The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-09-15

existed. Pennsylvania, Immediately upon the
Close OF the revolution, abolished this institution
within her borders, and almost all the northern
States have since followed her example. Be-
lore the revolution it existed in all the States.
1t the true motives OF its abolition could be
feached, we fear that the northern States would
pot be entitled to as much credit as many claim
br IFS abolition. 1t was found that slave labor
Has Improbable for mere farming purposes, and
these, the motives of pecuniary interest, super
added to what was deemed the principles of hu-
hanty, procured its abolition in ali the origi-
pal States north Of Maryland and Delaware
The compromises Of the constitution on this sub
ject, which prevented any action by the gener-
at government on the subject of slavery, have
been faithfully carried out BY the democratic
party, in every portion of the Union. They
hold that no one State has a right to interfere
with what appropriately belongs to another
The congress Of the United States has the
power to admit new States into the Union, and
they have wisely determined that, in creating
territories and admitting new States, the people
of such new States or territories shall have a
right to make their own laws upon the subject
OF slavery, or any other subject that belongs
rightiully to municipal government. Our ad-
veTsarRs taking advantage of the agitation pro-
dneed on this subject OF slavery by the erection
of the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska,
are charging the democratic party with favor
ing the cause of human slavery. They have
done no such thing. They have merely deter
mined that congress, according to the coHsttu-
ton, has 10 right 10 interfere with the subject,
and that TO the people of the territories and the
States, respectively, this whole subject belongs,
and they have unquestonably decided rightly.
Pennsylvania, or any other State of the Union,
might tomorrow revive the institution if it
were thought right. Yet our adversaries are
endeavoring to excite your sympathies in the
cause of humanity, so as to induce you, practi-
cailv, to violate the constitution Of our coun-
try.
they are also endeavoring TO foment difficult
ties between different classes of our citizens and
Etb srrayspr native born and naturalized citizens
So Eapaatian TO each other, and TO effect this
sii would bring 10 their aid secarian feelings
i'd Hgigion. Cur forelalhrrs wisely inhibited
thiS, when, in every state constitution we find
aaprovision substantially declaring tfat every
ftkn has a right to enjoy bis liberty of con-
Sdirnce and to worship Almighty God in the
manner he shall think to be most acceptable,
saiRi I he constitution Of the United States pro-
ks-44s tire general government from giving r, :.
ference to any one denomination over another.
That constitution, too, confprS upon naturai2ed
citizens all the rights conferred upon those who
are native born, with one exception. We,
therefore, protest, in the most distinct and sol
emn manner, against any indirect attempt to ac-
complish that which the constitution and laws
of the United States and the several States so
pointedly and so properly prohibits. It would
be- sapping the foundations of our free nstitu-
ions 1t would be looseDing the bonds which
hold Us together. 1t would be practical
wrong upon portion ofour citizens, who have
equal rights with ourselves. and making dis
tincton which the constitution OF the United
States does not make or permit
We should guard against all attempts 10 vio-
late the principles Of that constitution. It is
the ark of our political safety. ii should never
be touched with unhallowed hands. Open and
bold attempts to violate il are seen through, and
at once excite our resistance. 1t is from secret,
insidious and unaffected attempts 10 undermine
it, that we shall be exposed 10 the greatest
danger.
Opposition to those offorrign birth constitutes
much ofthe political capital Of our adversarIes
of the present day. In this they are close mlta-
tators of the fedcraists of'98.
Bvthe Sd SECTOR of the alien law, every mas
ter or commander Of any ship or vessel, which
shall enter any port of the United States, shall
immediately make report in writing TO the col
pctor or other chief officer of the customs, ofall
aliens on board his visses. specifying their
names, age, the place of nativity, the country
from which they shall have come, the nation TO
which they belong and owe allegiance, their oc
cupatlon, and description Of their parents
and on failure to do so, to forfeit the sum of three
hundred dollars; and in default Of payment the
vessel was to be- detained by such collector or
other officer. The collector was also required
forthwith to transmit TO the department of state
true copies OF all such returns. This was vir-
tualy closing our harbors TO foreign emigration,
at the most important crisis OF the Irish rebel
lion, when many Of the heroes and patriots OF
that gallant people which rendered SO much
service TO the cause of liberty in our own revo-
utionary struggle, were engaged IN initiating
our example, and being unsuccessful, were
drivan from home and country, TO seek an aSy-
um elsewhere.
Many of that noble and generous, but unfor-
unate people, after they had failed in their ex-
ertions to emancipate their bleeding country, re-
living upon the assurance given by the congress
of 1915 TO the Irish nation, that ''the fertile re-
eions of America would afford them safe asy-
lum from oppression" resolved upon making
this country their residence. Rufus King, high
toned federalist. one Of the party OF 'swell-
born,' and a faithful representative OF their IN
tolerance and bigotry, was, at that time, the A
merican minister IN London at the court OF ST.
James, and resisted the emigration OF these Irish
patriots. A number of them who We're contin-
ed in dismal dungeons, and who had an offer OF
their release on condition of their going to A.