Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-15
= Olltlt /.
The Paper read by Francis P. Blair, at
the Pittsburg Convention.

There is a great body of thinking men in tie
Southern States many | know in Maryland
considerable number my neighbors in Mont
gomery county who deplore the repeal of the
COMPROMISES in relation TO Slavery, which all
lopel had terminated the distractions, growing
ont Of this disturbing subject forever 1t is
'me these people have not hitherto manifested
hy public demonstrations their solcitude. The
violation of rood faith in the breach of these
romuacrs of peace between the sections, and
the fatal consequences likely to follow, were
tat first obvious to the mass of the South
rrn people because by the art of the politicians
ghO conducted the passage of this measure
through secret caucus, where all the personal
interests of the leaders in Congress and their
mTi.aRS making up the majority in both
liJa>e> necessary to effect it, were previously
.rrangcd-thc repeal was made to appear, as
le voluntary tender of the North to the South.
There had been no consultation by the mem-
.HS Of Congress, in any quarter with their
constituents, either by issues made befurc the
people. during the canvass or afterwards, or
.y address, petition. and votes in public meet
a-S Or by resolutions.
Among us extraordinary changes, affecting
.r-c interests, and reaching the feelings. the
reujjccs. the religious and political principles
fmcn as we'll as the political power Of the
States had hitherto always been preceded or
attended hy every mode Of forming and elicit
., the public opinion, which is the vital move
rent in a Republican Government But in
late overthrow Of all the adjustments of
nc most anxious question which Congress has
bad to deal with, from its first to the present
session, not a whisper of the design was per-
-.,,ed to reach the public ear until its success
Vas scaled by the private arrangements of the
".iriaaS in Congress. in conjunction with the
I'>den' The measure when publicly pre-
i ,"'tei vas at first yciicd in the Committees
H Report, as being but Il reference to the Su-
ieMe Court Of question involving the con-
|'a'oaaity Of the ompromises-thcna as a
"oc1>Ion that the compromise of 1920 was
# 'Ie,cedct by the compromise Of 1880, but
Interpretation Of the Bill, covertly con-
aiaei the repeal Of the compromise of 1920
lat Of lS50-and alsU the compact with Tex
NH by which all the Territory reserved by
''I Of them as free from Slavery in the ter
.o,aI condition, Was opened up to its ad
-~0a
las BILL Of intrigue, passed in conclavc, by
a>iTDg politicians, to suEserre personal
r''S. was we'll understood by themselves
~' 'Aer partiZans to be bonus for the
-3ie'n vote in the election Of President, but
VII, QsAcrcu into Congress as the voluntary
"al Of The North TO the South to the prin-
equality. 1t vas Thus divcstcd in the
N The South, Of being breach Of faith
".s SIDE, Il came as free gift to them
~ ,Ie Chef Magistrate and other leading
representatives of their Northern bre-
'.n
"'s We're not aware of the trcachcry Of
representatives to their constituents, nor
",ey anticipate the excitement which has
' from the wrong, aggravated by the be-
;" ny which it was attended, nor the dan
N Consequences likely to follow Multi
honest patriots in the SlavehOlding
h VINO love the Union, would willingly
WIZ. The compromises, the work of the great
'hcr own region They are sensible
'' Ialai effects of its dissolution upon the
aAa prosperity Of the confederacy, and of
,i iI.,NabIe destruction of the security in
u,'e! mold the Slave InStitution-of the
-" scenes of civil war and Slave inSur-
~" winch might arise out of the collisions
~" 'he two sections the one side wear
ny aspect of war of conquest, for the
~"n Of SIavery,-on the other war of
daIs. =" preserve the rights of the emigrants
-''t gone from their bosom. But these
,5, good faith who respect engagements,
,3ras5 ray,e all, the engagements which have
t,% t.s, =, concord {, and happy ties between the
sis,l,, vi lhe mon, find their section, already
+.,, @v' VI, III strife by the combination of poll
IT,, !, "uo Il. seek personal advantages by the
gives them over the masses. War
r,"' a!a commits the power and interests of
10 The few chiefs who manage it
"' Whole South is at this moment in