The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-26

menacing the integrity of the Union, and the
great doctors sought to hush the body polite To
sleep by the Compromise measures of that year.
The Sabbath, they said, had come-and the
country must have rest Whatever doubts
there might have been still lingering as 70 the
efficacy of the anodyne, the elections of 1852
were deemed conclusive, aud the new President
trod The steps of the Capitol with a firm foot,
procaiming to the country in advance his OH
cial resistance to any fresh disturbance of this
question.
But the question was never settled for mo.
ment. There was q lull only. while new issues
were in process ofdevelopment With more of
foresight than he had credit for, though under
the same deluson with others as to the efficacy
OF a political settlement, q Senator from MissiS-
Sippi occupied the closing months of his Sena-
torial career with efforts to secure declaration
that the Compromise measures of 1850 were
"a finality the end-tke very end-of de-
bate and trouble on the matters involved.
There were evca then signs III the East Of
rising and influential agitation, and the divisions
of great party in the State of New York, re-
peatedly broken Oh this very question, gave
tokens of but imperfect and temporary healing
Then came the Nebraska Kansas question, aud
the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise
which had consecrated to Freedom all territory
| uOTli Vi 90 u61. OU Hlii., NlIu the SANCTION OF
an obligation which was more than const:.u-
tional, because, being Of the nature of re-
pealable law, it rested upon honor and good
faith. And then came new agitation, which
burst all former bounds, and drew within its
vehement course multitudes whose conservative
views had hitherto kept them aloof from par
hclpatlon in Ant-Slavery movements. New
political combinations were Immediately form
ed. New Hampshire refused her sanction to
the violation of public faith, and her example
was followed in elections from Alaine to Iowa,
which resulted in the ascendency of Anti-Sla-
very parties. The last political result is the
reelection of John ?. Hale to the Senate.
But, contemporaneous,y with these events \
new organization was coming into existence.
and spreading itself with unexampled rapiditv,
Its meetings and its rites were secret and pavs-
| FERROUS, and the extent Of It's power could be
known only rs the blow should fall. ORGANIZED
to resist the impertinent and dangerous en-
croachments of the in.rushing Catholic poupla.
ton, would it eXpeud its strength upon that
question, or would it embrace other issues
| There were not wanting evidences that the
new Order was spreading at the South would
1t ignore the question Of Slavery, leaving it out
OF party tests altogether, or would II attenpt a
common platform for the North and South.
and bind 1T upon the adherents Of the new DO.
litical faith? If this last attempt should be
made, and succeed, what would be the effect
upon the Slavery question? Would that uues-
ton slumber, or would it break forth anew
1t was manifest that many turned TO the mas
cent Order as the grand cure OF strife where
every other eXpedient had failed, and that the
friends of continued discussion looked with
serious apprehension upon the new mysterious
and irresistible power. But Providence is su-
preme over human events The first Couvan.
in oh Il
debate, split on the very rock which had
wrecked preceding parties, differing from ito
predecessors only in the fact that the sunderinp,
was more palpable and decisive. No other
result could happen. The men who composed
1t had changed their political connections, but
had not changed their personal natures. They
were the same men still, with the same moral
sentiments and convictions; and the result of
the adoption Of platform satisfactory to the
South, was the signal Of the retirement and
separate organization of nearly all the North
ern members. Everywhere, East and West,
events indicate fresh combinations Of political
parties, and, to say the least, the Anti-,Slaverv
sentiment is likely to be more prominent than
any other political question of the time
In view oil facts like these, we may we'll re-
gard the question of Slavery as undyng. Il
determines political issues, and survives them
| Seemingly buried, 1t rises with new life and
vigor, and advances to greater Importance with
every fresh resurrection, 1t cannot be sun
pressed. The economical relations Of the in
sttution forbid its restriction, and the agrees
SONS which it makes provoke a necessary and
inevitable resistance. Besides, it is n question
OF humanity. Liberty, raised to the dignity Of
a principle, is liberty for man, and not men of
particular shade or race. 1t is an old ones.
ton, which, however sthed, the world never
saw utterly silenced. Struggles for liberty CON
stitute the brightest chapters in the history of
earth. The past is prophecy of the future,
and the hope to suppress this question is az
vain as tho hope TO stay the course of time.
The hand of God is in these processes, and be
will overturn, Overturn, Overturn, until by TN,
strokes of his dispeasure, or the genial influ.
ences OF his grace, every chain is broken, and
all men find true freedom in obedience to his
laws.