Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-01-11
est in every important act Of the Federal gov

| Millions are Oelng added to our population,
almost annually, and State after State, in rap
id succession, is coming into the Union. An
nexatlon having extended our borders until
States are springing into existance on the
shores OF the Pacific; the islands OF that Ocean
are asking that annexation may bring them
1 under the protection of our government and to
the enjoyment of our institutions.
| Progress is stamped on every feature OF our
country (; and where the extended boundaries
Of the Republic shall be finally fixed, Infinite
| Wisdom can alone determine. With this in
crease of population, enlargement of territory
and addition of States, must come a CORE
spending responsibility on those who admins
ter the government; thereby increasing the re-
| sponsibility of the millions whose free suf-
| frages must determine on whom shall rest the
honors and weight OF official power. And
while we are called upon, as men true to our
country and the Union, to sustain the
| honest efforts of those entrusted with that
power, to promote the best interests of
the entire confederacy we are under the strong
est obligations 10 oppose any and all action of
public men which has the remotest tendency
to undermine the free institutions of this Re-
public by giving such construction 10 the Con-
sttution as shall permit the institution of
slavery, with its whitening and increasing
evils, to spread over our territories and TO ex-
tend such controlling influence over this gov
eminent as shall finally install it over freedom
throughout the Union However DESTROYS a
large portion of the north have been to forbear
to discuss or agitate the question of slavery,
| lest such agitation might impair the perma-
nency of the Union, 10 which they have ever
shown most devoted attachment, it is evident
that the time has arrived when that question
must be met and discussed in our national and
state councils, and in primary meetings of the
| people with the same freedom with which 9TH
er grave questions are wont TO be considered.
The question is one of too much importance
to the whole country, TO the north as well as
the south, to suppress discussion only when 1t
Is moved by the friends of slavery in order TO
extend its jurisdiction, or Obtain for the instl-
tuition some new advantage over freedom.
That the north has been tod willingly
hushed into silence on this great question by
the menaces of the south, cannot be denied,
and the unanimity into which the two great
political parties acquiesced in the extraordina-
ry Compromises of 1850, shows anything but
disposition on the part Of the free states TO
continue the agitation of which the south so
loudly complained
Notwithstanding that most exceptionabe
and is believed unconstitutional law for the
rendition of fugitive slaves, forced upon the
north, compelling freemen 10 aid, at their
peril, in seizng and returning to captivity per-
sons who are guilty of no crime known to the
Constitution of the United States-and strug-
Cling only for the rights of life, liberty. and
the pursuit of happiness the free states were
still disposed 10 resist a renewal of that aglta-
ton which as was commended threatened dis
memberment of the Unon-while this feeling
pervaded the north, the bill for organizing the
territories of Nebraska and Kansas was
brought before congress connected with a
scheme TO extend slavery over that vast region
of country north of SO deg. 80 min. which had
been solemnly dedicated 10 freedom by the
compact of 1920. This aggressive movement
carried through congress, aided by few
northern politicians, who have been foremost
I in denouncing agitation and the loudest advo-
Gates of Compromises, has again forced upon
\ the country the consideration of the question
of negro-slavery.
To attempt now to smother he sentiment
of the north or to put down free Speaking and
independent action, would not only be an una
vailing effort, but any attempt TO turn the pub
lie mind away from the fullest contemplation
OF the subject and the most searching investi-
CATION into it, in its largest national aspect.
its relation 10 the whole country, socially,
morally, and politically, would be an affront
to the intelligence of the people.
The universal sentiment of the nation in its
early history was hostile to the existence of
slavery, regarding it as Incompatible with
justice and dangerous to the spirit of.freedom.
The policy of the country was TO inhibit sla-
very directly and absolutely in the Territories,
the express and declared object being to pre-
vent the extension of that Institution. This
common adherence of slavery distinctly shows
itself in the early Legislation of the country,
and the distinguished men of the nation of all
parties looked forward to the time when the
system itself should become extinct. This
national sentiment pervading the slave, as it
did the free States, has come TO be reversed
by the south, and in It's place has sprung up
an attachment and devotion 10 slavery which
is made paramount TO the provisions OF the
federal constitution and ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
the Union even is treated as matter TO be
invoked rather than It's perpetulty should pre-
sent barrier to the spread of that local lnsti-
tuition. for which its friends clam the right
under the Constitution, beyond the power of
congress to plant it in any and all the terrific
ries of the government. This new and start
ling doctrine is sought to be established as the
JuuSIiCHt vi vi liS CoHHtly II
cannot be doubted that congress in its recent
action on the bill referred to for the organiza-
ton of Nebraska and Kansas, favored such
extraordinary assumption. And what renders
this aggressive movement the more alarming,
is the evident completely OF the Chief Magis-
trate OF the country, in open disregard and d.
rect violation of a voluntary assurance-glven
to the people who had elevated him TO that
high position that no movement of that char
acter should ''shock the repose of the coun-
try, if in his power to avert it, during his Off
cial term
From this alarming action of congress and
subserviency of men high in official power.
we turn with unusual satisfaction to the ac-
ton OF the people of the several States where
popular elections have recently taken place,
and witness the strong condemnation by the
honest and intelligent masses, of that bold at
tempt to change the original policy OF the gov
eminent, and give nationality to an institltu-
ton wholly local in its character, and exist
ing only by the power of municipal law.
| would recommend no action, nor would !
participate in any movement, that should have
the sembance of encroachment on the consti-
tutional rights of the south. But we are I'M
worthy of being freemen, if we do not resist
the unconstitutional advances OF slavery
And as we love the Union, as we wish to per-
petuate the blessings of civil liberty, as we de-
sire the prosperity of the whole country, we
are urged to meet this crisis with manly
~ Er,a H.