The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-28
THE WORK TO BE DoNE-nJE OBSTACLES
The PROSPECT


In repeating the Missouri Compromise, and
dividing the region, exempted by it from SIa-
very, into two Territories, the Shareholders had
two objects in view-frst, the conyersio of one
of these to the uses Of Slave Labor SECONDLY,
the increase of their political power and the
furthersncc of their schemes for uniye1 sal en-
pire. The former object was subordin ate, al
though important. They were not cure that it
could be accomplished; but, Kansas was in tho
same latitude as Missouri possessed o soil
adapted to slave labor, was easily accessible to
Shareholders, and there was a fair prospect
that they might be able to colonize and organ
ize it.
The first duty of the friends of Freedom,
then, was to defeat them on this point. North
ern demsgogues said there was no danger
Northern quietists said that it was question
of little practical interest. Had they succeeded
in lulling the approhensions of the North, the
Shareholders would have accomplished what
they intended; Northern immigration would
have been retarded, while the owners of slaves,
having plenty Of time for exchange of resi-
would have gradually insinuated themselves
into Kansas, and made it slave State. Such
would have been the result, had the represent
atoms Of Mr.. Douglas and the quietism of Mr..
Everett determined public opinion at the
North.
The opponents of the measure were clear
sighted enough to foresee al this, and they
aroused the People of the free States, by show
ing that material interests Of vast impor lance
we're really involved in the question-thst
should the Bill pass, Kansas would inevitably
become slave territory, unless prevented by
well-directed and determined action on their
part. The Bill passed, but the People had
been prepared Their imperative duty, they
felt, was, to supply, by voluntary action, what
had been lost By. bad legislation-to colonize
the endangered Territory with settlers who by
local enactment would re-impose the Anti-Sla-
very restriction withdrawn By Congress. Our
readers have been kept well informed in re-
! gard TO this practical movement. Hundreds of
| free colonists have already been sent to the
Territory, and hundreds more are on their
way. The Slavery on the Dor
ders of Missouri have threatened terrible
things but the only effect of their bullying thus
far has been to stimulate the immigration thew
were anxious to arrest, until at last the Slave
holders begin to doubt whether they may not
risk too much in the attempt to transfer
property" SO questionable as human beings
into the new Territory.
In this respect then, the friends of Free
dom have done well, acting vigorously and
wisely; but the work is not comprehensive
Slavery -propsgandists are busy-the Admins
tration is with them-its appointments are with
them-to relax effort now, would be to lose
all that has been gained. Let the work of free
colonization be prosecuted till the People of
the Territory, acting through their Represent
a.ives shall have signifed authoritatively their
will that Kansas shall be free.
The Northern supporters of the Administra-
ton are impudent enough 70 claim this free
colonization of the Territories as the legitimate
result of the Nebraska Bill The Soft Conven.
ton of New York congratulates the country on
the benefcent operation of the measure, and
the Cass Democrats of Michigan pretend to ex.
ult over this gain to Freedom as from the rec
oguition of popular sovereignty" They for
get that the Missouri Compromise had secured
to Freedom that which the free States by it,
repeal, are driven to regain by the most siren
uous efforts, to say nothing of the doubt which
still hangs over the struggle. If the People
succeed, they may thank themselves for the
triumph and the Administration for the perilG
to which they have been exposed, and tho labo,
it has cost them to recover for Liberty that Of
which Treason had robbed it. In such sn event
the freedom of Kansas may be claimed as the
result of the Nebraska Bill, just as legitimately
as the independence of these States may be sci
down to the credit of the Stamp Act, Tea Tax
and Boston Port Bill.
But, the Northern supporters of the Admin
istration, not content with putting up this i'm
pudent claim, are trying to delude the Peopl,
with the notion, that as Slavery will in al