The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20


Rress-the freedom Of the Public Lands to actual
settlers, who are landless. Johnson of Ten
nessee and Julian in the House. and Mr. Seward
in the Senate, distinguished themselves by its ad-
vocacv. and there can be no doubt that it will
constitute one of the most prominent topics of dis
cussion 10 the next Congress, if it should not in
deed carry majority in its favor.
We were gratifed, too, at the interest mani
tested for the noble Kossuth and his compatriots
in captivity. 1t is subject of national congrat-
ulatiOn that, during the last moments of the SEES
sion, when all the heavy Appropriation Bills be-
side other important measures remained to be act
cd upon, the hnierican Congress paused anhdse
! the press of business TO bestow plying thought
| upon the condition Of those sufferers in the cause
Of Human Rights, and passed resolution author
izing the President TO convey them to this coun-
try in national vessel, if their release could be
effected A correspondent is so disguised with
its zeal in egislaing for the recapture of coored
refugees from Southern slavery, that be can see
nothing to commend in its conduct towards the
Hungarian refugees from Austrian Despotism.
Let us give credit where it is due In remem-
! Ucrlng hOsSulu COuRftSs uhb uOUc llB uuty, anu
obeyed generous impulse which would have had
its way in other cases of oppression, had it not
been for the conteractng influence of some SIMS
ter interest.
The friends Of Peace have also gained some
thing in a quarter from which liberal opinions
have generally met with repulse-we mean the
United States Senate On the 9Th February,
Mr. Foote, from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, reported the following preamble and resou-
tion 10 response to memorial from the Amer-
can Peace Society
whereas appeals to the sword for the deter
mnation of national controversies are always pro-
ductve of immense evils and whereas the spirit
and enterprises of the age, but more especially
the genius of our own Government, the habits of
our people, and the highest permanent prosperity
OF our Republic as well as the claims of human
ity, the dictates of enlightened reason, and the
precepts Of our holy religion, all require the
adoption Of every feasible measure consistent with
the national honor, and the security of our rights
to prevent. ~ far 4s nQSSj asrs srsAss body
u would be proper and desirable for the Govern
ment of these United States, whenever practica.
bic, TO secure, in its treaties with other nations a
provision for referring TO the decision of umpires
all future Misunderstanding that cannot be salts
factorily adjusted by amicable negotiation in the
first instance before resort to hostilities shall
be had -
Mr.. Footc stated that the committee was cordial
and unanimous in favor of the measure. When
it is considered how recently the popular mind
was inHamed by the passion for war and con-
quest, and what conspicuous part was played by
the Senate in the prosecution Of the war with
Mexico, the protest thus uttered in that body
against war, and the endorsement of fayorite
measure of the Peace Society, must excite no less
surprise than pleasure.
We have not one word to say in apology for
the action Of Congress on the question of Slavery
1t was trucking and unprncipled, and were it |
not for counteracting causes beyond its control,
it would have proved fatal to the great interests
Of Freedom. But, what substantial gain has sla. |
very msde2 Are the People of the North any
more tolerant towards it than formerly, or the |
People of the South any more devoted to it Il? |
Who dreams Of introducing it into the Free
States3 Who does not anticipate its ultimate
extinction in the slave States? Where the two
sections are in juxtaposition it is not Freedom
but Slavery that suffers from the contact. Sla-
very makes no nrosds into Pennsylavan from
Maryland but is constantly losing ground in
Maryland under the pressure of Free Labor in
huences This is true Of all the border slave
holding States
New Mexico and Utah, and even California, is
yet debitable ground, but the friends of Freedom
have the advantage in these countries, so that il
Slavery should obtain the ascendency in them, it
will be their own fault. Ordinary vigilance and
effort will prevent the abrogaton of the anti
slavery clause in the California Constitution and
make eilectual the laws of Mexico in the Terrific
ries prohibiting slavery Certainly, if we do
nothing, IL we remain indifferent while the cor
rupt leaders Of the old parties in their scramble
for the Presidency basey pledge themselves to
the maintenance Of the Slave Power. the Free
Soil acquired from Mexico may be lost to Sla. |
very, but this can never be, II we organize the |
friends Of Freedom, give an imposing embodi-
ment to their principles and visit retribution |
upon the political traitors to Liberty in $50, as
we did In lSIS. The three hundred thousand
free votes given at the last Presidential canvass
turned the scale, we think, in favor Of Freedom
w 'hV tuTtt OF nNe nunureu th0u- |
sand free votes in 1852, will put them out Of dan
ger. The moral influence ofsuch demonstration
would be death to the Slave Power
Though there is much in the signs of the times
to excite our concern there is nothing to occasion
despair SO far, no member Of Congress who has
signallzed himself as champion Of Freedom, has
been defeated by Hunkerism, on again present
ing himself for reelection. Wentworth, Wilmot,
and Bingham, would all have been reelected had
they been candidates, but they voluntarily with
drew in favor Of men, pledged to maintain the
principles they had labOred so steadfastly to e.
iablish. King, Giddings, Durkee, Doty, and
Tuck, have all been endorsed by their oonstitu-
snts, and retained to Congress. Root would have
been, but for division among the anti-slavery
men of his district his successor, however, Mr.
Townsend, will be no less true to the interests Of
Freedom and Free Soil. All the free States that
have elected members for the next Congress, ex-
'ept Pennsylvania, have sent delegations quite as
sound on the Slavery Question, as their delega-
lions In the late Congress- few Of them more
reliable" New York and New Hampshire, we
hink, have gained in this respect Mr.. Perkins,
'lected from New Hampshire, in the place of Mr..
Morrison, is an old Liberty man and il is some
hing for the friends OF Liberty In that State to