Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-05-06
For the Portage Sentinel.
Restless Shirts. z

laws which govern it, never slumbers. When
the body needs repose, and wearied, and ex-
hausted, it becomes unconscious in the en-
brace of sleep, the infinite existence, which
God has given to man, to elevate him to su-
peror beings, finds in the storehouse of its
strength, a lireless pinion, which bears him
over the universe, and enables him to COM
template with emotions of rapture its super>
lative beauties. In velocity, mind outstrips
the feetest OF all created things. The forked
lightning is not so unerring, the winged sun
beam not SO rapid. Now it looks back on ans
tlquity, and in q moment, in point of dura-
ton, it stands on the verge of fretreating time.
Minds differ; but the principles Of their gov
ernnient are as eternal as the rocky adamant.
In their very nature, these principles are
indestructable. Original organization, as we
believe, exerts varied, but determinate inAu.
ence on human character and conduct. The
inborn disposition may for time be cramped
by force of circumstances, the fettered fac
ulties implanted by nature may yield to the
adverse ti6s Of contendiDg opposition, but SO
soon as affairs assume favorable attitude,
the recuperative energy of the smothered
flrme, will dash aside the restraining incum-
bent, and regain its favorise sphere of action.
may not exercise sufficient charity when l
entertain the belief, that those who embrace
the detestable principles of Mr.. and Mrs.
Foster, are constitutionally inclined to fanati-
cism and deluson. Father Miller, Joe Smith
Abby Kelley, and might extend the list, all
have respectable followers; but the honesty,
and integrity, of the adherents Of any order,
cannot justify the diffusion. of principles which
are injurious in their tendency. Men are apt
to overlook in the turbulence of passion, the
wildness os their measures; they are prone to
forget the consequences, if they can but tri-
umph over opposition. Do not the ultra agi-
tators of the Slavery question, know that
they are justifying vice, and authorizing
a,rocity by shaking the basis of political al
legiancs, and looseniDg the obligations of all
human law? Are they not aware that in
propagating their principles in order TO gain
ascendency, they are accommodating their
system to the passions, and not to the judge
ments Of men; and that chameleon-like, they
assume any color which they discover will
bear upon the prejudices, and predictions of
the ignorant and credulous around themi Do
they not discover the improperly of suppress
ing, on the one hand, the real truths concern
ing Slavery, and of devising and asserting
statements with reference to it on the other,
whichare' entirely destitute of proof. am no
apologist for southern Slavery; but I do oh"
ject to the organization Of new fraternity,
which can boast of nothing better for its OBJ
ject than dissolution of the Union. l do
abhcr that spirit of insubordination which
cannot relish the blessings of govern
ment and order. What long latent proof of
the iniquity of slavery has lately been dis
covered. What is there in the history of
the present times, which points 10 the Amer
ican Cons ttuton as the proscriber of Ameri.
can liberty. Does not the Constitution mean
what it did thirty years ago7 Did not sterl>
ing philanthropy exist before those twin lu-
minaries made their appearance! One would
almost be led to believe, that the attribute
which compassionates the family of man,
was not in existence till after the advent Of
Mr.. Foster and his lady. Charity indeed
seemssto fall from their pens, and from their
lips, like plenteous showers; but we fear it
often freezes before it reaches the objects Of
its sympathy. These blusterers are incon-
slstent with themselves. While they deplore
the existence of Slavery, and point with pa
thetic eloquence to its bitter conse quences,
and carry.to our ears from theinfernal south,
the groans of oppression and violence, and
paint in living light the clotted field, smoking
with the blood Of the innocent slave, and
warn US of participating in its cruelties, they
are at the same time taking preliminary steps
either for the consumma lion of eternal servi.
tude in the south, or for blending in promis>
cuous ruin these confederate States. They
despise the institution of Slavery. yet take
STEPS which will extend it. They loathe the
bitter stream, vet feed the polluted fountain
They endeavor to sever the extending branch.
es, yet they water the penetrating root
Every lncendiary speech they make, every
ungenerous and provoking epithet they apply
every violent resolution they adopt, only
adds fuel to the fame which human blood
may have to extinguish. Perhaps it would
be better to say attempt to extinguish; fol
broils Of thousand years cannot drive re.
sistence from the breast of man. Had this
conscientious faction power to Danish, hang
starve, or burn, the wicked southerners, could
they accomplish with reference to then, wha
Caligua would TO the Romans the last ex.
piring cry of the injured South would be in
yindcatlon of their rights. I Know upon
this country rests responsibility in relation