Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-09-18
Black RspuSlicani.m-rhs ciOvsn Foot.

IN tnelr recent leSlSlAllOu VI shO Su"JSN' W
slavery. In the whole history of our Gov
eminent, another instance cannot be found
where the attempt has been made to convert
free territory into slave territory, and to es-
tablish slavery in the Territories by act of
Congress, as was done by DUNN's bill, which
these Black Republicans passed by a vote Of
SO to IA.
Every Black Republican member of the
House, present at the passage of that bill,
with single exception, voted for it. By
their vote on that bill they declared them
selves in favor of taking portion OF the
free territory of New Mexico and adding it
to Kansas, in which they legalized slavery,
until the first Of January, 1858. BY that
vote they also established the following
propositions
That slavery can exist in Territories.
That slaves can be born upon such soil.
That they can be taken from hence as slaves
to eternal bondage.
That they may be taken to other Territories.
Another feature is
That it sanctions the Fugitive Slave Law of
1850, giving it fresh vitality and vigor.
1t must be borne in mind that this bill APP
plies to Nebraska as well as Kansas, thus le-
CALLING slavery where it has not heretofore
existed, and where there is no local law to
protect or sustain IT. Look at the practical
doctrines established by that DILL. To the
clause restoring the Missouri compromise, is
affixed the following proyiso:
Provided, hOreUer, That any person lawfully
held to service in either of said territories shall
not be discharged from such service by reason
Of such repeal, if such person shall be perma.
nently removed from such territory or territories
prior to the first day of January, 1883; and
ann child or children born In either Of sad terri
tories Of female Iatcfulty held to service if in
/ like manner removed without said territories
before the expiration Of said date, shall not be
by reason Of anything in this act emancipated
| from any service it might have owed had this
act never been passed. And pToUided, further
that any person lawfully owing service in any
other State or territory of the United States and
escaping into either the territory of Kansas or
Nebraska may be reclaimed and removed to the
person or place where such service is due, under
any Ialo Of the United States which shall be in
force upon the subject.
BENJAM1N f. LETTER, of Ohio; was the on
ly Black Republican in the House, who voted
against this singular compound of infamy
and folly. By his own showing, this bill
m axis greater concessions to slavery than any
other proposition that ever received a major
itv in either branch of Congress. Under
date of July Both, he writes:
We passed Dunn's bill for Kansas vest erday
in a very Objectionable manner. 1t has many
| good provisions, but it extends the Fugitive
Law over Kansas and Nebraska, and perpetu.
ates slavery there until 1858, and makes all
children born therein up to that time, of slave
mothers, slaves. This was too much for me.
have always said-and now repeat my pledges
that / will never vote to recognize slavery.
| will never vote TO max any human being a
slave. Twill never vote to extend slavery one
single foot. viii never vote for the Fugitive
| Slave Law or its extension over any free terri
tory. 1 therefore voted against Dunn's bill
solitary and alone of all our party.
If the testimony is not yet strong enough
against these hypocritcal "shriekers for free
DOM" let us bring up Rev. HENRY WARD
BEEcHKR, and see what he says. Referring
! 10 the same provisions which we have quo
ted, he says:
Now if those p-ovisos do not constitute a
political ipecac for the soul Of an antlslayery
man, then l much mistake the basis of anti
slavery principles in him. Look at them for a
moment. They acknowledge that slavery does
and can exist in those territories; that slave;
can be born upon that soil-that they can be
taken from thence to interminable bondage and
l LII tho ~ no Hal,a
mas of cotton at the Sonth. Ard furthermore
that they may be taken to other territories of the
United States, thus implicitly admitting what
every freedom and constitution loving man de
nies, i. e., that slavery exist in the terrific
ries under the Constitution. 1t effectually ig-
nores the old, true doctrine, that if slavery has
any existence whatever, it has it by positive
State law i; and where that private code OF
| might does not exist, every man leaps into life a
| freeman, his freeman's right being the gift OF
the God who gave him being. Another feature
of these provisos is found in its sanctions of the
Infamous fugitive slave enactments Of 1864
code for the rendition of fugiiives from slavery
that is revolving to every Northern and Western
nature"
All the infamies of this precious docu-
ruent are not yet fully stated. Not having
gone quite far enough in their conces-
sions to slavery, in the provisos above
quoted, they introduce couple of sections
specially recognizing and continuing in force
all those odious laws of the bogus Legisla-
ture, which the Senate in their bill declared
to be null and void, and which the House
refused to act upon.
Such is the picture which Black Republi-
canism has drawn of itself, and now presents
to the gaze of the American people.
Reader, how do you like it?