Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-07


whatever eSaetons slavery makes become
thereby-in so far as the National Govern
ment can impose disabilities almost as mucI
al alien and outlaw as is the slave himself
If the freemen of the North consent to occup,
such a subordinate position in the government
of their country, the spirit Of manly indepen
dence will be crushed out in their poSterity
Our sons will become a submissive and servile
race, stripped of manhood and self respect
The Shareholder, proprietor of the soil and mas
ter of the government will dominate ovef
them with scarcely less of arrogance and pow,
er than he rules over his hereditary bondnen.
To this condition are the nUnslaveholding
whites of the South already reduced They
have to-day, little more of practical power in
the formation of public opinion, and in the sf-
fairs of government than has the slave. The
same fate awaits our poSterity, if slavery is
allowed to monopolze the virgin soil of this
continent 1t is the inevitable retribution of
Heaven Oh any people that have not the cour-
ace and integrity to maintain their rights.
1t is not true that tie defenders of the rights of
free-labor seek the elevation of the black race
to an equality with the white. They do not
propose the emancipation of the slave but
leave that question both as to time and the mode
of accomplishment, with the State in which
slavery exists They wish to deal with this
great embarrassing evil in spirit OF friendly
fOrbearance towards those States /; but they
do not carry their forbearance so far, as to
virtually become slaves themselves-as to sur
render the soil and government of the Nation
into the hands of an aristOcracy founded upon
property in slaves.
Free white labor has rights in the soil Supe-
rior to the pretentions of slavery. The slave
holding capitalist claims that his property,
being largely interested in slaves will depreci-
ate, unless the field where on he can employ it
be enlarged The white laborer, also, has a
property in his labor, quite as sacred and as
worthy of the care of the government and
where is the field upon which he is to make
that labor profitable to himself and fam ly, if
slavery shall m0nopoiize the fertile and virgin
lands of the West? Labor is depressed al
most to the starving point. in the densely popu-
lated countries Of the old world, because of the
narrow 'feid upon which it is imprisoned. The
demand for labor is small, compared with
the thousands who have labor to sell So it will
be at Re distant day in this favored land, un-
Jess Rae keep our vast public domain as a sa-
cred Inheritance for the free laboring man
and mis- posterfty forever In the sod of our
extended empire, she telling masses have the
only sure guarantee for their future pr sperty
and independence This the chpidity of capital
would take from tit%ta ard here lies the real
issae that the Slave Power has forced upon
the country. 1t is a struggle for land On the
one side stands the owner of slave property
demanding field en which to employ his ser
vile ahor-upon the other side stands free La
Dor claiming the soil as al ihheritaAce fora free
poSterity.
Central and Western Europe, teemine with
its millions of population, is not as large as the
domain Of the American Shareholder He and
his bondmen already occupy by far the most
fertile and genial portion of this Continent
Let him rest content with his territorial Jos
sessions and power. We 90 not seek to dis
turh him. We neither aSSaiI nor defend his
asserted right to hold this peculiar kind of
property We simply affirm that we have
nothing to do with it, and propose to let him
and his slaves alone where they are. We
make therefore, no question about the abcli,
ton Of Slavery in the South. We hut stand
in defence Of Freedom in the North Kansas
is in the latitude of Philadelphia In geo
graphical position it is a Northern Territory
1t was dedicated hy solemn compact in 1920
to Freedom for ever. We claim the fulfment
Of the bond We defend the integrity of free
Northern soil against the cupidty that would
Suhiugate it 10y violence into plantation for
slaves
Much has been said Of the dangers involved
in this controversy. We are counseled to
submission and acquirScence III the wrong, be-
.l,a .l,,
,es if we shall dare to defend Onr rights Such
threats are unbecomng 10 those who make
aem and all insult in those upon whose fears
hey are expected to operate. Great ques
ions Of governmental policy, involving the We
y substance of our liberties, and the happi.
less of remote generations, are not to be set
led by appeals to the fears of any part of the
American people.
Reason, and the calm judgment of an en-
yhtcned public opinion, must decide between
'eemen-threats are terror to slaves I'm
-glnary dangers become realities to the timid
to the courageous they vanish on nearer
qprOach. so here, the only danger lies in
lecomng alarmed The danger is overcome
Tue day it is met with resoute courage and
letermned purpose. The right must prevail,
and the wrong must give way. Upon no other
oasis can the questions in issue ever beperma-
-ently settled
1t is no impeachment of the manly qualities
our Southern friends, to say that they will
md must submit to that which is Just and
tght, when constitutionally embodied in the
:gislaton of the government. Let the free
zen of the North announce in language firm
nd unmistakeable, their purpose to resist the
Hread of slavery, and, at every cost, to pre-
arye the integrity Of the Union, and we shall
ave lasting peace, such as no compromise,
ss'ing its foundation in wrong, can ever Sc
1re to the country.
The position taken by the Convention in
sresolve touching the duties and obligations
aPosed upon those who seek adoption into
lr great merriam family of frpemen ,nust