The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-07

The prodigious importance of this transac-
ton we already understand far better than
those who had a part in it, far-seeing as many
of them were. Future generations, with the
development of its consequences, will under
stand it much better than we. In reading the
long and sometimes acrimonious debate, one
is struck with the alteration of the tone of the
champions of the Slave Power, between that
time when they were less used to victory, and
less familiar with their resources, and the pres
ent. They did not generally venture further
than to excuse Slavery as necessity. They
had not we'll learned to vindicate il as right,
still less to extol it as blessing to any of the
parties concerned.* Yet, the threatening
progress of vicious sentiment on the sub
ject did not then escape the notice of dis
corning observers. Mr.. Taylor, of New York
argued in the House that "a slaveholding spirit
is gaining ground in the Union."- Speech Of
Jan. 27, i6id p. 954. Governor Wolcott of
Connecticut, had foresight of what was COM
ing, if it was only Through glass, darkly.'
I" A diversity of habits and principles of gov
eminent exists in this country; and / think it
is evident that Slavery is gradually forming
those distinctions which, according to invaria
BILE laws of human action, constitute the char
acteristic difference between aristocratical and
democratical Republics. Where agricultural
labor is wholly or chiefly performed by slaves,
it must constitute the principal revenue of the
community. The owners of slaves must neces-
sarily be the chief owners of the soil, and those
laborers who are too poor to own slaves, though
nominally free, must be dependent on au arts
tccratical order, and remain without power or
political influence Address to the LegisIa-
tire Of Connecticut, May, 1920.
"At the Ithuriel touch of the Missouri dis
CUSTOM" so writes Mr.. Hildreth, at the close
of the sixth volume of his valuable history,
+" History of tie United States of AMERICA"
col al, D. 7l3, "the slave interest, hitherto
hardly recognised as distinct element in our
system, had started up portentous and dilated,
discovering the very fundamental principles of
modern Democracy, and again threatening as
in the Federal Convention, the dissolution of
the Union. 1t is from this point, already be-
ginning, indeed, to fade away in the distance,
that our politics of to-day take their departure"
am the panegyrst of slavery. Ills an unnatu-
free institutions" For my own part surrounded by
slavery from my cradle TO the present moment, yet
Hate the touch of seryle hands,
loaie the slaves who crlnge around =
speech of Mr. Reid of Georgia, Feb l. 1890 an annals Of
Congress I'D toe pp 1023 lS25.l
81 shall not initiate the example OF other gentlemen by
making professions OF my love OF liberty and adherence
Slavery. because do not entertain them' &c. -
am AN enemy to Slavery JH McLane. Of DelaWaTs.
Feb. Ind pP 1850. 1851 Il would break every feer
which binds those unfortunate beings 10 absolute obedl-
his fellow - Al Jones' Of Tennessee, Feb. %
bid D. i45Sl Was this original question. whether
should subject portion OF our teliow-bengs 10 state
OF servtude and degradaon he believed that The people
o Missouri would be among the first 10 de-
clare against the principe."- DIR Scott, Of Missouri Feb
p, tbid p. l52i.l