Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-03-14

before whom it is now pending, and Will,
it is understood, be speedily and finally
settled. To their decision, in co nmon with
all good citizens, I shall cheerfully submit,
whatever this may be, though it has ever
been my individual opinion that, under the
Nebraska-Kansas act, the appropriate
period will be when the number Of actual
residents in the Territory shall justify the
formation of constitution with view to
its admission as a State into the Union. But
be this as it may, it is the imperative and
indispensable duty of the Government of
the United States, to secure to every resi-.
dent inhabitant the free and independent
expression of his opinion by his vote. The
sacred right of each individual must be
preserved. This being accomplished, moth
ing can b. fairer than to leave the people
oil territory free from all foreign interfe-
renee, to decide their own destiny for them
selves, subject only to the constitution of
the United States. The whole Territorial
question being thus settled upon the prin-
ciple of popular sovercignty-a principle
as ancient as free government itself
everything Of a practical nature has been
decided. N other question remains for
adjustment, because all agree that, under
the constitution, slavery in the States is
beyond the reach of any human power
except that Of the respective States them
selves wherein it exists. May We not, then,
hope that the long agitation on this subject
is approaching its end, and that the geo.
graphical parties to which it has given
birth--so much dreaded by the father of
his country-will speedily become extinct
Most happy will it be for the country
when the public mind shall be diverted
from this question to others of more press
ing and practical importance. Through
out tho whole progress of this agitation,
which has scarcely known any intermission
for more than twenty years, whilst it has
been productive of no positive good to any
human being, it has been the prolific source
of great evils TO the master, to the slave,
and to the whole country. 1t has alienated
and estranged the people Of sister States
from each other, and has even seriously
endangered the very existence of the Union
Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased.-
Under our system there is remedy for
all mere political evils in the sound sense
and sober judgment of the people. Time
is great corrective. Political subjects
which but few years ago, excited and
exasperated the public mind, have passed
away and are now nearly forgotten. But
the question of domestic Slavery is of far
greater importance than of any mere poll
) teal question, because, should the agitation
continue, it may eventually cndanger the
personal safety of large portion of our
countrymen where the institution exists
In that event no form of Government
however admirable in itself however pro.
ductive of material benefits, can compensate
for the loss of peace and domestic security
around the family altar. Let every Union
loving man, therefore, exert his best inAu
ence to suppress this agitation, which, since
the recent legislation of Congress, is withou
any legitimate object. 1t is an evil omer
Of the times that men have undertaken t
calculate the mere material value of thu
{ Union. Reasoned estimates have beer
presented Of the pecuniary profits ant
local advantages which would result tt
different States and sections from its disso
luton and of the comparative injurie
which such an event would infict on othe
States and sections. Even descending t.
this low and narrow view of the might,
question, all such calculations are at faul
the bare reference to single considera
t ton will be conclusive on this point. W,
at present enjoy free trade throughou
, our extensive and expanding country sucl
as the world never witnessed. This trade
is conducted on railroads and canals, OF
! noble rivers and arms of the sea, whicl
| bind together the North and the South
the East and the West of our Confederacy
| Annihilate this trade, arrest its free pro-
t gress by the geographical lines of jealou
| and hostile States, and you destroy tn
: prosperity and onward march of the who'll
= and every part, and involve all in on
& common ruin. But such considerations
1 important as they are in themselves, sinl
= into insignificance, when we reflect on TIN
terrific evils which would result from dis
3 union to every portion of the confederacy
= To the North not more than to the Soutl
t to the East not moro than to the West
Q These L shall not attempt to portray, be
/. cause l feel an humble confidence, tina
e the kind Providence which inspired oul
!, fathers with wisdom to frame the mos
.
/ ever desired by man, will not suffer it t.
, perish, until it shall have been peacefully
= instrumental, by its example, in the exten
r sion of civil and religious liberty through
t out the world.
. Next in Importance to the maintenance
c of the Constitution and the Union, is tn,
S duty of preserving the Government free
: from the taint or even the suspicion o
} corruption. Public virtue is the vita
D spirit of Republics; and history prove
: that when this has decayed and the love o
Q money has usurped its place, although tn
4 forms of free Government may remain fo
D a season, the substance has departed for
= ever.
9 Our present financial condition is with
t out parallel in history, No nation ha
Y over before been embarrassed from to-
| large surplus in its treasury, This al
0 most necessarily gives birth to extravagan
a legislation. 1t produces wild schemes o