The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-02-04


80 convictions il the minds Of the people
that these liberties ara the gift Of God Z
that they are not to be violated but BY his
wrath? Indeed, ftremble for my country
schen I reflect that God is just; that hi.
justice cannot sleep torerer; that consider
ing numbers, nature, and natural means
only, revolution Of the wheels Of fortune,
an exchange of situation is among possible
events; that it may become probable by
supernatural interference; the Almighty
has 10 attribute which can take side with US
in such contest.''
The Continental Congress, while the con
vention which framed our present constitu-
ton was in session, passed the celebrated Or
dinance of 1887, which forever prohibited
slavery in the North. West Territesy, the
only Territory then belonging - the United
States, and the first Constitutfonal Congress
ratified this ordinancewith only one dissent
ing vote. Thus, by this one act Of legisla-
ton, proving the strength of the lovers Of
the aprosress Of freedom'' and the prevail
ing hostility to the extension Of slavery, by
consecrating the entire Territory Of the
Union, to Liberty-a measure which casts
into the shade all the Wilmot provisos--John
Brown forays, and gas-repeal resolutions
which have troubled politicians during this
generation.
Nor is this all, the government and peo-
pie Of this country, of a nation born in q day,
and as it opened its eyes and looked up
Heavenward, without a lisp or stammer,
uttered as its first voice, with all the authors
ty of a revelation from God himself, those
great self-evident truths which shake the
thrones of despotism, and which are destined
in Gods good time, to overthrow all the
dynasties, all the missionaries and all the
expressions which afIlict mankind, on the
habitable globe. And, spurning the pupil
age and wardship of youth, springing at
once into vigorous manhood and in the fresh.
ness ofyouth, with gigantic strength, starting
on the high career Of national greatness,
pointing to its Yorktown, its Saratoga and
its Bunker Hill, its trophies of peace and of
war, on the land and on the sen. with
population unrivalled for enterprise, intelli-
gence, universal education, morality, relig-
ion and love Of liberty. Have, by solemn
treaty with Great Britain, bound themselves
to use their best endeavors to accomplish
the entire abolition of slavery. This cove
nant in behalf of liberty, signed December
oath, 1914, is the 10th article of the Treaty
Of Cheat in the following words: "Whereas,
the trafc in slaves is irreconcilable with the
principles of humanity and justice; and,
both his Majesty and the United
States are desrous of contributing their
efforts to promote its entire abolition, it is
hereby agreed, that both the contracting
parties shall use their best enleavors to
accomplish so desirable an object"
That treaty still stands recorded as the
supreme law of the contracting parties, as
binding to- day, as when ratified by the Uni
led States Senate in 1915. That article was
The faith and promise Of this country, in
relation to slavery, sworn to By the highest
functionaries Of Government, forty years af-
Ter the commencement Of the Revolutionary
,truggle, and p years after the adoption of
:he Federal Constitution. This declaration
Of the Nation, 'that the traffic in slaves is
rreconcilabe with the principles OF human
ty aud JUSTICE" is as true and authoritative
n 1860, as it was in the day Of its first
That pledge of the nation s:to use its best
snleavors to accomplish its entire Abolition
$ still unredeemed; and, although it has
been shamefully and wickedly violated, yet,
1t the bar of justice and humanity, before
he tribunal of the civilized world, and at
The throne of. final Judgment, this nation
will be held responsible fer its fufiIlment
This voluntary assumed obligation of the
nation, scatters to the winds the false plea
hat slavery is guaranteed and sanctioned
~ the Constitution, and not only that the
men of that day expected slavery would be
abolished, but they felt soemly bound "to
use their best endeavor to promote its en-
ire abo lition." .. .