The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-11-04
The Higher Law and the Irrepressible
Conflict.

ord uscribo TO him the honor of originating
two Of the graudost ideas ever proclaimed
By any American statesman. Ono is the
idea ofa Higher Law, aud tho other of an
lrroprossib'o Conflict between the "opposing
bud enduring forces" of Freedom and
Slavery. 1t is highly credtaLlo to Mr.
Seward, that he has the sagacity to discern
them more clearly than most statesmen, and
the moral courage to proclaim and vinii.
cate .hom, in the Senate and before the
people yet we deny that no, or. any other
man, is the originator Of either.
The Higher Law has boon recognized by
the best men in all ages, and ncvor, wo be-.
lieve. seriously denied, except by tho min
ions of tho Slave Power in this boosted land
of Freedom Probably, when Mr.. Seward
reminded Senators of tho existence Of such
law, whose Claims arc paramount to all
others, he did not expect to startle any one
by the cnunciation of n new or ouestion.
able doctrine; and inc fact that any were
found to doubt his words, is q ldmontabIo
commentary upon the intelligence and NOR
als of American statesmen
Who that has reflected upon the struggle
between Freedom and Slavery, now being
wagod in this land, can doubt that 1t s an
irroprossble conhct--a conflict which will
never cease, until one or tho other of the
opposing forces shall haro completely tri.
umphed? ? And who that values Freedom
more than Slavery, and has faith in tho
eternal principles of truth and justice, can
question the final result, however long de.
lyed Are wo to bo told that Mr.. Seward
III asserting an important truth, which is
apparent to all rejecting minds, North and
South. has originated tho theory o! an irro.
prcssibe conflict between forces so intrinsi.
cally hostile as Freedom and Slavery We
are unwilling to accord to him any such
honor, nor do We believe that he desires it.
In his celebrated speech at Rochester, MIR.
Seward thus expressed his view of the Irro
preside Conflict:
"Theso antagonistic systems Oiborty and
slavery) are continually coming into closer
contact, and collision results. Shall | toll
you what this collision means They. VINO
think 1t 10 accidental, unnecessary. tho work
of Interested or fanatical ngitators. and
therefore, cphcmeral, mistake the case alto.
gethcr. 1t is on IRREPREssIDLE CONFLICT
between opposiug and enduring forces, and
AZ means that the United Statos must! and
pHf sooner or later, bpcome either cplireiv
a staUsholdiHE nation or entirety u Cree-laJor
nati0R."
Tho above is the only rational intorpre
tation of the issue tho people of this nation
nre called upon to decide. 1t is compare
lively useless for men to oppose tho exton.
sion of Slavery unless they realizo its nature
and how irroconcilably hostile it is to free
Institutions View the conflict as we may
1t Is irrepressble. Our Southern opporent.
with reason SO regard it !; and, if wo wout
make any oifoctual opposition to their ag
greesious, wo must accept tho WHOLE ISSUE
they present. While they base their actior
upon the alleged rightfulness of Slavery
aad the consequent wrongfuness of what
ever is opposed to it, We should never hosi
tato to declare it to be tho greatest curse
and bane in society, or to avow our purpose
10 use oil proper and legitimate means tc
Danish it from tho country aud the world
Such course 10 necessary to prove our
sincerity, and insure our triumph. We car
hoPo TO gain nothing by concoaImout o
our principles and purposes. On tho con
trary, tho bottor they arc understood tho
moro generally arc ;hcy approved. Marrow
down the issue to mere question of oppo
eition to the Federal Administration, a
somo desire, and We losc tho moral poMel
which has served to forward our cause thu!
far, and upon which We must chiefly rel,
for future success. But, base our actor
upon the enduring principles of truth ant
Justice, as our enemies base theirs upol
wrong and injustice, and We shall enjoy the
consciousness that wo are right. and oul
ultimate triumph will bo certain. Politicians
may change their policy, but tho connic
now begun, will continue to be irrcpressibl,
until Freedom shall everywhere prevail.
Tho position of those who take Mr.. Sow
ards view Of the irropressiblo conflict. i,
often grossly misreprcsonted. Tho question
Of Slavery is two fOld-a moral us well as ;
political question; and, while wo would us,
every peaceful oudcavor TO DESTROY the cyi
everywhere, wo claim no power in Congros
TO interfere with il in tho States whero
now exists. WbRt position could be NOR
consistent and rational, or less oggrossiv,
if wo arc in reality. what wo profess to be-
sincere anIi.alavory men j? If Slavery b
right, il is wrong to oppose it; and, il it b
wrong. VIC fail to do our duty, if wo 90 M
oppose it in ovory form, and by aIl the m car
In our power.
Attempts have been mado to impica
Mr.. Seward, by reason of bis belief in Il
irreprossible conflict, in tho guilt of tho il
surrec.ion at IIarpor's Ferry. Indeed, q
arc grayely told that that insurrcctlon wi
"tho Grst fruit of tho irreprossiblo conflict
That II WAS one though not the first, of II
fruits Of that conflict, wo hayo no doub
and so was the murder of Lovejoy,the ussau
upon Sumner, the war in Kansas, and ii
suppression by mob violence OF FREQ speoc
at the South. But Mr.. Seward, who has d.
fned tho nature Of that conflict and cndea,
oTed in the only efiectual way, to mitiga
Its consequences, is not responsible. J.,
those tako the rnsnopeiIiIity yvbo NH;