The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1860-02-11
Then, row, and Hsreafter.

political battlefield, and especially after strug-
gle has just passed in which the great question
was clearly at ISSUE and observe the relative po-
sition and strength of parties, and determine II
We can, the direction Of the general movement.
and the rate Of its progress
/ We invite our readers to take with us this
morning glance at the aspect Of our battle
Fwcnty-onc years ago, series Of resolutions, Of
which the following is q part, was offered in
the House Of Representatives by Northern
| man:
THAT every petition, memorial resolution. or
paper, touching, or relating in any way, or to any
intent whatever, to slavery, or to the abolition
thereof, shall on the presentation thereof, with
out further action thereon be laid ON the table.
without being debated, printed, or referred"
BY moving the previous question, no man was
permitted to open his mouth against the prGpo-
sition, and it was passed BY vote of 1876 to Is
nays, a majority of AZ, on the 18th Of December,
1888.
1t would be profitable for those who are now
shaping the battle of the future, and especially
for such as are looking for important offices in
the gift Of the people, to consider the character
and progress of events since the passage Of those
resolutions, which were regarded as funeral
service, most joyfully read over the grave Of the
anti-sayery sentiment of free speech at the
North.
VIA viz AAAh Vi DSCcnptIy ACJ', tWeuty-OHC
years after this political funeral, clear majority
OF the House Of Representatives were the decided
friends Of free speech and free institutions the
opponents Of the system Of slavery and dctermn-
ed to rcpress it, and confnc it to its present im
its, giving it there all its proper Constitutional
rights
To-day, after the most bitter and determined
contest Of the kind which the country has known,
the whole power of the South, aided by all her
fri oAc 10 Ia I. A..
influence Of the Administration has been defeated
when the issse was distinctly made between the
free system Of the North and the system and
power Of slavery.
Through all that protracted struggle, a man
could command plurality Of the votes cast for
Speaker, whom the South and her friends upheld
as one who plotted the overthrow Of slavery,
even by force Of arms; and now man is in the
Speakers chair, by majority VOTE who support
ed steadily through all this battle, this same Mr.
Sherman, who was SO bitterly denounced. If these
were isolated facts in our political history-if
these results were merely party triumphs Of the
time and occasion, to be reversed in the imme-
date or even rcmOtcr future, they would be Of
small comparative Importance. But they assume
another and far more significant aspect, when
We consider that these things are but the natural
fruit afa continued and and steady growth, whose
vitality, instead Of being exhausted, II shown to
be derived from the ever enlargins fountain Of
Northern life.
They are the effect Of causes, which no human
hand can stay, Of q movement which, instead Of
becoming feeble as it spreads over wider sur
face, deepcns at the same time that il grows vi
der, and increases also its velocity.
These are some Of the first results; the ultimate
not beyond the reach Of sober calculation.
At the time Of the passage Of the resolutions
mentioned, the population Of the two sections
was nearly rs ten millions in the North to seven
at the South. In 1850 the white population Of
the North was more than double that Of the
South The census Of this year will show a. Is
thought, the white population Of the North to be
nearly twenty millions, against eight millions at
the South; and twenty years hence, according to
calculations, the white inhabitants OF the North
will number more tuan thirty millions against
about twelve millions Of whites in the Southern
States, whose strength will not be materially in
creased if they should then he burthened with
eight millions Of slaves. OF course We do not
pretend to entire accuracy in these calculations,
but they show very clearly the direction ana DOW
er of the current in our political afpAirs. We'll
would it be for all parties and especially party
leaders, and more particularly leaders at the
North, to take heed 10 these things
Results closely. appro ximating to the state.
ments here made, are sure TO be reached IN tho
immediate future, and it would be wise to prepare
u, II season.. Another fact has Great significance.
The anti slavery sentiment Of the NORTH has made
more RAPID progress eveh than her political power
and the time is clos@ ut hand, when determined
but conse rvatiye anti-slavery feeling, based on
religious esnyicf:on, will WELD the whole united
stres.ssh OF tac North. This power will not he
used except under some undesirable provocation
OF sectional wrath, TO interfere with any constitu-
tional right Of slavery. What, we would ask, has
the South to hope for in the continuance Of this
war OF aggression in favor Of slavery, when
few years will array against her more than thirty
millions OF united freemen determined to main
tain every right of their free instituti0ns?-
Gazette