Washington sentinel., 1856-08-02


hence, having this institution before, and at the
time, and subsequent to their membership in
the Union, that they are responsible for its ex-
istence in the Union. The South, if she had
SO willed, had not The poscer to keep slavery
out Of the Union, because majority of the
whole number, and that majority made up of
Northern (and now free) States, recognized
and enjoyed it'll
Thus it will not be controverted, that the
right of property in slaves was right anterior
to, co-eval with, and subsequent to the adop-
tion of the Federal Constitution-that it was
not only an inherent and undisputed right, but
was one of those rights that entered into the
compact as clearly as any other right at all
that it was right guarded, guaranteed and
protected by the Constitution, and which can
not be abated, but by the notification of that
instrument itself
| With this plain, but veritable statement Of
the rights of the States in slave property at the
period of the compact between the States, and
the definition of those rights, under the Con-
sttution, which pertain to them in the Terri
tories or common domain Of all the States, we
come to consider the humiliating condition of
things in this connection at the present time.
1t will be seen from what we have to say
further that it is no longer an idle threat if the
Abolitionists succeed in electing their ticket,
that the equality Of the Southern States is to
be utterly destroyed, and all her rights, priyi-
leges, and immunities under the Constitution
are to be shamelessly ignored and repudated.
What is the state of the case? A Conven-
ton of the Anti,Slavery party of the country
is called, and assemblies in Northern city.
1t is termed a national Convention. That this
is misnomer may be inferred by the fact,
that there were but about half dozen men
found who were base enough to claim that they
represented, in its deberations-a Southern
constituency. Fifteen of the States thus were
unrepresented. A ticket was nominated by this
NATIONAL Convention, presenting for the suf
frages of the American people two individuals,
both residing in free States and holding opin-
ions not only foreign to, but in positive antag-
onism with, the constitutional rights and inter-
ests Of onehalf of the States OF the Union.
| Two individuals, who cannot obtain single
| score of voters throughout the phole ertent of
this section of the Confederacy! The princi-
pies enunciated by this national Convention
are at war with the Constitution and in auda-
cious defiance of all moral and political rights.
No sooner is this initiative treason and treach-
cry accomplished, than, embodened by their
own achievement, they fling out their piratical
banners with fifteen Of the States stricken
from the consolidated galaxy of the American
Union! Elected by section of the Union,
without the aid of the other section on the one
hand, or the power successfully to resist this
evil on the other, they come flushed with their
reasonable victory to take the reins of Gov
ernment. Discarding, in advance, the Consti-
tuition as the chart by which their administra-
ton should be guided-spurning as interiors
fifteen Of the sovereign members of the Union
trampling under the despotic heel Of hellish
power all OF their rights and privileges7-shear-
ing them of their proud dignity as equals
levelling them TO the condition of hewers of
wood and drawers Of water-consttuting them
a serfdom to do the behests Of their high will
and pleasure; aud, as if these were not enough,
to sting them with the further humiliation of
having the Federal Offices within their own
limits filled by the 6endish emissares from
their own foul aud corrupt dominions, that the
seed Of domestic insurrection may be sown, or
the torch Of the midnight inceudiary success.
fully applied to their once happy and peaceful
homes. This is the character of the men, and
these the principles Of the party, who have
come forth, like the great Philistine Of Goth,
to defy the living armies Of God and Liberty,
Of Right and Reason, Of Justice and the Con-
stitution! Is it an exaggerated picture2 A
Missouri line Of office IS TO be runi This is
their scheme; for, not content with bowing
you down, men of the South, in humiliation
and disgrace, their cormorant maws as insata-
bic as that Of their great chief, demand even
the Offices within your household. But, sup
pose there were bounds to their lust Of power
and pelf how could the Government be car.
ried on under the rule of this black crew, who
set at naught every principle Of common hon.
esty and truth? Suppose, with mockery of
favor to you, they were willing to gil the Fed
eral Offices with men from your midst, where
are the cravens to be found to hold them under
such an administration Where are the col
lectors and surveyors Of your ports, the post
masters Of your cities, and the judges and the
marshals Of your Federal districts? Even the
pure ermine Of justice must draggle in the
mire Of corruption and putrescence, and be
subservient to the destructive fiat Of central
power without scruple or principle.
From the election Of Fremont, two PROPOSE.
tons must ensue-disunion, or tame sub.
mission to the most disgracefu bondage. We
will not depict the train Of tragedies and the
frightfu destruction that would follow the first.