Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-22
WHY, AGGRESSIVE.

WHY. AGGRESSIVE.
Conservative journals ut the North, Oppo-
sing the measure Of Mr.. Douglas for the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise, deplore
the revival Of an agitation, which they had
fondly hoped was put at rest by the legislation
Of 1850 Religious papers constrained by
sense Of duty TO condemn it, marvel, at the
spirit Of aggression manifested BY the slave
holders Wing and Democratic editors are
scandalized and astounded at the re-opening
Of Issues settled four years ago especially after
the conventions Of the two old parties had pro-
nounced that settlement final
Messrs. smith and Everett, in the Senate,
and gentlemen in tho House, take care to ac-
company their opposition to the bill with dis
ayowals Of all sympathy with Abolitionism,
and declarations Of hostility to any excitement
or discussion on the question Of Slavery.
All this argues lamentable ignorance Of
the nature and relations Of Slavery. II shows
that notwithstanding the experience Of more
than half century Of tho malign work
ings of this great social aud political evil,
notwithstanding the repeated sectional con-
flicts growing out of it, Notwithstanding the
philanthropic, ecclesiastical, and political move
ments in relation to it; after all the books writ
ten, the speeches made and the resolves adopt
ed concerning it, the popular mind generally
has overlooked certain Of it's essential attri-
bates, which render it inevitably q perpetual
source Of discord danger, and agitation.
Now, it assails on the floor Of Congress the
right Of petition, and proposes to subject the
mails to inquisitorial examination. People
become excited, indignant, but their wise men
tell them that these offensive denunciations are
merely the result Of temporary resentment on
the part Of high-spirited gentlemen against
the impairment assaults Of Abolitionists. A
portion Of Mexico is settled by American
sdyenturers, who, in defiance Of the local laws,
establish Slavery; in process Of time, they re
bel, set up an independent Government and,
by coup de main, ere the People Of the Uni
ted States have had time to say yea or nay, the
new State takes its place as member Of the
American Union, bringing an immediate no
cession 10 the Slave Power, with provision
for the nndisturbed perpetuation Of Slavery in
vast Territory, out Of which four new States
are to be formed The People are excited for
moment, are rather indignant that slave
holders should be 30 domineering and ambi
tious but, gratified ON the whole by the aug
mentation Of the nations territory and re-
sources, they look no further, and soon sink
down into their accustomed apathy.
War is waged to acquire Territory for slave
holding purposes--the People are aroused, deter
mined this time that Slavery shall not triumph
Sixteen Legislatures announce their resolve in
the form Of the Wilmot Proviso. A sharp
struggle follows-the Proviso is abandoned
the Slave Power triumphs We'll, say they,
what ia done cannot be undone---eyerythin is
settlsd---this at least Ia fnality--we shall
have peace now.
Thus aggression follows aggression, each
provoking spirit of resistance, noisy and APP
parently vehement but infirm and cvanescent.
In the end, the People give way before the
stssdfast purpose and concentrated energy Of
the Slave Interest, and resume their wonted
occupations, without having learned wisdom
by experience, or provided any safeguard
against future aggression. The men who con-
tlnus their resistance to Slavery as m ever
brooding Element Of Mischief, they denonnee
as agitators fanatics, monomaniacs, distnrbers
Of the peace; and while they are thus setting
their faces against agitation, the very Power
which they imagine has been appeasej BY
submission, h insidiously plotting some new
aggression upon their rights.
Will the Conservative men Of the North,
shocked at the breach Of faith involved in the
repeal OF the Missouri Compromise, and vet
alarmed at the idea Of being focnd associated
with tho Anti Slavery party in opposition "a
the movement attend to few considerations
which have hitherto escaped them @
Slavery is NECESSARILY aggressive. This i,
ths very law Of its existence. u docs not ask
merely 10 be- lot alonc--it demands homage
and supremacy Whatever its psetcnccs abou,
Noa-Intervention, il recognises that policy only
whsn intervention might Interfere with It's do.
sigma gt
4 4 necessarily aggrs~ips, for three reasons
which, always operating. render its aggres-
sivsnsAs complementary and ysrpstuoI
l. Itis IN ere<piion in our social and politl.
ssl system sbaormal sonditioa- which The
general workings Of our normal political and
secisl institations tend 10 reduce and nlti
nslsly remove. .s'g
~ prinsipIss of Chriaianity proclaimed from
ths pslpit every sabbath sse agsinst T. Evsr,
aopeai % NJ DsolassAion az Independence !
6esinss NJ Every dssIsrstion ofrights ~ svsry
Sse.s of - Union y asSins y, Every act q
"a 4 49,