New-York daily tribune., 1856-06-10
LETTER FROM E. p. BARROW.

To ZoPHAR MILLS, t'q., Pre'idsnt, Se'
DEARSrR Iobserve, by Call published in several
of the CITY papers, that have been selected to fill the
Office Of Corresponding Secretary in the Seventh Ward
Fillmore and Doneson Association, of which you are
th. President The first intimation had of my ap-
pointmeLt was the appearance of my name in the
public prints. My absence from the city, and long
and wasting illness have prevented my taking earlier
notice of the intended honor. But it is due to the
Association az well as to myself that state frankly
my reasons for declining the position, which the ap'
precated kindness and part lity of my friends have
awarded me.
From my first entrance iu.o political life until the
present hour, have been determined and nheXible
opponent to the extension of African Slavery. The
institution has been Justly esteemed gre and enor-
NOUS political social and moral evil and to this you
as well as your political associates doubt not will
che,ifully subscribe. Ny opinions and sense OF duty
upon the subject have been gradually formed a'a .
by the teachings and practices OF some OF
the noblest leaders Of that once great and powerful
party the ranks of which have been proud serve
and the banner of which for years with hope and 10y
cbeerfuly followed. The Whg press of the State the
Wig orators Of the North have been quote the
Anti.Savery sentiments Of Henry Clay and his elrts
in early life rid his adopted State of the peculiar
institution as one OF his strongest claims upon the
popular confidence asd regard, as preemnent
merit. and rs a proof that the natural instincts
Of bis great hesrt were upon the side of right,
justice and humanity. Daniel Web:ter hss
been heard feauently uttering eloquent sen.
sentiments of hostility the further encroachments of
the Slave Power and to all compro misses whereby the
cause of Fr, edom shoud possibly suffer or be I'M
perled. The annexation Of Texas was resisted by the
Wbig party of the North mainly on the ground that
the interests of Slavery would be promoted thereby
Conventions of The party, from Maine to Illinois,
set med to vie with each other az 10 which of their
number should be the boldes and most uncompromis-
ing il expressing their dsapprobaon of the institution
of the South and their resolution to resist its further
extt pson in our land.
But after of the most hotly contested politica
struggles ever made in this country the Annexation
psry triumphed and Texas became part of the United
Slater. Following after this came the contes
upon the sOcaed Wimot Provso the history of which
il too familiar TO need further comment II is enough
10 say that the Wing party of the North were united IN
declaring the ConrtutOnaity, wisdom, justice and
necessity Of the enactment. The Wings OF our own
State ntion assembled, for several successive
years resfirmed Il cir devotion 10 the principle embod-
led in the enactment, and pledged the influence OF the
party 10 mar tain and uphold it, in all its length
and breadth, to its fullest extent, aud against
all combinations and all compromises. The " VIII
mot Pioviso," "NO more Slave Territory In
the canvass Of ss could be seen baZoned upon every
banner which they flung the breeze; could be heard
from the lips of their greatest orators and states
and made with the party at the North the test of
political orthodoxy and the life of the party creed.
Daniel Webster thundered forth the sentiment fom
Sprir gfeld, and Fillmore, Hunt Brooks and Others,
now prominent leaders in the American party Of our
State in letters or addresses, eloquenty and poluedy
defended il. Would TO God they had all remained true
TO their professed faith!
1t csn1ot be strange, then, that mbibing my poti-
cal opinions from such sources, should at this day
find myself where found my early polite Al instruct
ors-on the side Of Freedom and against Slavery; not
strange that should be found walking in that polite Al
path which they have marked as the true one before
me. Circumstances may have changed in their minds
opinions which they have so earnestly lab)red to os-
Ter in tie minds Of others; but with me subsequent
pol ical events have only served 10 make them
stronger and more enduring.
The unsise and fatal surrender of the prn-
Gle Of the WlmOt ProyiSo by the Com
promises of 1850; the passage OF the Fugitive
Save Act, with its harsh. AntI-Repubic.n Al and
unconstitutional features The determined attempts to
enforce it in several parts Of the North, amid scenes
ofoppression and cruelty better becoming br6arc
age and country than civilized Republic and toe
18th century the opening of vast Territory once by
solemn compact betwe en- the States, ecraed to
freedom, TO the unchecked and blighting tread OF
chattel Slavery in the .epeal Of the Missouri Gompro-
rise, and tke passage Il the haLsas- Nebraska Act
tie att pied subug6,Ion O. the treecon.oyng set
t n OF Kansas, and tie forcible establishment OF
Slavery upon that future State against the VIII oil
large majority OF her people by Border Ruttian. and
Missouri despc .ados: the aid and comfort furnished
these .ssins of Freedom by al rrscrupulods
Admin ,tiatioD, sueng a. tie feet OF the slave
intsret for lease of power, the shanowng iorth
Of the oraton # the African Saverade, are facts
which have bee ard still staring us IN the fice-
iscs which show Tue deep determination of tue South
10 make Slavery national and Freedom SECTIONAL to
grasp at and use the posers OF the General Govern
melt, executive, e.islative, and Judicial 10 AID, up
hold extend and PER- tuate the accused system IN
cur land. Give the Saveocracy free, Unlimited swy,
crush out" the republican sentiment oi the Free
States "subdue the watchiu aud uneasy opposition
Of the North let al join md cooperate with she so-
called American Democratic parties Of the day and
the prediction o. of the most intellectually gf'ed
sons OF the South will prove not en lcle beast, bu'
lad and painful truth. The clsnkDg Of slave chains
viii be beard ra,rg around Bunker HUI, and the
calling of the master roll and the cssk of the slave
divers whip vii .ing out upon the 20, where the
early ulartyrs to American Liberty fell.
Surely il there csufe for alarm at the encroach
ments Of Slavery ten years ago there 3 cause pr Il
now. ii Am an aarmist now, Webster, Brooks,
Hunt dOUbly So t3en. II the eGliy impressions
of their teachings inclined me 10 view sts adherence
aud regard WITH fear the e-ten ion o slave territory
power emo 10 make L duty resist II the RAPID
strides wli,E Slavery hrs made, the constant drifting
Of the Government SiGverywarj, makes il more nee
essary and in portant that should hold fart to the
good old Anti-SlaveTy faith of my political godfathers
that should do as they have taught 20 do when
Slavery, as b-hold il now, fIing it, eye upon vr.
gin so free from the pollution Of its touch and seek
10 rob of its brighes, jewel freedom, to resist
reSisf, an mean iO do il o the extent of my humble
ability. The dangers end aggressiOns which called for
activity and res- ance th.p have not been l.-aenad
but II ereassd AMI that man Indeed anfahAl 10 hs
trust WHO d..ers ts post Of duty wien clouds lozer
and peril ihick.n, wben hs presence s mo-,