The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-07

b
port of the principles they maintained in
behalf of themselves and the people of
Maine, incorporate, as a part Of their ad-
dress, quotation from speech of that dis
tinguished statesman Of Missouri, Thomas
ii. Benton, in which Mr.. Benton says, "my
personal sentiments are against the institu-
ton Of slavery, and against its introduction
into places where il does not exist. If there
were no slavery in Missouri to-day, would
oppose its coming in, and il there were none
in the United States, should oppose its
coming into the United States; as there is
none in New Mexico or California, am
against sending i to those territories" So
much from Mr.. Benton. The committee
then added, "a great majority of the peO-
pie Of the United States, we are confident,
will stand by this doctrine. In the attempt
to extend the blight Of slavery over the free
lands Of the nation, the sturdy Republicans
Of Maine, in common with the patriots Of
the whole Union, will demand halt, &c.
But it is unnecessary to cite further-enough
is slrss.dy shown in the resolves Of the Leg
stature, the resolves Of the State Conven-
ton, the resolves of the County Convention,
and the Committee Address, all democratic
enough, we say, is shown in all these,
most clearly to define the anti-slayery posit-
ion Of the democratic party in Maine, in
ls4S. Then they would give no counten-
ance to slavery propagandism, no, not the
least. In more explicit language, they
would show no favor, give no encourage
ment to the extension Of slavery, in look,
word or deed. On the contrary il was de-
elared, that, unless slavery was excluded
from free territory, the democracy Of Maine
would consider it the imperative duty Of
Congress to extend over those territories the
ordinance Of 1877. How is ii Rolr? Ger
tainly wonderful change has taken place.
A sudden magical mutation from dnti slave
~ to prO-slavery. Old principles have been
hastily discarded, and new ones, the directly
opposite, speedily embraced.
We see almost an entire party, in the
twinkling of an eye, twirling from one
point Of the political compass to another as
directly opposite as the North to the South;
and exhibiting at once, to the astonishcd
eye Of the Universe, the most stupendons
weather-cock that ever was beheld.
a prophet many centuries ago, as every
rsader Of his Bible knows, put the question,
" Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the
leopard his spOts?" Had the prophets
been extended down to the present period of
the world, they might have thought it pos
siblc. at least, that such change might
take place; not, indeed, because the declar-
ed principles of the democracy on the sub
Jet of slavery, were as innate and firmly
fixed as the colOrs of the Ethiopian or the
leopard, but because they pretended they
were. But when did this surprising reyolu-
ton in the sentiment Of the democratic par
ty take place, and what was the caus2?-I
Tho si,Ae vas when franklin Pierce conceiv-
cd the idea of being President again for a
second term; and in order to ingratiate
himself with the South, exercised his Official
influence in procuring the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, and thereby open the
door for the introduction of slavery into the
free territory of Kansas. The true cause of
change of sentiment on the part of his re
taincrs and Office holders, was, that unless
they repudiated their free soil principles,
and followed suit Of their master in WASH
inSton, he might remove them, or, If again
President, pass them by for the next four
years.
We are told in history, that the Jews, I'M
der the cause Of God, scattered among the
nations Of the earth, have always been boot
ed and prosecuted, and driven from coun-
try to country, ON account of their re-
ligious sentiments, and extreme money
making propensitics. And that, when in
profitable employment, or promoted to pla-
ces Of honor and distinction, rs individuals
among them sometimes were, stiff ncekcdas
they are voted to be, rather than be disturb
ell and removed, they would abjurc their
own peculiar religion, aud adopt the Roman
Catholic, that being the established or most
prevailing religion in most countries in
which they wandered. just so with the
present officials and future expcctants under
the '' powers that be-" have found no diff
Guilty in renounCing their feryent anti-slave-
ry principles, and adopting those diametri-
eIlly the opposite. Sooner than run the
hazard of losing place and pelf, they have
ceased from their labors rs tho antagonists
Of slavery, and become its advocates and
champions. What now are the slaves to
US, they say, compared to our present gains
and future prospects. After all, they are
but mere cattle. 1.-The OK knoweth HE
owner, and the AS its masters crib" So
let il be. Doth God take We for O1cn'"
why then should've? II the owner chooses
TO " buy and sell, to get GAIN" or transfer
his stock from Missouri TO Kansas, New
Mexico, California, or even to Bunker Hill,
what is that to us. Once we thought and
taught otherwise Z" But circumstances al
ter cases" We did not then know
the will Of our President, but we now know
il, and know also, that 50 Ear as honor or
Office are concerned, we are his dependant
creatures. Who beside him " is Lord over
us?" He wields the sword and commands
the purse. With such odds against us,
why persist any longer in our warfare
against the extension of slavery? No, with
50 much power on the one hand, and 50