The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-01-11


its operations and results. BY prudent
observance and willing obedience to this law,
our government has been preserved, and
there has not been period since its institu-
ton when il was in more vigorous condi-
ton, and when the American people Were
more powerful and Astounding in all the ele-
ments of wealth and strength, than at the
present moment. When the people Of the
United States adopted their constitution,
they were thirteen feeble colonies, just come
out of u long and harrassing they were
literally poor, large portion of their prop
crty having been spent to secure their indie
pendence. Now we have thirty-one States,
extending from the st. John TO the Rio
Gande, and from the Atlantic to the Pa
cifc ocean, possessing immense resources and
all the means Ofgreatness. Nor are print
tive virtue and courage and aptitude for sell
defence wanting.
The different States should be bound to-
gether in perfect friendship and amity, like
the members Of one common family. lf IT.
proach and yitupention are bestowed upon
each other, such language will in the end
produce its legitimate effects, engendering
hatred and i'll will, and at length breaking
out in destructive action.
All the colonies participated in fighting
the battles of the revolution. The patriots
who had hazrled their lives in defence of
liberty, after the war was over, sat down
together and framed the Constitution. Slay-
cry then existed in nearly every colony
Each State being sovereign and Independent,
was under no obligations but those of patri-
otism to come into the confedeacy. They
scvenlly possessed the right to regulate their
own domestic institutions without interior
oncc of any one, and If this independence Of
individual States had not been conceded, the
Constitution could not have been formed,
and the hope OF u free and enlightened gov
eminent of the people. on this continent,
would have expired. The slave population
at that time, as at present, constituted about
one sixth part of all the inhabitants.
1t was undoubtedly expected in the early
days of the republic that slavery would not
continue many years. And there have been
periods when there was prospect of the
adoption of measures TO accomplish its re-
moval. But we have reason to believe that
it has been retarded by the agitation of the
subject in the free States. A class of per-
sons have labOrctfassiduously for quarter
of a century, to excite the feelings and pre-
JUDGES of the people against the south and
its institutions. They have enlisted the
Sympathies of those who are ignorant of the
true condition of the slaves, and organized
political parties with the avowed purpose
generally of acquiring power to ameliorate
their condition, and without any distinct
and well defined object a. course Of action of
u practical character. The history of their
efforts demonstrates the weakness and in
utility of them. They have liberated but
few, If any slaves, and have not removed
slavery from single rod of territory. Dis
retion would Indicate change of measures,
the cultivation of charity and kindness, and
u broader range of social duties towards
those whose political welfare and destiny
are so closely united with ous.
IL the owners of slaves should he willing
to cmancipatc them, provided they could be
distributed among the several States, in pro-
portion to their population, it would give
one slave 10 every six or seven free persons.
Many of the slaves would be incapable of
labor through age, infirmity and childhood
and would require support us paupers. The
residue would be at liberty to seek such sub
sistence as their wants might demand, in the
same manner rs free blacks usually do. The
inhabitants OF the North and West would
not be benefited by an accession to their
population of their proportion of three and
"a half millions of blacks. It-~tuircd no
great degree of foresight to perceive, that
nearly every city and town in the free States
would refuse their admittance.
When those who are most deeply interest
ed in negro slavery and have reelected most
upon the subject shall desire to relieve them
selves of it, they viii probably adopt u grad
ual mode of emancipation. The relation be-
tween master and slave cannot be suddenly
dissolved with safety to either, while the
number of slaves is so large. They might
be freed after having arrived at certain
origin, with habits of industry and degree
of knowledge and civilization, which they
never could have obtained in their native
country. If the negro race is capable of
self-goyernmcnt, and possesses the inherent
power Ofadyanccment in self culture, ample
scope is now presented for the exercise of it
on the continent of Africa. AS evidence of
u highly satisfactory character, that negroes
do posseSs this power, it is already shown in
the colony of Liberia that those, who have
been taught in the school of slavery, can
sustain firm and stable government, and
defend themselves against barbarian and
hostile tribes. The increase of the colony
will constantly add to its reputation, and
when its commerce shall be expanded and its
flag respected and growing marine exist,
the eyes of the colored race will he turned
towards it, and there will flow into tia con-
slant tide of emigration. No reason appears
to exist why it may not surpass in yigor and
wealth, and much moro in good govern
mcnt, the nations which have Hoprished on
the Northern coast of that continent. Some
of our National vessels might be fitted and
employed in carrying to that colony all who
are willing to be transported thither. And
the expenditure would appear to be equally
legitimate, as the employment of National
vessels to guard the coast. An extended line
of settlement Of hardy colOnists, capable of
bearing arms would prove quite effective in
checking the slave trade.
The Southern people are subject to the
burden of slavery, they know how TO treat
il better than we do, and it is alike alien to
patriotism, and true sense of religious
duty to inilame the minds of Southern citi-
zens and aggrvate their condition Ivy a con-
slant course of censurc and an unnecessary
interference with their affairs.
The Missouri Compromise line was an ar
rangement between different sections; it
cooled the passions and allayed the prejudi-
ccs of cOntcnding parties. 1t had remained
in force third of a century, and it, repeal
gave offence to many true friends and occa-
sion to the uprising of wilder spirit of
abolitionism than had ever before infested
the country. Men, who had been loyal to
their constitutional obligations, in moment
Of resentment broke away and united with
vicious political associations that threatned
for time, to destroy the very foundations
OF the Republic. But whatever opinions
may he entertained of the policy of that
measure, it has passed, and the principle is
adopted, that each territory may determine
the character of its own institutions. In
itself this is unqucstionably most in accord
anec with the hlsis of American government
and the true idea of the liberty of commune