The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-11-02

OF ESCAPE FROM GREAT AND
THREATENING DANGERS. (Gsca,
Applausc.'')
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
THE GREAT ISSUE OF THE PRESENT
CANVASS.
Large acccssions have hcen mado 10 our
territorial possessions, and the great issue,
that which seems to ''swnllow up' oil 9th.
crs, IS, shall this newlv-acqnircd territory
hecosne slave ar remain free territorv.--
This is an important question, aud when
considerably entertained 10 susceptible Of
an easy mud practicable determinations
l'n, there is SO much in,rmpernte zeal, such
snpertluity Of protested devotion to freedom,
and such mouopolising protestations agains,
slavery. that the plnin, practicable, efiec,u-
nj means Of accomplishing the desired end,
is TOO republican. too simple md too ,crres-
trial to he embraced by certain theoretical
politicians aud transccndenial philanthro-
pisis.
The legitimate. constitutional and efTec.
'nsl WAYS and means of terminating this
great question. arc repudiaicd BY the lead.
crs Of the one-idea movement, because the
agitation would be thereby speedily allowed
aud their iavori,e occupation ended. In
wiling 10 minglc with tho multitude, and
travel along the straight and beaten path.
on level with the mass. in the quiet, un-
"s'cn'a'i"ns, practical accomplishment Of
the erea, work, these inprsc,icable rcfor.
mcrs are found astridc the fences, and upon
the elevations by the way side, croakinr
aud making public on,.cry, to attract atsen.
,ion and obtain individual notoricty. They
arc so independent. so pulled up TO reple.
,'on. with tho "vershadowing Importance
81 their own individuality, that the wclI-be.
'ngof society, the business interests OF the
community. and the preservation Of our
National Union. are questions too iusigniH-
cant TO divert them from their cherished
schemes 81 agitation and individual glori6.
cation.
In all aces md among all nations, men
Of this description have existed, and our
present reference 10 men of this class, is
not in censorious or fault finding spirit
AZ public journalists. il is our priv.
lcge mud our duty TO "spcak out" our hon.
est ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that which
We conceive TO be consncratc and prac.
teal from thar which is impuIsive and
ideal.
We believe that Slavery Is a national
evil aud national disgracc--and thus be-
''eslng, we are uncompromising in our hos.
i'lhy To it's extension into any territory
where II does not exist. We have no new
light--no new born zeal upon this subject
Always having regarded slavery a. a
"cnrsc'--always having feared end dspre.
Gated the consequences of its extension
We still advocate what We believe the only
practicable end eflectual means Of srrestinp
its spread, and state tho reasons for tho
''iaith that is 10 u.s."
How then is a li,ni, 10 he established, be.
vond which SLAVERY in this, our boosted
land Of Liberty, shall never extend? Sure.
" in no other way than by the potential
fiat Of the people, constilutionNlly proclaim
ing, thus far il has rroeressed--but here
after no farther. We may listen to elo-
quen, and indignant denuncis,ons against
human bondage, and become transported
by the rapturous declamaiions in praise oil
the blessing, of Liberiy--it Is al pIeasan,
and exciting, but without the concurrence
ofthe practical and legitimate action which
good old fashioned common sense suggests,
all will result, rs il ever has resulted, in
"sonnd and fury signifying nothing"
So long as the people Of the thirty State
sovcreigntics abide BY the CONSTITUTION
which makes them American citizens, and
confess upon them Nationality, just 90 long
there will Be bot one way Of Determining
the great question Of slave extension OF
limitation by Constitutional authority.
II WINS the ordinance If 1857 which re.
deemed the Territory Of the North West
from the blight Of Slavery, and dedicated 10
Freedom the grea, and flourishins states
now organized within its limits; snd il is
the assertion and application Of tho snme
great principle to our newly acquired terri.
tory, BY Congressional enactment, which
must prevent the introduction q Slavery
therein preserve il AZ Free soil and dedicate
il to Free Labor.
The Executive WILL tms % long been
supreme in this country, that men seem to
have forgotten that the arbitrary exercise
Of the Veto, is an ssurpolio., and a viola
ton Of the spirit Of the Constitution. In
sfend of rnllv;nu ia C..~r,>. - sA.:.