Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-08-08
[ From the Richmond { Va. Enquirer. !

from me hichMond va inquirer.
The True IssuE.-The Democrats of the
South in the present canvass cannot rely on
the old grounds Of defence and excuse for
slavery for Mey seek not merely to retain il
where ii is, bm to ertend ii into regions aehere
it is unhno,cn. Much less can they rely on
the mere constitutional guarantees Of slarery,
for such reliance is pregnant with the admis
sion that slavery is wrong, and but for the
constitution should be abolitionists They
are clearly right if slavery be morally wrong
for to get rid of it under the constitution, or
by amending the constitution, is confessedly
impracticable.
In truth, the constitution cannot help sla-
very, if it be a violation of the laws Of God
and of morality. In that case, the constitu-
ton should be changed, or the free States
should scccde, rather than continue to guar
anty what they consider immoral and pro-
fame. The constitution cannot help slavery
foranother reason. That institution, extend
ing through fifteen States, and interramitied
with the interests, the feelings, and the very
existence of many millions Of men, is much
stronger than the constitution, than to abol-
sh slavery. Besides, slavery is older than
the constitution, existed before it, and indie
pendently oft. We derive no right to our
slaves from it, and weaken our cause by
seeming to rely on it.
Nor will it avail us aught to show that
the negro is most happy and best situated in
the condition of slavery If we stop there,
we weaken our cause by the very argument
intended to advanccit; for we propose to in
troducc into new territory human beings
whom we assert to be unfit for liberty, self
government, and equal association with other
men. We must go a step farther. We
must show that African slavery is a moral,
religious, natural, and probably, in the gen.
eral necessary institution Of society. This
is the only line of argument that will enable
southern democrats to maintain the doctrines
of state equality and slavery extension.
For if Slavery be not legitimate, useful,
moral and expcdient institution, we cannot,
without reproof of conscience and the blush
of shame, seek to extend it, or assert our
equality with those States having no such
Institution.
Northern Democrats need not go thus far.
They do not seek to extend Slavery, but only
agree to its extension, as matter of right on
our part. They may prefer their own social
system to ours. 1t is best that they should
Our friends are conservatives at home, and
conservatives of the Union-conservatives o.
religion, of marriage, Of property, of state
institutions, and of FEDERAL institutions
But whilst they may prefer their own social
system, they will have to admit in this can
vass that ours is also rightfm and legitimate,
and sanctioned alike by the opinions ant
usages of mankind, and by theauthorty ant
express injunctions of Scripture. They can
not consistently maintain that slavery is i'm
moral, inexpedient and profane, and yet con.
tinue TO submit to its extension.
W. know that We utter bold truths. Bu
the time has now arrived when their utter
ance can be no longer postponed. The tru
issue should stand OUT so boldly and cieari
that none may mistakeh.