The Oxford signal. (Oxford, Miss.) 1856-18??, 1856-10-09

tide would roll on, and no power
could stay il. A large and increa sing
population would pass into that vast
fertile region, and the only question
was, Shall they be their with or with
out law? Had Congress any moral
discretion in the matter? Was il moi
their clear duty TO provide for what
they should have had no incline ton rol
prevent, and what they really had nc
ft,.bger q aaliroa Who doutis i!- No
man of &~%elligence. Yet paFIisans
ignorantly or wickedly ask. Why was
this question reopened?
i We reply it has not been reopened,
but that, an urgent and undenable
necessity presenting itself, the sound
principles asserted in 1850 were prac.
tically applied for its sentiment. Thai
legislation had this extent, and no more
No just aud patriotic man can deny it.
Our countrymen We're invited to no
net0 solution of a difficult problem
no ne1C path IN our career Of advance
meni and greatness was suggested to
them. But we took a principle ready
furnished 10 our hands, and which
was fundamental in our institutions.
Ii is in vain TO say that the Kansas
and Nebraska issue was reopening
Of the slavery agitation. 1t is false TO
say that il was the cause of il. We do
not deny that it was the leading poll
! tical incident seized upon bv the ar;fu
and ambitious for evil purposes, but
, history affirms that an occasion has
never been wanting for the last thirty
, years for all the disturbances upon this
subject which fanaiIcism could pro-
: 6uce. The prctence for it has been
found, at different times, in every
: change and color of political events,
: and in all sets Of circumstances. But
+ there has been no change in the pur-
e poses OF those who really desire 10
/ overthrow the constitution, and 10
: make Us. Instead of being a people
! with more inalviduaI and social enjoy.
/. ment, and with a large liberty than
the world has ever yet seen, the mere
: fragments Of a glorious republic. each
Q and all, North ami South, smilten
with unultSrabe woe, The occasion
!. Of agj,a,ioA, beginning in 1888, was
!. ybe elsiStrpfse of.siaxe}}y IN tho D sstric'
j ofs sEssaAuttib1a then the admission Q
:. Texas, as an integral part ofthe Uniol
5. then the compromise measures of Is
e so We do not mean 10 say that eacl
l. and all of these were the real cause
is of the fierce strife Of abolitionism, 20
,l they were not. They were, however
n like TIE Kansas and Nebraska issue
ID the pretences, used for the time being
d to stir aud inffame that spirit of sec
A. tional prejudice and fanaticism, L
W control and suppress which the Faith
n. er Of his Country pronounced his fare
r. well address. So soon as the presen
j. presidential canvass shall have passe,
d away, and that great party which ha
n defended the country in war, an
va stood by the constitution in peace, ha
" triumphed, as it surely will, Kansa
- and Nebraska will cease 10 sound i
~ mems ears.
~ But we have been led a little out {
., line our purpose, which was chief
N to direct public attention 10 the docr
no ments published IN another column
h. The country will at least be sali<ie
a, that there is, under the present wis
III patrioii", and energetic Executive, I
=, be no civil war ia Kansas--no proirat
>. ted conflict OF arms between partisan
20 or contending factions. If lives mu
,,s be sacrificed, the conflict must occl
,ro be tween those who follow the flag
ho their country with all ths thirlv-ot
ne stars blazing in their places, ana tho.
for who defy the laws, and would, in the
vs lanaiici>m, obiilerate at least half
he them with blood We believe the
nj have been wrongs on both sides
,ot Kansas-wrongs which reason al
or. law and prudence can repair, b
Ssr s~lsieh-Fiaes.- svhetilt.r>iri- the hafIyl~
nd The men from the East or the We
'an could never remedy The purpo
! q of the President, that the fundament
.ba principle of the Kansas and Nebra
ka bill should be carried into faiihi
.od execution, has been, from the first. a
ION parent. That principle is, that I
mi. unemoarrassed judgment and the II
IN controlled will of the actual bona Fl
of settlers shall determine the charael
In. of the institutions under which III
30, are to live. Insurrecton wai:hln |
de Territory, or aggression from wilhc
hn, will be subdued. Ii the civil author
ev. shall prove inadquaie 10 The naint,
I'm. apee of this great living principle, n
mn. iiary force must, Of necessity. be
s;,v sorted 10. And we are satisfied 4
'er. on this poiu, the President i.liends
rhe leave no doubt. The black repul
onr caus have been TOO early in their
The velopments. The public mind is