Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-10


maturing plans for its gradual or more speedy
extinction
Impressed with these considerations, we have
seen, with feelings of deep concern and sorrow,
that Bill is now before Congress for the es
Establishment OF two Territorial Governments, in
that section Of country called Nebraska, legal
izing the existence Of Slavery there, and pro.
viding that when any portion Of it shall here
after be admitted into the Union as State or
States, it shall be received with or without
Slavery, as the people applying for admission
may elect.
We feel lively interest in the fair fame and
wellbeing OF our beloved country, and in the
Christian character and stability of its Gov
eminent, which claims to be pre-eminent in
recognising the rights of man. and securing
the enjoyment Of those rights to all and we
feel ourselves called upon, by an imperative
sense Of duty, as Christians and as citizens re-
spectfully but earnestly to demonstrate against
the passage Of the Bill in question, with the
provisions alluded to; or to any other legisla-
tive enactment by which Slavery, now so gen.
orally recognised as . crying evil, and one Of
the darkest bIots upon protesting Christendom,
may be intfoduced'into any part Of the United
States from which it is now legally excluded.
Instead Of opening new Territory to the par
system, and thus multiplying the wrongs and
cruelties which it inflicts upon its unoffending
victims, our fellow. beings, entitled equally with
ourselves to the enjoyment Of life, liberty, and
social and domestic comforts, and who are
alike the objects Of that salvation purchased
for all by Saviour's blood, we believe the
Divine call to the rulers of the nation is to
loose the bands Of wickcdness to undo the
heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed 60 free,
that so the blessing Of him that is ready to
perish, and hath none to help him, may come
upon them
Besides the evils resulting from Slavery,
which of themselves form an unanswerable OBJ
lection to the proposed legislation, we conceive
that the permission to introduce Slavery into
any part of the Territory in question would be
in direct violation Of the Missouri Compromise
act, passed by Congress in 1920, which de-
clares, That in all that Territory cedcd by
France to the United States, under the name
of Louisiana, which lies north Of SO deg. 80
min. north latitude, not included in the State
contemplated by this act, SLAVERY AND INyoL.
UNTARY sERvITUpE, otherwise than as the pnn-
ishment OF crimes, SHALL BE AND IS HEREBY
FOREVER PROHIBITED"
10 this act, the faith Of the Government was
solemnly and irrevocably pledged to leave this
condition Of the Compromise forever undis-
turbed. The fact is indisputable, that such
was the general understanding of the law at
the time Of its enactment, and that but for this
conviction and assurance, Missouri could not
have been admitted as slave State
But the bill now before Congress contem-
plates the abrogation Of this contract, and the
virtual repeal Of the eighth section Of the law !;
thus throwing open that vast tract of country
to Slavery and involuntary servitude which
were by its provisions forever excluded there
from.
If the Supreme Legislative Council Of the ma
ton can thus violate the pledge and annul a
compact which it has deliberately formed, what
confidence can be reposed in the probity Of the
Government, or what security is there for the
rights and the liberties Of the people. 1t is Civ
ing the sanction Of its high example to prac-
ticss which, if carried into the concerns Of pri-
vate life, must be destructive to the integrity
and truthfulness of the community. We sim
cerely hope, for the reputation Of our common
country and OF its Government that this obvi-
GUS dereliction from fidelity to contracts may
be rejected.
The Sovereign Ruler Of the universe, who
holds in his hand the destiny of nations has
declared, by his inspired servant that g he who
ruleth over men, must be just ruling in the
fear Of God" He can control the Kingdoms
Of men, and set up or pull them down, as He
sees will most conduce to the spread of univer-
sal righteousness. None are so great or so
powerful that He cannot punish them; none so
weak and low as to be beneath His notice and
protection Many are the instances on record
where He has been pleased to bless and pros
per Government administered in His fear for
the general good Of the people; and though
He is long forbearing, and slow to anger, yet
there are also many proofs that national sins
have incurred His just displeasure, and drawn
upon their authors national calamities.
We fervently desire that it may please Him
to influence those to whom the Legislative au-
thority is intrusted, with the wisdom which
cometh from above, which q is pure, peaceablc,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full Of mercy
and Of good fruits,n that thus they may con-
duct the concerns committed to them, SO as to
secure to ourselves and our posterity the bloss-
ing of Heaven, and to render this great and
growing Republic model OF wise and yirtuous
government, and a praise and glory in the
earth.
Signed by direction and on behalf Of meet
ing Of the Representatives aforesaid, held in
Philadelphia, the Sd day Of the second month,
1854. VIM. EVANS, Clerk
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