The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-13

re central force of oil government in this ma
on, stronger than all forms of monopoly or
xcusion. The institution of slavery necessa-
ly arms against itself the natural instincts of
,ankind; its doom is certain and inevitable
heneyer il foolishly and wickedly confronts,
open field, the honest and reyerent conyic.
ons OF the nation. 1t can show no title TO ma
onal supremacy, and nothing SO absurd and
rational as its attempts to force recognition
{ its legitimacy by the nation.
II is not denied that 1t has dominion; and
supremacy within the limits of its iurisdic-
ION is not in question. The right to invade IL
there is not pretended Within all the vast
area OF its extended limits IL is secure from in
yason or molestation from State or nation; nor
does apprehension of insecurity therein consti-
tute an element in the present strife The peo-
pie OF this State unitedly condemn all attempts
to interfere with slavery in the States They
deplorc the criminal attack Of band of fanati-
cal men at llarper's Ferry, to incie seryie
instruction in sovereign State. Seryile in
surrection for an individual or State is not
remedy under any conceivable circumstances,
but crime under any and all. Misapprehen-
sion vi the purposes Of the free States is need
less. They arc naturally opposed to slavery.
They yenerate free labor, additionally, rclig
iously, and claim the right, on their own ground,
to maintain their sentiments and opinions of il,
as an evil, and of free labor as boon; and
they rs emphatically disclaim the right or wish,
purpose or intent, to interfere with it in the
States where il exists. Whatever legal or con-
stitutional rights belong to il the people of
Maine will fully accord. But IL should not at
tempt to carry the public citadel by assault;
nor take the popular heart by violence. II
were BETTER In a great contest for the supreme
cy of opinions, that the terrible energies OF
civil strife should not be invoked by menace.
The only terms that the case admits OF, are
full, free, unrestricted enjoyment of all its
rights and immunties within its locality, with
certain opposition to all attempts to extend to
free communities The slave States know full
well that what is now demanded, through novel
constructions of the constitution, is wholly in
consistent with the interests, and Mt variance
with the settled opinions of the nation. Ii re-
quiries no small share of inticpidity to press
such claims upon n reluctint people. IL is
needless to say that the free Suites can never
yield to such demands; tradition, religion, ed
ucation, industrial interests, iOrbidit Oppose
ton under such circumstances is not to be
construed into hostility to States and cOnmu-
mites; it is but the expression Of natural aver.
sion known to exist between the white and
black races and between free and slave labor
While the people of this State unitcdly dcploie
the invasion of a sovereign State 10 inc!tc SER
vile Instruction therein, not less threatening
do they regard the assumed attitude of assault
upon the Union, upon contingency which may
properly arise under the constitution. The
loyalty of this State to the constitution End
union depends uponno contingency. Her peo-
pie contemplate the present condition and fu-
turc prospects of the nation, in the spirit OF a
devotion which will make her faithful even il
her opinions should be Oyerrulcd by the Amer
lean people.
Now, in this hour of disorder in the national
councils, what public pledge is demanded of
the people of Maine for paciIication Is it re-
quired that they should ignore altogether, the
portcnt0us fact of the existence, in a section of
this Republic, of four millions of bondmen; and
shut their eyes to what all history teaches, that
the relation of master and slave tends to the
certain degradation of the dominant, while II
rarely benefits the servile race that the mix
turc OF these races is evil, and that amalgama-
ton is the sure result of seryitude! Is it ex-
pectcd that they will stihe their honest scnti-
ments and convictions of the character of slav-
cry, as an element of power in our civilization
that they will put on and put off their opinions
to suit the shifting temper of the timesl that
they will give their assent to the assumption,
"of the final settlement by tho Supreme Court
of the United States, of the question of slavery
in the territories" and thus consent to place
question between the government and the pco.
Die oil this country, III the MINUS vi Ul
vidual tribunalg" that they will not object to
the re-opening Of the slave trade, will recognize
rights of property in slaves under the cOnstitu-
ton, and agree to protect and guarantee 1t in |
the Federal terrtoriesl The unmeasured de-
nunciations of slavery, as an evil, and as calam-
itous in its effects upon society, by long line
of the most distinguished statesmen ofthc south,
and the wide contrast between their recorded
opinions and those now put forth, warrant the
belief that no such demand is made, and no
such concessions are expected.
To prevent all misunderstanding, If 1t be
needful, let it go forth every where, that our
whole population are patiotic, conservative, Mt
tached to all portions of our common country,
ardently devoted to the Union, and ready to
fulfill all their constitutional duties and obliga-
tons.
The patient waiting, and firm resolve Of their
representatives in the National Congress reflects
the quality of their patriotism and loyalty, and
may be taken as n pledge for their department
in any public emergency.
cannot close this my last annual comWuni-
cation to the Legislature, without an expires
sion of the grateful emotions which spring from
the generous confidence repeatedly rcposed in
me by the people OF this State. shall be most
happy TO cooperate with youin efforts to pro-
mote their common interests.
LOT Nj. MORRILL,.