Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-01

We congratulate the democracy upon the
settlement of this important question-bv the
settlement of which the transcendency of dem
ocratic understanding the wishes and
sympathies of the peoples secured.
Hon. Hannibal Hamln is the exponent of a
high moral sentiment-in reality not more So,
perhaps, than many prominent northern demo-
oerats. II is useless 10 disguise the fact that
the prevailing sentiment of all parties in our
State, and we may add the free States, is an
tagonistical TO the extension of the institution
Of slavery. That which was first agitated as
moral movement, but which, in its incpiency,
could not command even the cooperation of
the religious organizations-has been gradual
ly diffused and Incorporated into the politics of
the country, and TO such an extent as to pro-
duce commotion, unconfned and unlimited
TO States.
The American people live under written
Constitution. The genius of our government,
and of the institutions fostered by it, is pro-
cresNre. 1t was in favor of universal freedom
that our ancestors fought-but the great cause
of liberty was not fully achieved by the revo-
luton of '76-the seeds only were sown to ger
inmate for all time. The fordgn foe was van
quished-but no less dangerous, because less
powerful GIRL foe remained in possession of
the field.
African slavery received the liberation of
the American people, but never the support
1t has ever been looked upon as a great evil,
against which the spirit of our free institutions
must wage a war of determination. As the
opposing sentiment began TO gain ground, the
south were found rallying, as one man, to
eounteract the movement, and they were i'm
PEELED by strong notwithstanding their prop
erty and their lives to be involved in the issue.
Their first resort was a constitutional appeal
to the north, which was highly effective, and
powerful bulwark was thrown mp to stay the
crushing current" The democratic party.
from its long ascendancy in the nation, early
tsek a bold, national stand which il has MAIN
tanned to the present time, and which we trust
will never be abandoned The wing party, on
the contrary, awaited itself of the growing
northern sentiment, and by catering to it and
fostering it,not only produced a false sentiment
but forced the democratic party, in some States
from its national TO sectional attitude
When, however, an opportunity to ride into
power presented itself, we find the whig party
although Inconsistent with lis Professions
rushing 70 the support Of one who was the en-
bodiment of the very institution against which
they had been so strongly opposed. Being sue
cessful, they find themselves obliged to take a
more national stand-in doing which they
would be glad to force the democratic party off
the platform.
The principal evil, it will be seen, growing
Out of this, consists in the opportunity present
ed to politicians to make use of it as a hobby,
upon which to ride into power This should
always be rebuked-because the most ultra no.
tons are apt to be engendered thereby. Hon
est differences of opinion in relation to ques-
tons connected with the slavery agitation, it
will be conceded, exist in the ranks of the DEM
ocracy of the north. The sentiment of the
people is unmistakable-the only question
about which there is any controversy, is one of
erpediency. And in this juncture of our nation
al affairs, the question as to what course of
public policy should be pursued, is pertinent
one.
While we find the wings endeavoring to
harmonic the agitated state of public feeling,
by proposing compromises, it behooves the
democratic party to take heed lest they fall not
too easily prey TO willy snares.