Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-01-26


States which were parties to the COM
pact, but it makes no further acknowl-
edgment. Ii bears on its plain and OK.
pressive page no agreement, express or
implied for the further extension of hu-
man slavery. That this national wrong
has been extended with the progress Of
population, is not an argument in favor
of It's justice, its constitutional, right or the
salutary effects it has produced in the
territories where it has been admiued.-
Shall 1t still be further extended To
the Congress of the United States belongs
the authority 10 settle this important
question before it shall have been deter
mined, the opinions of our citizens on the
subject should be fully and distinctly
made known, through their public func-
iionuries 10 the confederate states. The
right 10 instruct our senators and request
the representatives in the national coun-
ellis ought not 10 be used on light and tri-
vial occasions, while on subjects gravcly
affecting the well. being Of tho country,
il becomes q duty which zone will ven
ture 10 decline. In the exercise of this
admitted right, the Legislature will find
the Opportunity TO express in terms not 10
be mistaken the position which is held
by Pennsylvania on this grave and mo-
meniuous question.
While the compromises Of the Consti-
tuition should be maintained in good faith
towards our Southern brethren, it is our
duty to see that they are preserved with
equal fidelity TO ourselves. No encroach-
ments, however sanctioned by use, should
be acknowledged as precedenls for fur
Their wrongs, against the interests, pros
pority and happiness of the non-slave-
holding States of the Union. If slavery
be, in itself, an infraction Of human rights;
lift be directly opposed TO the enlighten'
cd spirit of our free institutions-if it des-
troy the equality of power in the Gener-
al Government, by charging where it tex.
lists, constitutional represeniation-if ii
possess a direct or Indirect influence a.
gainst Northern or Western policy and
interests, by promoting n system Of laws,
destructive to domestic industry and vi
tally affecting free labor-if it relard the
natural growth ofpopulation and improve
ment, by the appropriation of large tracts
of land, for the benefit OF the few TO the
injury Of the many-if il be in open de-
fance Of the spirit Of the age, the march
Of national truth and the enlightened poll
lev Of mankind-it is time 10 arrest its
further progress. These, it is believed,
are the settled convictions Of our citizens.
and their determination 10 maintain them
is unalterable."
Governor Fish says,
"Ifthere be any one subject upon which
the people Of the Stale of New York APP
proach near to uunnimity Of sentiment, it
is in their fixed determination to resist
the extension Of slavery ovcr territory
now free. With them it involves a great
moral principle, and oyerrides all ques-
lions Of temporary or OF p%o!i'ica. expedi.
ency. None venture 10 dissent; and in
the mere difference Of degree in which
the sentiment receives u,tcrance, it has
proved powerful even TO the breaking
down Of The strong barrier of party organ
ization. This sentiment is not Of recent
origin with our people. 1t was this near
ly unanimous sentiment of the people
which was reflected, and received utter
ance in the voice Of our Legislature, at
the period Of the agitation Of the question,
on the admission Of Missouri into the
Union. Slavery not only existed at that
time within tho limits Of Missouri, but
was legalizcd within the whole ofthe ter
ritory~ acquired by the United States UNI
der tho treaty with France. The people
Of our State were induced to yield their
assent to q compromise then made, where
by a State permitting slavery was admit
ted into the Union, formed on, Of terrific.
ry not embraced within the compromises
of tho Constitution, by the consideration
that slavery and involuntary servitude
should be forever excluded from the re.
manning portion Of the territory within
which slavery was therefore authorized
They yielded the political advantage Of
slave representation, by a portion of the
territory; for the moral triumph of estab'
fishing freedom throughout the remain
der.
They are now asked to become parties
TO the extension Of slavery over territory
already free. Their answer may be reat
In their past history. | believe Ina, it i
almost, if not entirely, the unanimou
decision Of the people of this State, tina
under no circumstances will their assen
be given 10 any action whereby the insli
tuition of slavery shall be Introduced int
any part of the territory of the Unite
States, from which it is now excluded.
From he National Era.