The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-06-11
Pur the Cadiz Sentinel.
The UniOn-Our rp-FathcPS.


Until Of late, it was usual 10 speak with ne
spect Of our fore-iathers-of the Constitution
and its noble trainers. In times Of difficulty, VIC
referred TO the wisdom Of their counsels for d.
rection-we believed them to be great and good
men. But there are others now who pretend to
have received a new light which leads them
to adopt an entirely different course. HOur rev.
olutionary fathers" say they, 'acted well enough
for their day and generation; but they lived in
an age of darkness" Notwithstanding the grav-
ity with which their pretentions arc put forth we
are inclined to believe that our fore fathers knew
almost as much about conStit.Rionay k5eytg and
and the moral duties Of man as those ''lstter
day saints" In the belief that many Of the ci-
tizens of this country are of the same opinion.
we will make a few extracts from the writings
of those sages. Washington in his Farewell
Address" in speaking Of our constitution and
government says: ...
Respect for its authority, compliance with its
laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties
enioined by the fundamental maxims of true lib
erty. The basis ofour political system is, the
right of tho people to make and to alter their
constitution of government. But the constitu-
ton which at any time exists, until changed by
an explicit and authentic act Of the whole peo-
pie, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very
idea of the power and the right Of the people to
establish government, presupposes the duty of
every individual to obey the established govern
ment.Y
Here IS voice from the grave. Shall We
hearken to its preccpts? or shall we follow the
wisdom Of the new lights" and pass it by, as
the idle wind which we regard not?"
Certain parts Of the constitution they do not
like, and will not obey. They will not obey it.
because it conflicts with their notions of liberty
and justice. But Washington says; .thc CON
sttution which at any time exists, until changed
by an explicit and authentic act of the whole
people, is sa9eAY,obligatory upon ALL"
Whatever our individual opinions npon the
question of Slavery may be, and great and good
men honestly differ upon the question, the con-
stitution as it exists expressly says that "fu-
gitives from service shall be delivered up..-
And therefore, that command is, in the language
of Washington, "sacredly obligatory upon all"
4 Nearly all believe that Slavery is a political
ew2 and is inconsistent with the spirit Of our
free institutions. Bat whether il be q moral
evil OR not, is thought by many to be question:
bic. And We fnd very able divines in this coun-
try taking opposite sides Of the question; and
all draw their arguments from the same source,
''1f it be moral evl' it is said, 1--WE cannot well
see why the lord ever pe,maiAel it. 1t is true
that the Lord did dot permit his chosen flock to
buy and sell one another as bond men and bond
maids. But he did permit them to buy Of the
stranger and "heathcn that were round about
them" r... .......
"Both thy bondme and bond-lnaids, which
thou shalt have, shall be OF the heather that are
round about you; of them shall ye buy bond.
men and bond-maids. Lev 25-44.
And this was not matter permitted for the
time being, as temporary favor, for in the 46th
verse it is said:
"-ind yc shall take them as an i,aderitq,ace for
your children after you, to inherit them for
possession; they shall be your bond men FOR.
EVER"
There are indeed some general expressions in
the Bible which would appear to condemn it.
1t does not "let the oppressed go free;' it does
not ''seek anothers and not its own" But the
above expressions say they are Gods word appli-
ed to the re7y case and of course cannot be con-
trolled by any general expressions In DANIEL
wEpsTERs last great speech he aid:--"At the
introduction of Christianity into the world, the
Roman world was full of slaves, and suppose
there is to be found no injunction against that
relation between man and man in the teachings
Of the gospel Of Jesus Christ, OF of any of his a
postlcs."
We think with him that man may hold
slaves and honestly believe he is right in SO do
Iing---that he may hold slaves and be a Chris
tai,l---and not a HsieG", Let WEBSTER speak a
gain. IL. s-sre.,.. s
There are thousands Of religious men, with
|consciences as tender as any Of their brethren
at the North, who do not see the unlawfulncss Of
slavery; and there are more thousands, perhaps,
that whatever they may think Of it in its origin
and as a matter, depending upon natural right
yet take things as they are, and finding slavery
to be an established relation of the society in
which they live, can see no way in which--let
their opinion on the abstract question be what
they may--it is in the power Of the present. gem
Grafton to relieve themselves from this relation.
And in this respect candor oblges me to say, that
! believe that they are Just as conscientious,
many of them, and ofthe religious people, all Of
them, as they are in the North in holding differ
ent opinions"
But admit that it is both political and moral
evil; what is to be gained bya violation Of the
Constitution and the laws Of the land made to
carry it out, by sectional appeals? Most GER
tainly this will not benefit the negro, and dis.
union will be- the necessary result That vcner-
able patriot ANDREW Jackson in his farewell
address, says:--"Thc possible dissolution Of the
Union, has at length become an ordinary and
familiar subject Of discussion. Has the warning
voice Washington been forgotten? Or have a..
signs already been formed to sever the Union??
Let it not be supposed that iinpate to all Of
those who take an active part III these 3unwise
and improbable discussions, d want Of patriot
ism or ofpubiic virtuc. Tho honorable feelings
Of State pride and local attachments find apiacs
n tIe l,osnr,s ~ An ,n,st elrhtened and nurc.