Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-06-05

ogy. The ostrich is said to hide its head in
the sand, and then vainly imagine its coward
body beyond the reach of its pursuers. In
similar spirit, honorable Senators seem to shell
ter behind Northern votes, and vainly i'm
agine that they are protected from the iudqe-
ment ofthe country. The pulpits of New Eng
land, representing to an unprecedented ex-
tent the popular voice there, now proclaim
that these six States protest, with all the fer
vor of religious conviction, against this meas
ure. To this extent, at least confidently de-
clare it does not come from the North.
From these expressions, and other tokens
which daily greet us, it is evident that at
least tho religious sentiment of the country is
touched, and, under this sentiment, l rejoice
to believe that the whole North will be quick
ened with the true life of freedom. Sir Philip
Sidney, speaking to Queen Elizabeth of the
spirit which animated every man, woman, and
child, in the Netherlands, against the Spanish
power, exclaimed, 60 1t is the spirit of the
Lord, and is invincible." A similar spirit is
now animating the free States against the
slave power, breathing everywhere Its pre-
cious inspiration, and forbidding repose under
the attempted usurpation. The threat of dis
union, so often sounded in our ears, will be
dsregarded by an aroused and indg nant peo-
pie. All, sir, Senators vainly expect peace
Not i'll this way can peace come. In passing
this bill, you scatter broadcast through the
land, dragons teeth, and, though they may
not, as in ancient fable, spring up armed
men, yet will they fructify in civil strife and
feud.
From the depths of my soul, as loyal citi-
zen aud Senator plead, demonstrate, pro-
test against the passage of this bill l strug-
gle against it, as against death; but,as in death
itself, corruption puts on interruption, land this
mortal body puts on immortality, so from the
sting of this hour, iiud assurances Of that
triumph by which freedom VIII be restored to
her immortal birthright i'll the Republic.
Sir, the bill which you are now about to
pass. 5 at o ice the worst, aud the best bill on
which Congress {, er acted.
1t is the worst bill, inasinuch as it is pres
ent victory OF slavery. ln Christian land,
and in an a Se of civilization, time honored
statute of Freedom is struck down, opening
the way to all the countless woes and wrongs
OF human bondage. Among the crimes ofhs-
tory,a new one Isabout to be recorded, which,
i'll better days, will be read with universal
shame. The Tea Tax and Stamp Act, which
aroused the patriot rage of our fathers We're
virtues by the side of this enormity nor
would it be easy to imagine, at this day, any
measure which more openly deied every
sentiment of justice, humanity, and Christian
ity. Am not right, then, in calling it the
worst bill on which Congress ever acted?
But there is another side to which gladly
turn. Sir, it is the best bill on which Con-
gre's ever acted; for it prepares the way for
that "All Hail Hereafter when slavery must
disappear. 1t annuls all past COMPROMISES
with slavery, and makes all future comprom-
ises impossible. Thus it puts Freedom and
Slavery face to face, and bids them grapple.
Who can doubt the result: 1t opens wide
the door OF the Future, when, at last, there
VIII really be North, and the slave power
Will be broken; when this wretched despotism
Will cease to domitate over our Government
no longer lmpressing itsefup all that it does,
at home and abroad; when the National Gov
erment shall be divorced, in every way from
slavery, and, according to the true intention of
our fathers, freedom shall be established by
Congress, everywhere, at least beyond the
local limits of the States
Slavery will then be driven from its usurped
foothold here in the District of Columbia: in
the national territories, and elsewhere beneath
the national flag; the Fugitive Slave Bill, as
odious as it is unconstitutional, will become
dead letter; and the domestic slave trade,
so far as it can be reached, but especially on
the high seas, will be blessed by Compression
al PIolpIuoh' livery Wlere within the sphere
OF Congress, the great Northern Hammer will
descend to smite this wrong; and the irresis-
tible cry will break FORTH No more slave
States
Thus, sir, now standing at the very grave
OF freedom IN Kansas and Nebraska, lind
assurances of that happy resurrection by which
freedom will be secured hereafter, not only in
these Territories, but every where, under the
National Government. More clearly than
ever before, now see the &C beginning of TIE
end OF slavery. Am not right, then, in
calling this measure the best bill on which
Congress ever acted.
Sorrowfully | bend before the wrong you
are about to perpetrate. Joyfully l welcome
all the promises of the future
70 be continued.