The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-09-17


secure Freedom in the territories, there must be
direct and early prohibition of slavery there
by an act of Congress-:
Position OF the FREE DEMOCRACY.
Ihe way is now prepared to consider the pre-.
else position OF the Free Democracy with regard
70 the accumuatng aggressions OF the Slave
POWER, the true character OF which have been
revealed, especially by the recent efforts TO ex.
tend slavery KEW &
Wil,not Proriso.
To the end that the country aud the age NAV
not witness the foul sin of Republic dedicated
10 freedom, pouring into vast Unsettled lands, as
INTO the veins OF an infant the fostering poison OF
slavery, destined, as time advances, to show it.
sell only in cancers and eprous disease, the Free
Democracy pledge themselves TO unrenitting
endcayors 10 procure the passage OF the Wilmot
ProVlso, or some other form of Congre ssional
legislation, prohibiting slavery in the territories,
without equiyocation or compromise OF any kind
Opposition 10 Slavery 'chererer are Response IDLE
THEREFOR
But we do not content ourselves with ouposinp
this last act of aggression We go vet iuriber
No only from desire to bring the Federal Gov.
ernment back again to the spirit of the Fathers.
but also from the deep convictions OF morals and
rellgion, is our hostility to slavery DERIVED
Slavery IS wrong; nor can any human legislation
elevate into responsibility the blasphemy of ty
ranny, that man hold property in his fellow.
man. Slavery, we repeat, is wrong and there
lore, we cannot sanction it. From these conyic-
tons may be drawn the measure of our duties
wherever we are responsible for slavery, we
oppose it. Our opposition is co-exensive with
our responsibility La the States slavery is sus.
tanned by local laws; and although we may be
compelled to share the stigma which its presence
lnt1lcts upon the fair fame of the country vet II
receives no direct sanction at our hands We are
not responsible for it there. The Federal Gov
eminent, III whom are representated is not
responsible for it there. The evil is not At orr
own particular doors. But slavery everv where
under the Constitution OF the United States-ey.
cry where under the exclusive jurisdiction of
the Federal Government, every where under the
national flag, is at our own particular doors. The
freemen of the North are responsible for il
equally with the traffickers in flesh. who baunt
the shamhles OF the South. Nor will this re-
sponslollty cease, so long slavery continues to
exist in the District of Columbia, in any territo.
ries OF the United States, or any where on the
high seas beneath the protecting flag OF the Re
public The letters of every slave within these
urlsdictloLs are bound and clasped in part by the
votes OF Massachusetts, Their chains, as thew
clank, seem to say, "Massachusetts helps com.
nit this outrage
Dirorce of the Fed-raL Government from Siqne,v
his must notbe so any longer. Let the word
go forth that the Federal Government shall he
divorced from all support Of slavery, and shall
never hereafter sanction it. so doing it will be
brought back TO the condition and character
which it enjoyed at the time OF the adontion ~
the Constitution.
zedeFGl government must be on the side of
Freedom.
| In accomplishing these specific changes a new
tone would be given to the Republic The
/ Slave Power would be broken, and slavery div.
en- IRON its present entertainments under the
Federal Government. The influence of such
change would be incalcuIabe The whole
weight OF the Government would then be taken
from the side Of slavery where it has been Mac
ed by the Slave Power, and put on the side Of
Freedom, according to the original purposes and
aspirations OF its founders. This oil itself is at an
end for which we should labor earnestly. in the
spirit OF the constitution.
! Let 1t never be forgotten, pole star OF our
policy, that the Federal Government must be
placed openly. actively and perpetually on the
! side of Freedom.
1t must be openly on the side OF Freedom -
| There must be no equivocstion, concealment or
reserve in its opinions. 1t must not, like the
witches in Macbeth "palter in double sense. -
Lett avow itself distinctly and firmly as the en-.
envy OF Slavery, and thus give the friends Of
Freedom now struggling throughout the slave
States, the advantage OF its countenance
1t must be actively on the side of Freedom -.
1t should not be eoutent with bearing its testi
mony openly. 1t must@ct. Within the consti-
tutlona sphere oil its influence it must be felt as
the enemy OF slavery. Let it now study to ex
ert Itself for Freedom as zeaously and effective
~ as for many years it has exerted itself for Sla
very. a
Thrust be perpeually on the side OF Freedom.
Ii must not be uncertain, vacilIating or temposa
ry in this benehcent policy Let it be fixed and
constant IN its hostility to slavery, SO that here.
alter 1t shall know no change. o a4a
\ lie our endeayors TO give the Governmen Mt this
elevated character, we are cheered by the hish
examples, whose opinions have already been ad
duced. We ask only that the Republic should
once more be inspired by their spirit. and be
guided by their counsels. Let il join with JEFF
ierson in open nncompronsing hostility to Sla.
very. Let it join with Franklin in giving its
countenance to the Cause Of emancipation, and in
stepping to the very verge OF the power vested
IN itfor Discouraging every species Of traffic in
the persons OF our iellow~nen Let all its off .
GERS and members join with Washington in de
claring, that in any legislative effort for the ab
oiiiion OF Slavery, their suffrages shall not be
wanting.
Other National Matters.
Such are the principles of the Free Democra.
& cy on the national question of Slavery. There
are other matters of national interest on which
their opinions have often been expressed. which
are OF subordinate character. These concern
lcheap postage-the abolition OF all i,nnessary