The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06
WHAT THE DEMOCRACY OF THE NORTH HAS
DONE FOR SLAVERY, IN REPEALING THE
MISSOURI COMPROMISE
From the same paper, September 10, Is

| The repeal of the Missouri restriction is win
dicated by every consideration of right anC
| justice. But there are persons of such sordit
| IMPULSES and narrow vision, that they appre
ciate measure of public policy in proportion
only to its yield of visible, palpable, and digest
ible product. In the judgment of such indi
viduals, the Kansas-Nebraska bill is worth
nothing as an act Of atonement to the Consti
tuition and repsrstion to the South. They re-
spect it not at all for the great principles which
it enunciates and incorporates in the policy Of
the Government. Insensible to the finer moral
results which constitute the aim of the highest
and truest craftsmanship, the gross sppetites
of these politicians reject the really precious
advantages which the South realizes from the
repeal of the Missouri restriction. Bolts, for
instance, appreciates the true value of that
measure about much as HeGogsbulus would
have relished the nectar and ambrosa of the
Olympian repsst. Talk to him of indicating
the integrity of the Constitution, of restoring
the South to its past equality and dignity in the
Union, and you simply provoke contemptuous
chuckle, with all your fine phrases.
Luckily for the satisfaction or the confuta-
ton of such individuals as Mr.. John Minor
Bolts, the Kansas N ebraska act is not destitute
Of immediate riSi6le and tangible advantage TO
the interests Of the South. The repeal Of the
Missouri restriction besides Offering atonenaent
and reparation for an a6fOnt upon the South,
OPENS THE FEDERAL DOMAIN TO THE FREE Ex-
PAssIoN AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEGRO SLA-
VERY.
1t is manifest, from the history of the country
during the last twenty years, that the Constitu-
ton, in its protection of the rights of the South,
indeed, the powers of the common Government
are perverted from their bene6cent purpose,
and employed as the active agencies of
oppression and spolation against the slave
holding States. The South, then, has no other
security but its own capabilities of defence.
1t is essential to the protection of its rights
that it should maintain a power in the Govern
ment, equivalent, at least, to a negative on op-
pressive, inq uitous, and unconstitutional legis-
lation.
The Aboltionists hare erer had control of a
majority Of the popular Uote. They now hold
indisputable ascendency in the House of Rep
resentatives. In the Senate, even, the South is
in a minority Of one State though fortunately
a conservative sentiment is still supreme in
that branch of the Federal Legislature. The
day is not distant, however, when the sixteen
free States will be represented In the Senate By
the political associates of Wilson and Seward,
and when Congress will be under the absolute
sway of Abotionism. The South may turn
to the Executive, bat with scarcely stronger
hope of protection. Fremont may not be
elected; but the triumph Of his party piH be
postponed only for single term 4; unless,
MEANWHILE the South RECEIVERS its power in the
Confederacy, and establishes counterpoise to
the ascendency of Abolitionism.
This, then, is the only salvation for the South,
to recocer a seifprotecting po,cer tn the Senate.
For, if left to its own impulse, Abolitionism
will descend upon Slavery with increasing force
and fury of attack, and will ultimately subiu.
gate the South, or expel it from the Union.
How can the South possess itself of this self.
protecting power? How recover its ascenden-
cy in the Senate? Oregon, Washington, Min
nesota, and Nebraska, all free States in embryo,
will counterbalance the accession to the South
by the division of Texas, even though the
North should observe its obligation under the
treaty of annexation. Utah and New Mexico
will in all probability send four Anti.Slavery
votes into the Senate. So much on one side
The only present chance Of accession to The
strength Of the South IS the admission OF
Kansas into the Union ruth q Pro Slaperu
Constitution. In two years, at the farthest
that Territory will assume the sovereignty
of a State, and an all probability pM adop,
the Institutions Of the South. Then the South
,cW recOrer its equality an the Senate, and ,oii
be competent to the protection Of ITS rights
Though incapable of directing the policy Of
| the Government to the end of Slavery Propa
gandism, (which the South desires only for the
purposes of self-defence,) it will be fully equa
TO the defeat of measures of Free Soil ageres
sion. With Kansas to back IL IN the Senate
the South can compel the .fulflment of til,
| 1erds treaty. by resisting the admission OF
other free States. With Kansas to back it II
the Senate, the South can stay the march o.
| Abolitionisn, and maintain its own rights ant
independence for al indefinite period
But Kansas toouid hare been a free State, Il
the Missouri restriction had not been repealed
aud instead Of augmenting the power of tn,
South, would have recruited the ranks of Abo
htionism. Besides, then, the positive advan
tage OF an accession of strength which tn.
South gains under the operation of the Kan
sas ebraska act, we must consider the evil
averted as well as the wrongs redressed By tn.
measure, if We would appreciate the full valu,
OF Its service to Slavery. In the one contin
gency, the hopes of the patriot are flattered b,
the prospect of 9 sectional equilibrium, and
consequent continuance of the Union. In tn,
other, be traces q rapid succession of fearful
effects, from the aggrandizement of the Anti
Slavery power to the ultimate subiugstion O
the South or disruption of the Confsderacy.
In this connection we need scarcely adver
to that other vital consideration, that ,cit
Kdnsas as a Stare State, the flank of the Sout.
aoU be completely corered, from the Gulf o
lherico TO the frontier If Nebraska and Io,cd
and that thus the institution ioiH be secur
from external attack, and impregnable in IL
isolation: while, on the contrary, should Kan
sas be wrested from our grasp, it will becom
the asylum of the missionaries of free SOIL VIII
will thence direct their efforts against Missouri
with irresistible effect, and will 80 propagat
the poison of Abolitionism, and 80 prosecut
the business of kidnapping, that within YER
few years Tennessee will become borde
State, and the very centre of the Southern col
umn be pierced by the invading forces.
1t being thus a matter cf supreme momen
to the South that Kansas shall enter the Uniol
rs slave State, the South should not depre
cate the repeal of the Missouri restriction, Il
ctrtue Of phich the inestimable advantage 1
secured TO Stacery Of perfect protection am
free Development.
The heroic Sir Charles Napier wrote YER,
beautifully and touchingly to lady, on the ey
of his great victory at Meanee "If survive
| shall soon be with those love if l fall,
| shall be with those / have loved"
Col. James Ward, q soldier of the war of lsl
died in Hartford, Conn.,, on the 18th ultimo.