The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-07-26

daily a. the bar, to retrieve a fortune which had
wel]-nigh been wasted in public service, some
humane persons in Cincinnati wrote TO him TO 90
to Washington and appear in behalf OF John
Van Zandt, charged with aiding fugi;ives to es'
cape from slavery. He dropped his own press
ing business went 10 Washington and made one
of the mastery efforts Of his lte-going into
the bowels Of the old Fugitive Slave Law Of
1898, THAT more infamous one of 1880 not be-
| ing in existence and concluded bis labor by de-
clining all compensation.
His course throughout the short administra-
ton Of Gen. TAYLOR, Is almost too familiar 10
need a reference IL was about that period that
his long service for freedom found It's culmina-
ton-it was then that his countrymen were en-
lishtened BY new, full and satisfactory dspen-
saton of light upon their political duties in ref
erencc TO slavery and i,s eNtensiOn-lisht which
some who chose To sit in darkness refused to
receive but which then was, to-day Is, next year
and forever will be truth, light and wisdom TO all
men Of all nations, seeking liberty and loving
freedom.
| The first insdous enemy TO freedom which
Mr. Seward found on his arrival at Wash
inrton. was an amendment to the Civil and D-
plomatc Bill, abrogating the laws prohibiting
slavery in Mexico. II was too late to crush this
reptile in the Senate, but Mr. Seward flew TO the
House, and labored necessarily until lac defeated
il. AMI enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing the Sen
ate recede, Oh the last night of the session.
4 ~ 10 4
the lips of William H. Seward that magic eN-
preston 10 which We have just referred" the
higher law" over which dotards have croakcd,
hvpocrites have grOanod, and demagogues have
hosled To their hearts content, while the healthy
public opinion Of the true men of the nation
has day by day yielded to it, vital meaning
more and more hearty approval. IL came forth
in life and strength, four DAYS after poor Daniel
Webster, in the same hall, hal given forth to
the world, upoa the same subject, his dead opin-
ions, in words which found no responsive thrill
North nor South.
II wa in the course of Mr.. S.warl1 speech
ON the aimi- Of California, that - the higher
law. made it-,lf known. Who il there, among
among Friend. denies it, briii.lncy, its truth
the strength OF it, argument the depth "i -
research, and the force at it, deductions. Who
il there, even among enemies, who questions IT.
power? Who among all men questions the cul-
rnin,tion Of the Grand priucipl, oi which ii was
the living cxponrnt-" W. "rGur 7" "nFN !"n,
RATHER THAN MAN.
On the second of July IN"', GOV. Seward
made vigorous speech ia opposition TO tn"
Compromise till, which WA marked by wisdom,
and fv noble zeal for freedom That speech
ll-o breathcd the true spirit of prophetic STATES.
manlhip, and nj the close, after eNhorting the
senate To stand by the principle ot human free
dom. he said. eve shall then realize once more
the concord which results from mutual leagues,
united councils, and equal hopes and hazards in
the most sublime and bencficent enterprise the
earth has Witnessed The fingers Of the Powers
above would tune the harmony Of such peace.
This speech was closely followed hv that upon
New Mexico, and by that on Freedom in the
marked and mastery effort
In all times, public sentiment, - well aS public
opinion, has been in "a strong degree indebted to
certain dcmon-trative minds, having the gift q:
clearly forcseeing the consequences OF political
action. To the American people, upon the sub
iect o. Free Labor, William II. Seward has acted
as such guide, and 30 far has he been from an
eleventh hour catcher-up ot other mems opin-
ions that he has been rather the manipulation OF
masses of mind for other men 10 claim mastery
over. IL has been said that during the Kansas
controversy in Congress, Mr.. Seward has been
comparatively quiet. This is true, to certain
extent. lie saw the public mind sufficiently
aroused hy the outragcs and indignities inflicted
upon the inhabitants of that Territory, through
the combined efforts Of Border Ituifani>m and
the insoencc OF Administrative power, aud hc
said Just enough TO make the Administration
aware that watchful and sagacious eve was
upon them, but not enough to embarrass the
efforts OF those younger statesmen, who had de.
sire aud ability To make effort in behalf oi
| outraged freedom.
Mr. Seward presents clean record of almost
forty years OF executive, delibcratiye and pro-
fes sional lie, in which human freedom has been
the guiding-star, the leading Influential principle,
and the main instigator OF his action, in all pub
lie, and most private capacities. Who then is
there in the nation, now ave--who sleeps under
American soil, less deserving to be called a
trimmer?