Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-08-28


in one form or another, left on record their
own fear of such party? The judgements
of Washington, Madison, Clay, Webster, on
the dangers OF the American Union,-are
they worth nothing to conscientious love
of it? What they dreaded as remote and
improbable contingency that against which
they cautioned, as the thought, distant gen.
erations-that which they were so happy as
to die without seeing--is upon US. And yet
some men would have us go on laughing
and singing, like traveller in the satire, with
his pockets empty, at present peril, the mere
OF which, as a distant and bare
possibility, could saaden the heart of the
Father of mis- Country, aud dictate the grave
and grand warning of the Farewell Address.
They hear men say that such party ought
not to endanger the Union that although it
happened to be formed within one geograph-
ical section, and corfued exclusively to it;
although its end and aim is to rally that sec
ton against the other on a question of morals,
policy and feeling on which the two differ
eternally and unappeasably; although, from
the nature Of its origin and objects, no man
in the section outside can possibly join it or
accept Office under it without infamy at home
although, therefore, il is a stupendous Organ-
cation, practically to take power and honor,
and full share of the government, from our
whole family Of States, and bestOw them,
substantially all upon the antagonist family;
although the doctrines of human rights which
it gathers out Uf the Declaration of Indepen-
dence-that passionate and eloquent mani
festo of Revolutionary war-and adopt
its fundamental ideas announce to any South
ern apprehension crusade OF government
against slavery, far without aud beyond Kan
sas I; although the spirit and tendency Of its
electioneering appeals, as whole, in lrose
and verse, the leading articles Of its papers,
and the speeches of It's orators, are TO excite
contempt and hate, or fear OF our entire geo.
graphical section. aud hate, or dread, or con-
tempt. is the natural impression it all leaves
on the Northern mind and heart yet that
nobody anywhere ought to be angry or ought
TO be frightened; that the majority must gov
ern, and that the North is a majority; that
il is ten to one nothing will happen that if
worst comes TO worst, the South knows it is
wholly to blame, and needs the Union more
than we do, aud WI! be quiet accordingly.
But do they who hold this language for
get that the question is not what ought to
endanger the Union, but what will do it !?
In appreciating the influences which may
disturb political system, and especially one
like ours, do you make no allowance for pas
sions, for pride, for intirmity, for the burning
sense of even imaginary wrong? Do you
assume that all men, or all masses Of men in
all sections, uniformly wisely see and calmly
seek their true interests Where on earth
is such a FOOLS Paradise as hat to be
found ? Concediug to the people Of the hf-
teen States the ordinary and average human
nature, its good and its evil, its weakness and
its strength, |, for one, dare not say that the
triumph of such party ought not to be ex-
pected naturally and probably to d;sunite the
States. With my undoubting convictions, l
know that il would be folly and morality in
men TO wish il. Certainly there are in all
sections and in all States those who love the
Union, under the actual Constitution, as
Washington did, as Jay, Hamilton, and Nadi-
son did as Jackson, as Clay, as Webster
loved it. Such, even, is the hereditary and
the habitual sentiment of the general Ameri-
can heart. But he has read life and books
to little pnrpose who has not learned that
"bosom friendships" may be "to resent
ment soured," and that no hatred is so keen,
deep and precious as that.
Ana TO be wroth with one VIC love
Viii work like madness in the bfsln.r
He has read the book of our history to
still less purpose, who has NOT learned that
the friendships of these States, sisters but III
walls, soveieigns each, with public life, AMI
body of interests, and sources of honor and
/ shame of its own and within ITSELF distrbu-
ted into two great opposing groups, are of all
human ties most exposed TO such rupture and
such transformation.
have not time in these hasty lines, and
there is no need, to speculate on the details
of the mode il which the triumph Of this
party would do its work of evil. Its mere
struggle to obtain the government, as thai
struggle is conducted, is mischevous to an
extent incalculable. That thousands of the
good men who have joined it deplore this, il
/ certain, but that does not mend the matter
/ | appeal to the conscience and honor of ms
! country that if it were the aim of great
party, by every species OF access to the pop
ular mind-by eloquence, by argument, ly
taunt, by sarcasm, by recrimination, by ap.
peals to pride, shame and natural right-t6
/ prepare the nation for a struggle with Spain
or England, or Austria, it could not do its bu.
siness more thoroughly. Many persons
many speakers-many, very many, set
higher and wiser example, but the work is
doing.
If is accomplishes its object and gives tht
government to the North, turn my eye.
from the consequences. To the fifteen State,
! of the South that government will appear
an alien government. 1t will appear worse
1t will eppear hostile government 1t vii
represent to their eye vast region of State.
organized upon anti-slavery, flushed by tri
umph, cheered on by the voices of the pull
pit, tribune and press; its mission to inaugu
rate freedom and put down the oligarchy
its constitution the glittering and sounding
geneFalities of natural right which make ny
the Declaration Of Independence. And ther
aud thus is the beginning of the end.
If necessity could be made out for suci
party, we might submit to it as to other un
ayoidable evil, and other certain DANGER
But where do they find that? Where d.
they pretend to find it? Is it to keep slavery
out OF the territories? There is not one bu
Kansas in which slavery Is possible. No mar
fears, no man hopes for slavery in Utah
New Mexico, Washington or Minnesota. A
national party to glye them to freedom i
about as noedful and about as feasible as
national party to keep Maine for freedom
And Kansas! Let that abused aud profaneC
soil have calm within It's borders; deliver i
over to the natural law of peaceful and spon
tIneous immigration; take off the ruffial
hands; strike down the rifle and the bowl
knife; guard is strenuous infancy and you'll
till it comes Of age TO choose for itself--anC
it will choose freedom for itself, and ii vii
have forever what it chooses.