The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-07-31

! Those who are dissatisfied with the constitu-
tional provision for the rendition of fugitives
from labor, should not forget that the compro-
mise measures also make provision for the sup
preston of the slave mart in the District of Co.
lumbia, and that the question of extending sla-
very into the Territories, has been in the same
way referred to the sovereign will of the people
who may occupy the soil, a tribunal, which it is
not doubted, will in every instance, interdct its
extension This feature of the adjustment
stands on high and glorious principles, the will
| OF the majority-the principle on which our
revolutionary fathers determined to found all
our Republican institutions.
And what other disposition of this dangerous
controversy, let me ask, would have been more
IN unison with the principles of our Government
and the compromises of the constitution, or have
| better answered the exigencies of the times ,
We cannot hope for a peaceful continuance of
the Union, II we disregard the great conserva-
tive principles on which it rests The funda-
mental law of our land cannot be sustained in
part and abandoned in part, the constitution
must be maintained as whole, and that It is
fugitive from labor shall be returned to his mas
ter, will not be seriously denied. 1t is then the
clear duty of the people of the free states, how
ever repugnant it may be to their inelinations
to maintain and carry out this as fully as any
other clear requisition of the constitution. The
present law may answer the constitutional pur-
pose, and with this view its execution should be
facilitated rather than embarrassed by those
who are charged with the administration of the
laws.
How forcibly, in the present crisis of section
al conflict, do the admonitions of the father of
his country fall upon our ears, and how we are
constrained to wonder at the almost superhu-
man sagacity, which enabled the great and good
man to foresee and forewarn the people of ap-
preaching dangers to their government from
sectional conflict. We cannot resist the conclu-
sion that an allwise power gave direction to his
Judgment and thoughts, nor should we think
| lightly of the lessons of wisdom which he has
! left for our use. Let US hope then, that the
| admonitiOns of Washington-the glorious exam
Piles of the laws of 1775-the remembrance of
the brilliant past, and the cheering hope of the
| future, may awaken on the approaching ami
yersary of our Independence, a spirit of patriot
ism, of love for our entire country, Of reverence
for the constitution, shall constrain the
American people without distinction of party or
sectional locality to embrace and adhere to our
National eonfederacy the sheet anchor of
their political faith. The humblest service in
maintaining this great fabric should be esteemed
more honorable than the accomplishment of the
most brilliant designs of monarchy.
| In conclusion, gentlemen, l must tender you
my most profound Acknowledgements for the
honor which your invitation has conferred upon
| me, and beg you to remember me to the good
people of old Northampton in whose behalf this
kind request has been extended to me.
| With sentiments of high regard,
| Iremain gentlemen, your fellow citizen,
w. BIGLER.
| |ioI HIM J2i0leT The man with his COuutrv