The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-04-28
The Great struggle with Slavery
EsraVely Stated

Abram Lincoln raised the fury of Doug
las by asserting in the Illinois campaign
that freedom and slavery were so antago
MS teal, that the contest between them
would go until, the States of this Union
should be all free or ali slave. This Is 3
trulsm, that every person Hho kncWS the
difference between right and wrong knows
perfectly. And yet, when WIN. II. Sew
ard in his Rochester speech, states the
same truth, in rather more emphatic terms
even tinid Republicans were alarmed at
the hue and cry raised by the allies of
slavery at this simple statement Of the
.antagGnism between vice and virtue.
We reicica that at last there Is a states
man in our own commonwealth who has
the boldness to proclaim this truth in
clear and vivid language, and that his
political connections are such as to secure
an insertion of his glorious speech in the
very papers that were horriiea at Seward s
Rochester speech.
The Hon. John Hickman, in his great
Demonstration at Harrisburg, uttered many
noble words-among others the following,
which inevitably puts him in the same
high position with Seward and Lincoln.
And we add, if the state rights democra-
oy have the foresight and boldness to
nominate JOHN HICKMAN for President,
they will do the nation service, the in
fuepce of which will be felt for years to
come. But here is Mr.. Hickman's way
of saying that the states will eventually be
all free or ell Stare:
Those who stop to talk ofconciliation and
compromises between Us and the self conSti-
tutcd oraclcs of the Democratic party can have
but feeble appreciation Of the real condition
of things When YOU can harm0nizc light
and darkness, integrity and corruption, the
patriotic devotion of the private citizens to the
principles Of our government, with tyranny
wor &c than that of the middle ages it will be
time enough to cry peace Let this truth be
made prominent-that there is an eternal an
tagonism between freedom and slavery. The
constitution of the human mind and the ku-
man heart makes it inevitable and the one or
the otheF must eventually gain the ascendancy.
The struggle betN cen them, but just begun, is
now going on in our midst and he is but
superficial observer who does not discover it.
Wchave acted Eonoraby For
long, long years we have defended the chart
cred rights of our Southern brethren we have
even conceded their exactions we have given
them all the advantages Spriuging from un-
equal legislation; we have changed policy 20
suit their notions Of interest; until, having
grown fat, they demand as prerogative what
we granted as a favor; and having found
President without affections, sworn officer
not afraid Of perjury, willing TO back their pre-
tensions, they would now treat US as COM
mon enemy, and brand our names with indel
ible infamY. They have done more-they
have gone farther; they have come amongst
us, and bribed cupdity with gold, ambition
with promotion, and vanity with temporary
consequence, to do violence to justice. Long
er forbcarance not only ceases to be vlrtuouS,
but it becomes cowardly and base. The North
has rights, long in abeyauce truly, yet not lost;
we will save them by walls of fire and blood, If
needs be, we will save them"