The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-05-19


ing in the putridiry. The entire difficulty il
in the subjcc, upon which Benton speaks,
and ire write. Again:
I'VE say Benton's speech commends the
Nebraska bill to Northern men Such will
be its effect on the readers OF the Union : al
least, on those among them who are not,
like It's editor, purblnd with love Of black.
guardism, and cannot comprehend its drift.
lie says he thought at FIRST to publish but q
"bIief synopsis Of the speech; and had
not the relish Of its scuryy bark blunted his
taste to the flavor Of the little meat there is
in the nut, he would have exercised his usu
al cunning, and carried out his first inten.
ton. by the skilfnl use Of his scissors and
paste he could have 50 squinted the eyes Of
his readers AS he often does, with slips
cut out here and there and plastered over
them - that they would not have seen what
they will now have penetration enough to
observe that when one sets aside all Mr..
Benon's spiteful thrusts at the friends OF
the Nebraska bill and his hollow professions
Of respect for the robe of sGneiiiy which
some perso5s imagine hangs on the Missouri
compromise line, and asks uhdt IS 10 be me
efeet Of the bill as regards sldrery = the only
thing OF Importance about it, even In the
estimation Of homes, wings or iree-soilers -
what does his speech say! What is Mr..
Benton's opinions upon this point
Two paragraphs arc quoted from Benton's
speech, the FIRST of which asserts the idea
that the Nebraska bill, ifpassed, will repeal
so much Of the Missouri Compromise as
abolishes slavery sin ali the ancient Louis
lana North and West of Missouri" sand
the provision for the recovery Of fugitive
slaves in the territory made free" and the
last declares that the expectation Of the
slave States of extension Of slave power and
slave population, may prove fallaciOus." It
is these paragraphs which are relied on to
commend the bill to Northern men. The
first emphatically declaring that the bill will
repeal the act which abolished slavery in
the territory to which it applies, and thus
revive the ancient laws which protected it,
and the last, the opinion Of Mr.. Benton, that
the slave holders mag not get what they
want and what they expect to receive -
{" extension of slave power and slave popu'
lation." The territory is now free, made
so by the Missouri Compromise. This is its
condition - Slavery cannot so there il
there is no repeal Of the compromise. No
true hearted lover OF freedom will ever be
willing to support legislation which will rem.
der problematical that which would be GER
tain il left untouched. AS to the want Of
law for the recovery Of fugitive slaves in this
territory, the Shareholders in Congress will
easily remedy this defect, il it exists, by
the passage of law extending the proyis'
ions of the fugitive slave law to all territory
of the United States.
There is nothing in the paragraphs which
commend the bill to the northern men eth
or by direct implication or fair inference. No
intelligent northern reader will fail to detect
the miserable fallacy and sophistry, by which
the Nebraska men hope TO impair the force
of Benton's ponderOus blow, and the effects
of his biting sarcasm. AL the comfort
which the abettors Of the iniqu'ty can draw
from these paragraphs from the speech, no
opposer Of the bill would be cruel enough to
take away, provided he had the power.
The article closes thus
"One word of advice TO the whig readers
and large numbers OF democratic subscrib-
ers' Of the Union, and we have done. Read
the Union irith your OtrR eyes, and not with
the half-blind or squirting eyes of its editor.
And il any democrats desire to convict US or
Hon. Moses Mcdonald, before Jury of
York County, Of betraying northern freedom,
or Of keeping pack Of dogs 10 hunt runa-
way negroes, we think their chances Of OBJ
tanning verdict are very small unless they
can find a more discreet and powerful ddro-
cate than Esq. Cowan has proved himself,
and better ritneSs than Tom Benton"
'"Thc CALLED jade winces." This is evil
dent enough from the tone and temper Of the
article. Men do not get into passion and
indulge in sorry filings against their oppo-
nents, and befoul themselves bv bespattering
with unnecessary abuse members Of their
own family, without cause. The fact is
evident that Benton's speech, wherever it is
read, is doing execution, and particularly
among democrats. 1t is the testimony ,of
the uitness Benton which cuts to the quick,
which makes our neighbor irritable, and
causes him to lose his temper, and to write
in so unamiable mode.
"Esq. Cowan the adroeote, and Tom Ben
ton the iri,ness." Saying nothing Of the title
which, by the especial favor Of democratic
Governor, and FIVE dollars paid into the
Treasury Of the State, we are guilty Of, or
our powers US an advocate, we are satisfied
with Ton Benton as witness. lie gives
good testimony and cannot be impeached.-
He may not DO as great man US the Editor
Of the Democrat, or have so much experience
as statesman, as the Hon. Moses Melon
aid, but he is competetent witness to con-
Wet either Of them Of " betraying Northern
freedom" before q jury Of York County, So
far as the editor Of the Democrats concern
ed, he stands selccouyicted. His columns
convict him and there need be no further
trouble in the matter. The readiness which
our representative evinces to betray the
cause Of freedom also conv;cts him. Meth
or would dare 10 go hecore .be people OF this