The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-05

have this morning for the first time seen
the proceedings of a Convention of those op-
posed to the domination Of the sectional slave
holding interest in the Federal Government"
held at St. Anthony on the 4th of July, 1854, at
which sundry resolutions were adopted. and
myself with others appointed " Freedom Pro
visional Committee" -.r!
On the day this Convention was held l was
engaged in the celebration of it with the citi.
zens Of st. Croix Valley, at Saltwater, my
place of residence, and was not aware that such
Convention was being held I; my name was
used without my having been consulted in re-
gard to the matter, and without my consent.
l cannot concur in the proceedings of the Con-
vention, and feel compelled to decline the posi-
ton OIL the Committee. -.. 81.
have ever considered slavery as moral
wrong and great political evil, at variance with
the spirit of the Declaration of Independence
that it was never anticipated by the trainers OF
our Constitution that it would be extended be-
You'd its limits at the time of the adoption of
that instrument, although owing to the then
existing circumstances and peculiar character
of our government it may not have been pos
sible to embody that principle in the letter of
the Constitution.
While am opposed to the Fugitive Slave
Law, believe it wrong to make or counsel for
chile resistance to it, or to any other law.
hold that citizen, having used all proper
means to prevent the enactment of a law which
is bad, is not individually guilty of sin in its
passage. The law and its penalty, in this in
stance, are before us; if We believe it uncon-
stitutional, there is mode of testing that ques-
ton without disturbance if conscience forbids
our obeying its provisions we can submit to its
penalty, and by proper legal proceedings de-
termine its validity.
How far, the questitn suggests itself, must
the citizen who believes the Fugitive Slave
Law to be morally wrong. go to effect its repeal!
The answer comes to my mind spontaneously,
- not SO far as to advocate or countenance the
dissolution of the Union, or endanger the per-
manency of The Union. The same necessity
exists for the union of the states now as existed
at the adoption of our Constitution, and tho
same reasons and arguments may now be urged
for its preservation which were then SO ably, SO
earnestly and so eloquently urged by James
Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and their CO.
temporaries for its formation, and it would be
if the productions of these days and minds were
more familiar to the masses now. The conse-
guences of dissolution of the Union would be
destructive to all parties the light of republi-
canism would be blotted out, aud if the propo-
s;tion of monarchical government for man.
would not be thereby demon trated, the prob
lem of popular government would, at least, re-
main unsolved.
believe the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise to be a fragrant violation of good faith,
and within the limited circle of my influence
contributed my humble efforts to prevent it;
but the repeal has been effected tho turmoil
and excitement which prevailed in 1850 has
again appeared without any real cause. and
certainly without any thing demanding it, the
calmness which had fairly succeeded that peri
! cd of excitement, has been rashy disturbed.
and We arc placed in position more dangey-
GUS tlal ever.
1t becomes us all. North and South to GOV.
ern our natural feelings, and look we'll to Il
that judgment executes her Office faithfully
Cool heads are necessary in such an emergency,
and calm and enlightened reason should be our
weapon. We are but political family, and
believe in large majority of instances act IN
accordance with our best judgment. do not
believe that our southern brethren regard slav-
cry az moral wrong or as political evil, and
this, while Il docs not change nv view of the
subject, induces me to modify my action. For
If VIC Of the North had been educated as thew
have been, would we have been different This
reflection should prevent us from hasty denun-
citation. l would, certainly, this day rescind,
If in my power, the provision in the Nebraska
Bill which repeats the Missouri Compromise,
and believe that political action to counter
act it is legitimate and proper, but am not
prepared to take position which will not only
prevent the South from acting in concert with
me, but tend to a further separation. While
regard the Missouri compromise most impor-
tant principle and its repeal fraught with danger
would not for moment think of il as a sufi-
cient cause to dissolve the Union.
While will ever he found in my action and
influence opposed to the extension of slavery,
am of opinion that circumstances do not de.
mand that the subject of slavery should be .
direct issue between the North and South, but
that greater good can be accomplished in diff
ferent manner. Entertaining these views.
must decline concurring in the action of the
Convention, and withdraw from the Committee,
S. J. r. MCMILLAN.
Saltwater, July 26, 1854
The Tide Of Death.
BY HON. ROBERT NJ. CHARLTON.
The tide rolls on the tide rolls on