Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-01-31

founded upon geographlcal DIVISIONS, da-
verse interests Of soil, climate and modes
Of domestic life, are more permanent, and
therefore, perhaps the more dangerous. -
While we should adhere 10 our ON n rights
with determined firmness, yet TO do justice
and 10 guard against any cause Of deiec-
ton, we should regard the rights OF our
sister States with like interest and equal
anxiety with which we would protect our
own.
No one subject At present more gener-
ally or justly agi,aies the public mind than
does that Of the extension Of slavery. II
is one of fearful import as the DIVISION Is
one of geographical lines and adverse
inte, ests of soil and climate" So Gar as
the State of Ohio is concerned, there ap-
pears to be but little difference Of opln-
ion on this subject. Although our people
differ upon questions Of state or national
policy, yet upon this one subject all or
| Iearly all are agreed. that slavery ought
not to be extended. This unity OF feeling
has been heretofore manifested by legisla-
| tive action.
Upon one occasion when one Of the
great political parties into which the State
is divided, was in the ascendency, and the
question was agi,ated Of adding more slave
territory to this Union. that project was u
unanimously condemned by The General
Assembly. And at subsequent period
the other party being in power. the same
measure was condemned hv an oyerwhel-
ming majority Of the same body. But this
was Of no avail, this renionsirance was un-
Needed. Texas was annexed with slavery
irrevocably Fixed upon it.
Since tina: period, in consequence Of the
war with Mexico, war waged against
the feelings and wishes of majority of
the people Of this State, new territories Of
immense extent have been added 10 the u
nited States. These territories are now
free, uncontaminated by the bligh. of sla-
very, and the great question that now agi-
taies the nation is, whether they shall be
protected in that freedom by On act con-
tanning the principles of the Ordinance Of
1851, or whether by authority of the Con-
gress of the United States the curse of sla-
very shall be extended over them. While
| would faithfully accord TO the slavehold-
ing Suites all the rights secured 10 them by
the compact which binds US together.
must also regard the rights of the free
States with equal care, and believing as |
do that the fathers of the constitution never
contemplated the extension Of slavery un-
der the authority Of that instrument, be-
yond the limits Of the original STATES,
can never consent, nor will the slate of O.
hio ever consent, that this moral and polit-
ical evil shall be further extended. The
interests Of free labor, the general good Of
the whole nation, and the yet higher claims
Of humanity and justice, demand that any
act authorizing these territories should
contain the principles Of that Ordinance
which has contributed so much to the pros.
perity and happiness Of that portion of our
country once composing the northwestern
territory. would therefore recommend
to your consideration the passage of such
resolutions as will express to the General
Government the voice of the Stale Of O.
hio upon the subject, and give strength to
our Senators, and Representatives in Con-
gress, in their endeavors to restrain slave
ry within its present limits.
To your wisdom, under the Constitution,
have our common constituents committed
their multifarious interests, and. by your
| united and harmonious action are these in
| teresls to be projected and our future pros.
perity established. That it may be so, |
earnestly supplicale that Almighty Being
in whose hands are the destinies Of States
and Nations, that He will preside in your
councils and direct your deliberations, and
that through His favor our privileges may
be continued unto us, and the blessings Of
constitutional government extended 10
our postarity to the latest generations.
SEABURY FORD.
Columbus, Jan. %, 1S49.