The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-10

regarded as property by the Federal Copatihu-
ton, and that they may be held as such in Tar
ritories of the United States, under the safe
guards of the Constitution, without positive
law.
Let as deny 1t.
have the right to determine their own ;nsti-
tutions in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States-but do
not say that they have the right to exclude
Slavery, while they hold themselves in reserve
to affirm hereafter that thay have no aych
right.
Let as affirm that they hare this right. .
3. They deny the entire policy of Intervgn-
ton by Congress against Slavery in Terrific
ries.
Let US affirm that it is the right and duty of
Congress to exclude Slavery from the Terrific
ries, and plant ourselves on the principle and
policy embraced in the sixth article of the Or
dinance of 1887.
An Appeal to the Delegates to the Philadephia
Convention.
Will the Delegates to the Philadelphia Con-
vention think of these things? VIII they
shrink from the issues rendered to them by
the Slave Power and its Party? Will they
consent to any trick of evasion or compromise,
whether in their declarations or nominations
Will they content themselves with an effort to
combine the elements of opposition, oH no
Principle, in support of man, representing no
Principle? Will they be seduced into trial
for success, by concealing their purposes, and
selecting for candidates men of unknown or
untried position? The Slave Power and farty
are always positive. They take positions asd
stick to it. If defeated they will not retreat.
They act as if they really had faith in shdir
principles, and in the ultimate recognition of
them by tie People. Nor do they deen the
man who has made himself conspicuous for
the advocacy of their principles, disabled for
that reason for high position? When did you
ever find them choosing for their standard
bearers men not known to be one with item
Will Republicans, who have Right and Sree-
dom on their side, adopt negative, evasive,
timid policy, resting their hopes of success,
not on the strength of their principles, butt the
mere availability of their men? If the major
ity of the People believe in their principles, an
honest affirmation and representation of them
will secure the majority of the popular vote.
If the majority of the People do not believe in
them, shall we resort to cunning trickesy 10
secure a triumph which would establish 70
principle, and inure to the benefit only of place
hunters? Let them meet the Slave Power and
Party boldly On the issues it proclaims, and,
if they succeed, the People will stand at tie
back of those whom they shall elect, to carry
out the policy in favor of which thay have ren-
dered an honest verdict. If they fail, it Will lie
because the People have not yet fully learned
to comprehend the real Evil of the country,
and its only remedy. Then, instead of being
disheartened, trusting in our principles, aud as
Stunning the capacity of the People ultimately 70
appreciate their true interests, the plain duty
will be, to urge our Cause upon them until is
claims shall be fully recognised. Then th@
will sustain and inaugurate it, and the Power
in the ascendant will be able to do something
more noble than to distribute spoils and feed
hungry ambition.