The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-10-28
The Election.

The Election.
In less than two weeks our people will be
called upon to give an expression at the polls
the moral effect of which, for good or evil,
can hardly be over-cstimated. In view of
the result of the recent elections at the East,
had ever a state, to use the language of Gen.
Shields, "a more glorious opportunity than
Illinois has at this moment, to forget all 9TH
or considerations and stand by the banner
of democracy" 1t requires little exertion
to swim with the current, but he who puts
forth his strength and successfully opposes
it, is hero. We know there are faint heart
cd democrats among us who are dismaycd at
the ovcrpowering array of the enemy, and
are ready to desert to their ranks; but while
We can pity their dclusion, we cannot but de-
spisc the craven example. Were democracy
thing different from whas it was two years
ago; were whisgery less timc-scrvng and
unprincipled, abolitionism less narrow mind
cd and odious, and Nativism or Know-Noth-
ingism less proscriptivc and abhorrent, we
could regard the deseriion with more lcnien-
cy; but while the principles Of the democra-
cy and its opposing factions remain unchang-
cd, and they are threatened to be over
whclmed by mere fortuitous and mo-
mcntary combination of discordant factions
against them, he who deserts his colors and
panders to the passing popular gale, is sim
ply time-scrvng dough-hce, and his politi-
cal integrity is as foul and purchasablc as
tainted fish.
We have said before, what we now repeat,
that the express on in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
&C., if it amounts to anything as an indica-
ton of popular sentiment is against slavery,
and not against the principle Of democracy as
embodied in the Nebraska bill, nor in favor
of the principle of the Missouri compromise
line. As touchstone to try this, let us sup
pose for moment that half of Kansas lay
south of the Missouri line, and it was a set.
tied matter that as nhole the territory was
f,r freedom, but to divide it on the Missouri
line would give half of it to slavery. Would
the popular tempest in that case demand ad-
hcrence to the line? Where would the abo-
litonists be then? Where the "sacrcdncss"
of the Missouri line? Just where it was one
year after its adoption, when the whole north
rcpudiatcd it. Just where it was in 1850
when the abolitionists secuted it, because, as
Hale said, there was an "implicaton in it.
1t would be trampled under foot, and the
whole picbald brood who are now sc
vociftrous in their demands for its restora
ton, would be ten times more stcntorian il
their paans in praise Of the sacred and hca
vcn-born principle of popular sovereignty.
Yes, there is no doubt of it, the north i.
against slavery. They regard it as grca,
evil, social and POLITICAL and will never con
sent to strengthen and build up that institu
ton. But while the north is undivided OF
this point, they are also true to the constitu
ton and the Union. As pro-slavery mca
sure, they will oppose both the Missouri lint
and the repeal of it; because they have
never assented to it as sacred compact
either to bind or annul it. But the compac
of the Constitution is very different thing
That they have assented to-that is binding
that they will adhere to and defend will
their blood; and when they come to ndcr
stand that designing men have taken advan
tage of the popular adherence of slavery
to break down the sacred compact of til,
Constitution, and weaken the bonds Of thu
Union, then will the popular indignation b,
turned in another direction, and "woc unit
him upon whom that stone shall fall"
When the present tempest shall hav'
passed over, and the sober second though
of the people" shall have revealed to then
the true nature Of the Nebraska bill, ant
shown them that its operation has not only
secured freedom to Kansas, but has quietet
forever the excitement on the subject o
slavery by excluding it from 'our nationa
councils and combining it TO the States, where
under the Constitution, it belongs, then the!
will be able to appreciate the wisdom of tina
measure, and then it will be popular. In
stead of legislatng slavery into any new ter
ritory, it will then be revealed that its objec
was merely to guard the rights of the States
and by striking down pernicious gcographi
cal line, to allay sectional strife, promote
good feeling between the north and the south
and to cement the bonds. Of our gloriou!
Union. The principles of the democrats
party, fundamental one of which is non
intervention on the part of the general gov
crnmcnt on the subject of slavery in tn
States, will then stand vidicatcd as the doc
trine of the Constitution, the pillar of il
safety, and the egis of its protection in ever.
sectional storm. Then will democracy agail
be triumphant, and she will stand proud.
like that renowned fortress Of old
"Many vanished year and age,
And terhpest's breath, and battles rage,
Have swept DER Corinth, yet she stands
A fortress formed to Freedoms hands,