Chris- ! labor or service in one State by the laws ! lica'ly Jistin5uih between legitimate and con-
r i i , t .1 . f ; . .l i ii t i stmitinnal resistance lo the extension ot sla-
tiau. iu faith, end meauiug to be auco in thereof, escaping mto another, shall, by , , lhc cmilll.n Territories of the Cnion,
practice cau uot so combine prudence , auy law rr regulation of tuat State, be dis- i a,,j unconstitutional agression ajainst sla
with humauity, iu our couduct concerning charged from such labor or service, but very established by local laws in the capital
I be one disiuibtu sul I -ct ot siaverv, as sbail be delivered an ou claim ti the ner- , Mates.
the slave should escape into a labor State '. hll 11 bard to uuitt tbe labor Stales iu a j j.u,,,,,, ,he arquiesence of.distincnisked ! rioosly maintained, while slavery.eoforced character of tbe Kepublican party. Al- j gion, anwer. Vcu find him always in tbo
Should that State coufess biiu to be a ! c"m"""1. p"'!fy' , . ' citizens, whose devuiu n to the l-'nion can by an irresp msible judicial tribunal, is ! ready bearing its part in legislation and State where labor is free. lid Washing-
I tio COmpiClCSt posSlUie ueveiopemeui 01 u irvaues, it iceis inn necessliy ul Lieiug j iuu, iicuuauii, auu iirury, vucu luej lui-
not oulv to nreserve our uueeiialei iu.ti-
tutious of freedom, but also toei.j y their
benefits with couteutmeul aud liaiu. oiv.
Wherever a guiltle.-s slave exists, be he
Caucasian, American, Malay, or African,
he is tbe sul j ct of two distiuct and oppo
site ideas one that he is wrongly, the
other that he is rightly, a slave. The
balauce of numbers ou cither side, bow-
son to whom such labor or service shall be
due.
i i i. . i , .i ncici ur uniuicu. nan ieii icuewcu vioi lei
ral loyally to the Union, whi e the capital ... i . i
. 3 . J l 1 our iiis ilutions. and restored a sense nl seen.
I rity and repose to the public mind throughout
the Confederacy. That this repose is to suf
I fer no shock during my ollicial term, il I have
! ihe power to avert it. ihose who placed me
here may be assured."
Hardly, however, bad these inspiring
j sounds died away, throughout a reassured
and delighted laud, before the national
shocked again ; shocked, lu
had never before been, and
j tie cany political parties were orga-; repose was
tiized without reference to slavery. Hut ; deed, as it
Free laborers would immigrate, and ' since lS'JO, Kuropean questions have left i smitteu this time by a blow from the very
slaves might be imported iuto tbe States.
The fathers agreed that Congress may es
tablish uuilorm laws of naturalization, aud
it might prohibit the importation of per
sons, after 1 SL'8. Comiuuuitic in the
Southwest, detached from tbe Southern
ever great, never completely extinguishes i States, were growing up in the practice of
this difference of opiuiou, lor (here are al- slavery, to be capital States. New States
ways some defenders of slavery outside, ! wouid soou fcrow up in tbe Northwest,
eveu if there are uoue inside, of a tree while as yet capital stood aloof, and labor
State, while also there are always outside, ! had oot lifted the axe to begin there its
if there are not iuside, of every Slave State, ! endless but beuehecut ta.-k. The fathers
hand that bad just released the chords of
the national harp from their utterance of
that exalted symphony of peace.
Kansas aud Nebraska, the long-devoted
reservation of labor aud freedom, saved iu
the agony of uatioual fear in 1S20, and
saved again iu the panic of ISoO, were
many who assert, with .'lutou, that "no
uian who kuows aught cau be so stupid to
deny that ail men naturally were born free,
bciug the image and lesemblaucc of (iod
himself, aud were by privilege above all
us practically unconcerned. There has
been a great increase of invention, mining,
manufacture, aud cultivation. Steam, ou
laud aud on water, hasquickencd commerce.
