Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-12
WHAT WOULD YOU DO,

NJ tuc pOlie, SohShSe sSASN aSoSAAN7
ant in the Federal Executive, what would you
do inquiries the STAKEHOLDER. Do much that
your Party Of Slavery has not done, and undo
much that it has done.
We would rcpe al the act Of 1922, By which
the slave code cf Maryland was continued in
this District, and pass law here for the protec-
tion Of personal freedom.
We would repeal that part of the act of 1908,
by which regulations were established for the
transportation If slaves coastwise, and pass an
act declaratory Of the impossibility Of the exist
ence Of Slavery under tho American flag on
the high seas
Wewould forbid the SEIZURE and sale of slaves
under United States process
We wonld repeal the act Of 1850, and that
Of 1893, in relation to fagitives from service or
labor.
We would enact q Law, declaring I ere
shall be no Slavery or involuntary ser tide in
any Territory of the Union, now existing, Or
that may hereafter be acquired, or anywhere
within the exclusive jurisdiction Of the Federal
Government.
In Federal Legislation, touching the subject
Of Slavery our action then would be the exact
reverse Of yours. You, by acts Of Congress,
clearly unconstitutional, have established and
supported Slavery within Federal Jurisdiction,
and, by preventing the exercise Of constitution
al authority by Congress, allowed the evil to
gain foothold in Federal Territory. We would
repeal those acts, and also exert that author
ity SO as to exclude Slavery from every foot Of
soil under the exclusive control of the Federal
Government.
In regard to the organization Of Congress,
the construction Of the Administration, and
for Liberty, as you have done for Slavery;
by assigning to the consistent friends Of
Freedom and FREQ Labor, the majorities in
all important committees in both Houses Of
Congress; by securing them the control Of the
Cabinet and the various Executive Depart
ments; by excluding Pro-Slayery men, as you
have excluded Anti-Slavery mon, from Offices
Of trust and influence; aud by giving to appl
cants for Office in saveholiing States, fsvorAbiy
disposed to Emancipation, the preference over
those committed to the support of perpetual
Slavery, just as you have preferred for Office
in the free States, the opponents to the friends,
of Emancipation.
Tho results Of thus changing the position and
policy Of the Federal Government would be of
incalculable importance.
The free States would DO absolved of all DO
liticsl responsibility for Slavery, and relieved
fromthat corrupt spirit Of Compromise and that
servility among their politicians which now do
base their politics and to fearful extent have
lowered the tone Of their religious sentiment
The Federal Government would no longer be
an instrument Of the Slave Interest, its power
prostitutcd, its treasury plundered, its patron
ago abused, for the extension Of the area and
influence Of Slavery, but made to minister
to the protection and extension Of Free Institu-
tons Political Parties would no longer DO or
ganized on the basis Of Compromise with Sla-
very, nor would the disguise or renunciation Of
Ants Slavery sentiments be necessary, as now,
to political prclerment Servility in the free
States, Pro-Slavery fanaticitm in the slave
Sta'es would le Us opprobrious as Free-Soilism
in the former and Emancipationism in the
latter are now. Tho Slave Interest dispossessed
Of the control of the Federal Government,
stripped Of its political consequence and pat
ronage with no power to punish or reward,
would cease to DO feared at tho North and
South, and il would not be long before the citi-
Esns of the slave States two-thirds Of whom
have no interest in the support Of Slavery,
would begin to manifest their opposition to it
An Emancipation Party in the South would bs
ono Of the results Of breaking down the asccnd
ENJOY of the Slave Power in the Federal Gov
eminent It's tyranny over Southern sentiment
would be gradually weakened, and the impos-
sibility Of any further expansion Of Slave ter
ritory would favor tn gradual development Of
a opposition 70 the perpetuaton Of the Slave
system, which would finally assume tho form
Of Legislation for it's extinction.
Let us not, then, conceal from ourselves the
uttor sntagonism between the party Of Slavery
end the party Of Freedom the precisely oppo-
siss policios they propose, the precisely oppo-
site results to DO expected, according as one
or tho other may obtain the final csntrol Of
, the Federal Government IF tho party Of Sla-
very shall continue in The ASCENDANT as il IL
nov, and 70 on from victory-to victory, but
one alternative will be open to the free States
decentralization Of Slavery in all Territories Of
~ Usion, NTH abs lutte subssrcisns Of all those
Sinfes 70 It's interests or Secession On the
oths hand, L the party Of Freedom obtain
an1 naintsin ascendency in the Federal Gov
senmen4 the Law q Liberty will be established
thxou4hout all Territory of the Union, and
SInsoSy ooafaed 70 the States in which IL
~ oriot-, uosiI its final overthrow by m
An eIevssy party il these States, the natu.
~ resnIl y tho sobordinasion Of the Slave
fu1cecs>, end the Iimisaiion Of Slave territory.
~ 49, q Secession, win DO the alternative