Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-08-12
The True Issue,

The democrats of the South in the present
canvass cannot rely on the old grounds OF de-
fence and excuse for slavery for they seek not
merely to retain IL uhere 1t is, BUT TO En-
TEND 1T INTO REGIONS WHERE 1T Is
UNKNOWN. MUcH Less CAN THEY RELY on
THE MERE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES OF sLA-
VERY, Tor such reliance Is pregnant with the adj
mission that slavery is wrong, and but for the
constitution should be abolished. This consti-
tutional argument for slavery, standing alone
fully justites the aboliiionists They are clear
ly right II slavery be morally wrong, Tor to get
rid OF II under the constitution, or by amending
the constitution, is confessedly impracticable
Ia truth, the constitution cannot he p slavery,
II It be 4 violation Of the laws of God and of mo-
raiIty. In that case, the constitution 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 institu-
ton, extending through fifteen states, and in
terranifed with the interests, the feelings, and
the very existence of many millions of men. is
much stronger than the constitution. 1t would
DC i9r easier TO change or violate TIE constitu-
tion, than to abolish slavery. Besides, slavery
is older thar the constitution, existed before it,
and indepen IDENTIFY of it. We derive no right
to slaves from 1t, AID weaken our cause by
seeming to rely on it.
Nor Will it avail us aught to show that the
negro IS most happy and best situated in the
condition of slavery. II we stop there. weak
en- our cause by the very argument intended to
advnce 1t; for propose to Introduce 5nto ncag
territory human beings sclo -ssert to be eoeft
for liberty. selfgorernment and equal association
icath other lie must go step farther. We
must show that African slavery is moral, re-
ligious. natural, ard probably in the general,
necessary institution of society. This is the
only line of argument that Will enable southern
democrats TO maintain the doctrines of state
equality and slavery extension.
For II Slrucry be not legitimate, ussfta moral
and eapede't institution, cannot Cthout reproot
Of conscience and the 6iash Of shame seek to er-
tend u, or assert equality ,cih those States hau-
ing such Institution.
Northern Democrats need not go thus far
They DO not seek to etezd Siarcrg btt only agree
to ats extension, as matter Of right part
They may prefer their own social system to
ours. 1t Is best that they should. Our friends
are conservatives at home, and conservatives of
the uDlon-conservatives of religion, of mar
rIage, OF property, of state institutions and fed
eral institutions. But whilst they may prefer
their own soc;l system, they will have TO ad-
NIT in this canvass that is also rightfy and
legitimate, and sanctioned alike by the opin-
ions and usages of mankind. and By the authority
and cypress i1yuactionS Of Scripture. They can
not consistently maintain that Slavery is i'm
moral. inexpedient and profane, and yet contin-
tie to submit to It's extension.
We know that We utter bold truths. But the
time has now arrived when their utterance can
be no longer postponed. The tr1lc issue sho,ld
stand out SO boldly and clearly that none may mis-
take IT,