The Kanzas news., 1858-08-21
From the Erie Constitution.
The Revolution in Missouri.

Ils
Three or four years ago, no State was In,
curing worse name among its neigbbors
of the North than Missouri The desper-
ate attempts of a portion of its western
counties to force the system of slavery up
on the neighboring Territory, awakened in
this section universal repFehension and in
dignation. Surprise at such unmitigated
wrong was quickly followed by storm OF
reproach, especially when they undertook
to close the great highway of emigration
and travel, the Missouri river, against the
citizens of non-slaveholding States. Her
character for uprightness, intelligence and
liberality suffered depreciation, exceeding
ly unweleome to the citizens of the east
ern part of the State. and especially to those
of st. Louis.
A glorious reaction has begun, and much
sooner and with more healthy yigor than
could have been reasonably anticipated by
the friends of freedom, either in the State
of Missouri or outside of it. A universal
agitation prevails within its borders, and a
speedy day is fixed, when the heretofore
champion of slavery shall take its place in
the line of free States. A strong party has
been organized, and with due regard to
the propriety of names, it calls itself
neither the Abolitionist, nor the Free Soil
party, but the Free Labor party. Several
prominent and well edited newspapers are
engaged in the hearty advocacy of the
movement, and such are already its proper
tions, so significant its manifestations, that
it has ceased to be signal for persecution
and obloquy to be friend of negro eman-
cipation. The Hon. Francis P Blair, the
present Republican member of Congress
from the St. Louis district, is the recogniz:
ed leader in this cause. He is engaged in
proclaiming his sentiments among his con-
stituents, and advocates boldly and frankly
what he believes would rebound to the best
good of his fellow citizens, and of his State.
That Missouri, once aroused to sense of
the importance of these principles, to its
position as progressive Western State, will
long hesitate to accept them heartily, is not
to be believed. The chief trouble to GER
tain minds seems to be in the practical en-
forcement of them. There are not few
who are concerned about the immediate cost
which must be incurred in prompt manu-
mission of the slaves. There are always
timid advocates of conservatism to be found
even in the ranks of the defenders of re-
form. The best reply to their remonstran-
ees is in the fact that the diminution of the
number of slaves is the direct result of the
increase of white immigration, and that,
therefore, nothing more is at present neces-
sary, than to favor the latter as much as
possible. No formidable array of figures,
with the prefix of the dollar mark, need
startle fearful imaginations, for the ques-
ton is not the compensation of masters by
the purchased emancipation of their serv-
ants. A less expensive, but fully as effect
ual revolution is in progress. In several
of the most wealthy and important counties
the influx of white immigrants is accom-
panied by rapid decline in numbers of the
servile portion of the community. In Gas
conade, st. Francis, and Cole counties,
the diminution is about forty per cent
In twenty-five or thirty other counties also,
slavery is fast disappearing.
We have said that change in public
sentiment has commenced. A stronger ex-
preston would be correct, for we are assur-
ed that the activity is not secret or conceal
ed. The free labor issues are put forth
with the utmost predominancy, and the task
is publicly proclaimed and undertaken-the
task of revolutionizing the character of the
Commonwealth. The best thinking men
are impatient of the alliance of Missouri
with Arkansas and Mississippi, and with
the comparatively stsgnant South. They
long to range their State by the side of IL
linois and Ohio in that system of political
economy which has insured those States
such rapid advancement. Missouri, by
means of her unrivaled advantages
mercial, agricultural, mineral, geographical
and sanitary-will be the leading State of
the Mississippi valley, il the incubus of
slavery be now removed. The proud scep-
ter Is worth an effort, and strong one
The critical moment has already arrived,
when, if it is not seized it will pass forev
er TO Illinois, and that will be the Empire
State of the center of the Confederacy.-
Fully alive to the importance of the stake,
the free labor party have initiated thor
ough agitation. No previous campaign in
Missouri has been so lively. No minor or
subsidiary matters are allowed to intrude
themselves. It is 8 momentous contest of
good principles. A radical reform it is that
is sought-that of substituting skilled and
intelligent white labor for the degrading
serfdom of an inferior race All citizens
are called upon to choose whether they will
heneeforth have degeneracy and decay OF
advancement and progress. Those who
have begun the glorious enterprise are pro-
foundly serious. ssNo terror, no threat,
no epithet," says Mr.. Blair. ''shall deter
me from marching right straight to the
mark for the accomplishment of the glory
and the prosperity of this State which I
love-" He refers his fellow countrymen to
the example of Iowa. State with not half
the advantages of Missouri. "Look at To-
wa-the other day wilderness, a naked
prsirie-now she almost ouistrips Missou-
n; and In the next Congress will send as
many Representatives as Missouri.
Meanwhile, the South watches carefully,
despondingiy and angrily. the march of the
reform. They are neither unaware of the
results aimed at or of the probable issue of