The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-02-07
be gained by adhernnce to it on our part; we
therefore propose 20 cancel tbe compact.
j u this be not pnnic faitn. what j. iii Not

tutItfoft D'ODbbo 10 ctUctl tut Coiipttts
u this BIO not pnnic faltn, what il IL! Not
wilholt tho deePcst uisnonnf and' clIdlo
the Free States aoquiesce ia this demand.
We confess our total inability probably to
deneate the character or describe the conse-
qnencos of this measure. Language fails to
Express the sentiments OF indignation and alb
horence which il inspires; and no vision less
penetrating and comprehensive than that of
the All-seeing. can reach its evil issues
To some of its more immediate and inev;ta-
BILE consequences. however, wo must attempt to
direct your attenton.
What will be the effect Of this measure should
il uohappily become law, upon the proposed
Pacific Railroad? We have already said that
two Of the principle routes, the Central and
the Northern traverse this Territory. II slave
ry be allowed 1herc, the settlement and culti-
vat on of the country must be greatly retarded
Inducements to tho immigration of free labor
ers will be almost destroyed. Tho enhanced
cost of construction and tho diminished expec-
tatons of profitable returns will present al
most insuperabe obstacles to bnding the road
at all; whilo even ii made, the difficulty and ex-
pense of keeping it up in country from which
the energetic and intelligent m sses will be
virtually excluded will greatly impair its use.
fulness and value.
From the rich lands of this largo Territory
also patriotic statesmen have anticipated that
"a free industrious and enlightened population
will extract abundant treasures of individual
and public wealth There it has been expect
ed. freedom-loving emgrants from Europe, and
energetic intelligent laborers of our own land
will find homes of couifort and fields Of useful
enterprise If this bill shall become law, all
such expectations will turn TO grevous disap-
pointment. The blight of Slavery will cover
tho land. The Homestead law, should Con-
gress enact one will be worthless there. Free-
men, unless pressed bv a hard and cruol ne
cessity, will not, and should not work BESIDE
slaves. Labor cannot be respected whero any
class of laborers is held in object bondage
1t is the deplorable necessity of Slavery, that
to make and keep single slave, there must
be slave law; and where slave law exists labor
must necessarily be degraded.
We earnestly request tho enlightened con-
ductors of newspapers printed IN the German
and other foreign languages to direct tho at
tention of their readers to this important mat
ter.
1t is of immense consequence also, to scru-
tinze the geographical character of this pro-
ject. We beg you fellow citizens. to observe
that it will sever tho East from the West of
the United States, by wide slaveholding belt
of country, extending from the Gulf OF Mexico
to British North America. 1t is a bold scheme
against American Liberty, worthy ofan accom-
plished architect. Texas is already slavehold-
ing and occupies the Gulf region from the Sa-
bine TO tho Rio Grandc. and from the Gulf of
Mexico 10 the Red River. North of the Red
River and extending between Texas and Ar
kansas, TO the parallel of SO deg. 80 min. lies
the Indian Territory about equal in extent to
the latter State, in which Slavery was not pro-
hibited by the act Of 1920. For 36 deg. 30
mir m tho houpbarv l;nn hof
country and the British Poesessors, stretching
from west to east TO more than III deg. Of lon
gitude, and from south TO north through more
than IL deg. of latitude, extends the great
Territory, the fate of which is now to be
determined by the American Congress. Thus
you SEQ, fellow citizens. that tho first operation
of the proposed permission of slavery in Ne
braska, will be to stay tho progress of Free
States westward, and to cnt off tho Free States
of the pacific from tho Free States of tho At
lantic
1t is hoped, doubtless by compelling the
whole comme CO and the whole travel between
the east and tho west 10 pass fir hundreds Of
miles through n slavehol&ing region. i'm the
heart of the Continent, and by the influence
of u federal Government Controlled by the
Slave Power to exinguisl Freedom and eslab-
lsh Slavery in tho State and Territories of the
Pacific, and thus permanently sublugaio tho
country 10 the yoke of slaveholdng despot-
ism. Shall plot against humanity aud Do
mocracy. so monstrous aud 50 dangerous TO
the interest of Liberty throughout the world,
be permitted to succeed!
We appeal to the People. We warn you
that the dearest interests of Freedom and the
Union arc in imminent peril. Servile dcma-
gogues may tell you that the Union can be
maintained only by submitting to tho demands
of VI al th tha-e ga t,
Union can only be insured by the full recogni-
lion of the just claims of Freedom and Man.
The Union was formed to establish Justice and
secure the blessings of Liberty. When it fails
TO accomplish these ends. it will be worthless,
and when il becomes worthless it cannot long
enduro.
We cntroat you tn be mindful Of tho funda
mental maxim of Democracy. Equal Rights
and exact Justice for all men. Do not submit
t. become agents in extending Legalzed OPP
preston and Systemzed iniunctivo over a vas
terrilory yet exempt from these terrible evils.
We impore Christians and Christian Minis
tcrs TO interpose. Their divine religion re-
quires them TO behold in every man brother
and TO labor for the Advancement and Regen-
Grafton OF the Human Race.
Whatever apologies may be offered for the
federation of Slavery in the States: nsne can be
urged for it's extension into Territories whore
it does not exist. and where that extention in
wolves the repeal of ancient law. and the viola
tion of solemn compact. Let all protest earn
estly and emphatically, by correspondence
tn ough the Press, by memorials, by resolu-
tions of public meetings and Legislative Bodies
ana in whatever other modo may seem expedi
ent against this enormous crime.
For ourselves we shall resist it by vote, and
with the abilities which God has given ns.-l
Even il overcome in the impending struggle, |
wo shall not snbmit We shall go home to our |
constituents; erect anew the standard of Free |
dom, and call on the people to come to tho
re cue of the country from the domination of
Slavery We will not despair; for the cause
of Human Freedom is the cause of God,
W. ii. SEWARD, s. T.. CHASE,
B. F. WADE, G. SUMNER,
l.. d. CAMPBELL, ]. X. GIDDINGs,
f. WADE, M. b. CORNISH,
New TRAcK.--The Michigan Southern & |
Mort bor, Indiana II nil Road Counhnv have