The press and the telegraph have obtained
prodigious activity, aud the social inter
course between the States and their citi
zens has becu immeasurably increased ; I now to be opened by Congress, that Ihe
and couscnicolly, their mutual relations , never-endini; course of seed time and
affecting slavery have been, for many i harvest might begin. The slave capi
years, subjects of earnest aud often excited talists of Missouri, from their own well
discussions. It is in my way only to show j assured homes on the eastern bauks o!
bow such disputes have operated ou the : their noble liver, looked down upon aud
course of political events not to re open coveted tho fertile prairies of Kansas;
agemuut and disposition of the public j them for argumeut here. There was a : while a sudden terror ran through all the
lauds, aud to admit new States. So the j slave insurrection in Virginia. Virginia ! capital States, when they saw a seeming
Constitution, while it does not disturb or aud Kentucky debated, and to the great , certainty that at last a new labor State
authoiiz.d Congress to make all needful
rules aud regulations cmceruing the tnan-
the creatures, born to c juiiuaui and not j affect tho system of capital iu slaves, cxis- sorrow of the free States rejected, thesys-
to obey." It often, pethaps geueraiiy, ! ting in auy S ate under its own laws.does, i tern of volutitary labur. The Colonization
bappeus, however, that, iu considering tbe j at the same time, recognise every human Society was established with much favor
subject of blavery, society seems to over-j being, when within any exclusive sphere i in tho capital States. Emancipation soci-
look the natural right or personal interest ; of Federal jurisd
of tbe slave hiuisclt, and to act exclusively 1 as a person.
for tbe welfare of the citizen. Lot this
fact does not materially alT-ct ultimate re
suits, for the eleni-'ulary q i -sti .ti of the
rightfulness or wrongfulness of slavery in
heres in every form tint dis:us-im con
cerning it assumes. What is jost to one
class of men, can never be injurious to any
other; and what is unjust to any condition States iu the Northwest. They directed
of persons in a State, is necessarily iojuri- j fugitives from service to be restored, not
ous in some degree to the whole cummu- as chattels, but as persons. They award
lMtiuu, not as capital, but
What was the action of the fathers iu
Congress ? They admitted the new States
of the Southwest as capital States, because
it was practically impossible to do other
wise, and by the crdiuance of 1TS7, cou
lirmed iu 17bD, they provided fur tbe or
ganizition and admission of only labor
would be built on their western border,
inevitably fraught, as they said, with a
near or remote abolition of slavery. What
despotism. I practical in its care of tho national health ; plored you lo relinquish your system, and.
Jlr. Fresidint, did ever the annals of' and lib-, while it haves nie'apbvsicalspec-; acett the one we have iuopteu, proposo
any Government show a more rapid or ! ulation to those whose duty it is to culti-1 to sii k you down to the level of the A fr".
more complete departure from tbe wisdom 1 vate tbe enuohiing science of political phi-' can, or was it their desire to exalt all white
and virtue of its fouuders ? Did ever the losnphy. men to a common po'itiea! elevation ?
tJovernmeiit of a great empire, founded on ! Uut in the midst of these subjects, or, j But we do not seek to force or even to
the rights of human lab'T, slide away solrither, before fully reaching them, the intrude, our system on you. We are rx
fast and so far, and moor itself so tena- j U publicau party encounters, unexpected- j eluded wisely, justly, and contentedly,
ciously on the basis of capital, and that ly, a new aud potential issue one prior j from all political power and responsibility
capital inve-ted in laboring men ? Did ' aud therefore paramount to all others, one in your capital States. You are lovreiga
. . . . .. . i-f : tl:i.i.i -e T . . .
ever a tree representative Jjcislature, in-: oi nauouai mo aim ueaui. just as ii so on iue sutjeci oi slavery wnum your own
vested with powers so great, and with the ' niueh bad not been already conceded, to
Euardianship of ri"hts so important, of ' the interest of capital invested in men, we
trusts so sacred, of iuterests so precious, bear menaces of disunion, louder, more I so arranged. Use your authority to main
aud of hopes at once so noble and so com-i distinct, more emphatic than ever, with I tain what vstttn you please. We ire not
borders, as we are on tho same subject
within our borders. It is well and wisely
prehensive, surrender and renounce them I the condition annexed, that they shall be
all so unnecessarily, so unw'sely, so fatal- ; executed the moment that a Kepublican
ly, and so ingloriously : If it be true, as Administration, though, onstitutionaily
every instinct of our nature and every pre
cept of political experience teaches us, that
Mil fare tin. Inti'l. to fjoti-cinc ill a fivy,
Wlu-re wealth r-uujulalt-p, ud. mi'ii dicay,"
then where iu Ireland, in Italy, in Po
land, or in Hungary has any ruler pre
elected, shall assume the Government.
