Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-28

PLANTATION or otherwise. Under the pretext of
the personal right of self-defence, you will not
be tolerated in any attempt to defend your
course in the Legislature on this subject, which
was an aggression on the rights and an out
rage on the feelings of the State of Texas, and
much more on the people of Galveston, whom
you misrepresented, than any other.
The entire subject of slavery in all its con-
nections is forbidden ground which you shall
not invade
Your introduction of it in any manner will
be the prompt signal for consequences to which
we need not allude
1t has been asserted that you have some
supporters in this community on that subject.
We trust not. But if so and if they have
sufficient presumption to undertake to sustain
you in any further discussion of this subject
before the people, they will make this evening
the occasion for the definite and final settle
ment of that issue both as to you and them
We trust, however, that you will confne your
self to matters of legitimate public interest and
discussion, and will not hereafter, either in
public or private, further abuse the patience
of a people with whom, on that question, you
have no congenalty, and whom you wholly
misunderstood.
assembled public before you proceed with your
speech, and you will clearly understand, is not
to be the subject of any animadversion by you.
Speeches were made by about a dozen, and
committee appointed to deliver copy of the
address to Mr.. Sherwood.
On motion of Hamilton Stewart, Esq, all
those opposed to the action taken by this meet
ing were requested to withdraw-whereupo
Messrs. Josiah j. Hendley and Stephen Van
Sickle retired.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again
this evening at the place appointed by Mr..
Sherwood to deliver his address.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS, Chairman.
A. F. JAMES, Secretary.
Mr. Sherwood did not deliver his address.
The ruffian Legislature of Kansas abrogated
the freedom of speech npon the subject of sla-
very in that territory but it is asserted that
no attempt has been made to enforce those acts,
and that they find no favor or support from
the people of the South. They are not only
enforcing the doctrine in Kansas, but in every
Southern State, and the above shows how it
defence must go with it, The one cannot ex-
ist without the other. Where slavery rules
Freedom must be dumb. Yet some people say
it is a divine institution, and is the natural and
legitimate condition of mankind. Then SO are
all its necessary defences. But can that insti-
tuition be founded on the laws OF nature which
is so weak and feeble that q single blast on
the ramshorn" of Freedom makes it shake
like the walls of Jericho? Is that divine
institution and based upon the eternal princi
pies of right which requires for its defence the
abrogation of that most sacred of all rights
the right of Free speech, and which is declared
to be no longer the subject of legitimate pub
lie interest and discussion
Mr.. Sherwood's situation is but the situation
of the masses of the entire South. The gutta
percha bludgeon is raised, and the man whe
ther North or South who dare to disregard
the arbitrary command of Slavery, feels its
weight Mr. Sumner fell-an example to all
who may have the presumption to exercise the
freedom of speech. Let it not be said that
the gag-law of Kansas is mere farce-the
temporary product of few excited border
ruilans. 1t finds countenance and support in
in the shareholders of the entire South. It's
text is written in the statute book Of every
Southern State. 1t is the Legitimate offspring
of the institution of Slavery.
And this institution with all its ungodly de-
fences is to be spread over our fair and free
public domain. Shall it so spread Shall it
swallow up the fairest lands of the continent
Nay! Let us rather say to the monster-In
thine own den mayst thou dwell and lie down
thy dark poisonous folds over the unspotted
soil of the West.
Yours, &c,
SHEsHEQrIs, August, 1855. o. III. T. X.