Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-03-14

alate their domestic institutions in their own way,
only TO the Constitution of the United
States as q natural consequence. Congress has
also prescribed that when the Territory OF Kansas
shall be admitted as q State, il shall be received
Into the Union with or without Slavery, as their
Constitution may prescribe at the time of their
admission. A different opinion has arisen in re-
gard to the time when the people OF = Territory
shall decide this question for themselves. This is
happily q matter VI but little practicable rortauce,
and beside, il is a judicial question, which legit-
imately belongs to the Supreme Court OF the
United States, before whom 1t is now pending, and
will, il is understood, be speedily and finally
settled. To their decision, in common with all
good citizens, | shall cheerfully submit, whatever
this may be, though it has been my individual
opinion that under the Nebraska. Kansas act the
appropriate period will be when the number OF
actual residents in the Territories shall justify the
formation Of q Constitution with a view to its sd-
mission us a State into the Union. But, be this
as il may. it is the imperative and indispensable
duty Of the Government Of the United States to
secure to every resident Inhabitant the free and
independent expression Of his opinion by his vote.
This sacred right of each individual must be pre-
served. This being accomplished, nnthing can he
fairer than TO leave the people of q territory Tree
from all foreign interference to decide their own
destiay for them selves, subject only to the Consti'
tuition Of the United States. The whole Terrific
rial question being thus settled upon the principle
of popular sovereignty-n principle as ancient
30 &C NONCih llIut NnihR ~
nature has been decided, and no other question re-
mains 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 themselves wherein 1t exists. May
we not then hope that the long agitation on this
subject is approaching it's end, and that the geo
graphical parties to which it has given birth. so
much dreaded by the Father of his Country, VIII
speedily become extinct. Most happy Will It be
for the country when the public mind shall be
Aivarta1 from this nungtlOn TO others OF more
pressing and practical Importance. Throughout
tho whole progress of this agitation, which has
scarcely known any intermission for more than
twenty years. while 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 IL has allenated
and estranged the people Of the sister States, from
zach other, and has even seriously endangered the
very existence OF the Union. Nor has the danger
vet entirely ceased. Under our system there is q
remedy for all mere political evils in the sound
sense and sober judgement of the people. Time
10 q great corrective. The political subjects which
but u few years ago exasperated the puhllc mihu
have passed away and are now nearly forgotten
but this question of Domestic Slavery. Is OF tar
greater importance than any mere political qnes-
tion. because, should tbs agitation continue u
NAV eventually endanger the personal safety Oh
a large portion of our countrymen where the lnstl-
tuition exists. In that event, no form OF Govern
ment, however productive of material benefits, can
compensate for the loss of peace and domestic Sc
curitp around the family altar. Let every Union
loying unan. therefore, exert his best influence TO
suppress this agitation, which, since the recent
legislation of Congress, is without any legitimate
object. 1t is nm evil Of the times that men have
undertaken to calculate the mere material value o.
the Union
Reasoned estimates have been presented OF the
pecuniary profits and local advantages when
would result to different States and sections from
its dissolution, and Of the comparative injuries
which such an event would intlict on other States
and sections. Even descending to this low ahu
narrow view of the mighty question, all such cal
calations are at fault. The bare reference to 9
single consideration WIKI be conclusiVe on 'nN
point.
We at present enjoy a free trade throughout GU
extensive and expansive country such as the wori
never witnessed. This trade is conducted ON RAJ
roads and canals, on noble rivers and arms OF IN
sea, which bind together the North and the Souti
the East and the West Of our confederacy. Al
uibilate this trade, arrest its free progress by u
geographical lines of jealous and hostile state
and you destroy the prosperity and onward marc
Of tho whole and every part, and Involve all
one common ruin.
But such considerations, important as they NJ
in themselves. sink into insignihcance when v
reflect on tho terrific evils which would result ITO
disunion to every portion OF the Confectionery,
the North not more than to the South. to the Fla
not more than to the West. These | shall not
tempt to portray, because | feel an humble co
6dence that the kind Providence which inspir
our fathers with wisdom to frame the most perie
form OF government aud union ever devised
man. will not suffer it to perish until 1t sh I'll ma
been peacefully instrumental, by its example,
the extension Of civil and religious liberty throug
out the world.