I do not certainly know that the people
are prepared lo call such an Admiuistra.
not distrust fbl of the result. We have
wisely, as we think, exercised onrs to pro
tect and perfect the manhood of the mem
bers of the State. The whole sovrcignty
upon domestic concerns within the Unioa
is divided between as by anmistakeabio
tion to power. I know only, that through I boundaries, louhave your fifteen di
a succession of fbods which never greatly tinct parts; we, eighteen parts, equally
excite, and ebbs which never entirely dis- distinct. Fieri must be maintained in or-
pared for a generous and confiding people courage me, tho volume of Republicanism ! der that the whole may be preserved. If
disappointments, disasters, and calamities, I aises contiuually bigberand highir. They
equal to those which the government of are probably wise, whose apprehensions
the Uuited States holds now suspended j admonish them that it is already strong I
over so large a portion of this continent
of North America ?
Citizens of the United States, in the
Lity.
ed iiat'iraliziti' U toiuii"Tant free laborers,
An economical question early arises out aud they prohibited the trade in African
of the subject of slavery labor, either of j labor. This disposition of the whole sub-
freemen or of slaves, is the cardinal ne- j et was iu harmuuy with the condition of
eessity of society. Some States choose
the one kind, some the o'ber. Hence two
municipal systems, widely different, arise.
The slave State strikes down an I affects
to extinguish the personality if the labor
er, oot only as a member of the political
body, but also as a parent, husband, child,
neighbor, or friend, lie thus becomes, in
society, aud iu the main with the spirit of
ihe age. J he seven Northern States con
tentedly became labor States by their own
acts. The six Southern States, with 'qual
tranquility aud by their own determination,
remaiued capital States.
The circumstances which the fathers did
not clcai ly foresee were two, namely : the
eties arose in the free States. South Car
olina instituted proceedings to nullify ob
noxious Federal revenue laws. The capi
tal States complained of courts and lat-o;is-la'ures
iu the labor States for interpreting
the constitutional provision for thesurren-i and watchful, and held
der of fugitives from service so as to treat 1 gates of Kansas. She might scizo the
them as persons, aud uot property, and new and smiling Territory by surprise, if
they discriminated against colored persons i ouly Congress would remove the barrier
of the labor States, when they came to the i established iu ltf-U. The conjuncture was
capital States. They denied, in Congress, : favorable. Clay and Webster, the distin
the right of petition, and embarrassed or j guished citlzeus whose unquestionable de
denied freedom of debate on the sub-1 votion to the Union was manifested by
ject of slavery. Presses, which undertook i their acquiesence in the Compromise of
the defence of the labor system in the cap- j lSoO, bad gone down already into their
ital States, were suppressed by violence; honored graves. The labor States had
enough lor eaect.
Hitherto, the Kepublican party has been
conteut with one self-interrogitory how
These threats
determination
ours shall be assailed, within or without,
by any enemy, or for any eiu-e, and we
shall have need, we shall expect yon to
defend it. If yonrs shall be so assailed,
in the emergency, no matter what tbs
cause or tbe pretext, or who the foe, we
could be done ? Congress could hardly be spirit of this policy, subverted the free ! many votes can it cast f lbese threats shall ileleud your Suvreignty as tbe cquiv
cxpected to intervene directly for their public of Nicaragua, and opened it to j enforce another has it determination ! aleut of our own. We can sot, indeed,
safety so soon after tho Compromise of ! slavery an d the African slave trade, and j enough to cast them ? This latter ques- j accept your system of capital, or its ethics.
