Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-03-04


millions of human beings, we are shorp Of
the influence which we ought TO exert for
the political regeneration OF the old world,
We can now make no higher move IN the
cause of human rights abroad than ITO
suspend diplomatic intercourse" with the
contempiible dynasty Of the House ol Aus.
tria. Whereas, il we were free from the
curse Of slavery al home, we should have
the boldness 10 take the Autocrat Of all the
Russians by the beard, and command him
TO leave the gallant Huns TO achieve their
independence without .'let or hindraDce"
from his colossal power.
9TH. That we regard the Nicholson lei-
ter of Lewis Cass, the California Message
of Zachary Taylor, and the Compromise
Resolutions of Henry Clay, as alike spe-
cious and miserable expedients, whereby
their respective authors may advance their
own political aggrandizement, by making
unwarrantable concessions 10 the South
without direct accountability 10 the North
7TH. That Congress has power under
the Constitution to legislate directly for the
exclusion Of slavery from the territories;
and this is gathered. not only from the OBJ
vious import Of the language used in the
instrument itself, but from cotemporaneous
construction, and long continued usage upon
the subject in all the various departments
of the Government, from the admini>lra-
lion of George Washington 10 the present
time.
8rH. That il is imperatvely necessary
that the prohibition against slavery. first
suggested to the Congress OF the Confeder-
alton by our great father in democracy,
THOMAS JEFFERSON, and subsequently,
adopted into the Ordinance Of 1887 for The
government of the Northwestern Terrific
ry, been grated apon every foot Of soil ac-
quired by the treaty Of Guadaloupe Hidal-
go, as well as upon all other territory now
possessed, or hereafter TO be acquired by
the United States. And we do hereby en-
phaIcally admonish our Senators and Rep
resen,a.ives in Congress, thai they will be
held 10 strict account for detriment lha;
may accrue to the cause of freedom in said
territories, either through their active agen-
cy, or by means of their indifference, sv-
pineness or neglect. The oldest daughter
of the ordinance will not regard with lavor
the least compromise of the rights of free
men with the demands Of slavery, but will
ever be found punetilliously exac; with her
servants in the adjustment OF such matters
9rH. Thst it is The duty al Congress 10
absoive the General Government from all
Iespons hitity sloH the existenee. Of human
cIayo, nd tho ,,pp,tn roI ITO ff, ~, ff,,c
flesh in all districts, territories. and other
places subject 10 its control. And to this
end we insist that slavery and the slave
trade be abolished in the District Of Co
lumbia. so that nation Of freemen be no
longer demoraized and dishonored by the
clank of chains and The shrleks Of bonds
men in the streets of their metropolis.
10rH. That Congress has no consiitu-
tional authority TO enact laws for the recla-
nation of fugitive slaves that shall be oil
binding efficacy upon the people of the
States. The constitution simply prohibits
the enactment Of laws hy the individual
States which shall impede the recupture OF
such slaves.
IlTH. That we regard The National Un-
ion as of inesilmable value so long as it
will teud to carry out the object Of its for.
mation-to wit:-protect life, foster liberty
and promote happiness. If however, il is
to be converted into an engine Of inhuman-
ity, tyranny and oppression, we shall have
no more fondness for i, than we had for
The holy alliance. 1t is for this reason that
the gasconading speeches of Southern
Congressman have ceased to disturb U.S.
While they are threatening The integrity of
the Union, however, we commend 10 their
attentive consideration the following signif-
icant paragraphs from the pen Of JAMES
MADISON. He is vindcating the Cons,itu-
ton in that part which makes it the duty
of the United States TO project each of the
States against domestic violence. "May it
not happen" says the writer, 'that the mi.
norty Of cinzens may become majority Of
persons, by accession of alien residents, Of
casual concourse Of adventures, or Of
those whom the constitution Of the State has
moi admitted 20 the rights Of suffrage? | take
no notice of an unhappy species of popula-
ton aboundng in some Of the States, who
during the calm Of regular government.
are sunL below The zerel of men, but who
in the tempestuous scenes Of civi. violence
may emerge anio the human character and
give a superiority Of strength 10 any party
with which they may associate themselves"
(Federalist No. 43.
18th. That The right Of the people to
present memorials 10 Congress, upon any
and all subjects must be held inviolate.
Senators and Representatives will treat
such memorials with indignity at their peril
18TH. That in the next canvass The
Free Democracy will support no man for
President who is the owner Of slaves, or
who openly advocates the extension of
slavery, or who opposes the application Of
the Jefferson Provso 10 the Territories of
the United States.
l4TH. That while the signs Of the times
are portentous Of new and powerful COM
bina,ions of political elements, adverse 10
the cause of justice and humanity. it is our
fixed determination 10 band together in the
true democratic party of progress and
strive earnestly to promote the comfort.
intelligence and independence Of our fellow
men-to secure to honest industry lis prop,
er respect and Just reward-to cause intel
lec,ual and moral worth to precedence Of
aristocratic lineage and inflated wealth-to
elevate The down-trodden and the oppressed
every where-and to do aught that may
ameliorate the condition of man in the toll
some journey of life. Our sympathies are
by no means confined 10 the colored race