The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-20
LIBERTY IN DANGER THE DUTY OF ANTI
SLATERY VOTERS,

in California, his opportunities OF oDserVatlOui
and his intelligence, entitle hisstatements to much
consideration.
"Our Legislature is on the eve of electing a
United States Senator, and we fear the result,
as thousands of our people are from the Southern
States, many Of whom fill the highest Offices, and
are constantly urging the introduction of slaves
into the State. All our journals, and We have
many, are either silent upon the subject, or speak
openly in favor of the institution. A wrong i'm
preston obtains at the North in regard TO the
adaptation Of California 70 slave labor. In point
Of fact no State in the Union is more favorable
none where slave labor could be more proftably
employed. No State in the Union has so fine
and extensive marshes, called " Tulures," the
finest land in the world for rice fields, while ouI
valleys will grow the hest tobacco, and our extern
sive mines afford an additionally strong motive
The climate, too is highly favorable TO the coloreC
race. We who are educated at the North in FREE
principles feel our danger, and will soon issue
paper of an order to sstonish the natives"
This gives countenance to the report brought
by the arrival before the last from California
that in the new Legislature there was a majority
in favor Of an amendment of the Constitution
abrogating the proviso against slavery.
Nothing can exceed the desperation with which
Slavery is struggling for perpetual and universal
empire We hoped, when the people Of Califor-
mia and Oregon pronounced their verdict against
it, that our Pacific seaboard would he forever
secured against its accused presence-thst in
fboea on ds IF III Garth C;viI;,,t;ou
Of the corruptiOns Of older counties, would COM
mence its grand march without the encumbrance
Of any barbarous institution So we still hope,
but with fear The apparent acquescence of the
RsT3S = lReyS'2tas "a the Coxzccc,1ise measures
Of the last session, and the audacity with which
the Slave Power assumes to dictate the politics
Of the country, have embOldened the Pro-Slavery
men 10 California, and depressed the energies of
the enemies Of Slavery.
Besides, many Adventures from the North are
returning home, leaving disproportionate popu-
iation Of emigrants from the South, whose habits.
though they delayed their march for the new
world, will now tend to make them permanent
settlers. Accustomed to Slave Labor, they will
not be slow to avail themselves of it, if possible in
the operations of mining or planting
While this danger impends in California, we
have no guaranty against Slavery in the Terri
tories, If the public opinion of the new State in
which the majority is composed generally of en-
terprising, intelligent citizens from the States is
80 uniformed and low as TO allow serious effort
to break down constitutional provision against
slavery, what can be expected in New Mexico
and Utah, in which the populations are much lower
IN the scale of civilization, and which no consti
tutional provision shields against aggression
Limit slavery, and it dies. 1t can no more live
without new lands to feed upon, than fire can live
without fuel. The shareholders but act in obedi.
enoe to the law of scfpreservation when they
seek it's extension. The Black Hole at Calcutta
was not more fatal to its inmates. than wopld be
limited area to slavery. Is it any wonder. then.
chat it should be stealing into the Territories
and seeking to vault over oil ~".;-.:.-.i-l IL
--a-l-- aia los grand aim is 10 Sc
cure the Continent south Of 800 3O'. and the
Archipelago near its shores for its domain, there
by obtaining the means of perpetuatiug its ex-
istence and its power 1t was hut a short time
since that we observed in a weekly paper some
speculations by a gentleman lately in California
on growing desire among several classes of
American emigrants for the occupation Of Lower
California, region in which slave labor is
thought to be especially necessary for the deyel.
opment Of its resources 1t is part of that scheme
of slavery aggrandiaement which contemplates
the acquisition of Cuba, and the colonization of
the eastern portion Of Hayt with view to its fu-
ture subjugation.
And recollect what has been done to pave the
way for the contamination of this atrocious con.
spiracy against the liberties Of mankind
The present Congress by majority of its mem.
bers stands pledged to admit any State into the
Union, whether slNvehoding or non-slaveholdng.
In full view Of the instincts and necessities and
passions of slavery, and of the defenceessness Of
the People of New Mexico and Utah against
its inevitable aggressions, Congress first refused
TO provide any safeguard for their rights and next
virtually invited the Shareholders to take posses
sion of the Territories by promising them free
admission to the Union should they succeed in
establishing as many slave States, What Con-
gress has done is sanctioned by the Chief Execu.
tive, which, in concert with the Conservatism of
the Wing party, and the habitual Servilty Of
the old leaders Of the Democratic party, is labor.
ing TO extort from the American People a like
sanction. No matter what becomes of the inter
s'ts OF Freedom in our Pacific empire or our
Territorial possessions on this side Of the Noun.
tains, no matter for the dark conspiracy which
seeks to bring the slaves of Cuba under the
protection Of our stars and stripes, no matter
how earnestly aud successfully the Slave Power
may be working towards the establishment of
the Law Of Slavery az the fundamental Law of
the Union, the cdict has gone forth from the AID.
ministration to the People of the North-lsy
down your arms, ceaGe your opposition to slavery,
suppress agitation, be silent submit, regret moth
ing that has been done, take no thought for the
future. Whoever rejects this dictation, whoever
dares to arraign the wisdom Of what Congress has
done, to question the fidelity of the Chief Execu-
tive to the cause of Free Labor, to expose the
inroads of Slavery, and warn the country of
Its dark designs, to insist on the Importance
OF sending representatives to Congress devot-
ed TO Human Rights, and of placing in the
Presidential chair a man who will use all the
powers Of his high office to arrest the aggressive
march of Slavery, and further the interests of
Liberty-must be put down as an agitator, dis
unionist, an enemy of his country. Execu-
tive patronage and influence emanating through
thousand channels from Washington are felt in
every pulsation Of the political world. What
che Administration has adopted as its distinctive
policy must be endorsed by all candidates for Of
fee who would secure its aid or even dlsarm its
opposition. Newspaper presses are purchased !;
pOstmAsters, marshas, collectors, are placed under
bonds the pulpit is invoked to preach sermons