Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-05-16
The Coming Struggle.

ernment was formed. Already has the
political cauldron begun to bubble. AL
ready are The several parties marshsling
their forces for the coming conflict, and
each cherishes the hope of victory. We
ssy important, for in that election Princi-
pie Is involved. That principle must be
settled, and settled forerer upon this con-
sinen;; and that is whether freedom shall
rule, or slavery with all its vices be per-
niIei to.swallow up the remaining por-
ton Of this land, which was intended by
the founders Of the republic to be conse-
Grated to freedom, and to carry out which
intention the blood Of thousands of pat
riotic men has been shed.
1t cannot have escaped the observation
Of reading men, what rapid strides Amer
lean slavery has made within the past
fifteen years-Tezas admitted as q slave
State; the Fugitive Slave Law passed !;
the Missouri Compromise repealed, that
the peculiar Institution" might pass the
bounds which series of years had set
fer it, and open to the slave breeders of
the south new market where they could
dispose of their human herd.
As a consequence of the repeal of that
compromise, the south now seek to rivet
the chains Of slavery upon the virgin soil
of Kansas. Not willing to leave the
question open to the people themselves,
to be decided by them, they endeavor to
force it upon them by armed invasions,
by the introduction of lawless mobs from
a neighboring State.
In view, then, of these facts, What is
the duty of the north in the coming
struggle? Clearly enough. Is it not the
duty Of her people to set their faces like
a flint against the further encroachments
Of the slave power, by uniting in the
coming struggle Throwing away all
party preferences; casting aside all per-
sonal feeling which exists among us, and
think of nothing but staying the further
progress Of curse which is worse even
than British rule. We shall then deserve
the name Of freemen.
We are aware of the appeals which
have been made to the patriotism of the
people On the eve Of every presidential
election. Appeals to their patriotism al
ways mean their prejudice for party. We
well know the exhortations which have
been made to them to stick by their party
and save the country" But when has
freedom ever gained anything BY follow
ing the dictates of this blind party zeal ?
Echo answers-lChenl
We now appeal to YOU, men of Orleans
County, for once to throw away partv
md Jet principle control your actions in
the coming struggle. Hard as it NAV
seem to you who have for so many wears
voted for the candidates Of the partv TO
~hich you seyeraIly belong, to do so-it
must be done. The step must be taken.
Iae whole north must unite, or-the south
viii have achieved another triumDb.-
The great question to be decided is
freedom or slavery. Then what matters
u, whether the nominee Of the Repub-
hcan National Convention which is to as
semble at Philadelphia on the 18th of
June next, has formerly belonged, or
does now belong, to the Wing. Democratic.
or the Abolition parties: provided always
that be is known to be a firm and con-
sistent anti-slavery man, and an opponent
Of the q powers that be-" We hone that
Convention may-and we doubt not If
will-give to the north a man who Is
well known and long tried in the ranks of
freedoms one on whom the people of the
Dhots north can unite, without fear Of
treaehery, and bear on to successful vic
tory.
We know not who the candidates of
either party viii be. Quite certain it Is.
however. that whoever is to be the stand.
ard-bearer Of the Democratic party. must
pledge himself in effect to sustain the
Fugitive Slave Law to support the re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise, and to
uphold the kansas-Nebraska b1ll-wbicb
batch Of calamities their opponents. the
Republicans, are pledged to oppose and
determined to bury in one grave, together
with their originators and supporters
Can ii be done? Yes. if all anti-slsverr
men viii unite and stand upon a common
platform. To do different is to suffer
defeat.
Our opponents say that We are sectionol
IN our views and that they are national
Granted But has not every admins
tration from Washington to Pierce. Weld
ed more or less to the demands Of the
south, in order to preserve the peace Of
the Union, and to more firmly tx them
islTs- IL power: Has not e-ery aduin.