Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-04-29
The Election in St. Louis.


We have noted with deep interest. the
effect Of that event upon that large body
of men in the Slave States, who while
they feel aad know, that slavery is an
unmitigsted curse. hitherto have not
dared to open their lips; and also upon
tbe-thonougA paced advocates of the
heaven sent institution. Viewed merely
rs a local election, it is Of small conse-
quence, bat when it IS considered that
this is the FIRST time in the annals Of the
United States, when in a large city, the
capital and emporium of a slave State,
with the issue belween freedom and sla
Eery, fairly and distinctly made. that
the slave power has been set at defiance
and defeated by the citizens themselves.
An era is marked in the course of HUI
man progress. This election viii prove
the entering wedge which in each com
ing year will cleave deeper and deeper
into the very heart of the upas tree,
whose branches have ovehung the whole
land, poisoning and blighting wherever
its dark shadows rested; and when, by
the power of coming events. it shall be
driven home, the huge trunk will be riv-
en- from its root TO its top. The pres
tige of invincibility upon its own soil,
has been broken, and men have learned
that truth and the right are stronger
ahan tyrrauy and wrong.
The importance attached TO this cleo
lion is evidenced by the following ex-
tracts from an ultra pro slavery paper,
and one of another stamp. in a slave
State.
The Richmond SouM Of April II,
fairly howls. 1t says:
Now. some stupid individual will say,
call this means nothing. 1t is a Joke, a
hoax" this abolition triumph in the cap
ital Of a FIRST class slave State. There
may be certain people in the South to
whom so significant an event is a matter.
of no interest or concern--an amusing
little Incident over which they can enjoy
a quiet cbuckle. Ii is not SO regarded
among the abolitionists of the north.
Equal importance will be attached to
this anti-slavery triumph by all reflect
ing men in the South. They see how il
will strengthen the hands of the ~freesoil
party in Kansas: and what a prodigious
impulse it will impart TO the aggressive
movements of the abolitionisIs in the
North. 1t is a victory Withou; a paral-
lei for them-it is a deplorable defeat
for US. Heretofore aboliiionism has been
content 10 restrict the expansion of sla-
very, and the South has had TO lament
only some negative repulse. This is the
first instance in which aboIilionism has
achieved an incontestible triumph on a
distinct issue in the heart of a southern
State. This is the first time slavery has
been routed in one of its own strong
holds. Think you SO extraordinary an
event will be without consequence? Is
it nothing for the abolitionists TO discov-
-er that they can eyade the soil OF a
southern State with IMMUNITY, aud may
even reckon upon the succor of Southern
people? Is it nothing for Black Repub-
'licanism to plant Its banner on one Of
our own citadels? Is it nothing for sla-
very to lose the spell of invincibility. and
The South 10 be bearded and bullied on
southern soil? Is there no significance
in this indication of an ebbing tide-;his
first backward step in the march of
southern power? VIII the example prof.
soke no more ~audaciouS aggressions,
and invite no imitation.
Here is another voice from Virginia,
which strikes another note. 1t is one OF
the most cheering signs of the times that
in that S ate can be found a press which
dares 10 60 nobly speak out for freedom.
II is from the Wheeling Anaeligencer.
THE LATE ELECTIONS.
Although cculty elections are not to
be received as exact induces of the sta e
of national parties, yet, when they are
manifestly one-sided, they are quite sig !
n%iffcsnt. Among these, the triumph Of
The emancipationists in St. Louis is the
most remarkable. 1t is. undeniabiy, a
/, marked event. and sets the stamp Of des-
tiny upon the future of Missouri. Like
the martydom of Cranner. it has lii the
candle which viii not be put out.
1t is the part of wisdom that men CT
all parties should Turn about and face
ruch events as these, and throw aside
prejudice so far as TO look reasonably
and p~hilosophically into their meaning
There is no use in men. who have capa.
city and intel!igsn nee to think, Of shutting
out nom their view the real signs Of the
times, merely because they may be dis
tasteful to them. They may do so, but
fhey will only be the losers thereby. A
partizan press may succeed, by artfuI
.scphisiry. in making the worse appear
the better reason to the people. and
driving from them those equitable per-
-cepiions of passing events. which seem
innate to humanity; but it is only ike
the blind leading the blind, and both
will fall into the ditch" eventually.
These election dodemonstrate this fact
beyond a cavil,-that the sentiment Of
the great majority Of the people of this
Union is irrevocably opposed 10 the lx-
fention of slavery; that they are deter
mined, if eIwhelming public senli-
.ment can avail anything, another slave
State shall not be admitted into the con
federacy. And why are they so deter
mined? Because they believe, and not
only believe, but see aud know, that
slavery is ar unmitigated curse TO the
soil that s~ustains it. They know this,
because they see every free State out
stripping every slave State in all the el
-ements that make a people powerful and
g prosperous; because They see the pro
pie, the one educ ated and thrifty. and
in the other ignorant and thrifless; be.