Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-08-21
From the Richmond (vs) Enquirer
The Tflle ISSUe.

The Democrats of the South IN the pres
ent canvass cannot rely on the old grounds
of defence and excuse for slavery; for they
seek not merely to retain 1t where 1t as, but
to ertend it into regions qchere 1t IS ua-
known. Much less cun they rely on Me
mere constitutional guarantees of slarery,
for such reliance is pregnant with the ad-
mission that slavery is wrong, and but for
the constitution should be abolished. The
Constitutional argument for slavery, stand
ing alone fully justifes the abolitionists.
They are clearly right if slavery is moral
ly wrong, for to get rid of it Under the
constitution, or by amending the constitt-
ton, is confessedly impracticable.
In truth the Constitution cannot help
slavery, if it be violation of the laws of
God and morality. In that case, the con-
stitution should be changed, or the free
States should secede, rather than continue
to guaranty what they consider immoral
and profane. The constitution cannot
help slavery for another reason: That in
stitutior, extending through fifteen States,
and interrainified with the interests, the
feelings and the very existence of many
millions of men, is much stronger than the
constitution. Ii would be far easier to
change or violate the constitution, than TO
abolish slavery. Besides slavery is older
than the constitution, existed beforei it, and
independently of it. We derive no right
to our slaves from it, and weaken eour
cause by seeming to rely on it.
Nor will it avail us aught TO show
that the negro is most happy and best
suited in the condition of slavery. If we
stop there, we weaken our cause by the
very argument intended to advance it; for
ace propose to introduce into ne,o territory
human beings achom aoe assert to be unfit
for liberty, self:governme'at, and equal as
sociatioat NTH other men. We must go a
step further. We must show that Afri-
can slavery is moral, religious, natural,
and probably, in general, a necessary IN
stitution Of sfduery. This is the only line
Of argument that will enable southern
Democrats to maintain the doctrines OF
State equality and Slavery extention.
FOrJ slavery be enot alegitimate, useful,
moral, and erpedient institution, ace cannot
,Oithout reproof of conscience and the
Jlush Of shame, seek to ertend 1T, or assert
oar equality acih those States keoing no
such institution. tEs
Northerm Dem5crois need not 90 thus
far: TAsy-tlo not seek to extend Savery,
but only agree to its ertension, as matter Of
right on our part. They may prefer their
own social system to ours. 1t is best
that they should. Our friends are con-
servatives at home, and conservatives OF
the Union-consevatives of religion, of
marriage. of property, of State institutions,
and federal intuition. But whilst they
may prefer their own social system, they
will have to admit in this canvass that ours
is also fighJM and legitimate, and sane
toned alike by the opinions and usages of
mankind, and By the authority and cypress
injunctions Of Scripture. They cannot
consistently maintain that slavery is inn
moral, inexpedient and profane, and yet
continue to submit to its extension.
We know that we utter bold truths.
But the time has now arrived when their
utterance can be no longer postponed
The true issue should stand out so boldly
and clearly that none mag mistake 1T.