Daily national era., 1854-01-23
THE TR1cKsTERs AND THE DUPEs.

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THE TRIcKsTERs AND THE DUPEs
The passage Of the Compromise Measures Of
1850 naturally allayed the general agitation
that prevailed on questions Of Slavery. The
great majority Of the People, who had been
arrayed in support of Free Soil and Free
Labor, seeing that the practical issues which
had engaged their attention were disposed. Of
felt as if nothing more remained to be accom-
plished what had been done they could not
undo Nobody proposed to repeal the Texas
Boundary Bill, the acts for the formation of
Territorial Governments in Utah and New
Mexico, for the admission Of California, or for
the prohibition Of Slave Importation in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. All these were considered
settled measures, 80 that the whole Territorial
Question, which had produced the excitement,
was withdrawn from politics As to the declara-
tion in relation to the admission of future
States, it was well understood that that could
be tested whenever the application should be
made. Only one measure disturbed the gene
raj effect Of the rest--the Fugitive Slave Law.
This was an agtating measure-it continued
to irritate the masses, although not deemed q
sufficient cause for organized resistance, but
at last consoling themselves with the idea that
after all it would soon be regarded as little
better than dead letter, they became COM
paratively tranquil. Other interests took hold
of their attention. Their feelings and thoughts
began to flow in their accustomed channels ;
an indisposition grew up among them to recur
topast controversies; they reacted now against
excitement.
Taking advantage of this state of the public
mind, the politicians, in their National Conven-
tions few months afterwards, at Baltimore
by cunningly contrived resolutions of scqui-
escence in what had been done, and pledges to
resist all attempts to disturb it, committed the
two old parties not only to inaction and mat
tention in all things pertaining to Slavery, but
TO positive antagonism to all movements de-
signed to keep the public mind awake, and
sensitive to it's trus nature and policy.
The Free or Independent Democracy, whose
opposition to Slavery depends upon Principle,
not Accident is founded upon clear and
thorough understanding Of the inherent and
necessary aggressipensss Of that Evil not upon
q mere paroxysmal excitement provoked by
its extraordinary and exceptional exactions
were not to be lulled into security. They main
tanned their organization, denounced the de-
ceptive action Of the old parties. and admon-
ished the People that no Compromise could So
cure them against such o disturbing force as
Slavery--that the Slave Interest would remain
quiet only till the Public mind was 30 far en-
crossed with other questions, that it might with
impunity resume its schemes for universal
domination.
Events have abundantly attested their sa-
gacity. Hardly had the Democratic and Whig
National Conventions, with their characteristic
suppleness to the Slave Power, ratified the
Compromises, 50 called, and pledged themselves
TO stop all agitation, when news came from
California that the Propagandists were covert
ly laboring to subyert its Constitution, with
view Of opening the whole State to Slave labor,
or at least Of dividing it, 50 as TO mako Slave
Territory out Of its southern portion. Protract-
ed and desperate were their eforts and had
there been NO obstacle in thGr way but the
force Of Public Opinion on this side Of the
mountains, they would have succeeded
Next followed q conspiracy for the acquisi-
tion Of Cuba, constituted Of heterogeneous ma
teials, instigated by a variety Of motives, but
the predominant force Of which was, secret
purpose to uphold Slavery in that island, and
enhance by its annexation tho strength Of the
Slave Interest in the United States This In
terest is not apt TO make q parade Of its pur-
poses, when II can more efficiently pursue
them under cover Of other interests.
Still the People slept, narcotized by the Com
promise of 1850
Rumors now reached us of plottines in Cali
fomia 70 extend the area Of freedom 90 as 10
embrace Lower California--to seizo Sonora,
department Of Mexico, appropriate its riches TO
the uses Of Slavery, and through il to give q
chance TO the Slave Power, at least to divide
with Freedom tho empire Of the Pacific. The
denousment Of this game has just been an
nounccd in the overthrow Of Capt. Walker, bis
sham Republic, and his slave code Of Louis
lana
Meantime, grand idea possessed tho public
mind-ths project Of National Highway TO
The Pacific, binding in indissoluble bands the
two extremes Of our vast empire. II was .
work, a. 20 be done, necessary 10 be done, en-
iirsly within the means Of the People and their
Government But all kinds Of obstacles we're
intsvposed, and why7 The same selfish, in.
triguing graspipg Interest interposed with ts
sectional elaine and demanded that this
Highway should bc constructed, not along
central route, equally accessible to tho differ
snt ssotious Of the Union, and which had been
dsnoostrstsd, safe end practicable, but that il
should b run on Southern oourse, having ID
sssssrn terminus IN great slaveboiding oityi