The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-28

aso ~ buincut tnht tnere ltrritokiec, Whch
they become States, and are admitted into
the Union, can establish or prohibit slavery,
in their discretion. Their rights as States
do not begin until their obligations as Ter
ritories end. The Constitution knows
nothing of inchoate States" Congress
has power TO make all necdful rules and
regulations" for them as Territories, until
they are admitted into the Union as men,
bers of the common Confederacy.
GENERAL TENDENCY or FEDERAL LEGISLATION
on TIE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.
In all these successive acts, in the admis-
sion of Missouri and Of Arkansas, in the
annexation of Texas and the provisions for
admitting four new States from her territory,
in the war with Mexico and the conquest
Of her provinces, in the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and in the cruel war now
waged against the people Of Kansas for the
extension of slavery into that Territory, we
trace the footsteps of powerful interest,
aiming at absolute political power, and
striding onward to complete ascendency
over the General Government. Ii finds
powerful allies, and an open field in the
political arena, for the prosecution of its
purposes. Always acting as compact unit,
It finds its opponents divided by q variety of
interests. Partisan alliances and personal
ambitions have hitherto prevented any
union against its aggressions; and not feel
ing or fearing the displeasure Of their con-
stituents, Representatives from the free
States have been induced to aid in the pro-
motion Of its designs. All other interests
have been compelled to give way before it.
The representatives of Freedom on the floors
of Congress have been treated with contume-
/ ly, if they resist or question the right to
supremacy of the slayeholding class. The
labor and the commerce of sections where
slavery does not exist obtain tardy and in.
adequate recognition from the General Gov
ornmen,, which is swayed by its influence,
and for the accomplishment of its ends
The Executive of the nation is the willing
servant of its behcsts, and sacrifices to its
favor the rights and the interests OF the
country. The purse and the sword of the
nation are ut its command. a hundred
millions of dollars were expended in the an
nexation of Texas, and the war with Mexico,
which was part of its price. Two hum
dred millions have been offered for Cuba,
and war with all Europe is threatened, il
necessary, to prevent the emancipation OF
its slaves. Thus is the decision of great
questions of public policy, touching vast in
terests and vital rights-question even Of
peace and of war-nade TO turn, not upon
the requirements Of justice and honor. but
upon its relation to the subject of slavery
upon the effect it will have upon the inter
est of the slaveholding class.
The people of the free States have cherish
cd the hope that the effort made to extend
slavery, which have fallen under their no.
tice, were accidental and indicative of weak
ness rather than ambition. They have trust
cd that the slgacious statesmen of the slave
holding States would gradually perceive and
acknowledge the Inconvenience and danger
Of slavery, and would take such measures rs
they might deem wise and safe, for its ulti-
mate removal. They have feared the effect
of agitation upon this subject, relied upon
the good faith and honor of the slayeholding
States, and believed that time, the natural
growth of population, and the recognized
laws of political and social economy, would
gradually and peacefully work out the ex-
tinctiOn of u system 80 repuguant to justice
and the national character and welfare. 1t
has seemed to them incredible, that in this
late age, when Christianity has for near two
thousand years been filing tho world with
its light, and when almost every nation on
earth but our own has abolished chattel
slavery, the effort should DO made, or the
wish cherished, by any portion of our pco-
pie, To make the interest of slavery picdom-
inant, and to convert this Republic, the on
ly Government which PROGRESSES to he found
ed upon human rights, into the mightiest
slave empire the world has ever seen. But
it is impossible to deceive ourselves longer.
The events of the past two years have dis
closed the designs of tic slave power, and
the desperate means it is prepared to use
for their accomplishment. We cannot shut
our ewes longer to the fact that the slave
holding interest is determined to counteract
the tendencies of time and civilization, by
its own energy, by its bold appropriation OF
all the powers and agencies OF the Govern
ment, and by the violation, if need be, OF
the most sacred compacts and compromises.
Ii is resolved that Slavery shall he under the
protection of the national aag-that il shall
no longer be the creature of local law, but
tons, and sustained by all the power OF
this great Republic. Ii is determined that
the President shall do its bidding, and that
Congress shall legislate according to its de-
crees. Ii is resolved upon the dethronement
of the principles Of Republicanism, and the
establishment, in their stead, of an OIL
G,RCnY, bound together by common in
terest in the ownership OF slaves.
Nor have we any reason to believe that
slavery will be content with this absolute
supremacy over the Federal Government,
which it has already SO well-nigh achieved.
On the contrary, the dark shadow Of its
sceptre falls upon the sovereignty of the
several States, and menaccs them with dire
disaster. South Carolina, abandoning her
oncc-cherished doctrine of State Rights, as
serts the Federal supremacy over laws made
by States, exclusively for the protection of
their citizens. The States Of Virginia is con-
testing, in courts Of law, the right of the
State of New York TO forbid the existence Of
slavery within her limits. \ Federal Court
in Pennsylvania has denied the right of that
State to decree freedom to slaves brought by
their masters within her borders, and has
proclaimed that slavery exists by the law of
nations. The division of California, and
the organization Of a slave State within her
limits, have been proposed. \ Senator ON
the floor of Congress has urged that the Gov
eminent of the United States should no
longer restrain, by its naval power, the AZ
rican slave trade, and the demand for its
restomtion is openly made by Southern
Journals and by leading public men in the
Southern States.
When these great objects shall have been
accomplished-when the States, as well as
the General Government, shall have become
subject to the law of slavery, and when three
hundred and fifty thousand Shareholders shall
hold despotic rule over the millions of this
Republic, slavery cannot fail, from the ne
csssity Of its nature, to attempt outragcs
which will awaken storms that will sweep
It in carnage from the face of the carth.-
The longer tyranny is pncticed unrcsisted,
the ficrcer and the more dreadful is the re
sistance which in the end itprovokcs. His
tory is full Of instances TO prove that nothing
is so dangerous as wrong long unredrcssed