The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-08
For the National Era.
SENAT0R COOPER.

CHESTER, COUNTY, Pa, May IL, 1850
However much | once might have been amazed
and astounded TO have anticipated the present
course of this gentleman, recent events had fully
prepared my mind for the Erals editorial COM
ments of April 25th upon his silence and lodging
pending this mighty struggle of slavery in Con-
gress for the mastery over this continent. The
Northern Senator who has found no oth,r occa-
sion during five months of fiery debate aud con-
tinuous struggle, for the expression Of his views
save the startling and frightful one which an
nounced the presentation in the Senate of a Pc
tition from dozen or two peaceable Quaker men
and women, for the peaceful dissolution of this
Union, is The rery to betray the liberties of
the people, and barter away their most sacred
rights for a lRtfe place and power. The Northern
Senator who could witness treason stalk abroad
at MONDAY, in the very inner chamber of the
Senate and this Union threatened resistance and
blood intimated and boldly foreshadowed by his
official comrades, without once opening his lips
without once finding occasion to speak for his
country and the liberties of his countrymen,
and in undying denunciation of that spirit and
power which would make this land the last refuge
and resting place Of despotism on earth, but is
suddenly seized with an alarm for the stability
of the Union" and is dragged from his giht re-
tuemea to make his first speech, by repeating the
old, WORKOUT frothy, stereotyped trash about our
and to patriotism when both were so fearfully
nssailed by handful Of quiet and obscure, peace
full disunionsts makes him the very man you
should mark, as The one who, in all probability
has already pocketed the thirty pieces of silver.
Not few Of US marked him from that hour,
and were fully prepared for the Era's develop
ments.
Most shamefully is our State represented in the
Senate. have not met man, for years, who has
Ill naaN A =.
imbecile Sturgeon, who would have been forgot.
ten, did he not make an annual growl at some ILL
fated anti-slavery petition.
But the feeling growing mp towards Cooper is
much more active and decided. II is one OF
indignation, contempt, and disgust-and for
good reasons He is who has sought In
every election campaign, and particularly in all
in which he has had PERSONAL interest, to sum-
mon TO his aid and the aid of his party the anti.
slavery vote by his anti-slavery speeches | am
well acquainted with many prominent anti-savery
and Free Soil citizens or Adams comfy, where
Cooper resides, and they have always rejoiced in
his political triumphs as triumphs also to their
principles
In all cases Of kidnapping and fugtives taken and
claimed before the courts of Adams county, Cooper
was chief counsel and in some of the most promi-
nent ones, it iswel known, capital was sought and
made, by going to the pains of getting out
hVhCSb Nucu Nc NOulu duuTSes Tue COuTty which
never failed TO bring a crowded courtroom.
In many ways he had won the respect and conf
dence OF the friends of freedom in this State,
and his election to the Senate was deemed cause
OF rejoicing, as the next best thing, to the
election Of thoroughly consistent Free Soil
candidate not however, owing TO any supe-
rior qualifications for the post Of United States
Senator, but to his supposed sincere devotion
to the great principles Of Free Soil.
In the CAMPAIGN Of ls4s, in compsny with
Thaddeus Stevens of the House, he visited eur
county-s special visit TO one Of the strongest
Free Soil districts In II, at which the great bur.
den of their speeches was to show that the Whig
party was the Free Soil party, and their an xious
solietude that we should vote for Zachary as
the only reliable means OF effeoting anything in
behalf Of the great question
Stevens has, in degree, nobly maintained his
reputation upon this subject, in his short but
pointed speech, and hope we shall yet hear much
further from one capable Of measuring eloquence
and power with any member of that body.
What q spectaclei Less than two years ago
Free Soil brought both parties to their knees, even
In this slavery ridden State Johnson was elect
ed Governor by it-Gamble went In Canal Com
missioner, year since with On immense majority
by an open profession Of it--Cooper took his seat
in the Senate, covered all over with pledges to