Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-08-19

denounce us equally, and some do not hesitate
10 say that they intend or desire not only to
restore Kansas TO the operation of the Mis-
sour restriction, but to repeal the fugitive slave
bill, TO abolish slavery in the District of Colum-
bia TO interdict the Interstate slave trade so
as to prevent the owner from migrating with
his domestics from one slave State to another,
to prevent forever hereafter the admission of
any new State which toerates domestic servi-
lude, and to hem in and cou6ne slavery within
its present limits; thus continually increasing
the political power of their section, until we
shall be too weak to resist their future efforts
to impair the value Of our peculiar property,
and, finally, to destroy it. We do not indeed
find all these objects laid down in the platform
of their party and there are men associated
with them whose designs by no means extend
SO far, and who, if they knew the probable
consequences of their success, would recoil
from the evil associations into which they
have fallen. But then, more moderate men
are not the master-spirirs in this league of
agitation, and will be powerless to stop the
mischievous measures which / think certain
to follow the success Of the combinations which
they are now aiding. The tone of the press
in their interest, the speeches Of many mem
bers Of Congress and of the amateur orators
of the party, all clearly evince determine
| ton TO unite all the people Of the free States,
if possible, In fierce and relentless hostility to
those of the South. 1t is the strife of sec.
tons in which they hope to succeed; and in
what would their success result? Not in form
ing more perfect union, not in establishing
Justice or insuring domestic tranquility, all OF
which are among the declared objects of that
Constitution which Washington and the other
Fathers of the Republic gave to us but in the
jealouses, discord, and hatred inseparable
from party characterized by geographical
Determinations" It was against this that the
Father of his Country warned as in his Fare.
we'll Address-lhe last legacy of the spolless
patriot to the country he had loved and served
so well.
Some years ago, lin 1897 when the danger
OF this sectional organization was less than it
is now, Mr.. Clay gave US his advice in the fol
lowing words:
"Abolltionism should no longer be regarded
as un imaginary danger The Abotionists
let me suppose, succeed in their present aim
Of uniting the Inhabitants Of the free States as
one man against the inhabitants of The slaUe
States. Union on one side sciU beget Union on
the other, and this process Of reciprocal consoli-
dalton, ,ciU be attended Nth all the ciolent pre-
JUDGES, embiHered passions, and insplacable
animositics, schich eOer degraded or detormed
human nature Virtual dissolution of the
Union will have taken place. whilst the forms
oil Its existence remain. "Oae sec
tion ,ciH stand in menacing and hostile array
against the other. The collision of opinion
riN soon be tolloaced by the clash Of arms.
will not attempt to describe scenes which now
happily lie concealed from our view. Adolf
tlonists themselves would shrink back in dis
may and horror at the contemplation of DESC
lated fields, conaagrated cities, murdered
inhabitants, and the overthrow of the fairest
fabric Of human government that ever rose to
animate the hopes Of civilized man.
1t will be said, perhaps, that this is mere
defamation; that Mr.. Clay's fervid spirit gave
too warm a coloring to the picture; but we
need only remark the passionate violence which
characterizes men who have lately yielded to
this sectional phrenzy to satisfy ourselves what
is the temper natural to snch organizations.
AT the Convention in Philadelphia, held by
those who nominated Mr.. Fremont, a conspic-
uous and distinguished gentleman, heretofore
considered moderate and conservative, made
speech, in which, amidst cheers and cries of
good he spoke as follows:
They (meaning those who appointed the
members of the Convention) ask us to give
them nomination which, when put fairly be-
fore the people, will unite public sentiment.
and, through the ballot box, will restrain and
repel this pro-slavery extension and this aggres.
sion of the slaveocracy. What else are they
doing? They tell you that they are willing TO
abide BY the ballot box and willing to make
that the last appeal. If we fail there, what
then? We will drive it back sword in hand
and SO help me God, am with them"
1t is true that the author of these remarks
has since publicly avowed that he alone is
responsible for this rhapsody. But i, cannot
be doubted that the feeling which prom pied
him was the same which animated the preacher
who proposed to supply the brethren in Kansas
with bread and poUder too, and which has
stimulated other preachers aud their conpre
cations to subscribe Sharpe's rifles as the most
| eficacious instrument in the adjustment of the
| controversies in that Territory, which all good
| men deplore, however they may differ as to the
| causes OF the unhappy anarchy which prevails
| there. For myself acknowledge my duty 10
redress, so far as l can, all the real grievances
| complained OF IN that region; and ! have
supposed that the bill recently passed by the
Senate was well calculated to remedy them.
because II proposes to- enact that no law shall
be made or have force or effect in said Terri.
ioiy WHICH ehdi require u Jest oath, or oath to
| support any act of Congress or other legislative
act, as qualification for any civil Office or
public trust, or for any employment or profes-
sion, or to serve as a juror or vote at an cleo
ton, or which shall impose any tax upon or
condition to the exercise of the right of suffrage
by any qualified voter, or which shall restrain
or prohibit the free discussion of any law or
subject OF legislation in the said Territory, or
the free expression of opinion thereon by the
people Of said Territory; and secures, as far as
Law can secure, the operation Of the public will
in the formation of State government That
this bill was sincerely meant TO effect its avowed
purpose / am quite confident: and believe
that there are conservative men at the North,
who do not yield to prejudice or passion, who
will credit this assertion. Unfortunately thew
are not the majority. At all events, in the
most of the free States the masses of the Re
publican party are led by men who do not
mean to be satisfied with any legislation which
is not to result in placing the Government un.
der their control; by men who say that the
trainers of the Constitution "made a compro.
mise that cannot be mentioned without shame; !"
who say Of Mr.. Fillmore, in allusion to his
signing tho fuo,tiya s1aya b;lI nLo,..- e. L 4