The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-02


its potency, superior to that CT law, l for
one am ready to adopt it. I do not ask
the support of this Convention. l know
there are some who are not ready to en-
dorse these views. Isubmit these views
on probation. Should they be examined
further, and found to be good and true,
l hope the Republican party will be ready
to occupy this platform, for we cannot af-
ford to lose any weapons, and think the
right weapons are offensive, not defensive.
We have been standing on the defen-
sive too long. When the slave power
has been pursuing, we have retreated. But
the slave power has no defensive weapons,
when freemen come into the conflict. Il
tell you, gentlemen, that / had rather
have slavery in Virginia, so far as it is an
obstacle to our progress, than dense fog
on the Alleghanies. There are entrea-
ties coming from many Southern States
for New England colonists, and the exist
ence ofslavery in those States is great
inducement for them to occupy the lands,
which they can procure at Slave State pri-
ces, and then bring it up to Free State pri-
ces, thus increasing the value of their
property from eight to ten times. Thus
the existence of slavery, instead of being
an obstacle to our progress, is actually an
inducement and encouragement.
l tell you there is no power in that in
principles. And it is libel upon free
dom 20 say it cannot triumph, except when
sustained by municipal law. We cannot
extend Christianity or freedom by law
but by hard work, by working men CON-
ing in contact with those who sustain op-
posite views and sentiments. / never
will ask for such law 1 would as soon
ask for an appropriation to build breast
works to protect Monadnock and Mount
Tom from the south wind If you want
Free States in this country, do not sit in
your ,parlors and talk against slavery, but
go to work and make them. If you want
to extend Christianity, go to work and ex-
tend it. You cannot legislate men into
Heaven; they must go there by other
means. daughter and applause.) ~
Now, then, what class of men do j de-
sire to raise up in this country to work
against slavery or any other evil ? Work
ing men, and net class of sentimental
lists. l have no sympathy with that phi
lanthropy which cannot endure privations
and hardships that men must encounter
in order to extend free principles and free
institutions. / never have been one to
shrek for freedom" or to complain of
the aggressions of slavery, and never will.
If the slave power, having but tithe of
the strength of the Free States, is able to
trample US under foot, am one to be
trampled under foot. But l say to that
power, ave are willing to meet you on
your own ground, with whatever weapons
you choose to enter the conflict. Zap
plause.) r1 ...--.
We are ready to meet you in discussion
on this matter, by an appeal to the eco
nomical interests of this country. We
are willing to meet you by political ac-
ton, and decide the question of freedom
or slavery in the Territories or, if you
please, we will settle the question by
prayer and fasting. daughter and cheers J
But L tell you there is nothing in good
wishes, nothing in the exercise of senti-
mentality, and giving way to emotion and
feeling. That does nothing except to
make dwarfs and cripples of us all, unless
1t leads to action. 1t is work that man
needs to develop his energies; it is work
he must have, if he would be free and
so l say that never have been the man
to deprecate the hardships our brethren in
Kansas have endured, for without them
they could never have been the heroes
they have become. Where did you ever
see such class of men? Gro into any
mud hovel, and you will find men ready
to discuss the laws, the Constitution, and
the Bill of Rights, or any politicol ques-
tion of this day, aud you will be aston
ished at the extent of their intelligence
aud shrewdness. Why, every man in
Kansas has pocket constitution he has
made for himself, and every child six
years old can say something intelligently
to you about tia Constitution and the
laws. Half the people of Kansas ought
to have L, L. D. opposite their names
(Laughter.)
The operations of this government have
compelled them to study the Constitution
and the laws, and the means by which
they could resist the encroAchments of
slavery and secure their freedom. saw,
then, meet this question of the extension
of slavery by the might and power of free
dom. What is freedom compared with
slavery? Freedom is stamped with au-
thority by the God of Heaven, and will
so forward in spite of any opposition this
world over. 1t started on the sterile hills
of New England. 1t has crossed the Con-
tineut-it is now returning and going tri-
umphantly towards the South. Nothing
can resist it. It. has had the opposition
Of the Government. of the Executive, of
Congress, of the Judiciary, and it has had
the misfortune to begin in the most for
bidding part of the country, but still it
moves maiestically forward and cannot be
stayed. But how is it with slavery ?
Beginning in the richest part cf the coun-
try, and having the support of the Gov
ernment, it has hardly crossed the Missis-
sippi. 1t is, at best, contemplate pow
er, aud must soon 60 to decay. 1t could
not stand up alone in Kansas, but had to
be held up by Buchanan on one side aud
by the Supreme Court on the other.
Understand me, bate no lot or title
of any former feeling of hate against this
institution, and in advocating the adoption
OF the principle, contend that BY so do
ing, we are taking the surest ground fol
the speedy emancipation Of this CONT
nent from slavery. Let us have a fail
field and an open fight. That is all we
ask. Freedom is strong, slavery is weak
and all that we need is that the energy
and strength of these Northern States
shah be practically directed towards this
result.
.vase2 sees BALTIMORE, Sept. %.
A meeting of the Grand Lodge oi
Odd Fellows of the United States con.