1S5U. Tbe labor hive of the free Stales i beld it in that condition, waiting anncxa- I tion touches its spirit and pride. 1 am j That would be to surrender and subvert
was distaut, the way new, uuknowu, and i ''on to ,ne United States, until its sov-1 quite sure, however, that, as it has hither- j our own, which we esteem to be better,
not without perils. Missouri was uear i reigntv was re-tored by a combination ef ! to practised self-deuial iu so many other , besides, if we could, what teed for an?
the keys of the i Mster lt.pub.ics expo-ci to the same dan- toruis, it will in this emergency lay aside uivi.-ioti into states at all? lou are
' ger, aud apj rebeuMve ot similar subver- ; all impatience ot temper, together with all : equally al liberty to rfj- ct our system and
sin. Other citizens re-opened the for- , ambition, aud will consider these extraor- ; its ethics, and lo maintain the superiority
eign slavo trade in violation of our laws dinary declamations seriously and with a : of your own by all tbe forces of persuasion
treaties; and, alter a suspension of just moderation. It would boa waste ot and argument, iv e must, indeed, motu-
and eveu in the labor States, public assem-1 dismissed many of their representatives ; party avows itself responsible. Kvery
and
that shameful traffic for fifty years, savage ! words to demonstrate that they are uncon- j ally discuss loth systems. All the wrld
Africaus have been once more landed on i etitutional, and equally idle to show that discusses all systems. Especially mast
our shores, aud distributed, unreclaimed j the responsibility tor disunion, attempted we discuss them, since we have to decido
and with impunity, among our plantations. J or effected, must rest not with those who as a nation which of the two we ought to
For this policy, so far as tho Govern- ' ' ,ne eercise of constitutional authority : engraft on the new acd future States
meut has sat-otioued it, the Democratic , maintain the tiovernment, but with those gtowing up in the great public domain.
j who
blic", convened to consider slavery ques- here for too great fidelity to freedom, and
political view, merely property, without j reiuvigoration of slavery consequent on the
moral capacity, aud sithoutdomestic, mor
al, and social relations, duties, rights, and
remedies a chattel, au object of bargain,
Bale, gift, inheritance, or theft. His earn
ings are compensated, and bis wrougs
atoned, not to himself, but to bis owner.
The State protects not the slave as a man,
but the Capital of another man, which he
increased consumption of cottou, and the
exteusiou of the national domain across
the Mississippi; and these occurred before
lSO. The State of Louisiana, formed on
a slave-holding French settlement, within
the newly-aequirei Louisiana Territory,
had then already been admitted ioto the
L'oioa. There yet remained, however, a
tions, were dispersed by mobs sympathiz
log with the capital States.
Tho Whig party, being generally an
opposition party, practiced some forbear
ance toward the iutcrest of labor. The
Democratic party, not without demonstra
too great distrust of tho tfiicacy of that
new bond of peace, and bad replaced them
with partizaus who were only timid, but
not unwilling. The Democratic President
aud Congress hesitated, but not long.
They revised the last great compromise,
where, complaint against it is denounced, I wrk of subverting it.
and its opponents proscribed. hen Kan
cipient, servile war, because of her resis- j
unconstitutionally engage in the mad ; Discussion, tben, being unavoidable, what
; could be more wise than to conduct it
What are the excuses for these mens-1 with mutual toleration aud in a fraternal
sas was writhing under the wounds of in- ' ce3 J DPy "Solve themselves into this, spirit :
that the Kepublican party in the North is ! lou complain that Republicans dif course
tauce, the Democratic press deridingly uoal"e 10 IL0 soutn. iut it aiready is teo oomiy and oireetiv, when tnry express
said, "let her bleed." Official integrity ' proscd to be a majority in tho North ; it ' with co ifilence their belief that their sys-
has been cause for rebuke and punish- i 18 i"creiorc practically me people oi toe 'em ui moor win, iu u;e end, be nniver-
represents. On the other hand, the State ! vast region which included Arkansas and
which rejects slavery encourages and ani- j Missouri, together with the then unoccu-
matcs aud iuvignratcs the laborer by main
taining and developing bis natural person
ality in all the rights and faculties of
pied aud even unnamed Kansas and Ne
braska. Arkansas, aslaveholding commu
nity, was nearly ready to.apply, aud Mis
