The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-11
THE WASHINGTON UNION.

listers turned the pulpit intoa political rostrum Be
fore that, the historian tells us that in speaking
Of colonial free government, freedom, i" the cpl
demic of America broke out in Massachusetts, just
fifteen years after its first appearance in Virginia
The principle of universal suffrage was the usage
of Virginia, while in Massachusetts the avenues Of
political power could be opened only by the elders,
and the elective franchise was confined TO members
of the church, and the government aristoc-
racy of theocracy." Thus, slavery did not prevent
Virginia being ahead of Massachusetts, in the funda-
mental elements of free institutions.
Granting Mr.. Ayers very modest assumption for
a crude clergymsn--viz that the free States only
represent the genius of the republicans eonclu-
sions and his remedy follow in very nice sequence,
provided, however, win grant him another postu-
late, viz that the slave States have, and always
have had, the preponderating power in the govern
mont True, they are in minority, because, if they
not, how could this great oracle of State rights
sttbdte them he proposes to do? And il the
try has prospered so gloriously under their rule,
would it be wise to seek to overthrow it, and put the
power into the hands of such as this rabid abo-
litionst {?
But when did law or logic ever trouble the reason
ing powers Of hnatical aboltonist ike Mr.. Algcr?
We must therefore, let reverend minister of
blood and peace have his say-so first that the
slave States have the prepondcratng shaping power
in the government and if they hold it the Union will
go on as it has doncl' Not very bad business
neither, if il will prosper it has done.
But says this reverend Daniel of the day, come to
judgment with the Fourth if the slave States are suf
fercd to retain this power in the government why
then, America will inevitably be plunged into bot
tomless ruin.
He does not stop to reflect how long America has
kept ont of that bottomcss pit even with the slave
States having an actual preponderance from the first
day of independence for fifty years, and then an
equality in numbers until the admission of California,
all of which, in giving the free States prepondcrance
in the Senate, done by these Same ''savehold-
ers, amidst what this fascmoutLed reverend orator
describes as the fierce clamor of the slavcholding
interest for fresh prey, new chains and whips, and a
longer lease of power, that browns the voices of the
revolutionary fathers, viics the Declaration Of In
dependence incenses the country disgraces the age
and insults the world
Oh yes it certainly browns that voice of our rev.
dictionary fathers which sad in the constitution Of
as the States think proper to admit shall not be pro-
hibitcd" for twenty years mo person held to SER
vice in State escaping into another, shall be dis
charged from such service, but shall be delivered up
on claim of the party to whom such service may be
due"
But now how we to be kept out of this g bot
omless pit of ruin?' Listen to reverend Sir Oracle
and he will expound, he has done TO the inviting
authorities of the once national city Of Boston.
First he says " if the North permits the slave
States to withdraw from the Union and set up sep
aratc confcdcracy, the conflicting ideas of North and
South will be vastly aggravated, quarrels will
and fratcrnal slaughter unquestionably close the
day
That the reverend sage tells us, is to be the result
of voluntary and peaceful separation of the Union.
SO, that must be prevented; and how? Not by con
citation or justice, but by force. Ha is going to
stop that separation; and how wi1nhe do it? Sim
ply by conquering the South and reducing them to
provinces of the North.
awe (the North) must rally in might at the
baotbox assume he controlling pouer IN The national
government, and mould Legislation ~ such scay as
10 the strict confinement Of dapery 10 is present
possessions and TO PROVIDE FOR IT'S FINAL Abolition
1.-THE free States' adds this clerical expounder,
are simply to unite in one grand party of righteous
sentiment take possession of the executive power,
and direct the future conduct Of the country
Well how sample Don't everybody see--don't
the merchants and manufacturers and mechanics of
Boston and the North sec--that is the simplest and
quictest and most reasonable thing in the world
Why, the free States ought to govern the southern