The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-29


would abandon the discussion of the great
Question of Liberty, we see no indications on
the part of the Southern press or politicians of
a disposition to ignore the Question of Slavery.
Everywhere in the South, it is the only issue. The
late elections in that section have been carried
for the Administration on this ground, and no 9TH
er, that it is stanch supporter of the views and
policy of the South in regard to Slavery. Its
newspapers abound in discussions of this topic.
Scarcely number Of the Richmond Daily
Enquirer appears, in which the, Pro-Slavery
virtues of Mr.. Buchanan do not form the
themes of its editorials. The free States with
a folly often characteristic of them, may sub
ordinate or forget the questions in controversy
between the Slave Power and the Non.Slave-
holders-but the South never does either. 1t
has possession of the Federal Government for
the next four years, is laying all its plans with
a view to continue its possession in 1860, and
does not hesitate constantly to threaten dis
solution of the Union, should its ambition then
be thwarted. In full view of these facts, are
we to disband the Republican forces, sink the
Question of Freedom, leave the Slave Power
undisputed master of the field, with the Chief
Executive, Congress, and the Supreme. Court,
under its absolute dictation, and the doctrine
blazoned on its banners that Slavery by the
Constitution exists in the Territories And
for what?
For the sake of getting up a Party on those
very novel issues, Protective Tariff and
National Bank
Southern politicians would no doubt hail
such demonstration. Nothing would delight
them more than to see the Northern States divi-
ded on questions of political economy. Their
Democratic friends in those States could make
a better fight against Protection and Banks,
than for Slavery and the bred Scott decision.
1t would be vastly edifying to see the People of
the free States wrangling about an impractical
BILE policy among themselves, while the Slave
Power, undisturbed, would march on, strength
ening its possessions and extending its con-
quests.
No-ihe Republican Party viii not disband
it's forces, or forego the great object of its or.
gauization. 1t will not abandon the doctrines
of Liberty, by which it has been cemented, and
in the strength of which it has revolutionized
nearly all the free States, for the purpose of
accommodating itself to the sordid politics of
cities that gave their support to Mr.. Buchanan,
because they expected that his election would
give confidence to the Business Community,
render its gains soid and its adventures sue
cessful. 1t will scarcely assent to the wisdom
of disturbing Tariff passed by votes given
without distinction of Party, not yet year
old, and the operation of which is not yet
known. 1t will hardly be guilty of the folly of
wasting its time and getting up proftless dis.
tensions in its own ranks, by lending counte-
nance to the vagaries of those politicians of a
past generation who fondly hope for the re in
stitution of National Bank.
The Mons Shareholders of the country have
been int plted, brow-beaten, prescribed by the
Slaveholding Oligarchy-their rights invaded,
their interests sacrificed. Territory dedicated
to Free Labor has been wrested from them, in
violation of good faith, and opened by violence
to slaves. Doctrines repugnsnt to Liberty, alb.
horrent to modern Civilization, destructive of
the highest interests of the country, and incon-
sistent with the stability of the Union, have
been forced upon one great Party in the free
States, sanctioned by a majority of the Judges of
the Supreme Court and accepted by the present
Administration, which stands openly committed
to their enforcement. At this hour, the Oligar-
chy has more complete possession of the Fede.
raj Government, a more effectual control of its
policy, than at any former period. From its
past usurps.ions we know its future policy,
even were It's organs silent. But, it wears no
disguise-it has thrown off the mask What it
means by the repeal of all restrictive regula-
tons against Slavery, and by the enunciation
of the doctrine that the Constitution of the Uni
ted States carries Slavery with it into all terri
tory, now existing or to be hereafter acquired,
is not so much to obtain possession of Kansas,
as to facilitate its gradual occupation of the
continent on our Southern and Southwestern
border. This constitutional principle, as it
styles it, being established, will of course secure
Slavery in Cuba, and in any other Territory
that it may be able to annex hereafter to our
Union.
This being the policy, these the doctrines of
the Slave Power and its National Democratic
Party" the course of the Republican Party is
very plain one. 1t will resist and put down
that policy it will denounce and oyerturn
those doctrines it will not discontinue its or
ganzation or action till it has placed the Fed
eral Government in all its departments on the
side of Human Liberty and made the Union
what the Constitution intended it should be. q
means for the establishment of Justice and the
extension of Free Institutions. It seeks no Sec
tional strife, but, when one section of the Union
attempts to elevate the Sectional Interest of
Slavery to the rank and power of supreme
National Interest, it will not be deferred by the
senseless clamor about sectionalism, from array
ing itself against policy so detestabIe and ru-
inous. 1t will not regard with indifference any
public interest, or neglect wise measures to
advance it; but it will not revive obsolete
questions, or seek to disturb that policy in ref.
erence to Trade and Finance, which the coun-
try, when undistracted by passion or anxiety,
has agreed upon. Its first great duty is to
meet and decide those issues of Slavery pre-.
scented by the Slave Power and its instrument,
the so-called National Democracy"
Gov. King, of New York, has issued his proc
lsmation for State Thanksgiving on the Goth
of November next. Some of the journals sug.
gest that day of fasting and prayer would be
more appropriate. However it may be with
the people of the cities, we do not believe the
. IL -.