The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-04-24
Historical Parallels.

Historical Parallels.
1t has often been favoFlte subject with
many thoughtful writers, to investigate
the historical parallels furnished by the
annals of earth. AS the nature of man
remains the same through successive ages,
there are certain salient points cleaning
amidst the "chimneys and the dust"
gathered around the recollections Of past
generations that indicate truths of the
greatest importance in studying the char
acter, merits, necessities, duties and des-
TIMES of our race. So, whether we read
of that Mighty Hunter" who is sup
posed by some to have laid the founda-
tons of the earliest organized authority
on earth, or Of the degenerate fllibuster
of the nineteenth century-whether We
trace the erudite ideas and dreamy speeu-
lations-ofthea astrological lore, or are en-
tranced by the all-but inspired revelations
of the Newtonian philosophy-whether
we follow the awful footsteps of history as
she leads us over the wrecks Of shiVered
lances and broken shields that mark the
road by which Caesar led his victorious
fegions, or pause, horrer-stricken, on the
bloody fields where Napoleon won the
mastery Of the world-we are, despite the
diverse scenes and circumstances that at
tend them, startled by certain sameness
in the character and position of the great
actors in the annals of time. Centuries
may have waxed and waned-kingdoms
may have risen to eminence and expired
in ignomy-fashions may have fourished
and perishedAcustoms may have origi-
mated and passed away-theories may
have triumphed for time, and then, ex-
ploded, have disappeared forever from
human observation-aye, yet, ever and
anon, conspicuous amidst the events
crowding down the stream of time, and
with dreary waste of years and occur
FENCES between, will appear some well
known countenance, some especial indi-
viduality of character, reminding US of
those VAo acted Long ago, prompted by
motives and sustained by spirit of a sim
liar nature. That '1ike produces ike is
doctrine as applicable to moral as to
physical ethics. And certainly it is fact
may heartily rejoice. If similar tempta-
tons have aroused the energies of bad
men to similar ambitious projects III eras;
so too, have similar encroachments of ty-
ranny called up at one time the same reso-
lutte and courageous resistance in the
hearts OF brave men, that the like out
RACES had stirred at another. It is a his
torical truth that the oppressor, like mans
evil genius, has ever walked beside him.
"a q fyIIQ !c that 4hn dol
brothers. form, like an angel of mercy,
has attended on the other hand and if
the deliverance has not always been as
apparent as the oppression, it is in appear
ance only; for, whether manifest or hid
den, the spirit of resistance to wrong ever
works, and sooner or later will find
tongue that can speak, and an arm that
can strike, and that too in manner to be
heard and felt by all the nations. Often
that voice is uttered and that blow strick-
en- from direction altogether unlocked
for; but when the first surprise is over,
men wonder no longer at the source from
which that deliverance comes-all that
seemed inexplicable is easily accounted
for on principles as changeless as truth it
self.
The struggle that has been going on in
this country between Freedom and Sla-
very, after assuming many different and
most surprising aspects, at last presented
itself IN a form that but few could i'm
agine possible year or two since. Of
all our public men, Stephen A. Douglas
seemed the least likely to be the one who
lvarlt6 Of fha Il
long cherished projects of the slavery pro-
pagandists were on the point of being
crowned with success, throw himself be-
fore their advancing column, and with
voice, the high sound of which rings
throughout the land. But this is not the
flrst time that one bearing his glorious
name has dared to brave the uplifted hand
OF power, strong in the might of lust
cause. The annals of Scotland tell us of
that stern old Earl, who won the renowned
sobriguet of "Bell-the- Cat" by proceed
ing of similar hardihood and the noble
confidence in his own strong self, and the
serene contempt with which he regards
the danger his course has called around
him, furnishes fine parallel in the con-
duct of Stephen, the American Douglas
to that of the mailed hero, of Scottish his
tory. Perhaps nostatesman, and certain
ly no democratic leader, could, even had
he possessed the nerve to attempt it, have
as efficiently arrested the sly and eatlike
advances of the Administration to the
throttling of the liberties of the country.
We did not, we could not despair of the
Republic wher such man, with such
eminent ability, regardless of the frowns
of the mighty, and resisting the blandish-
ments of party association, filings himself
into the arena, the armed and militant
champion ofthe right and Of the truth
Leaven,corh Journal.