The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-13
THE NORTHERN PRESS.
From the Philadelphia Morning Times, July 30
SLAVERY IN Oregon.

From time to time, during the past two years,
rumors OF q rather vague and Indefinite char.
scter have been reaching US rom the distant
Territory of Oregon, relative to ne introduction
of Slavery. Although they have come so often,
and In such shape that we we're convinced
OF their truthfulness to partial extent, vet, we
did not believe that any deliberate plan could
be formed to accomplish that purpose, much
less that regular attempt wot Id be made to
carry it into execution. The aiast California
steamer brings news however, we'll calculated
to startle US from our Indifferent e.
newspaper is about to be started, backed
by capital and conducted with abb lily, to advocate
the establishment of the "pecul ar institution I"
in this great and fertile Territory. Beyond this.
it is believed that many of the leading men of
the Democratic party in the Territory favor sue
q measure. Among these ia SAID to be joseph
Lane. If this latter influence ae added to the
formidable auspices under which the publica.
ton OF the newspaper is begun, the movement
assumes most serious strength. The hardy
yeomanry of the Oregon VALLEY will be forced
to use all the intelligence anc frnness with
which God has endowed them to escape the
fastening OF this curse upon their Young and
lovely country. Let them look to it in time.
Let them, ere it be too late, see that the curse
which has blighted the rich valleys of Virginia.
and the fertile plains of the Carolnas, does
hot affix its whitening influence upon them.
!. This is but another of those movements which
have their heads in the South and their tails in
the Territories. The Slavery Propaganda are
ceaselessly vigilant. Wherever an opportunity
Slavery, they seize upon it, and endeavor to give
it force and direction. The ingenuity, perse
verance, intellect, and endurance, which the
followers of the Order of Ignatius I.oyola show
iHpenetrating to the remotest regions in over
coming the greatest perils of travel and of eli.
mate, lind their prototypes in their twin instru-
mentality OF despotism, Slavery. Now, the lat.
ter seeks by force to get Cuba; anon, it is at
work in Lower California and Sonora; again,
in Central America; then, it struggles in Kan
sas and yonder, away north in OREGON. to
force its way, amid human sorrow and suffering
to a farther territorial expansion.
Everywhere, now, the battle RACES through
out the continent upon this question. By the
result of the Revolution, Slavery received a ter
rlbie blow; and the impetus thus given to
freedom bore her in triumph throughout the
North, until every form which pned and droop
ed under chains north of Mason and Dixon's
line was emancipated. For twenty wears, Sla-
very has been slowly but surely recovering.
under the protecting care and fostering inau-
euce Of the General Government, until it threat
ems seriously the life of Freedom itself 1t is
eath-grapple-a struggle from which one or
the other combatant can rally hereafter only for
a momentary spasmodic combat.
We have faith in humanity 1--WE have faith in
the triumph of right and JUSTICE. But the price
of Liberty is eternal vigilance and we mus.
watch, and beat back the advancing tide of sla-
very aggression, wherever it threatens to mar
and destroy. From Oregon to the coast of the
Gulf it must be stayed, OR paralysis und death
will fall upon our political system--a system
which has received whatever vitalityi ~ has only
from the inspiring energies of Liberty.