The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-11

uttered no menace, harbored no thought of dis.
union. True, the suti-slavery policy which
marked the earlier years Of the Republic had
been widely departed from the compromises Of
the Constitution relating to slavery 20 reluctantly
agreed to by the Northern States at the time Of
its formation - agreed to only with the nnder-
standing that the system itself would at no distant
day become extinct-were extended far beyond
their original intent and application, with the ex-
press view Of perpetusting and strengthening an
evil which our fathers labored to abste and limit,
but they peacefully acquiesced, without securing
one foot Of the new acquisition for freedom. Such
an exaction upon their patience, such an imposi-
ton upon their spirit of brotherhood, such vio-
lation OF the whole spirit Of the Constitution,
enough for a century But ambition grows ram
pant by success. The necessities of slave labor
are infinite there is no limit to the voracity Of
the Slave Power
The annex alton Of Texas embroiled us with
Mexico, and q slsveholding Executive, with the
army and navy at bis disposal overran that dis
tracted country, and compelled her to save herself
from national extinction by the cession of vast
portions Of her territory. This was free soil,
made so by the Law of Mexico-it came TO us free.
The North, with the numerical prepondersnce in
Congress, might have prevented the annexation Of
shs,c-s ~A',s--.. ...... ,...-.-..,,.. ose
Union, and agreed that as she was already slave
country, 80 she might remain. California and
New Mexico had not slave law on their statute
books not slave within their bounds Free in
law and in fact, they asked, they now ask, to re-
main free. The North seconds their demand
The rule which the slave aristocracy enforced in
application to Texas, against the spirit of the
Constitution and the original policy of the Gov
eminent, non shareholders would now enforce in
relation to New Mexico and California, 10 accord
ance with the spirit Of the Constitution and its
original policy.
Free Labor Is the Interest of two-thirds of the
white people of the country, and yet they gave up
Texas to Slave Labor, in the shadow Of which the
Free Laborer is psralysed Slave Labor is the
Interest Of q limited class in section containing
one-third Of the whole population Of the United
States; but what is now claimed That it should
have unrestricted access to Territory now Free
where, if it obtain foothold, it will necessarily
exclude, TO great extent, the free worki.c ueu
of the North The Northern States, in behalf
of their own population aqd q - Il
-tion of the South oppressed 81 the system of
Slave Labor, resist the claim. They appeal to
the Ordinance Of l7s7-to the example set us by
the Fathers Of the Republic--to the Charter on
which as q nation we rest our right to an indie
pendent existence e. to the compromises of the
Constitution in relation to slavery, always odious
to them, bat stretched so as to embrace extensive
regions acquired from foreign Powers, such acqui-
sitions never having been contemplated by the
Constitutional the Spirit of the Age, crying out
in favor Of Human Liberty-to their forbearance
in the case Of Te1as-to the fact that the Terri
tories now belonging to us are free by law-to
the claims of -slaveholdpg citizens, constiut-
United States-to the Spirit of Brotherhood
which should prompt the Few identified with q
system against the civilization Of the age, against
the interests Of the Masses to regard the feelings
and principles Of the Many of their fellow-citi-
Gems who cannot, without sacrificing honor, SELF
respect, conscience, consent to continue partners
In Union stained by the crime of Slavery Prop
sgandism-and they adjure their brethren of the
South, as they love the Union, as they value Ma
tional reputation. as they would escape the exc
crations of Men and the retributions of God, to
abandon their attempt to open new markets for
slaves in our Territories, and girdle the Cont
nent with the Curse of Human Bondage.