Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-11-19
To the People of the goth Congressional
District of Ohio.

ontes has been atten led with much ex-
citement. Interests Of inealculable mag
nitude we're involved. But the smoke
has now so far risen from the battle field,
as to enable us 10 determine the results.
Twelve sovereign Sa,es* have declared
for the Constitution, for the doctrine of
u fathers. They have spoken in terms
of unmistakeable condemnation of The at
tempis put forth by The party in power TO
revoluiionize our government. destroy is
constitution, and by fraud, by military
force, by violence, 10 establish slavery
upon territory consecrated to freedom
by the constitution and by solemn ccm.
pact.
Those twelve States comprise more
than two thirds of the Free State popula-
ton of our Union, a still greater portion
of its intelligence, its wealth and its phys
ical power. 10 the other Free States it
is believed that The successful candidate
has received only a plurality, and he will
enter upon his Office most emphatically
the creature of the slave power, in oppo-
sition TO a large majority of the people.
This is the first instance since the rev.
.oluIion, in which the self evident truths
lying at the basis of that mighty struggle
have been put in issue. The patriots Of
that day commended against the usurpa.
lions of The British crown and an hun.
dred battle fields a,tested the steadfasiness
of their purpose. Standing upon the same
doctrines, we have been constrained to
meet The whole influence Of the slave
power, aided by the political efforts of the
federal administration, with lis army OF
office holders, its almost unlimited patron.
age. To this combination of the Admin
istration with the slave power, has been
super-added that of a political party,
which for thirty years has been the best
organized, of any that ever existed in our
nation.
The commercial classes of our cities
were opposed to US. Long cherished
~preiudices guided by politicians of the old
school were against US. For more than
half a century the clergy of our land have
either been silent ia regard 10 the crimes
of slavery, or have aPoloeized for its ex-
islence. The religion of the country had,
to a great extent, become corrupted by
the influence of an institution which is al
war with all religion and morality
Against these influences, a thousand fold
more potent than British armies, have we
contended with a moral power, and a sue
cess which in coming Time will mark an
important era in the annals of u Il
try.
We have driven the slave power from
ifs northern citidels !; and the dead bodies
of its heroes now lie scattered throughout
its former s;rongho!dS. The home of the
present Executive, the State that gave
him physical and political existence, has
most emphatically repudiated him and his
doctrines. His ~lfeless form will soon be
bnrne from the scene of strife, and his
name will only be remembered TO he ex-
ecrated in coming time. The State so
long controlled by the councils of him
who will hereafter be best known as she
author of The Nicholson letter." has passed
Judgment of emphatic condemnation upon
his doctrines and his policy, and con-
signed him 10 a political grave. He who
conspired with Atchison TO force slavery
into Kansas by military power, he who
was the author of the Kansas Nebraska
bill, who threatened to subdue the friends
of liberty, has been unable to subdue the
people of his own State. Justice has
overtaken these advocates of human op-
preston. While sneering at those who
hold 10 the "higher law" they have fall
len victims to lis just penalties.
We have great cause for congratula-
ton. With propriely we may "Ihank
God and take courage" The result
should strengthen the hands of every
lover of liberty, and stimulate him 10 re-
newed efforts.
But while looking at The past, LEI US
not forget that the mighty conflict must
still 90 on, until ours shall become truly
a government Of liberty. In times like
these we should not disguise facts, nor
fatler ourselves with the vain hope that
the slave power will voluntarily rest from
its attempted encroachments upon free
dom. Slavery was brought into exist
ence by war, by violence and bloolshed.
1t is upheld by crime, and will only cease
10 exist when piracy, Outrage and murder,
shall cease to be authorized by human
enactments.
Fourteen years since | united with the
venerable John Quincy Adams and other
members OF Congress, in an address 10
the people of the Free States, calling al
tention 10 the fact that efforts were then
making TO extend and %perpetua!e slavery
bv the annexation OF Texas TO this Union.
We declared that measure but the ON
mencement Of a series Of conquests and
agcressions which, if not defeated, would
end in the overthrow Of our government
and the subversion of our liberties. What
was then prophecy has in part become
history. Texas was annexed, our nation
was involved in war, and eighty thou
sand human victims were sacrificed upon
the altar Of slavery; and scenes of moral
depravity followed, which now seem to
nave IGpdl llt lllliuS Va Jul "a
holding population for the exercise of sim
liar mi l%uilies upon the people Of our Free
States.
Next followed the repeal of the Mis-
souri, prohibition Of Slavery in Kansas, lis
immediate introduction there by an armed
force, and subsequent piracies and muir
ders under the protection and authority of
the Federal Executive. Now The souih-
ern press and southern statesmen urge
the acquisition of further territory from
Mexico, and The annexation of Nicaragua
and Cuba TO the United States. Efforts
are also now put forth to establish that
institution in Nebraska, Oregon and
Washington, and to reopen the African
slave trade. These conspiracies against
liberty, against civilization, against rcli-
gion, must be defeated. And although
we may congratulate each ether upon the
great moral strength which our cause has
recently obtained yet NJ lover of Free
l.. D,a,bl:o,1 should low aci1a hic