Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-05
EASTERN TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Dec. ), 1850.
The Meeting of Congress.


On Monday last Congress again convened,
after an intermisson of but about two months
In this period the state of the country has not
much improved, aud the present session bids
fair to embrace within itself as much Of mo-
mentous interest as did the last
The deliberations of the last session of Con-
gress, at a protracted period and after most
hazardous excitement, settled down into
harmonious and pacific adjustment of all the
questions growing out Of the most troublesome
subject susceptible Of being introduced into our
national councils. Through the longest session
of Congress ever known to our country IN time
ofpeace, did the exciting discussion, upon the
slavery question continue, and when at last
measures constituting compromise were pass
ed, every friend of the stability and harmony
of the Union, we are confident, earnestly hoped
that this harassing and critical question was
disposed of for many Years to come. These
hopes, however, have hardly been realized
The pacific measures had scarcely been adopt
ed before the agitators Of the North commence
ed vindictivc and unjustifable attack upon
one of the measures, in which attack disngcn-
uous insinuation and popular prejudice were
SO blended as to fan anew and add increased
fuel to the expiring flames. \ feeling has been
created that has found utterance in public
demonstrations, in which notification or resis
lance tc law, has been openly preached The
effect of this is already seen at the South. u
traists call for disunion, moderate men become
~ ,,,l
the worst possible feeling is cngendered.
Now where is this to end One may reply.
"with the repeal of the fugitive slave bill
but should its repeal be attempted: 1t is a
part of great compromise which has been
partially enforced-a measure embracing prop
ostions-each one of which formed a recipro-
cal consideration for the support of the rest
California has been admitted and cannot be
restored to her former condition. Texas can
not be deprived of her ten millions, nor her
boundary disturbed. The slave trade in the
District of Columbia cannot be resumed-and
the territories of New Mexico and Utah are
already organized there is only demand
ed for the completion of the contract, the en-
forcement of the fugitive slave law. Its repeal
any modification by which its efficacy would
be weakened, would be an exhibition of inius-
tice and treachery that we believe few Of our
northern people would be guilty of.
What then ought Congress TO do in this
matter: This is the question, and it is one of
no slight import. Formerly, questions of ma
tional concern, were entrusted by the people
with confidence to the deliberations Of our ma
tional councils. But now the assembling Of
Congress gives rise to gloomy apprehensions $
Questions that would be safe in the hands of
the people, fraught with every Indictment
of passion, and only produce disunion and dis
cord in the halls of Congress. Why is this
Because there have been subjects introduced
there that cannot and should not be lesislated
upon, any more than the subject of religion
As we'll might government dictate to its sub
jects their religious creed as their code of NOR
ais. General legislation may be safe enough,
but there is point in religion and morals to
attempt to Iegislate beyond which is transcend
ing the prerogatives of all invested power.
The agitation of the slavery question in our
national councils has ever been 4 source Of dis
cord and contention. And well may pause
and consider what have been the practical re-
suits of all the political agitation of this ques-
ron, from the first, in and out of our lcgisla-
tive halls. The aversion to slavery in our
sountry is not proportionally greater at the
present time, than it was at the formation OF
our government. The magnitude of the evil
was considered as great then, as it now is-lts
existence then was not incompatible with the
existence of the Union-why should it be now:
1t was tolerated then as a necessary evil, if you
please-does it sustain any worse relation now,
or can it be any more easily abolished now Than
formerly: The spirit of slavery we have al
ways considered as being 'more sinned against,
than sinning'-as having been melted to all
its efforts upon defensive principle that is
justifable for its own protection. The history
of our country verifes this and its spread and
extension is attributable rather to the consequent
efforts of those who have BEEN prompted to
rally to its rescue to counteract an encroaching
disposition on the part of certain agitators than
from any aggressive or avaricious spirit of its
own. Under the Constitution we acknowledge
ourselves 10 be apologists for the institution of
slavery as it existed in l7S3-and while we
are sensible of the great and incalculable bene-
tits that have resulted from the federal COM
pact and insensible to any advantages to be
derived from its abrogation, we consider our
selves justified in sticking to the spirit of the
bond
As slavery agitation, then. in our national
councils tends only to contention and conflict
of the most hazardous character, we think that
our Legislators should be justified in excluding
it, as far as possible, from their councils
Such course, in all seriousness, we consider
to be the only safeguard of the Union. The
agitation of the last year has served to thor
oughly arouse the people and they are begin
ming 10 see that tn cir interests as well as those
of their Southern brethren and those of the
slaves, depend upon the ccmented Union Of the
States.
Union Meeting.
A preliminary meeting Of the signers of the
call for the Union meeting was held at the |