Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1856-10-23
The Crisis Approaches.

Two weeks from the day on which we
pen this paragraph, the fate of this ma
ton is to be decided at the polls. The
issues involved our readers are familiar
with. They are whether the principles
of despotism involved in chattel slavery
shall hereafter have possession of the
country, to rule, govern, and direct its
policy-or whether the spirit and prin-
ciples of Freedom shall have sway. All
the momentous collateral issues depend
ing on and proceeding from these fun
damental principles, of evil on one side
and good on the other, our readers know
as well as we can tell them. We can
throw no new light on the subject. We
can only express our firm and honest
conviction that the crisis to which we
have alluded is before us and mnst and
will be settled on this occasion. There
is no lodging and no avoidmgi it. w hat
ever may be the sophistries Of politicians
or interested partisans on either side. or
however voters may seek to persuade
themselves that other questions are pro-
minent and need their attention, their
votes will tell only on one side or the
other Of this grand issue.
We have no more interest, voter, in
this strife than you have. We have no
motive whatever to deceive or exagge-
rate. Our good and our interest lay Just
where yours do, in the supremacy of
righteous principles, and the application
Of such principles in the government.
For your own sakes then we entreat
your vote and voice on this occasion in
behalf of Freedom. Surely you do not
you cannot wish to give over this 60
yernment to the uncontrolled possession
Of the principles involved in the institu-
ton of chattel slavery. And yet you
must and do know that this is the only
issue in the strife. The current history
Of the country for several years past and
particularly the history of this campaign
proves it Enthusiastically. All other is
sues are abrogated or swallowed up, and
you must know that the triumph Of the
republican party on one hand is the tri-
umph ofthe spirit Of freedom, while that
OF the Buchanan democracy on the 9th
er hand, is the triumph Of the spirit of
slavery. We do not put the republican
party nor its candidates before YOU as
immaculate, nor do we assume that our
opponents are totally corrupt or depra-
we'd. We assume only that the princi-
pies of Freedom and Despotism which
have struggled and are struggling in con-
tiict throughout the world, have here in
canated themselves in these parties, and
in the triumph Of one the spirit Of free
dom will possess the government and go
forward to develop allthe beneficial fruits
of freedom, so with the triumph Of the
other despotism will prevail and the go
yernment 90 forward to develop all the
pernicous and destructive effects Of des-
potism.
1t is your question, voters-not that
of mere partisans and politicians. The
interest of partisans and politicians is
temporary, but your interest in the mat
ter is far-reaching and enduring. 1t will
not only affect you both materially and
morally, but your children to the latest
time and the world.
BE not deceived then by interested
men on either side. 1t is your question
therefore use your own good judgment.
Surely you can see under all the sophis-
tries Of interested men where the real
germ Of the contest lies. Act then as
men with important and enduring inter-
ests entrusted to your charge. Act up
to your knowledge Of the right and your
convictions of duty independent of all
other influences.
We ask only that the issues may be
understood and that voters may give ex-
preston to their unbiased judgments.
If we can have this we are sure the
right will triumph.