Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-08-29
IFrom the Richmond (Ta.) Enquirer.
The TrIIe EssIrn.

The Democrats of the South in the pres
ent canvass cannot rely on the grounds of
defence and excuse for slavery for they seek
not merely to retain 1t aDhere It is but to
ertend 1t into regions Where It IS RknoWp.
Much less can they rely on the merely con-
stitationat guarantees Of Slavery, for such
reliance is pregnant with the administration
that Slavery is wrong, and but for the Con
stitution should be abolished. This consti-
tutional argument for Slavery, standing
alone, fully justiies the Abolitionists. They
are clearly right, if Slavery be morally
wrong, for TO get rid of it under the Consti-
tuition, is confessedly impracticable.
In truth, the Constitution cannot help
Slavery. if it be violation of the laws Of
God and and morality. In that case, the
Constitution should be changed, or the free
States should secede, rather than continue
to guaranty what they consider immoral
and profane. The Constitution cannot help
Slavery, for another reason. That institu-
ton, extending through fifteen States, and
inter-ramified with the interests, the feelings,
and the very existence of many millions of
men, is much stronger than the Constitution
1t would be far easier to change or violate
the Constitution, than to abolish Slavery
Besides slavery is older than the Constitu-
ton, existed before it, and independently of
it. We derive no right to our slaves from
it, and weaken our cause by seeming to rely
on it,
Nor will it avail us aught to show that
the negro is most happy and best situated
in the condition of Slavery. If we stop
thrrr, wp weaken our cause bv the vcFv ar
gumrnt intended TO advance it for We pro-
pose t. introduce into new territory, human
being whom we assert to be unfit for libar-
ty, self government and equal association
with other men. We must 90 step flrth-
er. We must show that African Slavery
is moral, religious, natural, and probably,
in the general, a necessary institution of So
ciety. This is the only line of argument
that will enable the Southern Democrats TO
maintain the doctrines of State equality and
Slavery extension
For if Slavery be not legitimate, useful
moral and expedient institution, we cannot
without reproof of conscience and the blush
of shame, seek to extend it. or assert our
equality with those States having no such
institutions.
Northern Democrats need not 90 thus
far. They do not seek to extend Slavery
but only agree to its extension as a matter
of right on our part. They may prefer
their own social system to ours. II Is best
that they should. Our friends are conser-
vatives at home, and conservatives of thn
ofreligion, or maTiagc
Of property, Of State institutions, and Of
Federal institutions But whilst they NAV
prefer their own social system, they will
have IL admit in the canvass that ours is al
80 rigbJm and legitimate, and sanctioned
alike by the opinions and usages of mankind
and by the authority and express injunction
If Scripture. They cannot consistently
maintain that Slavery is immoral, incxpedi-
mt and Profane, and yet continue to submit
o its extension.
We know that we utter bold Truths. But
he time has now arrived when their utter
nce can be no longer postponed. Tie
RE issue shoaia stand ont so boldly and
learly that none may mistake 1t.