Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-02-09
VOL. 3.-NO. 6

historical basis, which relieves him Of
the necessity Of expressing 9 moral
conviction on the matter Of slavery
either way. To say that slavery is
right. would certainly displease the
North; to say that slavery is wrong.
would inevitably destroy him at the
South. In order to dodge this
dangerous dilemma. he finds il ex-
pedient to construe the history Of this
country so as to show. that this
question Of right or wrong in regard
to slavery had nothing whatever to do
with the fundamental principles upon
which the American republic was
founded. Dealing with slavery only
as matter OF fact, and treating the
natural rights of man and the relation
between slavery and republican in
stitutions as matter Of complete in
difference, he is bound to demonstrate.
that slavery never was seriously
deemed inconsistent with liberty, and
that the black never was seriously
supposed to possess any rights. which
the white man was bound to respect.
But here he encounters the Decla-
ration of Independence. laying down
the fundamental principles upon which
the republic was to develop itself: he
encounters the ordinance Of l7S7. the
practical application of those princi-
pies; both historical facts, as stern and
stubborn as they are sublime. But as
Mr.. Douglas had no logic to guide
him in his theories, so he had no con-
science to restrain him in his histori-
cal constructions. To interpret the
Declaration of Independence according
to the evident meaning of its words.
would certainly displease the South:
to call it self evident lie would GER
tainly shock the moral sensibilities Of
the North. So he recognizes it as
venerable document, but makes the
language, which is SO dear to the
hearts of the North, express mean
ing which comedies with the ideas of
the South.
i We have appreciated his exploits
as a logicisn; let us follow him in his
historical discoveries.
Let your imagination carry you
back to the year l776. You stand in
: the hall of the old colonial court house
! of ofPhiladel'ia. Through the open door
you see the Continental Congress as
sembled; the moment of great decis.
ion is drawing near. Look at the
earnest faces of the men assembled
there. and consider what you may ex-
! pect of them. The philosophy of the
eighteenth century counts many Of
them among Its truest adopts. They
welcomed heartily in their scattered
towns and plantations the new ideas
brought forth by that sudden progress
of humanity. and. meditating them in
the dreary solitude of virgin nature.
they had enlarged the compass of their
thoughts and peopled their imsgina-
tions with lofty ideals. A classical
education for most of them are by no
means illiterate men) has put all the
treasures of historical knowledge at
their disposal. and enabled them to
, apply the experience of past centuries
! to the new problem they attempt 10
solve. See others there of q simple
but strong cast of mind, whom COM
mon sense would call its truest repre-
: sentatives. Wont to grapple with the
dangers and difficulties Of an early
y settlers life. or. if inhabitants of
e young uprising cities. wont to carry
d quick projects into speedy execution,
i they have become regardless of obsta-
J. cles and used to strenuous activity
II The constant necessity to help them
'i selves. has developed their mental in
l. dependence. and Injured to political
'e strife by the continued defense OF their
le colonial self-government. they have a,
'e last become familiar with the idea, to
re introduce into practical existence the
d principles. which their vigorous minds
re have quietly built up into theory.
u The first little impulses to the gen
3 eral upheaving Of the popular spirit,
= the tea tax. the stamp act. drop into
v insignifcsnce; they are almost forgot
. ten; the revolutionary spirit has risen
lar above them. 1t disdains to justify
"" "" itself with petty pleadings; it spurn.
diplomatic equivocations: it places tn.
claim to independence upon the broad
basis Of eternal rights. as self eviden
" as the sun. as broad as the world. a
" common as the air of heaven. Tn
- struggle Of the colonies against th
" usurping government of Great Britai,
has risen to the proud dimensions Of
" struggle of man for liberty and equsli
~ ty. Behold. FIVE men are advancin,