Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-03-22

us, while carefully abstaiDiag fromuneona,ituton-
al interference with de internal reguistons OF
any State upon the subject Of slaveryo OF any 9TH
er subject 70 insist upon the practical application
Of its great principles in all the legislation OF Con-
gress
ciples will stand shoulder to shoulder with the
men who, differing from Us upon other questions,
will vet unite with us in oppositi, to the violation
OF piighted faith contemplated by this bill. There
are men and not a few, who are willing to adhere
to the compromise of 1850. II the Missouri pro-
hibiton, which those compromises Incorporates
and preserves among irs own provisions, shall be
repealed abrogated broken up, thousands will say,
Away with all compromises; they are not worth
the paper on which they are printed; we will re-
turn to the old principles of the Constitution. We
will assert the ancient doctrine, that no person
shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, by
the legislation Of Congress, without due process
Of law. Carrying out that principle into its prac
tcal applications, we will not cease our efforts
until slavery shall cease to exist wherever il can
be reached by the constitutional action of the Gov
ernment. ,s .-...-.t
Sir, have faith in Progress. | have faith in
Democracy. The planting and growth OF this ma
ton, upon this western continent. was not an ac-
cident. The establishments Of the American gov
ernment, upon the sublime principles Of the De-
claration of independence, and the organization
of the union of these States, under our existing
Constitution, was the work Of great men, inspired
By great ideas, guided by Divine Providence
These men, the fathers of the Republic, have be-
queathed to us the great duty of so administering
the Government which they organized, as to pro-
tect the rights to guard the interests, and promote
the well-being of all persons within its jurisdic-
ton, and thus present to the nations of the earth
a noble example of wise and just self-government
Sir, have faith enough to belive that we shall
vet fulfil this high duty. Let me borrow the in
spiration of MILTON, while declare my belief that
we have yet country "not degenerated nor droop-
ing to fatal decay, but destined, by casting off
the old and wrinkled skin of corruption, to outlive
these pangs, and wax young again. and, entering
the GLORIOUS WAYS OF TRUTH AND PROSPEROUS
VIRTUE, BECOME GREAT AND HONORABLE IN THESE
LATTER AGES. Methinks see in my mind great
and puissant nation rousing herself like strong
man after sleep, and shaking her invincble locks.
Nethinks see her as an eagle mewing her mighty
youth, and kinding her undassled eyes AT THE FULL
MIDDAY BEAM, Purging and unScafing her long
abused sight AT THE FOUNTAIN ITSELF OF HEAVEN
LY RADIANCE; while the whole noise of tmorous
and focking birds, with those also that love the
twilight, hutter about, amazed at what she means,
and in their envious gabble would prognosticate a
year of sects and scsms." y..t..
Sir, we may fulfil this sublime destiny if we
will but faithfully adhere to the great maxims O
the Revolution; honestly carry into their legit
mate practical applications the high principles o
Democracy; and preserve inviolatc plighted faith
and solemn compacts. Let us do this, putting oul
trust in the God of our fathers, and there is ne
dream of national prosperity, power, and glory
which ancient or modern builders Of ideal com
monwealths ever conceived, which we may no
hope to realize. But # we turn aside from thest
ways of honor, to walk in the by-paths of tempo
rary expedents, compromising with wrong, abet
ting oppression, and repudiating faith, the wisdom
and devotion and labors of our fathers will have
been ALL all in vain. g. =. 3
Sir, trust that the result Of this discussion will
show that the American Senate will sanction M
breach of compact. Let us strike from the bill
that statement which historical facts and our per
sonal recollections disprove, and then reject thu
whole proposition which looks toward violation
of the plghted faith and solemn compact which
our fathers made, and which we, their sons, are
bound by every tie of obligation sacrcdly to main
tain