Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-07-18
TUESDAY, JULY l8, 1854.
THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONVENTION OF
THE "NATIONALS."

| THE "NATIONALS."
We have been requested to copy the resolutions
of this body, which met at st. Anthony on the
4th of July, and as we believe in the freedom Of
speech as we'll as in the freedom of the press, we
give them place, not however, without express
ing our disapprobation of some sentiments there
in expressed. In the LIST, I'd and Sd resolutions
we find but little to condemn, except the last clause
of the LIST resolution, which savors of a defiant
spirit not in good taste to say the least. 1t seems
to desire the North to repeal all compromises,
whether they are good, bad, or Indifferent. This
we consider hasty and injudicious, for unless
there is cause for the repeal of compromise, it
should never be disturbed, but when there is a
cause, and a majority of the people are favorable
to the change, let the repeal be based upon the
ground only of the precedent set by the Missouri
! Compromise. If a compromise exists which ben
e6ts both portions of our country, let it remain,
it can do no hurt, while its abrogation can do
much evil.
The 4th resolution is exceptionable in this re-
spect 1t would rather seek to dissolve the Union
''than witness the complete overthrow Of the car
dinal principles which underle its foundation."-
Now here appears to be an unnecessary fear ex-
pressed-a far-fetched conclusion that Slavery
will eventually absorb everything else. How can
this be? Are we not continually adding new free
States to our country? Is not the spirit of liber
ty driving emigration from the Slave States on to
the broad prairies and into the forests of the
boundless West? Grant, if you please, that the
South have added and are now anxious to add
more slave Territory to their particular portion of
the Union, what then? Does this argue that
Slavery will eventually overthrow our institutions
and crush out the spirit of repubcanism? Not
by any means. The fears expressed, therefore,
appear to us to be without foundation, and con-
sequently this portion Of the resolution will rath-
tend to retari than advance the cause espous-
ed by those gentlemen who delight in the name of
the ''Nationals!'' If it could be fully demonstra-
ted that Slavery ,could eventually ''overthrow the
cardinal principles which underlie our govern
ment," not man could be found in the east,
north or west but would rise up simultaneously
and crush the hydra head monster but this fact
cannot be demonstrated, and it is useless
therefore to utter sentiments at variance with an
impossibility. Beside the tendency is bad,-it
irritates mems passions and leads to a spirit Of
fanatacism which finally broods family of evil
results.
We cannot subscribe fully to the sentiments of
the 9th resolution. Although we look upon sla-
very as being great curse to the country and
should be glad to see it abolished, still, we feel
in duty bound to maintain such laws as are in ex-
istence justifying and protecting it. While those
laws exist they exist by the suferance of the peo-
ple-the people made thcm-the people can annul
them. In a republic like ours particularly, where
the power is derived from the people-where the
people can appeal to the ballot box for re-
dress land where that redress can be had, it seems
to the height of folly to talk of disobedence to
any law, no matter how odious that law may be-
If we lived under monarchial government, it
would be a different thing, because then the pow
err is derived from the few. The repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise, it is true, has opened the
door for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law,
and proper and legitimate mode of removing
this evil, is much more commendable, than viO-
lation of Il law which was made by the people and
sanctioned by the Constitution, although that law
may he exceedingly obnoxious to a great many
citizens. The majority must govern, and when
the ma jority of the people elect representatives
who will vote for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave
Law, then tn, law will be poaccably removed from
the statute book, but to talk of dsobedence to it
while it exists, is striking at the foundation s'of
the principles which underlic orr government"
and setting us afoat on the sea Of dscord with no
ruddcr to guide.
We hate slavcry-we hate the Fugitive Slave
Law-we abhor those men who voted for the re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise, but at the
same time We love order, we love our country, we
love the Union, and not until a greater necessity
exists than at present, will we countenance dsS
solution Of that Union. There is no need for the
North to give the blow which will shater these
States into fragments: it has truth, and right
and Justice on its side: it can forbear, and if the
blow mast come, let it come from the South. not
from the North. But we hope it will never come;
we hope, and trust and pray that slavery will be
removed quietly, and that we may continue to go
on a great and shining light, whose radiant
beams shall guide the nations of the old world
to the shrine Of freedom.
We have thus spoken freely our sentiments on
the resolutions, and in doing so accord to 9TH
ers the right we have taken. We publish the pro-
CcculnTS anu invite attcntiOn 10 them.
ca The buildings for the Hamline University
are to be located at Red Wing, an eligible and
fine location. The institution has already receiv-
ed an endowment of forty thousand dollars in
lands and money. The buildings for the prepara-
tory department are soon to be finished at cost
of about ten thousand dollars. Certainly this ar
CUES well for our infant territory, for in every
portion of it school houses and academies of learn
ing dotting each hill, telling the stranger that
here proper regard is paid to the instruction of
the young.
THE LIFE, EULoGY AND GREAT ORATroNs OF
DANIEL WEBsrER.-We regret that we have only
time to-day to call attention to this work, which
has been lying upon our table for several days
past. The author, Mr.. Hayward, who is now
resident of St. Paul, has given to posterity val
liable compilation of the works of the great man
WEBSTER, as embodied in this volume, and de-
serves well of the community. The book con-
tains an excellent and accurate portrait of s'the
expounder," brief though truthful sketch of his
life, his sickness, his death and his funeral, with
an Grafton and an eulogy, the latter by Mr.. Hay
ward, which exhibits high order of talent and an
ardent love for the great man. The work is for