Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-11-01

entire and active sympathy of their people.
From the general tone Of the public press
throughout the State, similar inference is
deducible, and, we feel warranted in assert.
ing, very general, if not unanimous con-
currence in the principles adopted by the
Lexington Convention. Those principles
are embodied in series OF resolutions APP
pended TO this address, and which, we are
happy 10 say, were adopted with entire
manimity, by a body representing every
shade Of political opinion TO be found in the
interior of our State. These facts are con-
elusive Of the condition of public sentiment
in Missouri. The probabilities of changes
here, in reference to the question ofslavery,
are not essentially different from what they
are in Tennessee, or Virginia, or Kentuc-
ky. In relation TO numbers, reference 10
the census shows that Missouri contains
double the number of Arkansas, nearly
double the number Of Texas, and about an
equal number with Maryland.
These facts are stated with view to i
proper understanding OF our position in
reference TO tic settlement Of Kansas, and
the Legitimate and necessary interest felt in
the progress and character ortlnt settlement.
Previous to the repeal Of the Congressional
restrictions of 1920, by which Missouri
was thrown into an isolated position in re-
ference 10 tbs question Of slavery, and made
solitary exception TO a general rule her
condition in regard to the Territory West Of
her border, and yet North OF the geographic
cal line Which Congress had fixed as the ter
minus Of Southern institutions, was truly
unenviable With two States on her North
ern and Eastern border, in many portions
/ of which the Constitution of the United
States, and the Fugitive Slave Law, passed
/ i'll pursuance thereof. were known TO be as
inetlicacious for the protection of our right,
as they would have been in London o.
Canada it was LEFT to the will Of Congress
by enforcing the restriction Of 1920 TO GU
Missouri off almost enti~alv from all terri.
torial connexion with States having in>tiiu
tions congenial to her own, and with popu
lations ready and willing to protect them
No alternative was left TO that body but f
repeal the restriction, and thus leave TO tht
Constitution and the laws of nature, thr
settlement of our Territ ries, or, by retain
ing the restriction, indirectly TO abpIlsl
slavery in Missouri. Ii the latter alterna
tive had TO be selected, il would have beer
an act Of charity and mercy to the slavohold
ers Of Missouri, 10 warn them in time Of tn
necessity of abandoning their homes, o
manumitting or selling their slavcs-to Civ
them ample time to determine between III
sacrifice of fifty millions Of slave property
; or seventy millions of landed estate. Di
rect Legislation would have been preferabl
to indirect legislation, leading 10 the sam
result, and the enforcement Of the restric
ton in the settlement Of Karaas was virtu
, ally the abolition of slavery in Missouri
But Congress acted more wisely. as w
think, and with greater fidelity to Tie Cor
=, stitution and the Union.
The history Of the Kansas-Ncbrasla bi
is known to the country. 1t abolished III
= geographical line of SO deg. 80 min, b
, which the limits OF slavery were restricte,
and substituted constitutional and iu
principle, which left to the settlers of III
Territories, to adopt such domestic institr
=, tions as suited themselves. II ever ther
was a principle calculated 10 commend i
+. self 10 all reasonable men, and reconciI
! all conflicting interests, this would seem (
! have been the one. 1t was the principle
= popular sovereignty-the basis upon whic
our independence had been aahleved-and
-. was therefore supposed to be justly dear
all Americans, of every latitude am ever
creed. But fanatcism was not satiSf fed =
! The aboitionsts and their allies moved he
ven and earth to accomplish its defeat al
although unsuccessful, they did not ther
fore despair. Out-voted in Congress, r,
i ceiving no coIntenance from the EXecutiv
N they retired to another theatre faction, al
! strange 10 say, they prostituted an ancic
: and respectable C"nmonweallh--one OF Il
A. old Thirteen--to commence, in her SOY
re reign capacity as State, with the mea
Of and imposing attitude incident TO such P
Of siDion, crusade against slavery, novel
re its character, more alarming in its teatur,
no and likely TO be more fatal in its couseque
bt ces, than all the fanatical movements hit
he erto attempted, since the appearance of a
n olitionism as political party in 1895,
nd They originated and matured scheme, N,
w. er before heard of or thought OF in Il
IS country, the object and effect of which "
it. to invade the principle of the Kansas-N
in broskO bill, and in lieu Of non in,crvent