The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-17

SUES, III the esluUiisitucut VI Sia'c'g ~"
these territories is not the object. why have
they renewed this dangerous agitation! Sir,
we have seen the time more than once, in
our political history, when by reason oil
this kind of controversy, the aspect OF our
Irrational affairs was ominous Of evil, aud
the circumstances of our country BODIED
danger-danger 10 our Government and
most important interests, invol, ing the sue
cess and final triumph Of the great cause OF
Republicanism throughout the world. Why
Sir, look nj some late sessions Of Congress,
when questions OF this nature have pend
ed. We have seen the members'irom the
chivalrous South, openly threaten 10 snbs'i-
iu,c hloodshed and the Bowie knife, for The
old fashioned, bu, so generally approved
constitutional majority. And even in The
Senate, that body which is so cverlaslingly
praling OF its dignity, we have witnessed
The interesting spectacle OF squabbling aud
brawlng between Craze and dignifed Sem
ators-the bandying OF opprobious and dis
graceful epilhels, and the brandishing ofdead
ly weapons. We have seen these storms
OF political excitement sweep Throughout
tho length and breadth OF our land threat
ening the overthrow OF our American Con.
sliu,ion with lis deep foundations OF wis
dom and patriotism. We have heard from
the South the cry of disunon "a painful
aud unnatural laceraiion and separation OF
our beautiful political system. We have
seen grea, men-emineni statesmen, coldly
calculating the value Of the Union and ar
guing and urging the necessity and advan.
iages OF separation. We have seen good
men alarmed, lest in an evil hour, rash,
vandal hand should sever the bond Of ma
tional brotherhood. Sir, il The object is
no, TO introduce Slavery into these terrific.
ries, wherefore, ask again, have they re-
newed this dangerous agitation! lremem-
Der, lha, il was charged agains, the North,
in 1850, and before, that we were con,eLd.
| inc for mere idea-an abstraction, prin.
ciplc, in which we had no right nor inter
esi. How is 1t now! II The abrogaiion OF
the Missouri Compromise will have no
practical tendency 10 establish slavery any
where, wha, right or interest has the South
in the question!
Mr.. President: The general conviction
seems 10 be, tina, determined stand is now
TO I've made against the further encroach-
ment OF The slave power, and maintained
at all Observation-Disclosures may be The conse.
quences. Freedom is in harmony with The
principles of our free government, and with
the enlightened and free spirit of The age
aud therefore is loo often inactive and COM
promising. Slavery OH The other hand is in
conflict 18th our system of government, re-
pugnnnt 10 humanity and justice, and is
therefore always active, aimed and agrees
sive. Hence, tina, long series of arrogant
assumptions and unjusiifiable encroach-
menls of the slave power of which the gen.
ileman from Portland (Mr. Fessenden) 50
ably and eloqucn,ly spoke last evening.
Hence, too, all governmental action for the
promotion of the slave power beginning
with the provision for twenty years foreign
slave trade, in the constitution itself, and
ending, rs we had hoped al least, with the
! fugitive slave &c, of 1850. But, Sir, OF all
the wicked attempts hitherto made, for the
advancement OF slavery, this last is the
greatest outrage upon northern iorbcarancc,
of all the unreasonable demands ever made
by the South, this is The grossest and the
most insulting. Sir, what has wrought
this grca; change in the original policy OF
our Country in relation 10 Slavery! The
fathers and founders OF our government
were not propagandists. In 1889 this
Government refused every inch of lis
territory TO slavery. By the re.enac,meni
of the ordinance OF 'S7, slavery was exclu.
ded from all the territory then belonging 10
the Confectionery. In 1920, however, our gov.
erEment was willing 10 compromise. And
a part of the Louisiana purchase was made
over 10 slavery and part reserved for free
dom. In 1850 government, gave TO slavery
all lis newly acquired territory for The ter
rilories of New Mexico and Utah were all
we had 10 give. But, Sir, last Of all, now
in 1854, it is proposed by this govern
mcnl 10 break and violate solemn com
pact-ihe binding moral force of which j:
equal TO The provisions of The constitution
iiself-to wres, from freedom her righlfu
possession, nj the imperious and unsuitable
demand OF Slavey-io plan, this bligh,ins
Upas, this desoaiing curse Of God every
where, in the ieeming valleys of Nebraska
and on the banks Of its rolling rivers.
Sir, few years ago, there was no differ
ence of opinion, even in relation 10 The
moral character Of slavery. II was regard
ed both at The north and The south, as All
evil-a moral aud political one--a mora
evil because il is violation Of natural inal
ienablc tight, and system Of monstrou:
oppression political evil because il is m
unnatural, anlagonisiic and mos, dangerous
element in our political system. But, Sir
what is The Southern opinion now Instead
of admitting slavery 10 be an evil. aud
apologizing for j, upon the alleged impossi
bili,y OF abandoning il, they now assert thai
i, is righ,-ri2hi moral fright politically
tight indusirially, and RICH, reigiously.
Sir, The activity Of slavery has wrought
these alarming changes. Tho South ha.
been true 10 It's own ideas-the North has
failed 10 adhere TO lis principles. W.
go for our interests said Randolph, and he
added with blistering sarcasm, "ire can bul
enough of North Nth Tie crumbs ofo6iee u
Alas, Sir. how many northern men have
been bought" and become objects Of in,
dignan, conlemptuos scorn 10 their enemies
aud of humilaling pity 10 their friends
Sir, if this Struggle is 10 be maintained, II
must be by men who will not sacrifice the
interests of freedom to considerations of par
iy expediency-nnt by the cringing and
obsequious-no, by men who will sell the
/ North, and themselves even, il only "Peter
Jones shall be Postmaster IN our pillage :"
not by such men-bui by those OF integrity
and independence = who will stand up
boldly and maniully in defence of the true
and the right. l, is said that during one of
the terrible days of,he frs, Revolution in
France, poor Frenchman stood at the bar
OF the national convention and cried for the
space OF an hour, ~ demand tie arrest of
knares and dastards." Sir, there is a world
of signifcance,-a wealth Of political wis.
dom in this demand Of the poor French
man. II is time now, for US 10 make this
| lam aud .-kar In all ihn haLnains anl cn..,