Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-05-19

last fourteen months, tne more 20 We iee'
that blow has been struck at the very
heart of our institutions, from which We
may never recover.
We saw in this Ksplas business when
Il assumed its new shape, last autumn the
seeds Of a fatal decentralization. PTevi.
Gus to that period it bere the aspect OF
eminent fairness. Mr.. Buchanan appear
ed to US, in all bis early movements in re-
gard to it, to be inspired by a Washington
patriotism. II had been a difficult prob
lem to others; to him it was as clear as
sunbeam. He felt so himself up to the
moment when hesupposed be could change
his course, and be sustsined BY the coun.
Itry. That was the weight which pulled
him down. The whole nation stood ap.
paIled at the transformation. His very
office.hol hesitated, and there was not
a northern Senator or Representative, with
in our circle Of acquaintance, who did not,
at first, doubt or denounce the unexpect-
ed and extraordinary example. The only
interest that applauded his course was that
extreme pro-slavery cabal. known to desire
a dissolution OF the Union, which bad in-
duced him to leave those true and gallant
spirits who had SO long upheld bis stand
srd, and to surrender the holy principle,
without which be would be reposing in
honorable quiet at Wheatland.
From that moment to the present, what
have we witnessedi Nothing but a sue
cession of personal and political degrada-
tioDs. The principle of the awill Of the
majority" had become overwhelming. The
principle of fidelity to a sworn pledge and
to a consecrated creed, had sunk into all
hearts. The President, the Cabinet; all
men had met upon this patriotic platform.
1t was built upon honor, and rivetted and
cliuched by thousand solemn assurances.
To destroy it required herculean exertions,
and series Of operations, before which all
the efforts Of past Administrations have
paIed their Intellectual fires. 1t stood out
full armed before the nation, instinct with
energy, and resistless from the associations
that surrounded it. But the word bad gone
forth, and though il could not be annihi
lated, IL aods at least betrayed. And to &C.
complish this betraysl, the character Of the
Democratic party, and of the country, has
been shamelessly dishonored.
Independent men, who would not bow
to the attempt to sacrifice principle, were
turned out Of office, and base and charac
teress Suayes put in their places.
Solemn assurances to high functiouaries,
written, spoken, and printed, were ruth
!essIy broken.
Representatives were compelled TO
change their votes and to violate their
plighted faith, and where conscience failed
to approve, patronage came in to support
them.
Calumnies, the most atrocious and cru
ell, were hurled against all who dared to
be true to the truth. Is this all Would
that it wereI The formal declaration OF
proud, national party was sought to be
nuhfed by the action OF Congress and in
substitution fur a principle, imposingIy de-
clared and solemnly sealed, before the eyes
Of the whole couutry,we had offered to us
a miserable cheat. The dark deeG Of
gang of reckless speculatcls in Kansas was
made the test of Democratic faith. Fraud
aud Falsehood were erected into cardinal
vituesaud the protests of fifteen thousand
freemeu against this deed we're laughed at,
as the protests Of our fathers in the Reyo-
Tuition were laughed at, as the rawlings oi
rebels and the threats Of a mob.
So far for the footprints ofthis unhalIow'
ed Despotism. They are marked on the
historic page as the evidence Of a receding
morality and degsuerating Democracy
They turn back the hands on the plates ol
time, and remind us that we are living in
the feudal ages. Nay, worse than that
for them, if power was great, public men
we're brave, and the knave that sold bis
character died the death Of the infamous.
But the great crime did not stop here
One wrong after another was tried, till 81
last, as if to mock at even The sembieuce o.
right, the so.called EEGLIsH BILL was pro
posed, the incarnation of treachery and o.
| duplcity bill be it understood, which
differed from its precedents in this: thai
they were swindles and this was brlbe
which, protesting to submit Lecomptor
to the people, did not submit It according
to its Southern expoundew; and which
starting out 10 the preamble with scand
alous misstatement, crowned the whole pro
cee,llno with declaration that If the peo
pie Of Kansas did not take it, they shoult
tester in dissension till IL suited their mas
ters to admit them!
And this is the scheme that was force'
through yesterday-THE BLACK FRIDAY
our country!
Well may the Senator from New Yor
cry ashame" upon the damning deed.
All history win CRY shame upon It, toe
The burden Wkich Mis outrage ottaeht
to The Democratic party cannot be carrie
without crushing Il. Candidates for Of
flee will be compelled to speak out agaiu'
] lit, and those who are silent will pay th
penalty Of such an acquiescehce.
What Kansas may decide upon, We ar
DOT authorized to say but We cannot dout
that she will reject the bribe with scor
Whether she does or not, the wrong wi
be avenged, and the sacred doctrine vind