Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-02

For iniemnityi yes, thaf indemnify 20 Be de-
rived from deseeraling the temples and robbing
the altars Of religion. Infamous proposiiionl
unworthy Of o prolesssdly Christian people!-l
Advocating, a. We do for all men, freedom Of
opinion aud religious liberation, and regarding
them as the very corner stones Of our political
ediice. we abhof and lcaihe the heather and sa.
crligous spirit that would for ore moment har.
Dor tho thought, or entertain the purpose Of seiZ
ing and sppropriaing TO secular uses. the proper.
" OF Auy church. five would confer the bene-
fits Of our Institutions on Mexico, why leave this
out Of the catal6guel Is il because Of the kind
or form Of religion her people protest. Or is il
because their Clergy, in common with other ci-
tizens, presume 10 defend their altars and hre'
s3esl In the darkest hours Of our struggle tor
Liberty and Independence, our Ministers oil Re-
gion were found encouraging our fathers by
their precept and example. On the battlefield
they exhorted the living to valor and constancy;
they administered to the wants of the wounded,
and comforted the dying. Such conduct in them
we called patriotism; and VIC bless and venerate
their names. Perhaps religious freedom enters
not into the creed Of those who would extend
slavery at the expense Of human liboryl LIT
those answer who have brought upon US this
war.
| Arc we fighting for conquest, and do We wish
10 subiugae Mexicol To what endl For what
purpose! Do we propose to conquer, and then
amer all MericOl lf so, what position among
our citizens is The mrei population OF that coun'
| try TO assume, when their territory shall have
/ been annexed 10 this unionl Are all that are
citizens there, 10 enjoy the rights Of citizenship
here2 Is il to be free or slave terrtoryl These
are difficult questions, involving pregnant conse.
quences. Who can answer them satisfactorily!
We very much fear they are to become subjects
Of dscJrd, contention and dsunion between the
States. God forbid but who can tell what time
may bring furlhl Orone thing we are rcry Ger.
tain; the crisis demands wisdom and frmness.
Atihe adoption cthe Federal Constitution, il
cannot be reasonably doubted, that the trainers
Of that instrument. never believed or expected
that slavery would ever extend beyond the limits
in which they then placed it; but that il would
gradually die out, under the benign influence d
our free institutions. And at later period, when
This vcxed question threatened danger TO the
Union, in n spirit of Cancellation, further conces
sions were made; and this subject it was fondy
hoped forever put to rest. But again has the
slave power extended itself in the annexation o
=
further 10 extend its dominion by the acquisition
Of Mexican territory-Or at least 10 make this
dangerous subject to subserve party purposes il
, the election Of President.
And while we have submitted to the compro
r mise on this subject, and are still willing TO adj
| here 10 it; and while we entirely disclaim any
, disposition or desire to interfere whore slavery
now exists, this feeling must not be mistaken for
indifference. II one olrhe parties ab5olves itself
from the contract, surely it should not be consid-
cred as binding on the other. And in that case,
This rhoic question Of extension restriction in
leyllubly becomes an open one, IN every respect.
, Wewish to avoid this condition Of things, as one
, Of danger and difficulty. We are opposed TO tho
$ acquisition aud annexation Of territory in any
;. manner and under any prc,cnce whutcvcr-ant
p as citizens Of free State VIC will never Consen
C TO the further extension Of slavery, If this eX
d citing question is to be thrown into the poliricC
c arona if it is To be mingled in the next Presider
Ia tiu contest; if il is TO be torccd upon u.s. wo wi
f meet it like men. We are ready-AYE, READY
d We doubt not the patriotism of our galar
ID counlrymcn who have taken up arms. w
al commend tho aacrily with which they oboye
the demand Of the government, and we rajoic
ID world that American vaor has not dcgcneratcC
g Nevertheless, we shall hold this Administrator
y accountable; for all the evils that grow out Of lh
ID war; for it might have been avoided, And now
" we believe this war to be just and proper, is
c not our duty as good citizcnS to maintain it an
+ yield il a hearty support! lIon the o'her hant
ID we believe it to be wrong, and improper, LEI u
70 say so, and by all lawful and proper means Ell
k, dcavor 10 bring it to a close. let us speak OF
+; like mcn--like Frccmcn, as we arc. Go arc NJ
|; sIares, that We should fear TO express your opr
ID ions and honest conylctionsl Shall the pcopI
Ibe afraid Of their rulers, the work Of their ow
D. hands, the agents to whom they have delegate
to power which they can Withdraw at plcasure!-
ii Let them speak out lcarlessly, and uniledly, an
e they will be heard and hceded. Their voice wi
'. be as omnipolcnt as was that which made tn
d guilty Felix membIe upon the Judgment seat
l. Be not deferred by denunciation. 1t has eve
If been uick of power, through the medium of
= venal and hrcIing press 10 slandcr and abuse
e and attempt TO render odious, those that are ot
il noxious to il. 1t is thus that corrupt and Iawr
l. Ing parasites earn their right 10 tho crumbs an
l. scraps that fall from their masters table.
5, Aworl on the subject of the Presidential car
Il dilatc: Far be it from us to d2bar any maj
II even if we had the power, from aspiring to tn
u highest Offices within the gift Of the people,
II Neither would we make military success, how
ever signal, or military achievement, howev'
lo brilliant, test Of qualification. And while "
j. condemn aud reject no man, so neither do "
.; propose any man in connection with the Pres
o' dency. We are pledged to no one-we are con
- mllcd to no one. We do not think The presel
'r proper time to select candidate. Let US r,
1t assert our principles, aud declare the policy upo
l. which we intend to act. We can afford to wal
+ for the Wing party is not so few in number or 5
= poor in talent, that it cannot nt the proper Tim
. furnish many we'll tried, true and gallant lea'
J. crs, who will carry our banner on 10 victor
II and do honor 10 our principles. Then ABII