The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-07-07

ton of all nations. We have existed
long enough as a nation to demonstrate
the utility of the principles of Declara-
lion Of Independence, when made the
basis of civil government.
One lesson the history of our govern
ment should teach US who have chosen
Kansas for our home, and that is espe-
cially applicable to the instructions of this
day, viz: the more closely the principles
Of the Declaration of Independence are
followed as the basis of government, and
the more universal they are made IN their
the more prosperous the
government and people.
AS the people of Kansas Territory are
to-day the subjects Of a foreign State; as
laws are now being imposedupon Us by the
citizens of Missouri for the sole purpose
of forcing upon this territory the institu-
ton of slavery surely need make no
apology for deyoting The few moments
allotted NE on this occasion to an exam
ination of the effects of that institution
upon State and people, whether politi-
c:llly, morally or socially. / ask you
not to-day TO listen to arguments of abo-
litionists or for aboiiIiomi>m | wish
now not to wage war upon slavery or
Shareholders in any State of this Union,
or to interfere in any respect with our
neighbor's affairs. but it is for ourselves,
our families, our own institutions and
our own prosperity; it is for Kansas we
ask your attention. Is it polite, is it for
our moral, intellectual or peeuniary ad-
vancement, to submit TO the dicta:ion of
q foreign power in regard TO our laws and
institutions? This is the question that
deeply interests US all, aud for tile CON
sideration Of which this day is most ap-
propria.e.
Unfortunately for our country the
same year that the Puritans effected their
landing at Plymouth, cargo of slaves
was imported into Virginia, and soon
after they were introduced to other colo
nies. Their rights of equality to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness
were of course denied by their masters,
till about the time of the formation Of the
Constitution, when the northern States
gradually rid themselves of the institu-
ton. The south, however, regardless of
their professions, continued to refuse to
recognize in practice tie doctrine that
all men are created equal. Their history
in connection with that of the free States
affords US valuable instruction. In the
spirit ofcandor, as men who are to choose
for ourselves and our posterity. what In
stitutions shall be planted and cherished
in our midst, let us glance at the past
and seek for light to guide US in the fu-
ture.
The southern or slayeholding States
contain an area of 928,894 square
miles, while the northern or free States,
excluding California, contain but 454, ,354
square miles, or less than half as much
as the slave States. 1t should be borne
In mind that the southern States also
have the advantage in soil and climate as
well as extent of territory, and are capa-
bic of sustaining much larger popula-
| ton to the square mile than the northern
States. In the fifteen slave States, ac-
cording to the census of 1850, there was
white population of 6,105,217, whilst
in the fifteen free States, with one half the
area and less fertile soil, there was a
white population Of 13. lat ,029; show
ing that the free States with less than
half the number of acres of land, with
comparatively none of the advantages of
The South, are sustaining more than
double her free population. If, however,
We take the ''ehattels personal of the
south into consideration, strip them of
their property quality, whose number is
3,O81, ,234, we shall make the southern
population numbered 1888, AL, and If
We add the free eolored population of
both sections, the result will stand thus !:
Free States Is, ,342, 1926, slave 9,6f2, ,969,
showing an excess in favor of the free
States of 3,729, 1856. Think of it, the
slave States with over three hundred
millions of acres of land more than the
free States, sustaining population of
near four millions less, and over three
millions of these being in the shape of
property.
The influence of slavery on population
is further illustrated By a comparison be-
tween different States. Kentucky and
Ohio are separated only by river, and
are both alike rich in soil. Kentucky
was made State in 1899 and Ohio in
1909. Their growth in population has
been as follows -