The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-11
Antagonists of Liberty.

Run, Slavery and Papaey are the three
most powerful antagonisms to liberty now
at work in this republic. The first wars
upor every interest Of society, and poisons
whichever i touches, and destroys whatever
IL oontrols,-whether IL be men, institutions
or rights. Tho second is no less destructive
- powerful than the first, though making
lis nggressions and assumptions in different
Sorms and for different purposes. The third
Is insidious and cunning, and as overreacl-
ing and arrogant as either Of the others
All are ut war with liberty, and with the
whole spirit Of our FREQ institutions, under
mining their foundation and absorbing their
life's ,lood just in proportion as they gain
power Or supremacy. How to cripple and
destroy the power Of these evils, and give
to freed,m its full and legitimate influence,
should 10 the great study Of every true
American The bold experiment, now in
process OF trial, Of abridging the dominion
Of alcohol, ny prohibiting its sale, and pros
ecuting those who deal in IL against the
laws, as criminals, must and will be eminen,-
ly successful, as has been demonstrated
where the trial has been fairly made. 10
DO sure we contend with q desperate and
wealthy foe whose dearest interests are as.
sailed. and which, if conquered, must sur.
render privileges Of great value to ITSELF
But no matter. Tao interests Of the few
must surrender to the rights OF the many
Il Is so manifestly wrong and an outrage
upon oil the immunities Of life, that men
should be permitted to plumber their fellows.
by poisoning and running them in oil tho
relations of life, that tho people will not
submit to it. The die is cast = the purpose
is fixed, that the liquor trafc shall be sup.
pressed. II our law or set Of laws are not
strong enough to do It, Others will DO framed
for the purpose, and tho work will be done.
This, we think, is the settled determination
of true temperance men all over the land.
Upon tho subject Of slavery too, We think
il is we'll settled, that the North cannot DO
induced for any purpose or under any cir.
cumstanccs, to enter upon any more COM
promises, or to submit to any moro aggres-
sions from the slave power. That another
Slave Stale shall not be added to this Union,
We think is tho inaexiblo purpose OF the
people.
We believe It also to be we'll understood,
that tie cunning articles Of the Pope to
infuse our institutions with tho spirit and
dogmss Of Papacy, must be abridged, and
that cur mistakes MS to the free use of SUI.
f'age to foreigners, must DO corrected.-
With these three vital clements Of power
thea, In full force or ready to be energized
and used for the widest purposes, what duty
of republicans can DO moro apparent than
at once to secure such an organization Of all
.per5ns in favor Of these principles as will
best secure their free development and full
supremacy. The timo may not yet have
come for this movement direct, but the
wheels Of Providence and the events OF
time all point to 1t rs not far distant. Or.
dcrs and Councils and secret conclayes may
have had n legitimate and proper work to do,
in preparing the way for the advent OF the
combined moral energies Of the people to
rule upon principles OF justice and right
When the work Of preparation is sufficiently
accomplished, it will DO time for On open
organization, embodying the principles al
luded 70, and for the active use Of oil the
Legitimate forces essential to succes.-Pror'
idenee Tribune.