The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-15
EXTENSION" AND EXCLUSION

The People OF the North, says correspond
ent of one of the Anti Nebraska papers, I" are
acsrsc TO tile extension Of Sla0ery into territory
noao free, Or which is covered with any moral
inhibition" The Peoples Convention at In
dianapolis, Ia. resolved-"We are unconpro-
misingly opposed to Tie extension of Slavery"
AS the call for National Convention at Phila-
delpha originally stood, the invitation to meet,
was extended to all Gin .fuoor Of the exclusion
Of Stacery from the Territories of the United
States" 1t was afterwards altered, so as 10
read, "opposed to the extension of Slavery"
Some honest people think there is no differ
ence between opposition to the extension of
Slavery, and support Of the policy of exclusion,
but they are greatly mistaken. One is Prin-
ciple, the other a mere Sentiment; one is posi-
tive, the other negative; one admits of all sorts
of constructions and evasions, the other impo-
ses clear, unmistakable duty; one relates to
present, practical issue, the other, to no issue
at all /! This last declaration will surprise
many persons, but few remarks will explain
it to their satisfaction. When we acquired
territories from Mexico in lS48, the question
was, Shall Slavery be allowed in them or not
in other words, shall it be ertendedl The
North wavered, was beaten; the Slave Power
obtained the privilege of planting Slavery in
them, if it could, and it used its privilege. In
lS53'54, the question was, Shall the Missouri
Compromise be repealed-in other words, shall
Slavery be extended, if the Slave Power 30
please, to the territories embraced within the
restrictive clause of that compact? The North
again wavered, was beaten; the Slave Power
obtained the privilege of planting Slavery in
them, and used it. In both instances the oues-
ton was, Extension or Non Extension of Sla.
very. Now, this question has gicen place to
dnother-and why? Slavery exists in New
Mexico, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska exists as a
matter of fact in all United States Territory,
not protected against it by positive law. What,
then, IS and must be the Question? Exclusion
or Non Exclusion Of !Slapery from United States
Territories, by positioe La,c. The struggle
plainly is, not against the extension of the evil
into these Territories, as if it had not already
been extended to them, but for its exclusion
from them, because it exists therein, and claims
its right of existence under the Federal Consti
tuition.
"Opposition to the extension of Slavery"
now, has just as much meaning as opposition
to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
and that is none at all, for practical purposes.
We recollect that the Hunker Democracy of
Ohio, at its State Conventions, from l84S to
1854 inclusive, regularly affirmed opposition to
Slavery and Slavery-extension, "by all con-
stitutionat MEANS" and all the while supported
the whole pro-slavery policy of the Party, voting
first for Cass, and then for Pierce. Of course
it was opposed to the extension of Slavery
what wise man or fool living in o free State, is
not? But, it is one thing to entertain a senti-
ment, another, to act upon principle-one
thing to dislike the existence OF an evil quite
| another, to act for its repression or exclusion.
L you mean anything practical by affirming
opposition to Slavery-extension, you mean to
exclude it from the Territories which it has in.
vaded by fraud and force. Say so, then, and
let US have no lodging the only issue worth a
Presidential Campaign.
Mrs. EMILY P. LEsDERNIER. who RECENTLY
gave public readings from the poets in this city
has won praise from every tongue, especially
from the intelligent and discerning. Her pres
ence and voice at once command respectful at
tention; her elocution is scholarlike and beau
tlful; her appreciation of the poetry she reads
is subtitle. A more extended notice NAV an.
pear in our next weeks paper.
HE NIcARAGUAN GOvERSMENT.-The news
gatherers in Washington are at fault. One day
they say, the new Minister from Nicaragua is
not to be received, the next Just the reverse.
The latest announcement ia that the Admins
tration has made up its mind to recognise him
! and tho Waller Gouaro,.