White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-10-06
WHOLE NUMBER, 12l.
Campaign of 1850.

ing thoughtful article on the subject, from
the New York Century, a paper belong
ing to no political party. and one which,
is everywhere respected for its ability and
integrity Of principle
On another page Of this paper will be
found the only official document yet issued
by any organized political body, with
reference to tie next Presidential contest.
1t emanates from the Republican National
Committee. and bears the date of Albany,
August 16. It's argument is founded on
tie declaration Of principles adopted by
the Convention which nominated FIRE.
mont in 1856; and it is designed chiefly
to lay out the ground for timely opening
Of the campaign. Twenty States are
represented in the Committee, six of the
number being Slave States.
The tone Of the document is serious,
moderate and national. 1t recognizes the
line Of distinction which has been drawn
by events placing in contrast the oppos-
ing political elements Of freedom and sla.
very. That this is the ground on which
the country viii vote. has long been man
ifest. The development Of opinion in the
South has been astonishingly rapid. I'M.
hesitating aud incorporating during the
last few months. on the master topic which
furnishes the key note to a struggle. which
we have no hesitation in prononncing the
most significant and pregnant in which
the popular masses have ever engaged.
Il any party with national principles and
aims could have been brought to stand on
middle ground six months ago, the ex-
traordinary vigor and apparent unanimity
with which the single issue Of re- opening
the African slave trade has been pressed.
would have driven it back. and forced
upon it the declaration that there is no
longer any middle ground on which reas-
enable, enlightened and patriotic men can
stand. The issue is not within the Com
stitution-it is on the Constitution
Weighty as are the questions which have
hitherto divided the country. affecting its
policy Of finance. commerce, general
economy. improvement and foreign rela-
tons, these are now all swept aside. and
there remains but the single, bold, uncom-
plicated issue. of dragging out from it's
secret lurking places in the shadows Of
the African and Cuban coasts, and restor-
ing to honor upon the high seas, the most
atroeious traffic the sun ever shone upon
the traffic in human beings. 1t is amongS
the moral phenomena Of the age. that such
question should be entertained elsewhere
than on the deck of pirate, AMI BY the
worst outlaws of civilization. It is rhe
last clinehing testimony to the degrading
influence Of negro slavery on the mind Of
a race. itself naturally noble. capable Of
the highest culture. and OF the greatest
deeds.
At the same time that we blacken the
page Of our history with the announce
ment. we ought to claim exemption for
all Southern men who oppose the meas
IRE. and deepen the brand of shame on
its Northern advocates, who have not the
excuse of pecuniary interest. or long ia
with the institution, to Justify
their position. If slavery itself is sec
tional. the morality that defends It is not
BY any means-as viii quickly appear IL
the constitutional brand Of piracy be re-
moved from the African trade. The
shipping merchants of New York and
Boston would monopolize that branch Of
commerce as they do the carriage Of cot
ton and dry goods.
We are sometimes tempted to query
whether after all this may not be, in the
DEGREES Of the Divine economy,
which estimates a thousand years as but
1 single day" the inevitable solution to
The problem that battles all our wisdom,
md grows more unmanagsable with each
succeeding year. History is fall Of SINH
ar lessons one race, after ages Of in
feriority and subsection. rising into DOM
nance. and in its turn giving way to an
Jther or nIingIirg in its current, and
lowing on with increase of volume. But
{ it be so. we are no less SURROUNDED bv
present necessities and obligations with
which it is o1fr duty to struggle; for in
his consists the grand whole Of our his
DRY.
II is unavoidable that the higher moral
Ientiment of our age and country should
fray itself against the strocious scheme
# reviving and legalizing the African
lave trade. At this stage, the Republi-
an party presents itself as the only po-
itical organization that has the ability to
csist the formidable alliance Of power,
interest and ambition which stands as the
hampton Of that measure. It has the
advantage of occupying ground entirely
consistent with the constitution. and cf
advancing no other ideas than those which
we're entertained in common By the smi.
lent men who framed that instrument.
At the same time. Il puts forth no new
political doctrines of State encroaehment.
" sectional prescription. II does not
propose to interfere with slavery in ths
States. or to put any new construction on
he terms of the Federal compact.