Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-08-16

ern men and Southern institutions, with the
grossest perversions of the truth, wickedlymade
to inhame the Northern mind. Their orators
denounce US equally, and some do not hesitate
10 say that they intend or desire not only to
restore Kansas to the operation Of the Mis-
souri, restriction, but TO repeal the fugitive slave
bill, to abolish slavery in the District of Column
bia, TO nterdict the Interstate slave trade so
as to prevent the owner from migrating with
his domestics from one slave State to another,
to prevent forever hereafter the admission of
any new State which tolerates domestic servi-
tude and to hem in and conGne slavery within
its present limits; thus continually increasing
the political power of their section, until we
shall be too weak to resist their future efforts
to impair the value of our peculiar property,
and, finally, to destroy it. We do not indeed
find all these objects laid down in the platform
of their party; and there are men associated
with them whose designs by no means extend
so far, and who, if they knew the probable
consequences of their success, would recoil
from the evil associations into which they
have fallen. But then, more moderate men
are not the master-spirits in this league OF
agitation, and will be powerless to stop the
mischievous measures which | think certain
to follow the success of the combinations which
they are now aiding. The tone of the press
IN their interest, the speeches Of many mem.
bers OF Congress and of the amateur orators
OF the party, all clearly evince a determine
ton to unite all the people of the free States
if possible, III fierce and relentless hostility to
those of the South. 1t is the strife of see
tons IL which they hope to succeed and in
what would their success result? Not in form.
ing more perfect union, not in establishing
justice or insuring domestic tranquility all OF
which are amongdhe declared objects of that
Constitution which Washington and the other
Fathers of the Republic gave to US; but in the
Jealousies, discord, and hatred inseparable
from party characterized by geographical
determinations" 1t was against this that the
Father of his Country warned us in his Fare.
well Address-the last legacy OF the spotless
patriot to the country he had loved and served
80 well.
Some years ago, lin 1897 when the danger
Of this sectional organization was less than it
is now, Mr.. Clay gave US his advice in the fol-
lowing words:
"Abolitionism should no longer be regarded
as an imaginary danger. The Abolitionists
let me suppose, succeed in their present aim
q uniting the inhabitants Of the free States as
one man against the Inhabitants of the Stare
the other, aud this process Of reciprocal consoli
dation, ntH be attended nth all The riolent pre-
JUDGES, ena6atered passions, and impIacable
animosities, which eoer degraded or detoyned
human nature. Virtual dissolution of the
Union will have taken place, whilst the forms
OF its existence remain. "Oae sec
ton wiN stand in menacing and hostile array
against the other. Tie collision Of opinion
,oW soon be .tolio,oed by the clash Of arms.
will not attempt to describe scenes which now
happily lie concealed from our view. Adolf
tionists themselves would shrink back in dis
may and horror at the contemplation of desc,
lated fields, conhagrated cities, murdered
inhabitants, and the overthrow Of the fairest
fabric Of human government that ever rose to
animate the hopes of civilized man."
1t will be said, perhaps, that this is mere
defamation; that Mr.. Clays fervid spirit gave
too warm coloring to the pictures but we
characterizes men who have lately Welded to
this sectional phrenzy to satisfy ourselves what
Is the temper natural to such organizations
At the Convention in Philadelphia, held by
those who nominated Mr. Fremont, a conspic-
uous and distinguished gentleman, heretofore
considered moderate and conservative. made
a speech, in which, amidst cheers and cries of
good, he spoke as follows:
They (meaning those who appointed the
members Of the Convention) ask us to give
them nomination which, when put fairly be-
fore the people, will unite public sentiment
and, through the ballot box, will restrain and
rePel this pro-savery extension and this agrees
sion of the slaveocracy. What else are they
doing? They tell you that they are willing to
abide by the ballot box and willing to make
that the last appeal. If we fail there. what
then? We will drive it back sword in hand
and SO help me God, / am with them"
1t is true that the author Of these remarks,
has since publicly avowed that he alone 4
responsible for this rhapsody. But il cannot
be doubted that the feeling which prompted
him was the same which animated the preacher
who proposed to supply the brethren in Kansas
with bread and poicder too, and which has
stimulated other preachers and their conpre.
cations to subscribe Sharpe's rifles as the most
ethcacious instrument in the adjustment Of the
controversies in that Territory, which all rood
men deplore, however they may differ as to the
causes Of the unhappy anarchy which prevails
there. For myself ! acknowledge nv duty tn
redress, so far as ] cam all the ral grievances
complained Of in that region; and | have
supposed that the bill recently passed bv the
Senate was well calculated to remedy them.
because Il proposes to enact that no law shall
be made or have force or effect in said Terri.
tory which shall require a test oath, or oath to
support any act Of Congress or other legislative
act, as qualification for any civil Office or
public trust, or for any employment or profes.
sion, or to serve as a juror or vote at an cleo
ton, or which shall impose any tax upon or
condition to the exercise Of the right OF suffrage
by any qualified voter, or which shall restrain
or prohibit the free discussion Of any law or
subject Of legislation in the said Territory. or
the free expression of opinion thereon by the
people of said Territory; and secures. as far as
law can secure, the operation the public will
IN the formation Of State government That
this bill was sincerely meant to effect its ayowed
purpose ! am quite confident: and believe
that there are conservative men at the North.
who do not yield to prejudice or passion. who
will credit this assertion. Unfortunately thew
are not the majority. At all events. In the
most of the free States the masses of the Re
publican party are led by men who do not
L. II