The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-08-14

erations of morality, expediency, and
consistency should incline us 10 do all
that we lawfully may do, to save our
selves from further imputations. Sla-
very within the States stands behind i'm
pregnable defenses, but it holds no char
ter to travel without restraint. 1t has
long la bored for, but has not vet reached,
a position of absolutism. 1t grasps for
empire, as it is the only means by which
tyranny can ever save itself. Our dan
ger is imminent, but we can yet overcome
it, if we allow reason, rather than prelu-
dice, to shape our efforts. Democracy,
as now interpreted by those loudest in
the profession of it and almost monopo-
lzing its name, no longer means the will
of the majority it contemns the masses /:
holds no association with labor and ut
ters no word of encouragement to the
poor. Its professions are impostures,
and must soon fail to deceive. 1t has
become worse than the ally of Slavery
it is its plant and prostituted tool. Wis
dom and propriety must alike repudiate
it, unless speedily regenerated.
Our true policy is that of resistance to
the extravagant and unconstitutional de-
mands of the South We can only make
it effectual in one way-by the support
of Mr.. Lincoln. He is honest and ca
pable, and attached to the principles of
the Constitution, and his election will
assign limits to sectional oligarchy, and
make labor honorable and remunera-
tive.
The question, in its true aspect, is not
as TO which candidate should be elected
by the people it is this-shall Mr. Lin
coin be elected? (? The l20 electoral votes
Of the South will be divided mainly, if
not exclusively, between Mr.. Bell and
Mr.. Breckinridge, and their support will
be almost, if not entirely, confined to that
section. Such effective force as Mr.
Douglas may possess, is in the North ;
but his most sanguiue friends admit not
only that his election is impossible, but
that he cannot cary over two or three
States. The body of the Northern vote
will be given to Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Doug
lass supporters can do nothing for him !;
the only significant result they can pos
sibly produce will be to withdraw enough
strength from Mr.. Lincoln to throw the
election into the House. This done, and
Lane would certainly be chosen by the
Senate-the condition OF parties in the
House being such as to prevent major
ity OF the States agreeing to either of the
candidates. Resting on these admissions,
for they are accepted universally, we
discover that every vote given to Mr..
Douglas must tend to the elevation Of
Lane, who, possessing neither education,
experience, or executive ability, has been
selected TO enable the South to make the
most out of an accident in case it shall
occur. To out-Lane Lane in apostacy
to the North, and in crouching, tawning
subserylency TO the South, need not be
attempted by the most ambitious in that
line-not even by Federal office holder
Even If could believe that the leopard
could change his spots. and Mr.. Doug
las do the North justice, | would not
sustain him under the circumstances
which surround us, and amid the perils
which environ Us.
l have not attempted a speech. My
purpose has been to talk plainly may
have been unfortunate in succeeding too
we'll in this respect. Feeling. as do,
and knowing the vast importance OF the
canvass upon which we arejust entering,
could not be less distinct in my ex-
pIessions. Immense. iuappreciable con-
sequences depend upon the decision we
are about to make. We should tremble
when we fear that those most Interested
in the present and the future. the frugal
artisan and laborer, may fail 10 compre-
hend them But let US hope, citizens,
that We are so far right as to be able 10
expect the favor Of Almighty God
throug hout our trials, and that lie will
TO bless the Republic, until it
shall become proper example to the ma
uons Of the earth, and blessing 10 uni
Nersal man