Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-01-21
Progress of Abolitionism.


formed in all the free States for the pro
1pagation of just such doctrines astth'
: Republicans" of our time battleafof
These societies were severely deneund
eed by the political parties then con
tending forythe mastery, and their meet
ings were frequently dispersed by mobs
So odious in popular estimation were
the captains in the abolition movement
that they were frequently treated to
coat of tar and feathers and vigorously
pelted with rotten eggs by an indignant
public. But now this Abolitionism,
once despised and powerless, is strong
and arrogant and disputes With the Ma
tional Democracy forsascendency in six
teen States of the Union. 1t is unwise
to lightly estimate its strength; it is
fortified by the ~prejudices and made
reckless by the passions of a misguided
people. Some pitifogging politician
may, however, deny our premises and
claim that Ab~oiitionism of twenty years
ago and "Republicanism" of to-day are
not one in spirit and design. We know
that the most rabid %villiier Of the South
and her institutionsLdislike -tebe- brau=
ded as an abolitionist-the popular ha-
tired of that character is not yet extinct
but facts ineontrovertibly prove that
the "coat fits" and he must wear it.
What though a Republican" Conven-
ton asserts that slavery in the States is
inviolable and beyond the reach of Con
gress?H Twenty years ago the Ameri-
can anti-slavery society declared the
same doctrine, but a keen-sighted pa
triotism penetrated its purposes and re-
pudiated it. The real object of all po-
@litical movements that appeal to the
popular prejudice against slavery for
strength, is the abolition of that instftu-
ton. If there be no intention on the
part of the "Republicansn of liberating
the bondmen why do they so industri-
ously labor to secure for him the public
sympathy, and for his master popular
hatred? IF they respect and do not
design to destroy the masters right of
property in his slave, why do they
struggle for the creation of a public
opinion that shall make uncertain and
Insecure the duration of that 1ight?-
We repeat it is impossible to disguise the
aim of the "Rcpublieanism" of the pre-
sent day. 1t looks to the abolition OF
slavery-by indirect means, it is true
but still to its abolition. The only Sc
curity fer the South is in the success Of
the Democratic party; abolitionism dis
guised as "Republicanism" must be not
only defeated, but utterly routed-an-
initiated. Its rebellious spirit must be
quelled, or this governmental structure
demolished. There can be no eompro-
mise with the hideous and treacherous
monster-no giving way to its demands
no concession to its clamor. The
prejudiccs on which it rests and the pas
sions that impel it must not be pander-
ed 10. Its growth has been f~earfully
rapid within the last four years; the
late elections have driven it to its den
but it is ready to spring forth on the
slightest prctext and to profit by the
least show of discord in the ranks'of its
triumphant foe. Our able Chief Mag
~istrate with characteristic boldness and
patriotism has defined his administra-
tive policy-a policy conservative, and
looking with equal care to the interests
Of all parts Of the Union. Let Demo
Gratis North and South sustain him faith
fully and cordially; then may We hope
for the gradual, but sure extinction OF
the spirit that animates sectionalism
and the return of that amity that ought
to exist between confederate sovereign.
ties. Then will the necessities Of the
nation be duly cared for, and whole.
some legislation take the place of angry
and improbable discussion on the ever
lasting theme of African slavery.
When can il be Amended!
TIL, o,,ooo -, . o1ooFD,o nc oeIol =,