Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-05-22
Judge Wilmot's Letter of Acceptance.

himself
If the freemen Of the North occupy such
odipate position in the Government Of their country, the
spirit Of manly independence will be crushed in their
posteritv. Our will become submissive and servie
race, stripped of manhood and of sefrespec The slave
holder proprietor the soil and Of the government
will dominate them with scarcely less arrogance aud
power than rules his hereditary bondnen To this
condition the saveholnc whites of the South al
ready reduced They have, to-day, little Of practical
power in the formation of public opinion, and in the affairs
OF government, than has the slave The fate awaits
postery if slavery allowed to monopOze the virgin
soil of this continent 1t is the inevitable rerbution of
heaven people that have the courage aud nteg
ty maintain their rights 1t that the defend
the rights of free labor seek the elevation of the black
to equality with the white They do not propose
the emancipation of the save but leave that quest on both
time and the mode of accomplishment, with the States
in which slavery exists They wish to deal with this great
and embarrassing evil spirit of friendly forbelraDce
wards those States but they carry their orbeaance
far virtually become slaves themselves-as to
render the soil and Of the nation into the hands
of aristocracy founded upon property in slaves.
Free white labor has rights in the soil superior TO the pre-
tensions of slavery The slaveholng capitalist claims that
his property being largely invested slaves will deprecase
unless tine field whereon he employ be enlarged The
white aborer, also, has property in his labor quite
cred and worthy of the Of the government and
where the field upon which he is make that labor proa
bic to himself and his family slavery shall monopolze the
fertile lands of the Wes' Labor depressed almost the
starving point the densey populated countries of the old
world because Of the field upon which it is impris
onei Tie demand for labor SMALL compared with the
thousands who have labor to sell. So it will be, at dis
day this favored land, unless keep pub
lie domain sacred inheritance for the free white aborng
and his posterty for In the soil of extended
empire the olng have the only safe guarantee for
their future prosperity and independence This the cupid
ty of capital would take from them and here lies the real
a M power Han one soa
slave property, demanding field upon which employ his
serve aborupon the other stands free labor claiming the
soil inheritance for free postery Central and Wes-
Europe eemng with its millions of population, is not
large the domain of the American Shareholder He
and his bondmen already occupy by far the most genial and
fertile portion of this continent Let him rest with his ter
ritoa possessions and power We do not seek to disturb
them We neither assa defend his asserted right to
hold this peculiar kind of property We simply affirm that
have nothing do with it, and propose let him and
his slaves alone where they We make, therefore,
question about the abolition of slavery in the South. We
but stand defence of freedom in the North Kansas is
in the latitude of Philadelphia In geographical position it
is northern territory. 1t dedicated by solemn
meut of the bond We defend the integrity of free north
soil against the cupdy that would subjugate BY
lence into plantation for slaves.
Much has been said of the dangers involved this
rOVerSy cOuDseed 10 SUBMISSION anu
the wrong because the wrong threatens greater
amities if shall dare defend rights Such threats
unbecomng those who make them, and insult TO
those upon whose fears they expected to operate Great
questions of Governmental policy involving the very sub
Of liberties, and the happiness of remote genera
tons be settled by appeals the fears of any
part Of the American people Reason and the calm judg
Of enlightened public opinion must decide between
Slaves Imaginary dangers
become realities the tmid-to the courageous they
ish approach So here the only danger lies
becoming alarmed The danger is the day it is
with resoute courage and determined purpose The
right prevail, and the wrong must give way Upon
other basis the questions in issue ever be permanent
ly settled 1t impeachment of the manly qualities of
Southern friends say that they will and must submit
that which just and right, when coDstutionaHy
bodied in the legislation Of the Government Let the free
men of the North announce, in language firm and uumis
takeabe their purpose resist the spread of Slavery and
every preserve the integrity of the Union aud
shall have lasting peace such no compromise having
It's foundation lu wrong secure to the country
The position taken BY the Convention in its resolve !.
touching the duties and obligations imposed upon those who
seek adoption into great American family of freemen,
must meet the approval of patriotic citizen We have
right expect and require perfect and undivided aegi
nce from all who invested with the high perogaves of
As the adopted citizen receives in full meas
all the rights and mnunities Of the native born,
ught he to render the like single and unreserVed devotion
o the country of his adoption He should acknowledge
arthy power superior the Constitution and the
gny of the American people There is danger that
hall Jealous devotion to country and in the cu
ivation of an intense American Nationality.
have time to speak of the other topics embraced in
he platform of principles adopted by the Convention in the
manner their importance deserves Opportunities will be
forded me- hereafter, to make my views known
matters Of domestic policy closely connected, in my judg
nent with the growth and prosperity of great Common
eah While the should be observed not to 4
isturb the business interests of Commonwealth
ch and of such diversified pursuits yet can
Ot be denice that ours, the richest Communicable Of Its
in the world has not kept pace in the Development
her resources aud in productive industry, with some OF
sister States We may therefore, without the charge -
rashncss inquire policy could not IN some respects
made conformable the spirit OF the age, and
lore in harmony with the wants Of active business
nterprse
In conclusion gentlemen permit to tender my thanks