The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-18

of that contract is already nsggered, yes,
'saggered all over. The crack of the dri-
ver's lash Ito the disgrace of humanity be
it said) is this day heard on its every acre.
The voice of Freedom is not heard there,
but Slavery, dark and damning, curses
that otherwise beautiful country, having
territory sufficient to make an empire of
freemen. That is the reason we opposed
its repeal, and now ask for it's restoration.
We cannot recall Slavery there now, it's
too late! If we would place that terrific
ry in the same situation it was in 1920,
there would be no trouble from our State
about the repeal Of the Missouri restric-
ton. No: we would, like men, enter the
arena and fight manfully the battles of
Freedom. Yes, Sir, we would see that
Freedom our inheritance, was not turned
to strangers, and our homes to aliens, and
Liberty left desolate in the land of our
forefathers.
But the dark and damning deed is done;
and, regarding the rights of the States
under the Constitution, we cannot change
it now.
And now, after our submission for thir-
ty-four years to that iniquity, you come
forward and inflict this new outrage upon
us. You say, at is true, north of that
line was set apart by solemn compact to
Freedom; but the contract was unconsti-
tutional, and consequently null and void" /"
1 care not from what point you view it;
you have taken under that contract, and
of course are bound byit. You now come
to us whiningly and say: "This contract
is void, do not attempt to enforce it"
Suppose you give your note to friend
for one hundred dollars, borrowed on the
Sabbath; and afterwards, to avoid the
payment, set up for defence that the
note was given on Sunday, and conse-
quently void, and you would not pay it.
In what light do you suppose all honora-
BILE men would view you? In no other
light than as consummate villains, unwor-
thy the confidence of all honorable men,
In this light Ohio, and the teeming mil
lions of the mighty West, whom feebly
represent here, view you, Gentlemen, in
relation to this Kanzas Nebraska in:auity!
appeal to Representatives from the
South, in the name of all that is honora-
ble-in the name of God, to be this once
Influenced by the pure promptings of right
and justice, and restore this Compromise
line, or from this day hide your deformed
heads and make your appearance no more
among intelligent beings
But am resolved to place the gentle.
men--those chivalrous Southern gentle.
men-right on the record. Many of them
do say that the repeal of that time-hon.
ored line, Ito use their own words) was q
wrong, an injury and an outrage, and thai
it ought to be restored. / say many O
you have said so to me: and inasmuch al
every gentleman from the North has beer
challenged to give the name of any South
ern man who has dared to breathe ever
one word in favor of Freedom, therefore
to avoid being asked so to do, come W
now to the confessional, or shall withou
hesitation name the gentlemen to this con
vention. Cheers and laughter.
\ AT length Hon. Kenneth Raynor, o
North Carolina, arose and stated that h,
had so said, and took this occasion to sa,
that he considered the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise wrong and an out
rage, to which the North ought not t,
submit. He said if he had been mem
Der of Congress he would have had hi
right hand severed from his body befor
he would have consented to the iniquity
l Gov. Brown, of Tennessee, said he ha'
+ stated that it was wrong and unjust t,
: repeal the act; but inasmuch as it wa
passed, he was opposed to agitation o.
r the subject by reinstating it.
, Four or five more, at this point, too
, the floor at once, Ford remarking pleas
2 antly, "Keep COOL gentlemen: we are go
ing to have an interesting class meeting
here; but come up to the confessional ON
at time!" daughter long and loud.
e A number of gentlemen confessed in sub
f stance what Gov. Brown did
, Mr.. Ford proceeded by saying that "a
e open confession was good for the soul;
e and he hoped the gentlemen would lear
: another truism: That the only way to ge
: rid of guilt was to "repent and sin n
: more" All we ask of you, gentlemen,
: to do right, remembering that there ar
: eternal and unchangeable principles q
/ right, which no circumstances can vary
!, and which God himself may not disturb
!. By your confessions this day, couple
f with your action, you place yourselves i
: the condition of thief who, having bro
t ken into your house and got possession c
e your money, you detect aud arrest. Yo
: say to him, "You villain! what are yo
u doing, thus invading my most sacre
: rights?" The thief comes up to the con
}, fessional, as our friends have this day
: saying, ~ know / have invaded your mos
i: sacred rights: ! confess have committe
# an outrage, and inflicted great injur
n upon you. have broken into your hous
and stolen your money. ]. have done thi
+ mean thing. regret, deplore it; b.
It isasmmch, notwithstanding, nevertheless, a
e Ihave got in ,so,o, let there be no disturb
j. ance between me and thee. I both fea
+ and dislike agitation. Let us just settl