Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-27
letter from s.r.a,ane.r

Ms EDIroR:- After receiving the
american Of yesterday. which contain
ed the Inaugural Of the President Of
the United States, / gave il careful
reading. and this morning Ihaveread
IL again. II is about such document
as | expected Il would be. Not much
of 1t, part of II very vague or indie
Unable, and another part very absurd,
ard some other parts 10 all appearance
about right. As to the future Of the
administration. like yourself. / leave
IL to be developed. and will approve or
disapproye as rnay judge it deserves.
One thing in 1t. however, struck my
mind with establishment, and seemed
20 argue weakness in the old gentle
mans mind, and, that was the hopes
he expressed that the exciting and per.
picking question of slavery would
now become quoted, and that no fur.
ther troubles would arise from that
same. Now, I ask. notwithstanding
II is very desirable to have that ques-
ton, rs well as all others that engeud.
er bad feeling between individuals and
States. satisfactorily settled and put a
rest; can any man in his sober senses
believe hat that is probablc a, thu
time, and in the present state Of af
fairs? When, | ask. was there time
in the Inst twenty years. the time allu
ded To in the Inaugural when lhei,
was us much cause TO stir this sabieo
As at The present time? When wa
there "a time when there were as wid,
issues between the pro-slayerj and 90
'i'slayery men rs At present? Look u
the constant effort In almost. dc
partmenl Of the government 10 sub
nit 10 slavery influence Did III,
South ever make the same claims 70
the right Of extending slavery as sh'
does now?
Has not The Interpretation Of til
Constitution recently been enlirol,
new? Does It not look as il the judic
iaI bench had tNken new lessons Of
that important instrument. and thes
altogether Of a slavery cast? An,
I can it be expected that those who diff
er in opinion from the above. and wh'
J are startled at their slrangeness, vii
be silent? No, sir. they will not Tn
30 ahead, investigating, independen
mind OF Young America viii not sub
init to mere diclalion. An effort {
: stife and choke down inquiry will no
Q succeed. And he that builds hi
r hopes OF success upon such q founda
ton must surely be dreaming. and Il
will find when he awakes that il ha
! been but dream. Now, Mr.. Editor
l do not allude to this as a politics
question, in the sense in which ths
word is most generally used. but rs
fact,and one OF great national interest
= and one of too much importance to b
4 passed oyer so lightly. The issue
t before us, the stream has been L
o loose, and nov the grave question j!
: how shall it be met? This should h
= the inquiry Of all parties, of those
u power, and of the private citizen 4
home. If we were all serfs, then
might be sufficient for those in pow
10 say, Be still; it is enough for you
!. know the will of your masters. an
: then obey; but We are roL-we are III
o very reverse OF that--we are all soyel
= eigns, and claim to have a reason K
e what is required Of us, or what
n done with that which belongs TO u.s.
/ | see no remedy but for the South
g open fair and free discussion on II
= subject, and allow oil who differ in
pinion with the unrestrained privilee
s. of speaking and writing upon it, ju
) as we do all other subjects. Let min
). contend with mind-let facts and Fl!
g ures speak for themselves. Then
% will be that truth, whateverit may b
Q and wherever it may be found, will a
n pear. and will be exposed, conviction
D OF the right will be fixed upon Il
y public mind. the interests OF oil c.
!" be promoted, proper medium foun,
the subject disposed Of, and the Vi
ion saved. But without something
!. this kind | have 20 hope Of quiet u
% on that subject. The current can i
d more be stopped than tho Tide Of q
IN ocean. The only hope there is, is
10 conduct It safely. And now, Mr.. e.
l. itor, though am a man in the huu
10 bic walks of life. yet | hope you "
(. allow me to suggest to you, as n mi
a lister Of the gospel.as well as IN cdilo
:, :, and oil other OF your profession, q
= propriety OF urging upon all the pio'
"a Of the land the propriety and neces'i
10 OF looking to and and asking fro
l. their heavenly father, that wisdom nj
Il. help that Is necessary to direct in III
Of critical hour Of our national history.
l. INDIANA.
A. March, 1857.
IN