American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-10
American state Convention.

Convention. submitted the following re-
pert:
CtXolxSArl, Jan. 81, 1856.
TO THE STATE COUNCIL:
Representatives.:
la accordance with the provisions Of the
Constitution, | have called you together
for the purpose of consulting on the prop
er course to be pursued, and-the best means
adapted to the iurtherauce Of the principles
OF our organization.
Since the last meeting Of this boly, e.
vents have transpired in no! only our own
State, but throughout the Union, which
are of deep interest 10 the American Par
ty and.itis in view of a calm considera-
ton of the bearing that they may have,
and the influence they may exert on our
cause. and the hope sndthe expectation
that you will. after a careful review Of the
entire ground, wisely determine on such
line Of policy rs will best conduce TO its
advancement and ultimate triumph, that |
have been INDUCED TO convene the Safe
Coansils nj dlis time.
Ii will 10 scarcely necessary for mo to
give you a detailed account Of the move
mants OF he Order, since our session in
CleTeland. You are all, doubtless, con
verssat with them. as they have been made
the subject of newspapers
out the country. | shall, therefore, con:
fine my1elf 10 brief consideration of the
question at issue, and the position We al
present occupy.
The State Council, Mt its Session in
Cleveland, from wise and prudent consil
GRAFTON, decided 10 abandon the exclusive
political policy by which tho Order had
been governed in is local elections, and 10
join with their fellow citizens of all parties
in the State, in giving expression to the
sentiments ola vast majority OF the Amer
lean people upon the question Of lIumsn
Liberty, as at present involved in the at
tempt to extend Slavery in our free Yves
tern Territories.
The question ofHuman Liberty has been
the main and exciting ono at every turn Of
our history MS a people, from tho landing
OF the Pilgrims TO the present day. Ii was
a prominent consideration in the original
declaration Of reasons fort separation from
the mother country. 1t was n Difficult. and
delicate question at every move in the
formation Of our Government.
1t was made n subject Of stipulation in
the conditions Of the ccssion of the North
Western Territory, /! was An important
and prominent question in the Louisiana
purchase, and tho subsequent admission Of
States formed Out Of that territory, il was
again a sourcs Of excitement in the admis-
sion Of Florid, Of Texas, and California;
and it is now tho engrossing and para
mount question in regard to new States 10
be formed out Of territory fast pcoplins,
and preparing to ask admission into the
Union. There should be an enI to such
an exciting question-a question, rs often
as tits considered by our National Con.
gross, is said to endanger the existence OIL
the Union. 1t should and must b. met,
and definitely settled.
The controlling minds who formed our
Government fashioned its workings and
directed its policy-;hose whose wisdom
aud patriotism gives luster TO the pages OF
our history, have recorded in unmistakablo
terms 'hoir judgmentagains Human Slave
ry. Washington, Jefferson, Jay. Frank
lin, Madison, Henry, Randolph, Clay, and
a host OF their illustrious compeers have
pronounced against its extension. by de.
claring it "a moral. social and p%Jlitica
evil" All these great and good men were
either shareholders or residents of Slave
States, aud were thoroughly acquainted
with Slavery in all its phases. Add t
this the unequivocal opposition to It's cx
tension, Of the entire Northern States
which compose u large majority OF TIC
population Of the Union, and the well
known fact that q very considerable por.
ton Of the people Of the Southern States
themselves are Oyerse to its further spread
and | think there are reasons sufficient why
II should be confined to the States tha,
now foster It. and where the Constitution
protects it from outward interference.
1t was this view Of the subject, as pre-
sentod in tho Cleveland platform, that gov
erncd the subsequent action Of The grea
majority Of the members Of the Order il
this State.
The American and Republican parties
overlooking all minor questions, nobly re
solved, by II union of their forces, 10 pre-.
sent an unbroken front of opposition t
slavery extension; the result OF that union
was a most significant rebuks of the treach
cry that annulled tho Missouri Compro.
mise. while il proclaimed to the worll
that Ohio will never consent to the furlheI
extension of slavery on American soil.
l have on previous occasions enlcavor
ed TO the best of my ability to show tha
'true Americanism'' is hostile to all ,ha
e~Rslaves the mind or body of man. eithe
politically, religieus'y, morally or socially
and hcnce OUT opposition 10 all that for
eignism which teaches, upholls or favor
1t in all or any Of these phases. whether i
be the growth Of Dur own or transplante,
from a foreign soil.
Liberty bong a natural right, se~lf.exi.t
ant AMI Goi-given, should rightfulIy re
quire no law TO establish it. Law is neces
siry to the. establishment Of slavery, and
is only by the brco of law that It's section
al existence is permitted in this country.
These American sentiments have Doe
more or less acknowlcdg god and embodie
in the name and creed of every party tn,
has existed in our country. The Wing
olthe Revolution opposed the "authorit
OF Kings TO rule by divine right" the Fed
eralists advocated and sustained the libel