The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-03-08

perhaps Indiana, from becoming slave States.-
When the people of Illinois formed their State
Constitution, they incorporated into it section
providing that neither Slavery nor involuntary
servitude shall be hereafter introduced into this
State. The Constitution made provision fer tie
continued service of The few persons who were
originally held slaves, and then bound to service
under the Terrtoriai laws, and for the freedom Of
their children, and thus secured the final exiting
tion of Slavery. The Senator thinks that this re-
suit is not attributable to the Ordinance. Idihss
from him. But for the Ordinances, have no
doubt Slavery would have been introduced into In
diana, Illinois, and Ohio. 1t is something TO the
credit of the Era of Conservatism, uniting its n-
nuences with those of the expiring Era of En-
irahchisement, II that it maintained the Ordinance
OF l7e7 IN the Northwest ~
Inc Era OF Conservatism passed, also by inn
pereeptibie gradaiions. into the Era of S1.ayERy
RcPAGANDtsM. Under The iufuences of tbis new,
spilit, We opened the whole Territory ACQUIRED
from Mexico, except California to the neress Of
Slavery. Every foot of it was covered by a Mex-
lean prohibition; and yet by the legislation of 1850.
we consented to expose it TO the introduction of
slaves Sumo, believe. have been actually car
| rieG into Utah and into New Mexico. They may
be few, perhaps, but few enough to affect
materially the probable character of their future
Governments.
Sir, | believe we are on the verge of another
Era. The introduction of this question here, and
its discussion, willgreay hasten its advent. That
| Era will be the Era of REACTION. We, who in
sst upon the denationalizaton of Slavery. and up
on the absolute divorce of the General Govern
nj ,,;.l,
ihs men who favored the Compromise acts, and
who yet wish to adhere to them, in their letter
and in their spirit against the repeal of the Missou-
II prohibition You may pass it here. Ycu may
sendit to the other House. 1t may become law.
But its effect will be to satisfy all thinking men
that no compromises with Slavery viii endure, ex-
cept so ong they serve the interests Of Slavery;
and that there is safe and honorable ground to.
stand uon,except that Of restricting Slavery wfthin
State limits, and excluding it absolutely from the
whole sphere of Federal jurisdiction. The old
questions between political parties are at rest No
great question 20 thoroughly possesses the public
mind as this of Slavery. This discussion viii has
tan the inevitable organization of parties upon
the new issues which our circumstances suggest.
1t will light up ise in the country which may.
perhaps, consume those who kindle it,. g
| cannot believe that the people of this county
have so far lost sight of the maxms and principles
ofthe Revolution, or are SO insensble to the ebl-
CATIONS which those maxims and principles impose,
as to acquiesce ia the violation of this compact
Sir, the Senator from Illinois tells that he pro-
poses final settlement of all territorial questions
in respect to Slavery, by the application ofthe
principle Of popular sovereignty. What kind of
/ popular sovereignty is that which allows one por-
4 tion of the people TO ensave another portion? Is
that the doctrine of equal rights? is that exact
Justce? Is That the teaching of shtened, liber-
al progressive Democracy? No, sir;l no! There,
can be no real Democracy which does not fully
maintain the rights ofmap. as man. Living, prac-l
tical, earnest Democracy imperatYely requires US.
while carefully abstaining from unconstitutional in
reference with the internal regulations Of any
Slate upon the subject of Slavery, or any other
subject to insist upon the practical application of
its great principles in all the legislation of Congress-
I repeat. sir, that we who maintain these prin-
ciples will stand shoulder to shoulder with the men
who, differing from US upon other questions, will
yet unite with in opposition to the violation of
pIighted faith contemplated by this bal. There
are n,en, and not few, who are willing to adhere
hibiion, which that Compromise incorporates and
preserves among its provisions shsllbe repeal-
ed, abrogated, broken up, thousands will say,
Away with all compromises; they are not worth
the paper on which they, are printed; we will re-
turn TO the old principles Of the Constitution
We will assert the ancient doctrine, that no per-
son shall be deprived of life liberty. propergby
the legislation of Congress without due process of
law. Carrying out that principle into its practical
applications, we will not cease our efforts until
Slavery shall cease to exist wherever it can be-
reached by the constitutionaiacio of the Govern
ment. esse<, 6 s, sss4 sssg.s
Sir, have faith in progress. 1 have faith in
Democracy The planting aud growth of thiss
nation. upon this western continent, was not an
accident The establishment of the American,
Government, upon the sublime principles of the.
Declaration Of Independence, and the organization
Of the Union cf these States, under our existing
Constitution, was the work of great men, inspired
by great ideas. guided by Divine Proyidence.-
These men, the fathers of the Republic, have be-
queaihed to US the great duty of so administering
the Government which they organized, as TO pro-
tect the rights, to guard the interests and promote
the wel-being of all persons within its jurisdic-
tion and thus present to the nations of the earth
noble example of wise and just self government
S r, have faith enough to believe that we shall yet
fulfil this high duty. Let me borrow the inspira-
ton of Milton, while declare my telief that we
have yet country not degenerated. nor droop-
ing to fatal decay, but destined by casting off the
cid and wrinked skin of corruption, to outisre Mese
pangs, AND WAX YOUNG AGAIN, AND, ENTERTNa
THE GLoRIoUs WAYS OF TRUTH AND PROSPEROUS
VIRTUE, BECOME GREAT AND HONORABLE IN
THESE LATTER AGES. Mehinks / see in my
mind a great and puissant nation rousing herself
like strong man af,er sleep, and shaking her ins
vncibe locks. Methnks see her as an eagle