The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-03-21


pose 70 arraign them upon this occasion;
but determination is at all times prOfta-
bic for individuals or communities, and we
shall see more clearly the mote in their
eve after we have taken the beam from
our own. If we have in any degree con-
tributed TO provoke existing sectional irri-
tation, it is the highest dictate of patriot
ism TO make ample and manly reparation.
For no alleged abuse by them, and with
out contributing to the dignity or advance
ment OF single human being, we have
Withdrawn, by force of law, courtesy
which had been extended them from the
foundation OF the government-permlttlng
them, while visiting US upon business or
pleasure, 10 bring with them, and retain,
Tor brief period, the household servants
which the habits of their lives have made
necessary TO the comfort of their families.
Relying upon their honor and domestic
justice, as they did upon ours, we stipula-
ted, by the plain terms of the constitution,
TO deliver up to them fugitives from servi-
. ces, who should flee within our borders;
and yet some northern States have inter-
posed embarrassing enactments, to thwart
the fulfllment of this constitutional pledge.
Presses have been established in our midst,
to hurl fire and desolation among them,
and lncendiaries have prowled around
their borders, unwhipt of justice, TO incite
their slaves to insurrection, rebellion, and
murder.
The southern people have been goaded
to state of excitement and alarm. They
have seen, not only demagogues and fanat-
ics bat large bodies of men in free states,
uniting in one grand steeple chase for ab-
clifton honors, and awarding the mark of
merit TO him who could cry longest and
loudest against the cause of slavery and
the aggressive south. The contest is un
equal, unmanly and unchristian- The in
stitutions of the south are extremely SEN
sitive, and our blows will tell upon them
with fearful effect, while theirs, should
they direct them against US, fall harmless
a.! our feet.
The individual who should introduce
within the social circle, political or reli-
gious opinions, offensive 10 portion of
those assembled, would he held guilty of
violating the plainest rules Of propriety.
and be rightfully excluded from social com
munion; and yet, when the great family of
States meet together portion are constant
ly reminded by the sovereign voices of
others, that they uphold an institution
which is hateful among men and sinful in
the sight Of God
How long could the ordinary business
relations of life continue between indiv1d-
uals, however profitable or desirable,
where one party should constantly load
the other with reproaches for delinquen-
cies Ill his domestic relations, real or imag-
mary? How long could that holy union,
which was ordained of Heaven, and lies
at the foundation of our social structure,
continue, in spiri. or in form, with such a
canker gnawing at the root Of It's felicity.
1t is at all times easy 10 furnish lip-ser-
vice TO the cause of patriotism; and those
now among the most dangerous enemies
OF the Union, are the first to proclaim that
they OF all others. will stand by it, and
prevent its dissolution But the Union
is not to be maintained by force or by
pompous gasconade; it must be upheld by
the same great and good spirit of lofty
and self-sacrificing patriotism in which it
was fornded, or it must go down before
an admiring and envious world-and 90
down, too, forever, in night and anarchy,
and blood signalized by the death-struggle
of the last free government on earth.
The sovereign States of this confederacy
are now appropriately contributing blocks
OF their native marble and granite 10
strengthen and adorn n monument sacred
TO the memory of the greatest and best oi
men. Would to Heaven they would each
send hither their gifts of peace and good
will, to strengthen and perpetuate fabric
yet more glorious, that il may be rendered
more beautiful and enduring!
Let sectionalism cry that this gives up
to The north, and that to the south. The
question of slavery in the territories, is one
of tenn porary duration, and is a mere con-
sequence, and not the cause of the general
irritation. All good men, north and south
who believe man capable of seIf-govern-
meni, are willing to leave it 10 the people
who are TO create institutions there, to say
what shall be their character, under the
provisions of the constitution; their deter
mination will be- aquiesced in by all who
would not enslaye one race, lest they
should enslave another. To what end
and for whose ben eft is this controversy
prosecuted; which, instead of mitigating a
.ungle feature in the dark history of sla-
ery, or loosing the bonds of single slave
h as practically increased the rigor of the
la ws in the slave States--has arrayed man
ag ainst man, and State against State, and
brt ught our happy Union TO The verge OF
dis. solution.