The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-21
IN ADVANCE
N U M B Err 10

constantly claimed Oregon as part of Lou
lsana from 1903 up to 1919, when Florida
was purchased, after which we claimed ad-
dItlonaliy der the Spanish title In 1905;
under the Louisiana title Lew is and Clarke
were sent upon their expedition to the Col
umbia river. In 1914, uuder the treaty with
England providing for the restitution of
conquered places, Astoria was surrendered
to the United Suites. The convention for
the mutual occupation of Oregon, in 1918 !;
between this Government and England,
made while Mr.. John Quincy Adams was
Secretary of State, went upon the assertions
OF our title under FRANCE. 1t is true we al
SO insisted on contiguity of territory and
discovery but the only paper title we had
up to 1919, was under tho French treaty.
Our title to Oregon, as part Of Louisiana,
was sustained by the first statesmen ia the
country, by Calhoun, Clay, Buchanan, AMI
others. insist, therefore, that Oregon was
part of Louisiana. At any r,tc, this Gov
eTnment, by its declarations and acts, is es-
topped from denying it. / submit, there
fore, that the reputation Of the Missouri
line in regard to Oregon put an end to any
compact if one ever existed.
here is nothing in this idea Of violated
faith. The objection to the repeal of the
Missouri restriction lies deeper than this.
1t originates from the strong ant-savery
feeling of large portion of the North.
This anti-slavery feeling is the master-pas-
sion of the northern heart. Its intensity is
apparent from considering its nature and in
centives. Its basis is II conscientious antag-
onism to slavery. A conscientious belief,
however erroneous, when it acquires entire
possession of single mind, absorbs every
other feeling. When it possesses entire
communities, it becomes real madness.
These moral manias are social tornadoes
which sweep over the surface of society at
intervals in history. The followers of Ma
homet devastated the eastern world under
such an impulsion.. The crusades were an
other instance of this moral madness. The
thirty years war, which made Germany
bleed ut every pore, was another sad in
stance. History is full of them they are
the melancholy blot and blur of many
page. They are the only passions which
admit of no settlement. They must run
their course it is the law of their being.
To reason with them is idle, because they
are founded on some higher law than reas-
on--a belief, sentiment n pcremptory alb
straction. This anti. i.slavery feeling of the
North rests, then, first, on n moral fanati-
csm the most powerful and most danger
Gus of all the social elements. Besides this,
1t is impelled by two strong additional mo-
tives-the love of power and of place. 1t is
natrual for man to want power. Each in
di' idual desires it for him self, or his COM
munity, or his State, or his section. This
feeling is the prolific cause of personal and
national struggles. In vast Confsderacy
like ours, there are practical advantages in
controlling the Government, and moulding
its Legislation to promote special interest.
Man Kind have never been scrupulous in
thus grasping at power, and turning it to
their own advantage. The magnitude of
the object obliterates all sense of Injustice
Upon the admission Of Miss souri,, this feel
ing was first strongly developed. The North
were apprehensive they would lose the pre-
ponderance of power, and hence the oppo.
sition to her admission. This idea was
openly avowed by Rufus King, Otis, Tay.
lor, Plumer, Cook, Holmes, all northern
representatives. This feeling still operates
with increased intensity.
In addition to this sectional power feel
ing, the anli-slavcry agitation is urged on
by aspiring politicians There is no mode
by which ambition can more readily climb
upwards, than by connecting itself with a
popular idea. This popular idea HIS been
presented 10 ambitious men at the North in
this anti-slayery feeling IL is not strange
that many Of them have ayailed themselves
oft We have thus the North impelled
forward by the strongest possible motives to
human action, fanaticlsm, love of sectional
p ,wer, and personal ambition. Il is only
from such strong motives this idea could
have so fully possessed the northern mind
Ia mind signally prudent, reflective, and
sagaeious. Nothing could more strongly
illustrate the intensity Of thi. passion, than
the excitement at the North in reference to
the bill now. before Us. One who was not
Informed upon the subject would suppose
there was some remarkable concession 10
the South in this bill. Is it sof Let Us
see -
! This bill repeats the Missouri restriction,
| but reyiyes no local law protecting slavery.
The effect Is simply 10 remit The South to
their rights In the Territory nnder the Con.
stitation- All that the bili does Is To make
the Consultation operative IN ihe Territorys
Asd this slightest conceivable act Of simple
ja~ticc has agitated publc sentiment at the
North 10 its deepest depths.
This aafi-sIasery feeling Is mo eyil 20.
sips Of TIE Repubiis. Mankind are never