American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-08-12

war with Mexico, or tbs hazards Of inter
nal commotion at home, which last I fear
may come il another province is 10 be ad-
ded to our territory. There is one topic
connected with this subject which trem.
BE when approsch. and yet l cannO: for.
bear to notice it. 1t meets you in every
step you take. 1t threatens you which
way soever you GO in the prosecution of
this war. / allude 10 the question Of sla.
very. Opposition to its further extension
It must be obvious to every one, is a deep
ly rooted determination with men Of all
parties in what we call the non .slavehold> |
ing States. New York, Pennsylvania and
Ohio. three Of the most powerful, have al
ready sent their legislative instructions
here--so it will be, | doubt not, in all the
rest. Il is vain now to speculate ABOUT the
reasons for this Gentlemen OF the South
may call it prejudice. passion. hypocracy,
fanaticism. ] shall not dispute with them
now on that point. The great fact that it
is so, and not otherwise, is what it con-
Germs US to know. You nor caunot
alter or change this opinion if we would.
These people only say, we will not, can
not consent that you. shall carry slavery
where it does not already exist. They do
not seek TO disturb you in that institu-
ton as it exists in your States. Enjoy it
if you will. This is their language, this
their determination. How is it in the
South? Can it be expected that they
should expend in common. their blood and
their treasure, 10 the acquisition of imm-
mense territory, and then willingly forego
the right to carry thither their slaves and,
inhabit their conquered country il they
please to do so? Sir, know the feelings
and opinions Of the South too well to cal.
culate on this. Nay. l believe they would
even contend to any extremity for the mere
right, had they no wish to exert it. be-
lieve (and confess l tremble when the
conviction presses upon me that there is
equal obstinacy on both sides of this fear.
full question. If then, we persist in var,
which if il terminate in anything short Of
mere wanton waste Of blood as well as
money, must end (as this bill proposes in
the acquisition of territory, to which at
once this controversy must attach-this
bill would be nothing less than a bill to
produce internal commotion. Should we
prosecute this war another moment, or ex-
pend one dollar in the purchase or con.
quest of single acre Of Mexi.an land. the
North and the South are brought into col.
! lisinn nm point where neither will yiald
Who can forsee or fortell the result Who
80 bold or reckless as to look such con.
hict 10 the face unmoved. do not envy
the heart OF him who can realize the posi-.
bility OF such conflict without emotions
too painful to be endured, Why then shal
we, the representatives. Of the Sovereign
States Of the Union-the chosen guard
ians of this coufederated Republic, why
should we preciptate this fearful struggle
by continuing a war the results of which
must be to force US at once upon it? Sir
rightly considered. this is treason. treason
to the Union; treason 10 the dearest inter
ests. the loftiest aspirations. the most cher
ished hopes Of our constituents. 1t is
crime 10 risk the possibility Of sush con
test. 1t is a crims of such internal hue
that every other in the catalogue Of iniqui
ty, when compared with it, whitens int
virtue. Oh, Mr.. President, it does seer
to me, If hell itself could yawn and vomi
up the iieuds that inhabit its penal abode
, commissioned to disturb the harmony o
this world, aud dash the fairest prospeC
of happiness that ever allured the hopes c
men, the first step in the consummation q
this diabolical purpose would be to ligh
up the fires of internal war, and plung
the sister States Of this Union into th
bottomless gulf OF civil strife.'
l would like to see this policy adopted
that you may not send your eagle abroa
upon marauding expeditions TO conquo
aud acquire. Let the people Of the Mort
say We will not have more slave territor
If you conquer it, and the people of tn
South will not attempt it. know that tn
late impious decision OF the Supreme CouI
in the case Of Dred Scott, maintains th
: right of the slave owner to take his nigger
into territory Just as you can take you
horses, but l would apply to the tearitor
les the principles Of the hilmot proviso.-
Do not let the territories b come slave tel
{ ritores and the people will not be apt
apply for admission into the Union wit
f slave constitutions. And if you say to tn
Georglaus. negroes shall not be property i
. territories, they will not be willing to 6gt
t for the acquisition Of territory.
THE SLOUGH OF soUATTER SOVEREIGNTY.
But, continued Mr.. Oorwin, there is n
{. other constitutional way Of keeping slave
8 ~ out of the Union but for the peopls (
!. all parties to back out Of the slough DISCUS
E ter sovereignty into the beaten turnpike
}. your revolutionary fartbers. red with the
J.. blood. and require Congress to paas law
3 prohibiting slavery in the territories. B'
Il ask me not to keep out slavery in othe
;. than constitutional modes. To becon
J. heated in the discussion Of question ,
9 abstract right, and to be sworn as publ
Q officer to support the laws are entirely di
: ferent things. discuss this prOpositiC
s iu the light of statesmauship, not as pa
j. tisau politician. 1 will again state n
Q proposition clearly. When Congress al
/ thorizss territory to form a Constitute
d she must receive that State whether 81
b wishes to come in with or without SLAYER
OLD BUoK.
/. Mr.. Corwiu said he would speak Of N
r Buchanan as bscsme the position which