manhood, and generally with the privileg-. souri, another such Territory, was actually
as of citizenship. In the one case, capital j applying for admissiou into the Federal
invested in slaves becomes a great politi- j Union. Tbe existing capital States secon
eal force; while in the other, labor, thus ; dedthcseapplications, and claimed that the
elevated and enfranchised, becomes tbe i whole Louisianian Territory was right
dominating political power. It thus bap- fully open to slavery, and to the organtza
peni that we' may, for convenience' sake, tion of future slave States. The labor
and not inaccurately, call slave States, States maiutaiucd that Congress bad su
cipital States; and free States, labor j premc legislative power witbiu the domain,
Elates. ! and could and ought to exclude slavery
So soon as a State feels the impulses of ; there. Tbe question thus opened was one
commerce, or enterprise, or ambition, its j which related not at all to slavery in the
citizens begin to study tbe effects of these ! existing capital States. It was purely and
systems of capital and labor respectively j simply a national question, whether the
00 its intelligence, its virtue, its traoquilli- common interest of the whole Republic
ly, its integrity or unity, its defence, its ! required that Arkansas, Jlissouri, Kansas,
prosperity, its liberty, us happiness, its j ud .Nebraska, should become capital
tions of disseut, was generally found sus aud found, with delighted surprise, that ! meat, when it resisted frauds designed ;0 i Nrih. Will it not still be the Fame ' sally accepted by the capital States, acting
taining tbe policy of capital. A disposi- j it was so far from confirming tbo law of j promote the extension of slavery. Thro'- jrth that has forborne with you so long, j for themselves and in conformity with
tion towards the removal of slavery from ! freedom of 1S20, that, on the other baud, ! out the whole Kvpublie, there is not one I ?ua conceded to you so much ? Can you : thoir own Constitutions, while they sane
thc presence of tho national Capital, ap-1 it exactly provided for the abrogation of ' known dissenter from that policy remaiu- ! j"',!J' a-sutue that affection, which has , lion too unreservedly books designed to
pcared in the District of Columbia. Mr. that veneiated statute; nay, that the j ing in place, if within reach of the Fxccu- ; been so complying, can ail at once cbazgo advocate cmancipati. n. Uut surely yoa
Van Uuren, a Democratic President, ' Compromise itself actually killed the spir- live arm. Nor, over tho face of the whole j t0 trf,Ji intense and inexorable ? j cau hardly expect the Federal Government
launched a prospective veto against the i it of tho Missouri law, aud devolved ou world, is there to be found one represen- uu S17 ,hat ,ne K publican party is a j or the political parties of the nation to
anticipated measure. A Democratic Con- I Congress the duly of removing the lifeless I tative of our couutry who is not an apolo- ' actional one. Is the Democratic party i maintain a censorship or the press or of
gress brought Texas into the Uuion, stip-1 letter from the natioual code. Tho deed J gist of tho extension of slavery. j le.- sectional ? Is it easier f.r us to bear , debate. The theory of our system is.that
was done. The new enactment not only It is in America that these things have I Jour eecuonai sway man lor you to near ; error oi opinion may in an cases safely Ca
repealed the Missouri prohibition of slave- happened in the nineteenth century, I ours ? l ' unreasonable that for once we tolerated, where reason is left free lo cotu
ry, but it prouounced tbe people of Kan- tbe era of tho world's greatest progress, j should alternate? P.ut is the Kepublican 1 bat it. Will it be claimed that more of
sas and Nebraska perfectly free to estab- and while all ua'ions but ourselves have F"' ectioual ? Not unless the Demo-; moderation and teuderuess in debate ara
lish freedom or slavery, aud pledged Con-! been either abridging or altogether sup- j cra" f'ar,y is- The Republican party ( exhibited on your side of the great argu
grcss to admit them iu due time as Stales, ! pressing commerce iu men ; at the very prevails iu the House of Representatives ; meut, than ou our own T We all learned
either of capital or of labor, into the Uu- i moment when the Ru-sian serf is ctuaoci- j sometimes, the Democratic) party in the : our polemics, as well as our principles,
ion. Tho Whig representatives of the I pated, and tbe Georgian, the Nubian pri- j Senate always. Which of the two is tbe from a common master. We are sure that
capital States, iu an hour of strange be- j soner, and the Abyssinian savage, are lift- j n,ost prescriptive ? Come, come, come, if ; wo do not, ou our tide, exceed his lessons
