The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-05
A VOICE FROM INDIANA.

T?tke Editor of tie National Era:
:aesiring to address few thoughts to the
Fr.e Democracy of Indiana, | would like to
asdil myself of your columns for that pur-
pose The Era, know, has large subscrip.
tica here and perhaps your readers in other
States may feel some curiosity to know what
our action is likely to be, in q crisis which ap-
peSls alike to the friends of progress through
oue the whole country.
think there ia much to hope in this State,
frcsa the present Anti-Nebraska excitement
Il = serving as an excellent entering wedge to
future operations. 1t has already broken up,
if hot totally destroyed, the Wing party,
whilst it has given our cold Line Democrs-
cy a very significant foretaste of the doom
which awaits them in October next The dis
passion of these organizations is, of ITSELF a
INST important step in the path of progress,
because no progress was possible without it.
AID although the uneasy and somewhat in
cfagruous elements thus thrown together by
81 sdering them from their ancient moorings
NJ y not at once orystalliss around the true
CT trial point, yet they can never again be 80
eff ctively marshalled in the same unsanctifed
&c nice. Besides, the charge of Abolitionism,
.ich is necessarily flung at the combination
ht e, is causing men to inquire what it means,
W
a,H whether their opposition to the Nebraska
al Kansas act does not require them to 20
ct further. That Freedom should have q
pi atty decided growth, from the causes thus
al work to produce it. seems perfectly natural,
if DOT inevitable.
But this is one aspect only Of the question.
r ere is another, which fidelity to truth for
bi Is that we should overlook. While there is
m tch to hope, there is likewise something to
fssir, from the peculiar attitude which the Sla-
vety question has assumed in this State, under
the nursing of our politicians. Permit me to
point out the danger; and | feel impelled to
do this, because our Anti Slavery press and
politicians here, whilst constantly presenting
the bright side of the picture, send forth no
whining voice against the perils to which our
caese is exposed.
70 will be remembered, that, 90 for as Sla-
vg.y is concerned, the only specific issue upon
" itch tho People banded themselves together
al Indianapolis, on the 18th of July, was "the
rs itoration of tho Missouri Compromise" The
pl rpose of the combination is expressly lin
irA to this single point in the second resolu.
ii b, whilst the Convention laid on the table
T. resolutions which wero entirely un0bjec-
q nsble, siu ply proposing opposition to Sla-
v y within constitutional limits. The resto-
RI ton OF the Missouri Compromise Is then the
i ae. This is the stereotyped watchword and
r. lying cry of the Ansi-Nebraska forces
{ soughout this State. Now, as an Anti-Sla-
4 ~ man, do not Ike it. Il presents de-
G. ptive, and therefore false issue, before the
I>ople. We should not desire 10 restore the
s<issouri Compromise. To do so, would be TO
r affirm its binding obligation in all its parts,
r aching the territory south as well as north
0 36' 30. Il would be to recognise the Slave
I over as an equal contracting party with our
2 Ives waving its violated faith, and thus pre-
Q ading US from the right We should other
:se have to plead its perfdy in discharge Of
ss compromises outside of the Federal Consti.
u Sion. It would be to 60 downwarde, instead
o. upwards on the Anti-SIavery scale No
l Vt the broken compact remain broken, and
NJ US say so. Let our Southern friends I'M
d rstand that this is breach we do not desire
b heal, but that we shall march through IL 10