Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-15

lists In Kansas under the constitution-,hat
this point has at last been settled by the
highest tribunal known to our laws ana
that IL Z" is mysterious, that II ever could
have been seriously doubted.' "
Thus. In quick and rapid succession n
revolution is attempted in the legislative,
judicial, and executive departments OF the
government. and would now be complete
and thorough. but for the extra;judicial
and extra.atIcial quality Of the acts. IL re-
mains for the people OF the free States TO
determine whether this important change IN
the constitution aud theory ol the govern
mcnt shall be nsummatod-whciher by
novel and forced constructions, the cons,l-
tuition shall he made 10 guarantee property
in slaves in the States and territories, the
character Of slavery changed from local to
n national ins,itution. aud thus brought in
contact with free labor and tree men.
No patriot in the land Is without his re-
grcts az the. sectional strife stirred up by
these aggrcssions, and no patriot but must
feel that great evils are struggling for per-
potuity in the nation. and that their india
cucc-. unchecked. will determine the char
ac,er oi the coming ages OF the republic,
and no patriot but that must feel stern
purpose within him 90 resist them.
The nation had witnessed the expansion
Of slavery in the South with comparative
composurc, rs It was maintained that the
impulse which pcrpdcd the slave States Tor
new fields for slave labor. would vent itself
in low ATTITUDES, that slavery would rtccde
from the Northern slave States, and leave
the free States 90 quiet scll.dcvclopment,
in the free States and territories, their sys-
tom Of free labor relieved from the contain
ina,ion Of slave labor. Not 80. With each
new accession they become more arrogant
anil cNacting-instcad VI obedience N The
laws OF climate, with which IL was thought
TO move, and subject 90 which IL was assert
cd IL must hold ITS empire on this continent,
experience proves that the law Of II. life Is
,1lcnco-that IL forge, it, letters with equal
facility in Kansas or the CarOllna--mocks
free labor as Legitimate in arpnplican gov.
crnmrn,. and asserts itself the normal con-
diton OF Abor--pushcs IT. nsgrtsslons over
broken compromises into territories pledged
Co free labor, amid civil war-demanding,
no, only the night OF expansion into all the
territories. Lut tho constitutional rccogni'
ton and guarantee Is property IN the ma
ton.
The free States can never yield 20 these
demands: they are incompatible with the
essential element Of their property lfece
labor. They ar rrpuguani to ihcir settled
opinions aud ,cntIm,nis. The irco stats
hold 10 the right " every one Of It's laborcrs
20 Nj. wages, OF every innocent man 90 his
per.on, and they will suffer no cuniamiua-
lion from contact with slavery forced upon
them hy distorted views Ut the constitution.
They arr not 10 issue with the slave States,
because slavery /. one OF their institutions,
bot because they seek 10 make II M insiiiu'
ton Of the nation. When ~ offensive Re-
zeal, by forced Interpretation, by violence
they attempt 90 force upon the Tree S'Ai''
what they know O. be regarded as an cn"r-
nous wrong and fatal to their industry. %
should excite no surprise TIA, AL such at
tcmpis are met with stern and solemn re-
nonstranco and determined resistance.
Slavery agitation ragcs not from the North
bat from the South. The rrros" ui the
country was not disturbed by attempt, from
the North 10 subvcrt slavery IN the slave
States or Invade IT, rights II there bc an
tagouism " opinion bctwecn thS FREQ and
slave State, Il has boon produced ny no
movement ui the former. IL has been
brought about by an obvious and conceded
change oi sentiments aud opinions, purposes
and designs. by the latter, by which they
for,c themselves into collision with The well
known and long cherished sentiments and
opinions Of the free States. their interests
and prosperity. II there BE- peril TO ouF
common country. It springs not now from
any moy,mcnts, nor from any want OF APP
probation OF tie value ol the Union, from
this quarter Whoever has regrets that q
sense OF the sacrcduess Of the Union and OF
the greatness oi IL blessings u iainily APP
pretended, will need 10 rg'rri 10 events that
are taking place IN other quarters, ana sen
timcn,. entertained elsewhere.
While the people Of Maine will cultivate
spirit ol kindness and lurbcamncc towards
every section Ui the common country, and
will ever cherish sentiments ct devotion u
the Union, they will not iaIl 90 utter theli
solemn and arne,, protest against the a.
sumptions Of the constitutional guaranty
ui property in slaves, aud the indeieaslnl,
rights Of slavery in the territories, and vii
rmonstratc against TIE fubyerslon OF ih'
rowcrs Of the national government L
purposes OF slavery extension and slavery
pcrIetuation, aud will resist to the full ex
tent Of their constitutional powers, all At
tcmpls TO force the domestic institution o
the slave States into contact with free labo'
aud free communities.
In conclusion. pledge YOU my best 81
forts in the performance Of the duties de
yol,,d upon me. lave entire contdenc'
that your labors will bc characterized by
harmony. prudence. and wisdom, and hop
that the business of the session viii Tes"i
in the promotion 81 the interests and wei
fare ol our beloved State.