wildcrmcnt. concurred; and the Whig I cd up to freedom by the successor of Mo-! Jou will, into the free States, iuto the ! and example. 1 bomas JeiT,rsoa address
party instantly went down, never to rise j bammed. The world, prepossessed in our j la,e of New York, anywhere from Lake j ed Dr. Price, an Englishman, concerning
again. Democratsseceded, and stood aloof; j behalf by our early devotion to the rights i l;rie Sag Harbor, among my neighbors bis treatise on ematcipatiou la America,
the country was confounded; and, amid I of -human nature, as no natiou ever before j m ,be Uwasco valley, bold your couven-; 10 this fashion:
tho perplexities of tue hour, a Republican engaged its respect and sympathies, asks, """"s. nomiuate your candidates, address , -fouthward of the Chesapeake, your book
party was seen gathering itself together I in wonder aud aman-menr, what all this j tbe people, submit to them, earnestly, elo-; J'1'" V " ' '
with much earnestness, but with little i demoralization means ? It has an excuse i qo'utly, ally our complaints and grievances . lo ,ht hJ f ,he ,h.
can imagine, better -"" v-'ji ' i'K'"-""i r'"j;i , bu k ot i
ulating practically for its future re-organ i-
zitiou in four Slave States. Mexico was
incensed. War ensued. The labor States
asked that the Mexican law of liberty,
which covered the Territories brought in
by the treaty of peace, might remaiu and
be confirmed. The Democratic party re
fused. The Missouri debate of ISilO re
curred now, under circumstances of beat
and excitcmcut, in relation to these con
quests. The defenders of labor took alarm
lest tbe number of new capital States
might become so great as to enable that
class cf States to dictate the whole policy
of the Government, and, in case of con
stitutional resistance, then to form a new
slaveboldiug confederacy around the Gulf
of Mexico. Ry this lime, the capital
States seemed to have become fixed in a
determination that the Federal Govern
ment, and even the labor States, should
recoguize their slaves, though outside of
aggrandizement, and its fame. In other j States, with all the evils and dangers of
words, the great question arrises, whether I slavery, or bo labor States, with all the
slavery is a moral, social, aud political ; security, benefits, and blessings of freedom.
gvd, or a moral, social, and political evil 7 i Ou tbe decision was suspended the nucs-
This is the slavery question at borne. Rut ' tion, as we thought, whether ultimately I bor States, baviui; become now more cs-
there is a mutual bond of amity and broth- , the interior of this new continent should ' scntially Democratic than ever before, by
the slave States, and within the Territor
ies of tbe United States, as property of
which the master could not be in any way
or by any authority divested; and tbe la.
show of organization, to rescue, if it were better than the world
erhood between man and man throughout ' be an asvlum for the oppressed and the
tbe world. Nations examine freely the ' exile, coming year after year and age after
political system of each other, and of all age, voluntarily from every other civilized
preceding times, and, accordingly as they I laud, as well as for tbe children of niisfor
approve or disapprove of the two systems j 'une in our own, or whether, through the
of capital and labor respectively, they i renewal of the African slavo trade, those
sanction and prosecute, or condemn aud ' magnificent and luxuriant regions should
prohibit, commerce in men. Thus, in one ; be surrendered to the control of capital,
way or in another, the slavery question, wringing out thefruitsof tbecarth through
which so many among us, who are more ! the impoverishing toil of necro slaves.
willing to rule than patient in studying That question of IS2U was identically
the conditions of society, think, is a merely j the question of 1SG0, so far as principle,
accidental or unnecessary question, that and even the field of its application, was
might and ought to be settled and dismiss- concerned. Kvery clement of tbe contro
ed at once, is, on tbe contrary, a world- ; versy now preseut, entered it then the
wide and enduring subject of political con- j rightfulness or the wrongfulness of slavery;
lideration and civil administration. Men, I its effects, present and future : tbo consti-
ana oatioos, entertain it, not voluntarily, mtiouai auiuority oi Uongress; the claims
reason of the great developcment of free
labor, more firmly than ever insisted on
tho constitutional doctrine that slaves,
voluntarily carried by their masters into
tbe common Territories, or into labor
States, are persons men.
