The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-23
lCE, KANSAS, SATURDAY, MAY %, 1857.

field on which to employ his servile
Iabor-upon the other side stands free
labor, claiming the soil as an inheri-
tanee for a free posterity. Central and
Western Europe, teeming with its
millions of population, is not as large
as the domain of the American slave
holder. He and his bondmen always
occupy by far the most fertile and ge::
NAL portion of this Continent. Let
him rest content with his territorial
possessions and power. We do not
seek to disturb him. We neither as
sail nor defend his asserted right to
hold this peculiar kind of property.
We simply affirm thst we have nothing
to do with it, and propose to let him
and his slaves alone where they are.
We make, therefore, no question
about the abolition of Slavery in the
South. We but stand in defence of
Freedom in the North. Kansas is in
the latitude of Pennsylvania. In geo.
graphical position it is Northern
Territory. 1t was dedicated by SOL
emn compact, in 1920, to Freedom
forever. We claim the fulflnent of
the bond. We defend the integrity of
Free Northern soil against the cupid
ity that would subjugate it by violence
into a plantation for slaves.
Much has been said of the dangers
involved in this controversy. Wears
counseled to submission, and acquiesc-
ence in the wrong, because the wrong
doer threatens greater calamities if we
shall dare to defend our rights. Such
threats are unbecoIning those who
make them. and an insult to those up
on whose fears they are expected to
operate. Great questions OF govern
mental policy, involving the very sub
stance Of our liberties, and happiness
of remote generations, are not to be
settled by appeals to the fears of any
part of the American people. Rea-
SON, and the calm judgment of an en-
lightened public opinion, must decide
between freemen-threats are terror
to slaves. Imaginary dangers become
realities to the timid, to the courag-
eous they vanish on near approach.
So here. the only danger lies in be-
coming alarmed. The danger is over
come the day it is met with resolute
courage and determined purpose
The right must prevail, and the wrong
must give. Upon no other basis, can
the questions in issue ever be perma-
nently settled. 1t is no impeachment of
the manly qualities of our Southern
friends, to say, that they will and must
submit to that which is just and right,
when coDstitutionally embodied in the
legislation of the Government. Let
the freemen OF the North announce in
language firm and unmistakable, their
purpose to resist the spread of Slavery;
and at every cost, to preserve the in
tegrity of the Union. and we shall
have lasting peace such as no COM
promise having its foundations in
wrong, can ever secure to the country.
The position taken by the Conven-
ton in its resolve touching the duties
and obligations imposed upon those
who seek adoption into our great
American family of freemen, must
meet the approval of every patriotic
citizen. We have right to expect
and require a perfect and undivided
allegiance from all who are invested
with the high prerogatives of citizen
ship. AS the adopted citizen receives
in full measure ell the rights and i'm
munities of the native born, SO ought
he to render the like single and unre-
served devotion to the country of his
adoption. He should acknowledge no
earthly power superior to the Consti-
tuition and the sovereignty of the
American people. There is no danger
that we shall err in our Jealous devo-
ton to our country, and in the cultiva- |
ton of an intense American national
ity.
I have not time to speak of the 9TH
er topics embraced in the platform of
principles adopted by the Convention
in a manner their Importance deserves. |
Opportunities will be afforded me
hereafter to make my views known on
some matters of domestic policy, |
closely connected, in my judgment,
with the growth and prosperity of our
great @ Commonwealth. While the ut
most care should be observed not to
disturb the vast business interests of
a Commonwealth so rich, and of such
pursuits as onr own. yet it |
cannot be denied that ours, the richest
Commonwealth of its extent in the
world, has not kept pace IN the devel-
opment of her resources and in pro-
ductive industry with her sister States.
We may, therefore, withoutthe charge
of rashness, inquire if our policy
could not, in some respects, De made
more conformable to the spirit of the
age, and more in harmony with the
wants of an ever active business en-
terprise.
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit
me to tender my thanks for the very
kind and acceptable manner In which
you discharged the duty assigned you.
Very respectfully, your ob,t serv,t,
d. WILMOT.
To J. 8. Bowen, WV. D. kERLEY,
JoHS r. EDIE, g. RUSH Smith and
RUSSELL EVERETT, Committee.