New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-11
sIayERY MILITANT.

slsverv is an Ishmsel. 1t is mseyolent and malis-
-. T. loves sggresson for when il ceases to be az
cressiye il stagnates and decays. 1t is the leper Oh
modern civilization, but leper whom no cry Oh ul
" clean" will keep from intrusion into unnfected COM
many Hitherto Slavery in this country has heid us
aronnd by sheltering itself behind the Consultation
II has payed the role of persecuted yirtue-and thus
II has excited the sympathy of wellmeanng persons
who would never lend it aid or comfort but when it
assumed the character of distressed and wronged
appellant II has in past years pretended that 1t was
assailed BY injustice and fanaticsm which were de-
stroyDg its supports and oJerthrOwng the consttu-
tiona guards and deienses placed around it. 1t has
appealed TO the North for aid the ground OF essen
a Justice and constitutional obligation 1t has declared
ts right TO existence within the sphere Of the States
where il was established and that to assai it, or ia
any way to interfere with it, was to be guilty OF IA
grant Injustice Its great charge against AboOnists
has been that they uterfered with domestic institu-
ton for which they had no responsibility and
with which they had nothing to do. Its advocates
have sought to keep the position OF the suffering and
persecuted party, and have thus enlisted sort of
sense of justice in the Free States which more potent
than discriminating has borne Slavery its shoulders
through every contest.
Though it has often been urged that Slavery was az
cressye in its nature the proof Of the fact to the com
mon understanding has not been entirely conclusive.
To many Northern men it has always seemed to be
warning on the defensive side. But present appear
ances indicate that this erroneous view of Slavery viii
soon be removed throughout the North We see al
ready the encroachDg steps it is taking in Congress as
welas on the Pacific Il dares attempt the appropriation
TO it's uses of territory already consecrated to freedom
by solemn compact between the North and the South
1t is manifesting determined purpose to cross the
boundary behind which its pestilent influences have
hitherto been confined and thus to disregard all con-
deratioDs ofjustee and rample upon its own sacred
obligations II is showing itself TO be power which
refuses to adhere to its engagements and breaks its
faith at the first temptation Not content within It's
own proper limits, defined after bitter contest IN
which more than its due yielded to its imperiOls
exactions it now proposes to invade and oyerrun the
soil of freedom and to unIO the pail of its darkness
over virgin territory wherein slave has never stood
Freedom is to be elbOwed out its home to make
room for the leprOus intruder The free laborer is TO
be expelled that the slave may be brought in.
1t is plain to be seen how such aggressive spirit
will be met If Slavery is determined upon the con-
quest of free territory it will inevitably be resisted
and paid in kind If the conviction obtains thai Sa-
very intends to disown its obligations and prove faith
less to its own contracts then will it follow that those
who have hitherto admitted its rights under the Con
stuton, will admit them no longer Let but the SEN
tment gain foothold that Slavery intends to make war
upon the territory of freedom, and seize and spprO-
pirate whatever it can wrest from the hands of free
labor and the banner of reclamation will be raised
If Slavery may encroach rpon the domain of free
freemen may encroach upon the domain Of Slavery.
If Slavery thinks this is safe game to play at let it
he pursued as il has been begun.