Under the auspicious influences of a
Whig success, California and New Mexico
appeared before Congress as labor States.
Tbe capital States refused to consent to
their admission into tbe Union ; and again
threats of disunion carried terror and con
sternation throughout the land. Another
compromise was made. Specific enact
ments admitted California as a labor State,
and remanded New Mexico and Utah to
remain Territories, with the right to choose
freedom or slavery when ripeDed into
not now too late, the cause of freedom and
labor, so unexpectedly aud grievously im
perilled in the Territories of the Lulled
States.
I will not linger over tho sequel. The
popular sovrcignty of Kansas proved to be
the State sovrcignty of Missouri, not ouly
in the persons ot tbe rulers, but even in
the letter of au arbitrary and cruel code.
The perfect freedom proved to be a hate
ful and intolerable bondage. From ISjj
to ISGO, Kansas, sustained and encourag
ed only by the Republican party, has been
engaged in successive and ever-varying
struggles, which have taxed all her virtue,
wisdom, moderation, energies and resour
ces, and often even bcr physical strength
and martial courage, to save borself from
being betrayed into the Union as a Slave
State. Nebraska, though choosing free
dom, is, through the direct exercise of
tho Lxccutive power, overriding her own
will, held as a slave Territory ; and new
Mexico has relapsed voluntarily into tbe
practice of slavery, from which she bad
redeemed herself while she yet remained
a part of tho Mexican Republic. Mean
time, tho Democratic party, advancing
from tbe ground of popular sovreigoty as
far as that ground is from the crdiuance
of 1787, now stands on the position 'that
both Territorial Governments and Con-
l the people will approve it in theory.
than we are generally conscious of our- Kri'P nothing bacK, sp.as just as treeiy , ,j w, nj rrspectaole nainoriiy ready
selves, a virtuous excuse. We have loved I an - ,ou,,'.v lucr8 "s Jou u" nere : Soa : a""Pl " " practice-a laioorny wbicb, lor
not Freedom so much less, but the Union h"e bootable welcomes, and appre- wf.ghi. ami worth of character preponder
nf nnr o ..mtrv Bo much more We have -'ill!'v ""Jieuces, with ballot-boxes open ' the greater number who have not
ot our country so much more, vvcuave i r ' the courase lo dutst ihnr tanalin of a prop-
been made to believe, from time to time, r ' ,U8 0I' jou can win. Are you tnj wblch howfr.kp, tb
r conscience
that, iu a crisis, both of these precious in- le!iS seTUnal than this I Kxtend to us ; uoquiet. .Northward of the Chesapeake, yoa
stiiutions could not be saved together, and th0 same privileges, and 1 will engage thai may find here and there an opponent to yonr
JOU Will YtTJ BUuD nave iu int ouuia s uvemur, u jun may mm ucie tuu tunc a
many Republicans as we have Democrats r"bber murderer; but in no sreate r nnm-
in the North. There is, however, a better b"; , " I h" V Irin", ,s 'h9
. , ,. , ', -i.it 1 next Stale to which we uinv lurn ear eves for
test of nationality than he accidental loca- j ,he lnler,ing sptclab;e , ja,lte ,n ionilict
lion in parties, vur policy ui laoor iu ioe wllh avarice and upprrtsii. a a conoid where
Territories was not sectional in the first ihe sacred side is painirs daily new rrciuiis
for'y years of the Republic. Its nature
inhere. It will be national again, during
the third forty years, aud for ever after
wards. It is not wise and beneficent for
us alone, or injurious to you alone. Its
effects are equal, and tbe same for us all.
