Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-08-31
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Considering Mr.. Frelinghsysen to be one
Of the pures, a. well ~ soandess politicians
in the country, we willingly add our mite Of
testimony to that which is borne BY the
Nsfioaal laieQissacsr ia the following para
graph, with which that paper prefsces an
extract from speech recently made BY Mr..
F. We are glad to see that journal Quote
with such decided appreciation portion OF
= speech which says slavery sis a great
moral and social evil, and - such is open to
free consideration and debate" II is re-
freshing in these days Of Quilmans and
Richmond Examiners, to be able to quote
thus from apapcr which. though it has new
er lost its senses in the discussion Of this
disagreeablc and vexed subject, has always
leaned from inslin alton. il not from interest,
tow ard the side Of the South
.The name Of Theodore Frelisghuysen,
occurring in the annexed extract from an
Grafton recently delivered by him on pub
lie occasion, touched spring in the mech.
anism Of mental association which led Us
into wide Geld of "reminiscences. and in
spired more serious mood than We are
wont to indulge. This amiable and excel
lent individual has been so long out Of the
way Of political strifes that he can look At
things - they are without giving them the
coloring Of party prejudice. Hs WISDOM
his experience, his devout and conscientious
observance Of the Gospel secePts, give
value TO what he says which entities il to
universal respect. The history which he
gives Of the origin and settlement OF the
question now occupying and disturbing tho
minds Of SO large portion Of our country
is as authentic as it is plain and simple"
THE ExrRAcr.
"When the Constitution of the United
States was under advisement, by the law OF
nations slave escrPing to free country
became free. The slayeholding States
were unwilling to form union upon the
basis OF that intern ,tional law between IN
dependen, States. They proposed to the
free States, if you wish to unite with us,
aud thus form one people in closer bonds
than BY the general law OF nations, then
this law Of the fugitive slave must De so
modified that we shall have the same rignt
to reclaim in your State that we now have
in any county in our own State. Our fore.
fathers agreed TO this modification and the
thirteen colonies unanimously adopted it,
and thus left slavery . domestic institu-
ton in all the States where it existed.
@Tbis is the true political state OF the
question; and, therefore. We cannot disturb
it. As great moral and social evil -
open 10 free consideration and debate, as
are all other matters pertaining to moral
duty; but politically we agreed to leave II
where we found it, and that was with the
States, with all IL RESPONSE
bili,ies. The whole case is with them.
at is gravely momentous subject. en-
com passed by perplexing difficulties that
call for elaboration, and candor, and good
temper. And, more than this, it invekes
afresh the cherished and fraternal feelings
that formed the American Constitution, |
which has so long and so illustriously shown
how much Of human wisdom and forecast
and how much more of divine bengnty
crow ned this frs, great experiment Of Tree
and self-governed people. May 1t be per-
petual, May no rash hand mar its glory
or dare disturb It's foundations! Should not
almost eighty years of prosperous freedom
plead for our Union! Should not the smiles
OF Gods favor toward US for all that time
hush the murmurs of discomfort and per.
susde US rather to patience and hopet Let
Us wal, for the heaiings Of time, and kind
ness, and the sure growth Of better feelings
hat will follow the spread and power Of the
Gospel Of Peace. Let US, for the sake of
human liberty and mans last hope. wait
and bear and forbear in the fear Of God and
l living prayer for His guidance"