Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-14

u.
maintenance of the rights of the north as veil
as those of the south-sincerely desirous to
promote the pence, harmony and welfare of
our whole country-and disciaimng all inten-
tion or desire to interfere with the Constitu-
tional rights of the States, or their domestic
institutions-the people of this Commonwealth
viewed with alarm and apprehension the re-
peal of the Missouri Compromises COM
promise rendered sacred in public esteem by
its association and connection with the great
cause of national harmony and union-regar-
ding it as palpable violation of the plighted
faith and nonor of the nation, and as an un
warraItatie attempt to extend he institution
of domestic slavery to territories then free -
This reckless ana indefeDsible act of four Ma
tiona Congress has not only aroused section
al iealousies and renewed the agitation Of vcx-
ed and distractug questions but, as n couse-
quence. it has filed Kansas with fraud vio-
hence and strife-has stained its soil with
blood and 10y a system OF ofterritorial legiSla
ton Justly styled Infamous" has made
freedom of speech and of the press felony.
and periled the great principles of liberty aud
equal rights. if the doctrine Of - popular
sovereignty is in good faith to be applied to
that Territory-if the people thereof to be
left perfectly free to form and regulate their
only to the Constitution of the United States"
then the obstruction of the great National
highways to the northern emigmnt-the en-
ployment of the National forces, and the sub
version Of law and justice alike by the Off
cials in Kansas aud Washington, to force
slavery upon an unwilling people, cannot Dc
too severely condemned.
Freedom is the great centre-truth Of Amer
lean Republicanism-the great lsw cf An!eri-
can Nationality; slavery, is the exception -
1t is local and sectional and its extention
beyond the jurisdiction creating it, or to the
free territories of the Union. was never de-
signed or contemplated by the patriot foun-
| ders of the Republic In accordance with
these sentiments, Pennsy ylvania, true to the
principles of the act of 1850, which abolished
slavery within her territorial litnits-true to
the great doctrines of the Ordinance of 1877,
which dedicated to freedom the north -weslcrn
territory as the Union-true to National faith
and National honor, asks aud expects, as due
to her own citizens who have, in good faith
settled in the territory of Kansas, and as due
to the Industry and energy of a free people
that Kansas should be free.
ln this connection. and as consequent upon
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise refer
ence to proposition mace by some of tho lead
ing southern journals and more recently sane
toned by nigh official authority in a sister
State to reopen the African slave trade, will
not be deemed improper That such traffic,
declared to be piracy, and execrated by the civ
ilized worn-so crowded with horrorc in
every stage of its pursuit-so rcvoltiug to
every sentiment of humanity-every impulse
of pure aud notle feeling, shoul be advocated
or approved, in this nineteenth century, with
apparent sincerity, and urged as measure of
| political economy and Of justice and equality
to the southern States of the Union, facts
that find their only explanation and apology
in wild enthusiasm. or a still wilder fanati
cism that overwbelms alike tue reason aud the
conscience The wisdom and humanity Of
| proposition startling and nonstrous, must
! seek their parallel and Illustration tn the dun
geoDs Of tue 1nquisition. in the hold of the
| slave ship, amid the horrors Of the ''mi1dle
passage. Equally repulsive to the intelligent
and virtuous sentiment of the south well as
J the north, it should receive the indignant re-
| bukc OF every lover of his co,ntry-of every
| friend of justice and humanity The history
of the world and of crime..does not repeal traf-
ic more horrible Against proposition so
abhorrcnt, aud against the principles it in-
wolves as the representatives of a free people
and in their name you should enter their un-
|
States. which constitutes one people, should
be dear to you--to every American citizen
| In the heat and excitement OF political con-
tents--In the whirl of sectional and conflic-
ring interests amid the surging of human pas
slons h. rsh aud discordan! voices may be heard
| threatening its Integrity and denouncing ITS
| doom; but IN the ca IA sober second thouctt
of patriotic aud yirtuous people viii be found
It's security and defence Founded in wisjoa
and cherished bv the intense Affection o: pure
and devoted patriotism, it will stand, safe and
undisturbed, amid the insane rage Of political
demago oguesm, aud the ftful bowling OF fran
tic tanaticsm land when it falls---f fall it must
will be when liberty and truth patriotism
and virtue, perised Pennsylvania tolerates
no sentiment of disupon she knows not the
word. Dsunion. tits an after-thnusht "a
mounsterous wish unborn till virtues dies. -
The Union and the CONSTITUTIONAL safe
guard and bond of American Nationality
will be revered and defended by every Amer
lean Freeman who chershes the principles
and honors the memory of the illustrious foun-
ders of the Repu bic.
Recognizing our responsi bility to Him who
controls the destinies of nat ions and of men
and invoking his blessing on your delibcra-
tlons, may order and harmony characterize
your sessions, and with single reference to the
public good, may your Legislative action, in
Its character and results, promote the happi-
ness and welfare of the people, and the honor
and prosperity of the Co mmonwealth.
JAMES POLLOCK.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
HARRIsBURG, January 7, 1897.
VIRGINIA IRON MaNrr ,crr,, Cr.r'