Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-22

Government involving an assumption Of the
brotherhood of the human family, or an ac-
acknowledgement Of the common origin Of men,
or recognition Of the rights and interests Of
the masses, is against it. To sympathize with
Humanity anywhere struggling against Des-
potism, to protest against unusual oppression
in any country, TO rescue human being from
the clutches Of a foreign tyrant, is against it.
All bsnefcent laws, all wise policies, all asser-
lions Of Democratic doctrines, are against it.
Were it inert and passive, it would be swept
away. This was the faith Of the an
thors Of the Federal Constitution. They knew
that, in the system they were putting into ope-
ration, Liberty was the Rule, Slavery, the FIX
ception- land they believed that the Rule would
prevail, and the Exception cease. II we have
NOT killed Slavery, was the remark Of one OF
them, we have given il its death blow--it may
linger for time, bat its doom is sealed
But they overlooked another fact, Of great
Importance in calculating the consequences Of
Institutions, viz that Exceptions sometimes be-
come LARS. One vice win sap the foundation
of many virtues A single breach serves to let
in q Hood Of evil. Ono exceptional Institution,
driven, by the instinct Of self representation to
watch and work INCREASINGLY against the gen.
eral tendencies Of the system of which it is q
part moro than balances, at times by its ex-
traordinary action tho normal operation OF
that system. Those whose interests are identi-
fed with it, know that il can be maintained
only by extreme vigilance and exertion- They
anticipate threatened danger-thoy set them
selves to work to counterfeit the spirit Of the
Constitution that barely tolerates it--they seek
to appropriate to themselves the powers it con-
fers, that they may shape them 40 as to
strengthen, rather than weaken, their excep-
tional Institution. In this way, while the mass
Of the People are trusting quietly to the work
ings Of Natural Laws, and the tendencies of a
system generally oonformed to them, without
active exertions to enforce them. those few,
sleepless ever-actiyo supporters Of an Institu-
tion which has been allowed simply as an Ex-
ception, are stealthily accommodating power,
and changing the Exception to q general Law.
The history Of Slavery in connection with the
Government Of the United States proves this
fact which the Conservative opponents Of Anti
Slavery agitation have entirely overlooked.
2. There is another reason for its aggressive
ness founded directly upon pecuniary interest
Slave Labor is generally wasteful and thrift
less. The laborers are unintelligent and stu
pid, putting forth just enough brute energy,
under coercion, for the performance of the
tasks allotted them, but, without interest in the
proceeds Of their own labor, and without slim
illus to their inventive faculties, they mover
dream Of deyising labor.saving machinery, or
Of preserving the productive power Of the soil
they till. Besides, their labor is used chiefly in
the growth Of few great staples, not for con-
sumption upon the spot, but for expectation,
for purposes of consumption in other regions.
Thus by double process-reckless waste Of
productive power in the soil and transporta-
ton toother chimes of those products whose con-
sumption would give back to the soil the vital
ity extracted fromit--the system OF Slave Labor
is compelled constantly to seek an enlargement
of its area. 1t can thrive only by constant
accessions Of new and virgin SOIL MI
No labor saving machinery, no amount ofag-
ricultural science or skill, no reform in the
slave code, no change for the better in the
habits Of the planters, could have saved the
British colonies from utter ruin under the sys-
tenn Of slave culture. Without possibility of
expansion, it had ceased to be profitable, and
the planters had become overwhelmed with
debt Our Slavery is continental, not insu-
lar. Confined to its original limits, il would
ere this have ceased to exist, or have under
gone an essential change of character. In ex-
pansion, in aceessons Of new Territory il has
renewed its vitality and maintained it's rigorous
nature.
Ia policy necessary to it's being, to be ar
rested by deceptive Compromises, or the lying
resolves Of Party Conventions, in favor Of
Finalitess Slavery, here, is continental not
insular, and is determined to keep open the
Continent to It's march. II finds Texas con-
venicnt, and annexss it; il believes part Of
Mexico ct for its peculiar culture and con-
quers it, although prov.dentially that which it
chiefly longed for has eluded its grasp. II sees
some advantages in other portions and proposes
TO buy them with the surplus in the Treasury.
The Missouri Compromise il in the way, Of
establishing Principle Of Governmental Poll
cy which will give impunity to its schemes Of
acquisition Southwardly, and il demands its re-
peal In all this IL is true to its instincts, acts
in obedience 10 the law Of its being. 1t never
takes is eye from the object II aims at, never
relaxes its purpose. Meantime, our Conserva-
tive friends, who are distressed whenever called
upon to resist some signally fragrant aggression
Of this Power, suppose Il to DO scmcthin out
Of the way, very extraordinary, inexplicablc
thing and a. soon as the occasicn passes, fold
their hands and begin 10 talk in their sleep Of
tho blessings Of peace and harmony, and the