The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-21
IMPRACTICABLES.

site policy of Slavery restriction, it is inconceiv-
able to us how any rational opponent of that in
stitution can hesitate to give to the latter his
hearty support. Yet the singular spectacle is
presented, in this unprecedented crisis, of those
who profess the hottest horror of Slavery, Civ
ing "aid and comfort " to the friends of the in
stitution, and throwing cold water on the efforts
of the party which alone is capable of srresting
its spread over our Western Territories. The
present Administration, on the eve of the Pres
idential election, has shown disposition to re-
lax Its tyrannical rule over Kansas and to pre-
serve the peace; but even now the relaxation is
rather seeming than real; and the election of
Mr.. Buchanan would reassure the courage of
the Slave Olgsrchy and its Northern allies of
their ability to crush out the last vestige of Free
dom and free thought in the land; and twelve
months after his installation, Slavery would be
as firmly fixed in Kansas, as it now is in Ar
kansas or Texas Farewell, after that disastrous
reaction, to every hope of a triumph of Freedom
for the next twenty years. Talk of disunion as
remedy! 1t is idle nonsense. How prepos-
ferrous the suppostion that the free North, after
renstating the Slave Oligarchy in power by the
election of Buchanan, will then turn round and
rebel against their own deed Mo- If they are
wanting in the spirit and love of Freedom which
are necessary to turn the Slavery party out of
pow err they will be still less equal to the Hercule
an task of dissolving the Union. Freedom will be
conquered and thousands, who are now Justify
chanting its praises, will skulk back into some
one of the old parties.
The triumph of Repubicanism, on the other
hand, in the approaching contest, would give
such impetus to the spirit of Freedom, that the
last vestige of the race of doughfaces north of
Mason and Dixon's line would disappear. A
Republican Emancipation party would imme-
diately spring up in the northern slave States
indeed, it already exists, and has exhibited un.
precedented vitality and power since the nomi.
nation of Col. Fremont. Already have we seen
a Free Soier elected in Missouri, and we haz.
ard little in saying that the success of Col. FIRE.
mont would in the course Of four years, give a
preponderance to liberal ideas in more than
tier of slave States would begin TO regard
emancipation as their true policy, and to take
steps in that direction. We think there can be
as little doubt that the whole South would begin
a system of reformation in the slave codes,
which, by removing the grosser evils of Slavery,
would be the best prossible preparation for
emancipation. Already this subject begins to
awaken attention at the South; and the triumph
of the Republican party, by taking the patron
age and influence of the Federal Government
from the side of the most ultra, illiberal negro
driving, strengthening portion of the South.
ern people, and placing them on the side of lib
erality and humanity, would be most salutary.
few years under such benefcent influences
would change the whole current of Southern
feeling, and place the wiser and better portion
Of the people in the ascendant. The press and
the pulpit would gain freedom and strength to
withstand the inhuman and unchristisn spirit
of Slavery; and, from now being the mere
echoes of the worst passions of the people, they
would assume their position of censors and in
structors.
No friend of Freedom, we believe, will differ
with on this subject. All must see the be-
the party of Freedom in power. How strange,
then, that any friend of humanity should op-
pose that party, throw obstacles in its path,
or cavil at its shortcomings Suppose it does
fall short of perfection suppose that it omits
in its platform some most desirable and i'm
portant measures, or is silent as to principles
which no thorough friend of Freedom could
for a moment surrender-must the good which
is attainable be cast aside, because the sum of
all good cannot be obtained? Will the su.
preme good be nearer at hand, because that
which falls short of it is despised? 1t is q
strange infatuation which induces the hope
that Freedom is to be obtained by giving a
loose rein to the rule of Slavery propagandsts.
Even supposing, what seems TO be the only
hope of those Abolitionists who oppose Repub.
licanism, that the triumph Of Buchanan would
precipitate Disunon, and that Disunion would
force the Abolition of Slavery, as conse-
quence of civil war, would that be as con.
summation devoutly to be wished?" Is that
a policy to be inaugurated by non-combatants,
by men Of peace, who denounce war under all
circumstances Yet such are the avowed
principles of the ultra schools of Aboitionists.
They inculcate universal brotherhood, uniyer.
sal peace and love, and yet their hope of eman.
cipation is to come from Disunion and interne-
cine strife. They may allege that they expect
noswar, no STRIFE as the consequence of Dis
union. Then how can they expect the aboli-
ton of Slavery to result from Disunion? What
but necessity, resulting from war or insurrec-
ton, should induce the Southern Confederacy
to abolish Slavery? We can imagine no other
compulsory motive, and the Southern People
themselves say they have no fears of that
They threaten Disunion as a means of sustain.
ing their peculiar institution" and Northern
men have invariably pointed out the absurdity
of the proposed remedy, from its tendency to
precipitate abolition by violence.
The non-combatant Aboltionists, therefore.
who are endesvoring to elect Mr.. Buchanan,
believing that his policy will lead to Disunon,
and that Disunion will precipitate Abolition
must accept the baptism Of blood, as the re-
generation of the slave. We need not cav
that such position is wholly at war with all
their professions of peace; and, as we believe,
with the best interests Of the country, and,
most of all, of the slave. We cannot agree
with Daniel O'Connell, that no political tri.
umph is worth the sacrifice Of drop of hu.
man blood but we have decided conviction
that Abolition, forced on the South by war or
by instruction, would be great calamity,
and the ultra school Of Abolitionists cannot
dissent from this opinion without total aban.