Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-06-22

ly for misconduct. have had Two taken from
me by The sboIiIionisls, and never inquired aller
Them; aud liberated a third who would not 90
with them. ! have slaves now in Kenucky,
who were elevated TO the dignity Of real estate,
by being removed from Missouri to Kentucky,
aud will have to descend next fall TO the low de.
gree Of a chauel interest in spite Of the laws Of
Kentucky, when shall remove them back to
Missouri. And have slaves in Washington
Cny-perhaPs the only member Of Congress
than has any there-and am not afraid that Con.
gress will pass any law to affect this properly
either there or here.
have made no slave speeches in Congress,
and do not mean to make them. Properly is
timld; and slave properly above all. 1t is not
right to disturb the quetude Of the owner-lo
harass him with groundless apprehensions. It
is private wrong 10 disturb single individual,
by making him believe, untruly that his proper
ty is insecure. Ii becomes public evil 10 dis
Iurb whole community. 1t creates general
uneasiness, generates animosities, deranges bu-
siness, and often leads 10 hasly and imprOvldenI
Legislation. have seen no danger TO The slave
properly Of any State in this Union by the ac-
ton Of Congress; and cannot contribute to alarm
the country by engaging in discussions which
assert or imply danger.
But have still higher reason for not enga.
gng in these discussions. We are a republic
the head Of that form of Goverument-and owe
great example to a struggling and agonized
world. All the American States Of Spanish or
igin, in spite Of the difference of religion, lam
guage, manners, customs have initiated our ex-
ample; Europe is now attempting to initiate II.
Liberty is now struggling in ancient Empires,
and her volaries are looking TO us for the exem'
pIihcation Of the blessings of which she is IN
search, aud for an argument in favor OF her eli.
forts, what do they see! wrangling and strife
and bitter denuncatons and threats OF separa-
IiOn. They see a quarrel about siavery!-to
them a strange and incomprehenslble cause ol
quarrel. They see slavery and disunion coup
led in one eternal wrangle. They see us IN al
most state Of sorganlzaIlon-leglslaI par
alysed-dislant territories left without Govern
ment-insult, violence, outrage on the floors oI
Congress-disunon threatened. Their hearts
are chilled AT this sad spectacle; their enemies
rejoice al il; and by every mail ship that leaves
our shores the representatives Of the crowned
heads Of Europe send forth a record of our de-
bates TO encourage the enemies aud coniound
the friends Of freedom. France-all paris oI
llaly-even the papal states; all paris of Ger,
many-even the old and gloomy empire OF Aus
tria; ALL all are struggling for liberty, and turn
ing anxious looks TO US for aid and succor, nO
by arms, for they know that 10 be impossibe,-
h,,t e. Il - If md
look in vain. Our example is against Ihem;-
and if the present struggle for liberty shall again
miscarry in Europe we may take 10 ourselves q
large share of the blame. Once called the mo-
del Republic by our friends, we are now so cal
led in derision by our foes; and the slavery dis
cussrons and dissensions quoted as the proofs oI
the impracticabe form of Government which
we have adopted. cannot engage in such dis
cussions, nor do anything to depress the cause
of struggling freedom throughout Europe. Nor
can | disparage the work or abuse the gift ol
our ancestors. Never has there appeared on
earth body of men who left u richer inherit
ance, or nober example to their poslerly.-
Wisdom, modesty, decorum, lorbearance, digni-
ty, moderation, pervaded all their works and
characterized all their conduct. They conduc-
ted a revolution with the order OF an old esIab-
lshed government they founded a new govern
ment with the wisdom of sages they admins
tered it in their day with temperance and ludg.
ment. They left US the admiration ana envy OF
the friends oil freedom throughout the world
And are we, their posterity, in the second gena-
ration TO spoil this rich inheritance-mar this
noble work-dscredit this great exampIe-and
throw the weight of the republic against The
friends Of RepubIicanism in their deadly strug.
gIel | cannot do ii. Taught TO admire the
founders Of our government in my early youth,
! reverence them now; taught to value their
work then, | worship it now; a Senator for 30
yearsI cannot degrade the Senate by engaging
in slavery and disunion discussions. Silence
such debate is my prayer; and if that cannot be
done, | silence myself