The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-01-14

I that power and patrouaca y, without doubt bC
actively employed 10 that end
In all this the people Of Ohio have deep and
vital interest. II is beyond question that vast
majority of the electors opposed TO this inter
position of the Federal Goveiulncnt ih behalf of
slavery. | trust that the General Assembly win
give emphatic expression to the sentiments OF
the people.
II cannot fail to arrest attention that all these
encroachments Of the Federal Government upon
State sovereignty, and upon the freedom of the
Territories, arise from the deter mined purpose of
those who control its action to extend the do
main and enlarge the power of slavery. Cnaer
this influence the ancient and original policy OF
slavery prohibition was oyerthrown and reversed
by the Kansas Nebraska act Under this influ-
ence the whole power of the National Govern
ment has been exerted to force slavery upon the
reluctant people of Kansas. Under this influence
also persistent attempts are made to subiugate
the people of the free States 90 Federal domina-
ton, through the administration Of the Fugitive
Slave act. Under this influence, finally, the Fed
eral Judiciary has promulgated the revolving
doctrine that the Constitution Of the Union es-
tablishes and guarantees slavery in all national
territory, and consequently that there Is no foot
of our widely extended domain outside of States
whose Constitutions prohibit slavery, where the
free laborer can find home exempt from the in
truson of that very peculiar institution.
This rapid progress Of despotism cannot fail to
arouse and fix the attention OF a rejecting peo-
pie. 1t forces upon the country momentous is
sues between two opposite systems of government
two opposite theories of tie constitution. These
issues are radical and vital. Shall the govern
ment of this country be administered by the peo-
pie, for the people, or by privileged class, for
privileged cassY Is the Constitution, in fact,
what it is now claimed to be, the bond and guar
anty of slavery or what the fathers ofthe Repub-
lie believed il to be, the shield and safeguard OF
Liberty? Does it establish slavery everywhere,
outside of Free States, or Liberty everywhere,
outside of Slave States' Shall the power which
ii confers be used for the extension and perpetu-
alton, everywhere, of human bondage, or of hu-
man freedom?
1t is not doubtful where, upon these issues the
majority of the people of Ohio will be found. Their
traditions identify them with Freedom and Free
Institutions. The handspring OF their prosperous
progress is in the prohibition of Slavery by the
Ordinance of 1881. II is this prohibition, trans
ferred into her Constitution, which has attracted
within her borders the free laborers of so many
lands, who have so largely contributed to that
wonderful development of energies and resources
which inspire, at once, fervent gratitude and hon
est exultation. The people of Ohio will never, by
their action, charge the founders of their insttu-
tons with ignorance of the true principles of pop
ular Government nor contribute by their suffrages
to the extension or continuance of evil and
wrong from which they have been so happily deliv-
cred by the wise forecast of the Fathers of the
Republic. s. p. CHASE,
Columbus, January 4, 1887.