Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-08-02
Union Saving.

Union Saving.
If mankind would look little more closely to
the fundamental causes which govern human ac-
tivity, in all the varied relations of life, and
which mould and ultimate the results of this ac-
tivity, clearer views both of duty and destiny
would prevail. For instance, what is a clearer
principle than this, to wit ErH is disuniting,
dssolving in its effect-Vrtuc is uniting in its eff
feet Since the time that death was denounced
against our first parents as consequence of the
choice or evil on their part, such has been the
inevitable the universal effect of an evil princi-
pie to whatever applied 1t is repelling, disinte-
grating dissolvng in its character and it is quite
impossible for human ingenuity to invent any
plan by which the effect alluded to can be pre-
vented. Taking the individual as an example, we
find him isolated from sympathy with his fellows
and in a condition of strife and antagonism, just
as he is under the dominion of an evil spirit and
purpose. And if we refer to families such is
again the case-virtue alone making bond of
union between them, while the presence of evil
and vicious principles divides them, not unfre-
quently in wrath and strife, and sends them wan
derers to different and distant parts of the earth
This is law, higher, deeper, broader, more pow
erful than the resolutions or enactments of all
the union saving parties or powers that ever as
sembled. Is it difficult then to understand the
lesson inevitably proceeding from this law.
What is our National Union, but union of in
dividiuals! Nor is it union of force, but un-
ion of attraction, of affinity. Such being the
is it not necessarily governed by the same laws
that govern all other unionsl Then it will be
lasting just as the principles which unite are las
ting in the hearts and minds of those who CON-
pose the union. Pervert the minds and corrupt
the hearts of the people, by intoxicating obedience
to what is evil in ITSELF and it will be utterly i'm
possible to preserve and maintain the union, for
the very obvious reason, that not union but only
antagonism and strife can proceed from such a
growth on the part of the people. Does not this
make the secret of union-saving very plain, and
simplify the labor to the greatest extent 1t is
to propagate principles in themselves correct.
Our professional union savers tell us, that just
now the one thing needful for the salvation of
the union is, to recognize the nationality of sla-
very, harmonic ourselves with its progress and
bow to its permanence. But will this save the
unionl Certainly not if our premises be correct
on the contrary, slavery being in itself evil,
it must just as surely occasion the death of our
union, as evil has occasioned the death of every
thing it embraced from our first parents to the
present time.
1t is instructive to inquire from whence, at the
present time, comes all this talk about dssolving
the unionl Who is it perpetually threaten
ing to rend it to fragments? 1t is not those who
dislike slavery and the fugitive law. We have
no recollection that on the floor of Congress any
northern man or men ever expressed any hatred
fer the union, demanded its dissolution, or threa-
tened it in any wise. 1t is significant that the
union is hated, denounced and threatened only
by those who are devoted to slavery in all its as
poets. The union is held together only by
the anti-slavcry sentiment of the country. Will
it not necessarily so to pieces if the south sue
cceds III dragging the whole nation to her lcvell
Who then are the Union savers and who the
Union breakers? The men who made the fugi-
tive law and seek to make slavery national, are
the worst enemies the union has, for its dissolu-
ton cannot fail to follow their final triumph
while those who seek to restrict slavery within
its narrowest bounds and seek also, to scourge
out of the popular mind and heart such democrat
izing influence as the fugitive law are the true
and only friends of the Union.
And it is folly to fear that our union can be
weakened by the abrogation of wrong conditions
and principles, even though in doing it, preju-
dice and precedent, both be trampled on. Such
progress does not dssolre unions, but strengthens
them, for such is the law. individuals may talk
and buster as they please, but just as wrong and
the institutions based on wrong, are driven from
among us, and abrogated from our constitution
and laws, will our union become more durable.
Then let those who really desire to preserve
the Union, be not alarmed by the threats so free
ly made by the slaveites of the country. To save
the Union it is absolutely necessary that slavery
shall be denatioralized and the fugitive law abo-
lshed. Then, as we love the Union, let us Ia
Dor for these ends.