Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-09-16

curity against the extension of slavery into
territories where it did not practically exist.
I'd. That in the language of your own
condensed and excellent resolution, Slavery
in the several States of the Union which
recognise its existence, should depend upon
State laws, which cannot be repealed or
modified by the Federal Government
and
Sd. A spirit of considerable forbearance
towards the institution, in localities where
it was placed under the control of Congress.
By wise observance of this policy, we
have. until recently been enabled to neutral
ize the Injurious tendencies of an element
Of discord, more difficult to deal with than
any to which our free institutions are ex-
posed. But unhapply for the present har-
mony, and possibly for the future welfare,
of our beloved country, a pretehsion has
been recently set up by our brethren Of the
slave holding States, in regard to the first
branch of this policy, so inadmissible upon
principle, and so revolving to our feelings,
as to produce rush or public sentiment to-
wards the point of resistance. which, with
population so considerable and so staid as
ours. is never seen, except when convic-
ton exists that the honor and safety of the
country are at stake, and then always. A
train of occurrences, all tending to the same
general end, which have, for a few years
past, followed each other in rapid success.
ion. has raised this feeling TO an elevation
hitherto unknown, and produced resolves
which il is not in the power of individuals
10 induce the people 10 recede from. The
constitutionality, the justice, the humanity
and the expedency of,he ground they have
taken, are all so clear as to preclude the pos
sibility of continued diversity of opinion
or action in the non-saveholding States.
The consequences that may result from
this conflict of opinion between us and those
who are, unhappily, our opponents-iftheir
pretensions are persisted in--are known
only to that omniscent and kind Providence
which has hitherto protected our country
and its institutions from the dangers which
have threatened them.
The claim set up by our southern breth-
rem, is departure from the platform raised
by our common ancestors, at period when
the claim of our Union was the brightest
and the fralernal feeling between the States
that composed it, the strongerst. 1t comes
upon the back of series of events well
calculated to awaken at the north, that deep
and, as it respects ourselves, overwhelming
sensation in the public mind, TO which
have referred. A brief review of them, at
moment so critical, cannot fail 10 be use.
ful
The future condition of the respective
States, in regard to probable continuance or
abolition of slavery, were correctly fore
seen at the formation of The government
Those of the old thirteen which are now
exempt from it, acted under confident an
ticipation that they would soon become so
, whilst those of the number where slavery
still exists, could not look forward to ar
equally favorable result in regard 10 them
selves. 1t was, therefore, well understood
at the adoption of the Constitution, that al
r though large and highly respectable por
tion of the members Of the confederacy
would probably for long, certainly for ar
. indefinite period, remain slaveholding States
, majority of,he States would be non-slave
holding: and that constitutional prepon
/, derance in the federal government woulc
. be thus secured to the latter. ..
, To make assurances of this result douby
sure, the save.holding States themselve:
were prominently active in a measure-tht
, ordinance of 1887, by which six new States
were first designed to be, and five actually
, were, arrayed on the same side. These
added to the seven in which slavery hat
, had been, or was expected 10 be, abolished
would make the division in this regard l:
to 6. The evidence we possess of the cir
p. cumstances and dispositions of the times
e warrants US in assuming that no one, a
|. that day, anticipated that this difference il
. the respective conditions of The States, il
' regard TO slavery, would ever be overcom
s or neutralized, by the accession TO the con
e federacy, of new slaveholding States. Ne
II in the brief period which has elapsed-w
!. may well say brief. when viewed in connec
O ton with such great results-we have wit
q messed the addition of nine slave-holdin.
and only three non, slaveholding States, t
It the confederacy, beyond those which wer
"a provided for before the adoption of tn
D. Constitution, making them TO stand hftee
10 fifteen. The preponderance original
n. secured to the non-slayeholding States, an
h, with the knowledge of which they assste
IN in investing the institution of slavery in Il
IT States, with the privileges and guarantee
Il. of the Constitution, has thus been annihil
of ted. These facts cannot be controverle
a, or concealed, and when once fully unde
stood. and appreciated by the people of Il
IT. non, slaveholdng States, they must have
m, controlling influence over their futu
ee course. The emotions they have alreat
he excited, ought not to surprise intelise
he and ingenious minds in any quarter.
is But this is not the only, nor even the me