Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-04-20
VOLUME 6.

SSSSSS~SSS~
and these constitute MAE. seR,hs or more
Of the democratic party there; the wings
and free-soilers alone are opposed TO it.
II 10 true that ia the South both parties
are united on the subject"
IL, is an eminently popular measure,
and must stimately prevail. Its found.
ed on truth and justice, and the longer
il 10 before the people. the more popular
must become. The sober second th"'t
will rally all rejecting, honest men to
its side, and j, is bound TO be triumph
antly. sustained. On this we are willing
TO stake our existence
A majority of the democratic press in
the State have followed the example Of
the Gazette.
Fellow citizens. shall this attempt to
Induce you to support this measure by
the force Of party ties and afiai.ies, sue
coed? Ia there no moral and high polit.
ical responsibility resting upon YOU IN
this matter? Are you not bound by the
highest considerations Of dasy 10 assist
in building up the institutions Of the en-
piie on our western border on substan.
iial AID free basis! The Constitution
has given you the power through your
Senators and representatives. 10 "make
oil needful rules and regulations" res.
pec,ing the Territories Of the United
States, and will you shrink from the dis.
charge of that duty? Are you willing
to ieOpardize the interests Of Iowa by
surrounding her by slave States! Will
you exclude your own children, and the
free laborers of Iowa. from those fertile
Territories, or force them 10 compete
with slave labor! What object can be
gained for Iowa by the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise? On the other
hand, by i,s repeal, what interest Of the
State will no. be jeopardized OF destroy
edi
lam awsre that for entertaining these
opinions of the Nebraska question, ano
for fearlessly expressing them, am de-
nounced in some quarters as an aboli-
zionist. heed not the senseless charge.
II 10 TOO late in the day for any man 10
be deferred from expressing his opinions
by the mad dog cry of abolitionism.-
No impu,ations or false charges shall
force me to be false to my convictions
of duty and right. I will not surrender
the right Of private judgement on this or
any other subject. to avoid false clam
or, or wilful perversion of my senti-
ments. L do no, attempt or desire to in
terfere with slavery in the slave holding
States. l do not seek TO violate any of
the Com promises of the Constitution
I am content that the slave holders OF
the South may possess their slaves, and
be responsible for their control over
them 10 their own laws and TO their con-
sciences. l will not even presume to
Judge them. But, with the blessing Of
God, | will Uar and ,Dar continually
against the abandonment to slavery of q
single foot of soil now consecrated to
freedom. Whether elected or defeated
--whether in Office or out of Office, the
Nebraska outrage shall receive no "aid
or lcomfor," from me. And here de-
clare that whilst atm as anxious as any
man for the speedy organization Of the
new Territories, yet will not only ev-
srywhele and at all times oppose their
organization under bill allowing the in
PRODUCTION of slavery, but should the
present bill pass, will advocate its re-
peal and oppose the admission Of Ne
braska and Kanzas into the Union as
slave States.
Ihave thus briefly and frankly given
my views of the issues presented by the
Wing Convention on the 22d of Febru-
ary last, and that are involved in the ap-
preaching canvass. They have not
been hastily adopted. They will not be
hastily abandoned. Knowing them. the
electors of the State can determine
whether they are such as they will be
willing 10 sanction at the ballot box
The result is with them.
JAMES w. GRIMES.
RuRIfNoroN. April 8, 1854.