Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-01-17
WHOLE NUMBER 1S9. :

to relax their vigilance and tyranny oyey
the slave. Three millions Of human bsingss.
goaded on 10, desperation by The foulest
wrongs, and ready to gldt their long bafied
revenge at any moment, woald not permit
so favorable an opportunity to pass amin,
proved. But whether they would or not.
threats and vaunting challenges, are decide
edly in bad taste. We hope the South will
learn when they can in safety to themselves,
that Northern freemen are not arrant cow
tards, ,5sl4.l5e
| We are not nov, going to advocate this
feasibility Of the Wilmot Proviso. If ii.
could pass Congress it would unquestiona-
bly, be vetod yPresident Polk. One thing
is certain, the North should nerer consent
to the introduction Of slavery into the new
Territories. Cost what it may, they can,
and should prevent It. IF disunien and all
the horrors of civil war succeed, the retribu-~
ton of the oppressor would only be precipi-
tated, perhaps, for a few years. Liberty
would look brighter after such a conteet.---s
As much as we deplore the consequences Of
disunion, and the infinite evils of war IN
the brotherhood of States, we: prefer them
all, to the continuous and intsrminable adj
vancement Of the slave power. Let slavery
be content with her fifteen States. We will
not dispute with her about what she has
already obtained. She is welcome to that.
We would not exchange the honor and pros
perity of Ohio, for the desolateness of Vir-
ginia, or the boasted chivslry Of South Caro-
olina. We would not prevent her nursing
the mortal Upas that is growing in her midst
but she mast not attempt to plant another.
The fires of the inextinguished VOLCANIC
should not pass their boundaries, for they
may undermine and consume tbe innocsnts
New Mexico sees her imminent danger, and
at the earliest opportunity implores protec-
ton. How base, how detestable, and how
unworthy the name of freemen would be
our Northern Congressman should they dis
regard her petition.
We have never had any desire to meddle
with the domestic institutions of cur South
ern brethren. The exciting harrangues of
some popular orators in the free States a.
gainst slavery, have, n our opinion, been
both unwise and unjust. While thisis oar
opinion, we do not abate anything from our
hostility to slavery. l think we are bound
by our fidelity to the Constitution, and to oar
country, TO lie. it alone where it is. But
when attempts. are made to .ingraft into the
social and political institutions Of those who
are now averse to it, the inexorable and fatal
curse of African Slavery, that attempt should
be firmly resisted, cost vAat it ntay.
What glorious, what an Incompatible
Republic would be this great confederation
of States,were the alEconsuming 10th which
is silently eating up her vitals, eradicated
from her bosom! How worthy the regard
of every patriot freeman! Superior in all
the elements of true greatness to every ma
ton on the globe, occupying the proud and
solitary position of a home for the wandsrer.
and an asylum for the oppressed, she would
then be to the toiling millions of other lands.
what the blaze Of the beacon is to the
storm rocked mariner.
MARLIVANE.