Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-19

solemn and explicit. bv ali or nearly all
the most slaveholding States. and We are
not at liberty 10 suspect the sincerity OF
these expressions. Honest and well mean
ing men as we know the masses Of our
political friends in those States to be. are
incapable Of triflng with grave sub
Ject.
Our ancestors sgnalized the commence
ment Of this glorious Government Of ours.
by rescuing from subsection to slavery. a
territory which Is now covered by tive
great States and pcopled by more than
Jour millions Of frecnen. in the full ENJOY
Ineni OF every blessing, which industry
and good institutions can confer. They did
this when the opinions and conduct OF the
world in regard to the institution of slavery
were very different from what it is now.
They did so before Great Britain had even
commenced those gigantic efforts for the
suppression Of slavery. by which she has
SO greatly distinguished herself After
seven,y-four years enjoyment OF the sd
cred and invaluable right OF self govern
mcn'. obtained for US by the valor and dis
erection of our ancestors; we their descend
ants are called upon to doom. if that is
too strong a word, TO expose to the inroad
Of slavery territory capable of sustain
ing an equal number of new States 10 be
added to our Confederacy-a territory in
a great part of which slavery has never
existed in fact, and from the residue of
, which it has been expressly abolished by
. the existing Government. We are called
upon to do this at period when the minds
Of nearly all mankind have been penetrat
cd by a conviction Of the evils Of slavery,
and are united in efforts for its suppress
sion-at a moment too, when the spirit Of
freedom and reform is everywhere far more
prevalent than it has ever been. and when
our Republic stands proudly forth as the
4 great cxcmplcr Of the world in the science
: Of free government.
: Who can believe that population like
] that which inhabits the non slavcholding
? States. probably amounting to twelve mil
lions. who by their own acts, or by the
foresight of others. have been exempted
from the evils of slavery, can. at such a
moment. be induced. by considerations of
, any description. TO make retrogade move
mcnt Of Il character SO extraordinary and
5 SO painful! Such movement would. in
, my view of the matter, and | say it with
unfeigned Difference to the conflicting opin-
ions Of others, bring IA reproach upon the
influence of free institutions, which would
. delight the hearts and excite the hopes of
the advocates of arbitrary power through
out the world.
5 Holding these opinions. you have duties
10 perform as important as they arc deli
cate. In the first place you should adhere
. ini1exibly to your opinions. as long as you
believe them to be right. and no longer.
/. This YOU will do. In the next place you
= should present your views in regard to
. them. calmly and distinctly but firmly TO
/ your political brethren Of the slaveholding
: States. with full statement Of the reasons
: on which they are founded, that those rea-
, sons NAV be controverted if they are not
n sound. This you have done. In other
J important respects your positions are unas-
| sailable. The movement to advance the
:. principle you desire TO promote. was com
: mcnced in the right place. though. per-
!. haps. not at the most desirable moment.
l.. and was not accompanied by partizan
r measures or founded on polical designs
of any description, as far as known or
have reason to believe. If understand
: your course. your delegates went to the
e Convention prepared TO accept the nominal
= ton Of any sound Democrat, who had not
: actually submitted to n test which ilnpli-
Gated the well known and repeatedly ex-
: pressed opinion Of you, State. without in
) tcrrogating him in regard TO his opinion on
Il this particular question. In taking this
+ ground. you pursued the only course by
:. which the democratic party OF the Union
i has hitherto organized. can be perpetual,
i ed; aud the Just and fair minded men Of
5 the party everywhere will. when the pre-
0 sent excitement has passed away, approve
e your conduct. One thing more, and your
z whole action will. in the end. attract the
i attention and enlist the good feeling Of all
n just and generous minds. Let your far
: Their proceedings in this whole matter. be
e distinguished by moderation and forbear-
a ance.
: Injustice must be Observation-Disclosures
: repealed. and all this can be done. with de-
}. cency and without impeachment of the
= motives of whole communities, on account
n ofthe conduct Of individuals. The situa-
= ton Of your political brethren in the slave
g holding States. is not as favorable to calm
:. discussion and dspassionate consideration
:. as yours. and more will therefore. in this
}. respect. be expected a: your hands. II
! your differences must continue. do YOU at
S least sustain your views without vitupera-
d ton unnecessary excitement Of any
= description. Exemplify your firmness and
n your confidence in the Justice of Your
v cause, BY the best Of all tests-the dignity
$ and moderation with which you uphold it.
i When the election is over. and reason
u resumes her empire, the ground which
IF has been taken by your Southern brethren.
) will be reviewed with calmness.- and if
y found to be untenable. you are bound to
S believe that it will be abandoned. If in
'f this you are disappointed. it will still be a
y consolation to know. that you have done
e nothing unnecessarily. which could serve
n to exasperate alterations which may then
,. become incurable
II Accept. Gentlemen my warmes, ac-
y kn owledgements for the obliging express
s. sions contained in you letter, and believe
5 me to be
al