The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-01-14

digging at the base of the swells which
exist upon almost every quarter-section.
Water is generally found at the depth of
twenty or thirty feet.
A few hundred settlers can find locations
to salt in this vicinity the coming spring.
The sooner they reach here the better choice
they can make, and the better start they
will get on their first seasons work.
"Conservative' Testimony About this
Slavery Agitation.
The Hon. Willard Fillmore, ex-Presi-
dent of the United States, is ''conserva-
tive par excellence, in the Hunker accep-
tation of that term. Three years ago he
prevented the election of Col. FREMoNr to
the Presidency by drawing off enough
Northern, anti-slavery votes to himself TO
elect Mr. Buchanan. He is not an 'alarm-
list" either-nor a fanatic-nor a Republi
can-that is to say, he does not cooperate
with the Republican party, and has done
all in his power to compass its defeat. But
strange as it may seem, this same ex-Presi-
dent Fillmore has got onto the Republican
PLATFORM, pretty nearly, as we shall di-
rectly show.
A few weeks ago there was ''Union
saving" meeting held in New York City.
Il was gotten up by the Democratic leaders
and the dealers in goods for the Southern
market-at least so many of the latter as
were willing to endorse slavery to find Gus
toners for their wares.
OF course the ko-ton there performed to
the god of Slavery after the most ap-
proved fashion of Northern dirt-eaters
Slavery was eulogised, SC was the Union,
and Abolitionists and Republicans denounc-
ed-the Southern Disunionists being very
conveniently forgotten. It was grand
demonstration. Democracy and the Pro-
Slavery Know Notbings were there in their
strength. WILLARD FILLMORE was invited
to be there. 1t was not doubted that as he
had so effectually aided the slave propaganda
in 1856, he would be ready to lend help
ing hand now. But WILLARD has been
watching things very carefully for the last
few years, and he has seen Democracy ego
UNDER 50 uniformly in the various cleo
tions-and has also been made aware that
the mass of the Northern people were
thoroughly anti.slavery in principle-that
he, the Hon. Willard, has concluded that il
won't do to be made ''boo" to the Demo
cratic kite any longer. So he did not go to
tie Union meeting aforesaid. But he wrote
letter to the Union savers, which was
damper on them. They did not cheer any
more than if some one had thrown a wet
blanket over them. We subjoin the prn-
cipaI paragraphs:
All must remember that in 1e49 and 1850 the
country was severely agltated on this disturbing
question of Slavery. That contest grew out of
the acquisition of new territory from Mexico. and
contest between the North and the South as to
whether Slavery should be tolerated in any part
of that territory. Mixed up with this, was claim
on the part of the slaveholding States, that the
provision of the Constitution for the rendition of
| fugitves from service should be made avalible
ms the law of 1893 on that subject, which depend
ed chiefly on State officers for its execution, had
become imperative, because State officers were
not obliged to perform that duty.
After struggle, which threatened the
integrity of the Union, Congress finally passed
laws settling these questions and the Govern
ment and the people for time seemed to acqui-
esce in that c0nsproise final settlement of this
exciting question and it is exceedingly to be re-
GREETED that mistaken ambition or the hope of pro-
noting party triumph should have tempted any
one TO raise this question again But In an evil
hour this PandOra's box of Slavery was again
opened by what conceive to be an uni ustifable
attempt to force Slavery into Kansas by repeal
of the Missouri Compromise, and the floods of
evils now swelling and threatening to overthrow
the Constitution. and sweep away the foundation
of the Government itself, and delugn tlis land
with fraternal blood, may all be traced to this
fortunate act Whatever might have been the
motive, few acts have ever been so barren OF good,
and so fruitful of evil.
The contest has exasperated the public mind,
North and South, and engendered feelings of dis
trust, and, may say hate, that fear it viii take
years to wear away The lamentable tragedy at
Harpers Ferry is clearly traceable to this unfor-
tunate controversy about Slavery in Kansas, and
while the chief actor in this criminal invasion has
Exhibited some traits of character that challenge
our admiration, yet his fanatical zeal seems to
have blinded his moral perceptions, and hurried
him into an unlawful attack upon the lives of a
peaceful and unoffending community in sister
State, with the evident intention of raising
vile instruction, which no one can contemplate
without horror and few, believe very few, can
be found, Indifferent to the consequences of his
acts. so blinded by fanatica zeal, not to be-
lieve that he Justly suffered the penalty of the law
which he had violated"
That tells the whole story Just what
the Republicans always said-and if MIL
LARD FILLMORE had only said so to the
country in 1856 and kept off the Presiden-
tial track the question would have been
f peacably settled before this. But we are
glad that Willard has finally ''come to his
! milk Eleventh hour repeutences are bet
ter than none at all.
We commend his letter to all those who
are trying to ''split the difference" 6ettOeea
| freedom and slavery! The influence of all
. such is practically for slavery. Let all Of