The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-05

cresy which is insured to their means of opera
ton. They may WELD exactly the same means
of deciding between opposing interests, and
rival aspirants for poblic honors, among the
citizens of the free States, in favor of those who
will promise the greatest fidelity to them. And
what have Anti-Slavery men better to hope
from this experiment than from all those which
have gone before it, and failed? What more
than to be out-voted by skilful resort to divi-
sions among themselves, and at last to find 1t
necessary to secede again, or quietly to remain,
and submit to be ruled In the meanwhile,
however, how much ground will have been lost
by the vain and impotent experiment. How
much of consistency and of self-respect, the
very marrow of all moral power in the great
struggles of life, will have been sacrificed
For it should ever be borne in mind, as | said
at the beginning, that we are under the domin
ion of an overpowering necessity, which makes
the slave question more and more matter OF
national concern. The light of every days sun
shines upon new hundreds of beings who go to
swell the causes of difference that already exist
in far too great numbers. There is not a mo-
ment even of truce which leaves things as 1t
found them. The revolution of each year places
the parties to this contention in changed rea-
ton of loss or gain to that which they held at
its beginning, which makes their labors harder
or easier for the next. The incidental circum-
stances which from time to time come in to dis
turb or to delay may, indeed, be only temporary;
but they are serious taxes upon the strength OF
a new generation which will accomplish with
difficulty what the present might have done with
ease We all understand that, before such a
question, the duration of mans life is nothing.
1t is the question of Human Liberty, not in
America only, but all over the world; and no
earthly power can prevent decision OF IT. tor
good or for evil, at some time or other, in this
land. Silence is itself power which will, be-
fore long, determine it, and determine it wong;
for it is in silence that the slave influence grows
the fastest, and intrenches itself the deepest.
Aggressive it cannot help being, if it would. It
is from the strong positions thus secured that
now it is meditating new inroads upon the po-
litieal strength of the free States. 1t is spread
ing its nets over the Territories that stretch to
the broad ocean of the West. 1t is scheming
for the acquisition of the Antilles. 1t is colo
nizing the lands on the Spanish Main. 1t is not
without hopes of reopening the horrors of the
middle passage, and introducing more foreign
ers, about whose rights however, there will be
no cause of complaint given to the Native Amer
lean. Nothing but open, energetic, loud-spoken
resistance will do to prevent all this from becom-
ing the settled policy Of the nation. 1t must
be early too, and vigilant for the victories of
the Slave Power are always gained at last by
surprise, and when the citizens of the free States
are the most unheeding. Above all, it must be
united. Never was there time when union of
all the true, disinterested friends Of the country
was more imperatively demanded than now. |
care not what the names by which they desig-
nate their public action. And this not so much
to destroy Slavery, as to defend Freedom; not
to weaken the Union, but to make it more last
ing not to annul the Constitution, but to keep
in it the only principles which can really make
it live. Such a Union is attainable but by one
method which will make it truly effective, the
same which has ever carried all great enterpri-
ses to success. mean by close adherence to
one idea. Much as this course has been censur-
ed by the designing, or ridiculed by the thought
less, it needs no demonstration to establish its
wisdom. Surely the Apostle Paul was not a
bad exemplar, when he charged the faithful of
Philippi, that they stand fast in one spirit WiM
one mind, striving together for the faith of the
gospel" The same injunction is imperative
upon all good men now. The times are yet
propitious. The country has been moved as
never before. The ears of the people are open
to hear and to receive. Let us, then, likewise,
j." stand fast IN one spirit with one mind, stri-
wing together for the faith of Freedom.
Am / asked what desire to see done? The
answer is plain. would have the people do no
rest nor Larm hair of his head, or any of those
who are dear to him. But would have them
do all that is possible to deprive him of the
power of harm to the country or to them. To
this end, it seems indispensable that he be dis
lodged from the strongholds in the Federal Gov
eminent. Neither no, nor any one that he will
select, should be made President of the United
States, or be placed in any other situation of
responsibility in which he could avail aught to
prevent On entire reversal of the policy which
has, for q long time back been prompted TO
promote his peculiar interests. Instead of per-
petuating and extending Slavery, every effort
should be directed to the great object of releas-
ing the General Government from all response
bility for it or connection with it. The acord
should not be seen in the statute-book. The
thing should not be known where the national
flag waves over national territory. The seat of
Government should not be dishonored by its
presence. The free States should be secure
from its encroachments. And upon no consid-
Grafton whatever should any extension OF the
Slave Power in the councils of the Union, by
the introduction of new States subject to its in
huence be permitted.
This is the answer to the second question
which / proposed at the opening-How is Sla-
very to be treated the part of the free States
Let it be left exclusively to the management of
those who are responsible for its existence with
in the States where it is to be found but let it
be a burden Upon no one outside. More than
this, Anti-Slavery men, with all their abhor-
renee of the wrong, do not demand. Short of
this, nothing will avail for their own security at
home. 1t will not abolish Slavery directly; but
it will maintain and perpetuate Freedom as the
universal rule, which may lead, in the end, to
voluntary emancipation, the result Of the
convictions of Shareholders themselves. To this
task, then, we must address ourselves. Difficult
as it seems to execute, to earnest minds and
steady hearts, animating strong will, it may
verify the lesson of the poet
"Wals of brass resist not
A noble undertaking.; vice
Raise any bulWark TO make good the place
Where virtue seeks 10 enter"
Ny friends, we seek no ignoble objects or self
ish ends. Let those contend who will for the
temporary honors which the people will confer
on those who please them best. The ambition
to deserve them is not mean nor discredit.