lou acuse the Kepublican party of ul
bat because tho rr.v're-s of soeietv eontin- of the States, acd of their citizens : the ' States, while tbev save new remedies for
lly brings it into their way. They di- , nature of the Federal Union, whether it is j the recaption of fugitives from service,
ide upon it, oot perversely, but because, a compact between the States, or ao inde- and abolished tbe open slave-market in the
owing to d fferences of constitution, ondi- pendent Government ; tho springs of its j District of Columbia. These new enact- isgrcss are incompetent to legislate against
ion, or circumstances, they can not agree, powers, and the ligatures upon their excr- ments, collated with the existing statutes,
The fathers of the Republic eocouutcred 1 cise. All these were discussed with zeal I namely, tbe ordinance of 17S7, the Mis
t. They even adjusted it so that it might iand" ability which Iiavo ncvor Leon sur-1 souri prohibitory law of 18-0, and the ar
bve given ns much less than our present passed. History tells u?, I know nst how J tides of Texas annexation, disposed by law
disquiet, bad not cireum-tatiecs afterwards trnly, that the Union reeled under the vc-1 of the subject of slavery in all the Tcrrito-
occurxed which they, wbc is they were, 1 bcuieacc of that j;rcat debile. I'a!rioli-in lies of tho UuiteJ States. Aud ta Iho
slavery iu the Territories, while they are
nut only competent, bat are obliged, when
it is necessary, to legislate for its protec
tion there.
In this new and extreme position, the
Democratic rwty dxhIls iteclf behind tlio
therefore we have, from time to time, sur
rendered safeguards of freedom to propiti
ate the loyalty of capital, aud stay its
hands from doing violence to the Union.
The true state of the case, however, ought
not to bo a mystery to ourselves. Pres
cience, indeed, is Dot given to statesmen ;
but we are without excuse when we fail
to apprehend the logic of current events.
Let parties, or the Government, choose or
do what tbey may, the people of tbe Uni
ted States do not prefer the wealth of tbe
few to tbe liberty of the many, capital to
labor, African slaves to white freemen, in
the national Territories and in. future
from the influx into office of young men,
Krown and prowing up." "fig
not, then, discouracrd. M hat yoa have writ
ten will do a (treat deal of sood ; and could
you still trouble yourself about our welfare,
no man is more able to help ihe laboring
side."
You see, sir, that whether we go f r or
tcrior and secret designs. How cao a j against slavery auy where, we must foloa
partv that counts its Totes in Ibis land of I Southern guides. You niay chtoge your
States. That question has never been dis- f"e "Pk J " t bJ hundreds p.lots with the winds or the currents ; but
1 . ... I f . 1 1 . L . J .1 9 ' . n.li.il. r-i.lnr.nil nn.lor 1 1, a
tinctly recognized or acted on by them.
The Republican party embodies tbe pop
ular protest and reaction agaiost a policy
which bas becu fastened upon tbe nation
by surprise, aud which its reason and con
science, concurring with the reason and
conscience of mankind, condemn.
Tbe choico of tbe nation is now between
the Democratic party and the Republican
party. Its principles and its policy arc,
therefore, justly and even necessarily ex
amined. 1 know of only one policy which
it has adopted or avowed, namely, tbe
saving of tbe Territories of the United
States, if possible, by constitutional and
lawful mean;, fiom bciuj; houieit for sU-
of thousands, have any secret designs?
ho is the conjurer, and where are the
hidden springs by which he can coutrol its
uncongregatcd and widely dispersed mass
es, and direct them to objects unseen and
purposes unavowed ? Rut what are these
bidden purposes? Yoa Dame ouly oue.
That oue is to introduce negro equality
among you. Suppose we bad the power
lo change your social system : what war
rant have yoo for supposing that we should
carry negro equality among you ? We
kDow, and we will show yen, if yoa wilt
only give heed, that what our system of
labor works out, wherever it works out
anything, ii tbe equality of white men 1
we, wuose nanvity, reckoucu uuaer ma
North Star, has rendered us somewhat
superstitious, must be excused for constan
cy in following the guidauce of those who
framed tbe national ship aud gave us the
chart for its noble voyage.
A prjfound respect and friendiy regit 1
for the Vice-Pre.idetit of ihj United
States his induced me to weigh carefully
the testimony he bas given on the sot ject
of tbe hostility against tbe South imputed
to the R publican party, as derived from
tbe relations of the repies ntatives of the
two parties at this capital. He says tbat
be h seen here in the representatives of
st Ira