The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-07-21

OllA CulOElANh OphbtlC 10 buL a ulOUOCTdEV.
II becomes every citizen to exert his utmost
influence TO defeat the malignant wishes of
these enemies Of the rights of man, to up
hold the supremacy of our laws and 10
show to the world that nation can exist
that social order can be maintained without
the coercion of arbitrary power. The con-
stitution of the United States, our State,
constitution and our statutes embodv the
noblest principles of order. justice and tue
liberty, and are calculated TO furnish the
most ample scope for individual and social
enterprise, while they protect the rights of
all. Let them have, the strict adherence
of all the Inhabitants of these states and
with the divine blessing, they will secure
the prosperity and happiness of this nation,
and set it on high above all the nations Of the
earth. They are onr safe guards against
wrong, our barries against violence and in
justice. Let them be irampled under foot
and even despotic government would be.a
blessing to that dreadful abyss of missrule
and anarchy into which we are plunged.
The government of a mob is the worst Of
all governments, since breaking away from
all law and reason, and iInpelled by the
fierce malignant and yet jarring passions of
an excited multitude, it drives right onward
in career of devastation, disregarding all
principles Of justice, and all cries for mercy,
and when it has wreaked its treasured furv
on the head of its victims, it commences
the work of selfdestruction. Such were
its tremendous operations in the streets of
Paris, and through all the cities of France
during the reign of terror No combina.
ton of individuals has any right to take in
10 its own hands the Offices of indge and
executioner. We have laws and maCis.
trates fully adequate TO this task, and it be.
comes every citizen of the United States,
as he values his own true interests, to take
a decided stand against all mobs and Lynch
laws. This mobbing and lynching is an
omen which bodies great evil TO our coun-
try, and threatens us with such terrible
scenes as deluged the French Republic with
blood, and compelled it TO seek refuge from
the tumuliuous passions Of itsown citizens,
in the rigorous chains OF military despo-
tlsm. Ave live in sn age of excitement and
conflicting opinion, and sometimes fierce
radicalism stalks abroad, treating with con-
tempt the established customs and order of
society, and bold and reckless ianatcsm
breathes the harsh and malignant epithets
of denunciation.. But the opposition of
mobs is calculated 10 increase rather than
repress the evil. And this tendency to
licentiousness is not the only thing with
which the advocates of despotc govern.
ments have it in their power to upbraid US.
They can charge at least one very con.
siderable portion Of our Union. with the in.
consistency of maintaining over, between
two and three millions oftheir fellow men,
system of oppression, while at the same time,
liberty and independence are their proudest
boast, And how can the charge be answer.
edl What friend of humanity will say it is
right for those who declam so loudly in ia.
YOUR Of freedom, and who would resist with
their hearts blood any attempt at their own
subJugaton, TO exercise despotic and almost
mbounded dominion over beings whom the
God Of nature has created their brethrenl
The very thought that this Christian republic
| lncloses within It's bosom ''more than 2 800.
| 900 bondsmen, is an element of bitterness in
the happiness which the return of this dav is
calculated to inspire. It is unquestionably
one ofthe greatest evils in our land. Slavery
is huge and black cloud in our horizon,
which, threatens us with wide spread devas.
tation. 1t is foul stigma upon our national
honour. 1t is an evil whose speedy removal
the voice of justice and humanity, the exam.
pie ofother nations, and the true interests of
the American people loudly demand. But
it is an evil deeply rooted and widely spread,
and involving great political questions. VIC.
lent and harsh lnvective, bitter and indis.
crlmihate denunciation, the passionate declam.
alton Of boy and female lecturers while they
have the, direct effect ofinfusing into society
the bitterness of party spirit, are not the pro.
per means of its removal. 1t requires the
wisdom ofour most experienced and sagacious
statesmen. That our nation may speedily be
delivered from this great inconsistency should
be the earnest prayer and endeavor, of every
good citizen.
How long my county shall thy bondsmen's cries
With thy exuIdng shouts Of freedom rise!
When shall thy mercy sever from thy name,
Expressions wrongs and slavery's burning shame.
Let us not however, fellow citizens al.
though many things appear adverse to the fu.
ture prosperity Of our beloyedUnion indulge
despondng. fears, but still cherish the hope
| that the same hnni6papt pro,,;Joxaa .,.L;ob