Demoine courier., 1856-09-11
The Path of Duty.

Il is No doubt evident 10 every re.
fleeing mind, ,ha. we are in the mids,
OF extraordinary and momen.ous events.
The political campaign through which
the country 10 now passing, is mure vic.
lent, and involves questions of more vi
tai in.eres. than any which has preceded
il. II differs from all former campaigns.
in the fac, that while their violence has
been attributable more 10 party spirit
than 10 any other cause, the present de-
rives its peculiar in'eres. from the really
vital principles which are a, stake. The
people Of this great Republic are no~,
If uever before, 10 earnest. Win one
consent .hs- are dissolving all the old
party ties which were once 50 dear TO
them, aud arranging themselves on the
one side or the other OF The great cues
lion Of slavery extension and aggression,
Blu, The peril Of the times is moi alone
developed by the violence OF the Presi
dental contest. A state of affairs a
mounting 10 lille less than civil war, ex-
lists in a portion Of the lane. On the
plains Of Kansas our fejlow-ciizens are
arrayed agalns, each other in murderous
hostility, and events are daily %lranspiring
there which render sorrow!ul the hearts
Of all true patriots.
This state of affairs is unnatural. In
general men love peace rather than war.
and refrain from acts OF violence unless
driven TO commit them by excitement
and passion. Therefore, when we be.
hold this furious excitement, which 10
prevailing the country from one EXTERN
ity 10 the other, w are lee 10 inquire
whence il is-what cause has produced
III
Happily for the sake of applying the
proper remedy 10 existing evils, it il not
difficult TO discover their cause. That
cause has been the lecklessness Of the
Administration and it's supporters. Ell
Their ienoran. Of the popular will, or not
needing it. they have sought to enforce
apolicy which is repugnan. to The moral
sense Of the mass. They began their
work by repeating the Missouri Com.
promiAe. Tor four years the country
had been ia the srjoy men, Of peace and
tranquility. The great body Of the
people were satisfied with the measures
Of ls50-reearded them as a FINAL set
tlement OF the slavery question, and 70.
solved TO acquiesce in them. B.l in an
evil hour was conceived the measure
which was destined to disturb this tran.
guilty, and bring upon The country an
other dislracting agitation. 10 spite OF
the mos. solemn warnings, and RICH, in
the face Of q storm Of popular indigna.
,ion, the Compromise was recklessly de-
"EE ga
s,royed. And aver after its passage
there was yet time, il these men had
desired peace for the country, 10 repair
The mischief by needing the voice OF
the people s.ernly and unmisiake abby ex.
pressed at the ballot. box, and Restoring
the Compromise they had with wicked
hands torn down. But they paid no, the
S!igh.ess attention 10 The wishes Of The
people. They sent forth to the North
the threat. I've will subdue you." and
trom that tin Q TO this the work of sub
jugation has gone braveIy on. To &C
coDpiish il, ou,rages of every des.
ciiption have been perpetra,ed. Sena-
tors have been denied the right Of free
speech. government has psrmu,ed armed
bsnds 10 invade The Territory of Kan
sas aud irample with impanl.y upon the
dearest rights Of freeneu. rivers nave
been blocked up. properly destroy ed,
murcers committed, and other ouirages,
,sithou. number. prac:icsd. And is it tc
be wondered at .has civil ecmmo,ion ss'