The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-03-09

UNLAWFUL - tneiI OWu As xr.-... L.
tempted to subvert slavery IN Virginia ny
conspiracy, ambush, invasion anu iofce:-
The method we have adopted, OF appealing
10 the reason and Judgment OF the people, TO
IN pronounced by suffrage, is the only one
nv which free government can be maintained
anywhere, and the only one rs yet devised
Which Is in harmony with the spirit of the
Christian religion. While generous aud
charitable natures will probably concedc that
John Brown and his associates acted on
earnest though fatally erroneous convictions,
yet all good citizens will nevertheless agree,
that this attempt TO execute IN unlawful
purpose in Virginia by invasion, involving
servile war, was an act ofsedition and treasn,
and criminal in just the extent that It affected
the public peace and was destructive Of hu.
man happiness and human life.
ITS ACTORS.
Il "a painful reflection that, after so long
IN experience Of the benefcent working oil
our system as We have enjoyed, we have had
these new illustrations in Kansas and vir-
GINA of the existence among US Of class Of
men 20 misguided and so desperate as "a
seek to enforce their peculiar princi'
Piles by the sword. drawing after IL q
need for the further illustration by their
punishment Of that great moral truth,
especially applicable in Republic, that
they who take up the sword rs weapon oil
controversy shall parish by the sword. In
the latter case, the lamented deaths of 80
many citizens, slain from an ambush and by
surprise-all the more lamentable because
they were innocent victims OF frenzy kind
led without their agency in Ear distant fires
the death even Of the offenders themselves,
pitiable, although necessary and just, be
cause they acted under delirium, which
blinded their judgments to the real nature Of
their criminal enterprise the alarm and
CONSERVATION naturally awakened through
out the country, exciting for the moment the
fear that our whole system, with all its
securities for life and liberty, was coming to
an end-a fear none the more endurable
because continually aggravated by new
chimeras to which the great leading event
lent an air Of probability surely all thes,
constituted a SUN Of public misery which
ought to have satisfied the most morbiC
appetite for social horrors.
But, as in the case Of the gun powder plot
and the Salem witchcraft, and the New Yorl
colonial negro plot, so now; the origina
actors were swiftly followed by another anl
kindred class, who sought to prolong ant
widen the public distress by attempting 4
direct the indignation which il had excitet
agains. parties guiltless equally Of complieit!
and Of sympathy with the offenders.
Posterity will decide in all the recent case,
where political responsibility for public dis
asters must fall and posterity will give lit
tie heed to our instruction. IL was not un.
I'll the gloomy reign Of Domitian had ended
and liberty and virtue had found assured
refuge under the sway OF the milder Nerya,
that the historian arose whoso narrative OF
that period Of tyranny and terror has been
accepted by mankind.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THE UNION PARTY.
The Republican party being thus vindicat-
cd against the charge Of hostility TO the
South, which has been offered in excuse for
the menaces OF unconstitutional resistance in
the event Of its success, feel well assured
that il will sustain mo in meeting them in
the spirit Of the defender of the English CON-
monwealth:
",
q free nation, and having the power. shall not
also have the courage, TO remove, constitution
ally, every Governor, whether he be the sup
preme or subordinate, may please their fancy
with ridiculous and painted freedom, fit 10
cozen babies, but are, indeed, under tyranny
and servitude. as wanting that power, which is
the root and source OF all liberty, to dispose Of
and economist in the land which God hath Civ
en- them, rs members Of family in their own
home and free Inheritance. Without which
natural and essential power Of free nation.
though bearing high their heads, they can, in
duo esteem, be thought no better than slaves
and vasssls born in the tenure and occupation
Of another inheriting lord, whose government,
though not illegal or intolerable, hangs on them
as lordly scourgc, not rs free government.
The Republican party knows, as the whole
country win ultimately come TO understand,
that the noblest objects Of national life must
perish IL that life itself shall be lost, and there
fore Il viii accept the issue rendered. IL will
take up the word I'm ion, which others are so
willing 20 rcnounce, and, combining II with
that other glorious thought, Liberty, which
has been its Inspiration so long, 1t will move
firmly onward, with the motto inscribed ON its
banner, UNION and LIBERTY, come what may,
in victory IS In defeat, In power rs out VI pow
or, now and forever
ifthe republican party maintain the Union.
who and what party is to assail it, Only the
democratic party, for there Is no other. Will
the democratic party take up the assault! The
meuaces Of disunion are made, though not in
its name. yet in its behalf II must syow or
disavow them. Its silence, thus far, is portent-
Gus. but Is not alarming. The elfect OF the in
timidation, II successful, would be TO continue
the rule Of the Democratic party, though q
minority, by terror. II certainly ought to need
no more than this to secure the success Of the
come when the Democratic party must rule by
terror, insteai Of ruling through conceded
public confidence. then il is quite certain that
Il cannot be dismissed from power too soon.
Ruling on that odious principle. IL could not
lons save either the Constitution or public lib-
crty. but shall not believe the Democratic
party will consent to stand in this position.
though Il does through the action Of its repre-.
sentatives seem to cover and sustain those who
threaten disunion. | know the democracy Of
the north. know them now in their waning
strength. I do not know possible disunionist
among them all. believe they win be as faith
full TO tho Union now rs they were in bygone
DAYS when their ranks were full. and their
challauge TO the combat was always the war
cry Of victory. But, lift shall prove otherwise,
then the world will oil the sooner know that
every party In this country must stand on In
Ion ground that the American people will sus-
tain no party that Is not capable Of making a
sacrifice Of its ambition on the altar Of the
country; that, although . party may have
never 40 much Of prestige, and never such ira
ditionai merit, yet, II il be lacking in the one
virtue or loyalty to the Union, all its advsn-
tagcs will be unavailing; and then obnoxious rs
through long cherished and obstinate prejudces,
the Republican party Is in the capital States.
yet even there Il will advance like an army with
banners, winning the favor Of the whole people,
and Il will be armed with the national conf
dence and support, when il shall be found the
only party thar defends and maintains the in
tsgrity ofthe Union.
THE UNION TERROR EScIToRs.