Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-04-05

politics, conservatism Is adherence TO old doc
trines and cxpositions OF policy or constitutional
law II is opposed to innovations, novel doctrines
and new tangled theories Il prefers the known to
the unknown the tried to .he untried, and chooses
to walk rather by the light Of experience thin to
pursue the chimcras of speculation If it can be
shown, then, that the Republican policy of opposi-
ton to the general diffusion Of Slavery, the pres
crvaton of the Territories to freedom and the pro-
lection and elevation OF free labor is coeval with
or antccedent to the adoption Of our constitution;
that il the recognized policy OF the Government
for moro than n half century, that it was the faith
OF Washington and almost the religion of Jciferson
that it was woven into judicial action and lcgisla
ton, and was the common creed and property OF all
parties until within few years past; then is its
claim to conservatism folly established. Mcasur-
ell by this standard thStDemecratic party will be
found to be radical, revolutionary and subversiye.'
Departing from it own creed, revolutionizing long
course Of judicial decisions, and subvcrting the
practice of the Government from the time Of its
creation, it has created the new, dangerous and
portcntious dogma into arti Gle Of political faith
that the Constitution by its own inherent power,
establishes slavery in all the Territories, and that
there 10 no power ia Congress. in the people of
the Territories, or to use the language of Mg Bu-
chanan in his late message, that there is no "hu-
man power that exclude it therefrom; that the
many acts of Congress, beginning in 1887. and con-
timed until ls4o, prohibiting slavery in the Terri
tories. were unconstitutional and void, and the
many judicial decisions OF the various State AMI
Federal Courts, recognizing the power OF fCongress
provide such legislation, sprang from gross and
l-consGeTe views of the Federal Constitution
And espec ally is this dogni dangerous and polten-
ous VIII, we reflect tn il is but the be ginning of
the revolution that t draws ritcr il, inevita-
BILE conclusion and consequence, as the locomotive
draws after it and is followed by the train, that 9TH
dogma that the Constitution also carries slavery
into al the States, and that there is human pow
CT that can exclude it therefrom; and look to the
fulhllment othc prophecy made by Senator Toonibs
that he would live to see the day when he could
call the roll of his slaves boncath the shadow OF the
monument on Bunker Hill.
THE INVASION OF VIRGINIA BIZ JOHN BROWN.
No one deplored more than myself the unusiifi-
able and criminal invasion Of the soil of Virginia by
John Brown and his associates. This act while il
thrilled the South with terror and shocked the mo-
raj sense ot the nation, may yet, in the hands OF
Providence. prove a blessing to the Republic.
IL n s already led parties both North and South
more clearly and accurately 10 define their posi-
tions, and thus exoneratc themselves from all
plicty and blame in the affair. The Republican
party has, by every medium Of expression disclaim
I ed all connection with Brown paiiton for his
deed; while the proofs that have been taken have
failed TO connect in the remotest degree, any mem
Der OF that party with this fatal enterprise, in any
stage OF its progress. Ii has taught the South.
however, that il She would have peace AMI security
at home, she must refrain from outrages abroad
1t is to be controverted that the stern fanati
csT and malignant passion Of John Brown and his
associates era He'd in thit wicked an unlatu
raj contest in Kansas, whi-h set foot Tor the
introduction and establishment of slavery in that
Te. ritory. Hories OF BJrd.r Ru!fians from Ms
souri, and other slave Suites, marched into Kansas
in battle arry with the avowed purpose OF suljuga
ting the Free State men, and forcing upon them IN
Institution which they abhorrcd. Having first pro-
vidcd tlenscivc cs with arms by the robbery of tho
United States Arsenal at Westport, Missouri,
the y entered that unhappy Territory with all the
para ph, liza and appolntn eat OF regularly
lied war. The robbery ofihe Arsena. at West
port was but the prototype Of the seizure Of the Ar
scnal at Harper's Ferry BY that mysterious Chain
OF events which cannot be forescen, and can only
be realized. the tide OF invasion rolled back frpln
the level plains of Kansas the 1utains of Vir
ginia. But the strauScst thing rcmins vet to be
tJd for that wir oil aggression set ON foo. by the
F., SHAREHOLDERS OF Missouri for the propagation of
slavery in Kansas, .as rccoiled upon M>souri-not
in war, In violence, or in blood, but in the dcvc-
opmcnt of an emancipation movement, possessing
such remarkable vigor, and making such wonder
u progress as to threaten the speedy extinction OF
slavery IN that State Ii is therefore not imoossi
! bic, even improbable, that the attemp, made by
citizens OF Missouri to fasten slavery upon Kansas
by force OF arms may result in the legitimate and
peaceful expulsion Of slavcft from Missouri. But
IN that contest we have no right to mnge; il is
that, under the shield ofStatc sovereignty pertains
exclusively to the citizens Of that State, and no
people, party or tribunal, outside of it, have any
r.. h: Whatever 10 dictate what shall be done. The
bloody page that records the infant history of Kan
sss and the criminal adventure OF John Brown may
be real with profit by the people both North
an So Ith, and from it they may deduce the
lesson, that tic security and tranquility of the ma
tlon can only be preserved by the people OF each
sec ion scrupulously regarding and protecting the
rights OF the people OF every other section.
THE AcIrArIoa OF THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
The agitation of the slavery question can be
traced directly TO the repeal Of the Missouri Con-
promise As clearly effect can be traced to
carsc, or punishment to the sin that occasoned IT,
so can the troubles which now afiiict our beloved
country be referred TO that mournfu and disastrous
measure. Ii found the country at peace and has
lett 1t stained with BLOOD and torn by civil dsscn-
sion. IL re-opened the slavery question in form
most offensive. and under circumstances most ag-
grLvatinS to the anti-savefy sentiment Of the
North. Ii was the deliberate breach Of a time
honorcd compromise, which had its origin in the
most critical period of our political history ard had
given peace to the nation. History will pronounce
Judgment upon it as wanton and wicked act. with
out a circum stance to paate excuse its perpc-
traiion, and as h,vny its origin in the political
necessities and reckless ambition of partisan peli
ttciaus- ne OBJECT 10 DC gaineu WAS inc united
favo. Of the South; and the means Of obtaining it,
an ex x'ravagant and reckless devotion her sup
,seo interests. Both parties likely be cheat
ed; the South will most probably fail to derive any
benefit from the measure. but the contrary, is
likely to be riously dsmaged; and the ambitious
and desperate politician who devised it, is likely
{, G .oied and defeated in the grand purpose OF
his life.
! Allow me to read a bricf extract from a recent
letter addressed by Ex-Prcsident Fillmore to a
Union meeting in New York, which he had been
invited to address. The sentiments contained in
1t are so beautifully expressed and maiesly just,
as TO commind the hearty appreciation Of all in
telligent minds
"After severe struggle, which threatened the
integrity of the Union, Congress finally passed
laws settling these questions. and the Government
and the people for time seemed to acquiesce in
that compromise rs a final settlement of this ex-
citing question; and it is exceedingly to be regret
ted that mistaken ambition or the hope of PROMO
ting party triumph should have tempted any one
to raise this question again. But in an evil hour
this Pandora's box OF Slavery was again opened by
what l conceive 90 be an uniusti6able attempt to
force SLAYER Ito K,nsas by repeal of the Mis-
soari Compromise and the food of evils now
swelling and threatening 70 overthrow the Const-
tuition, and sweep away the foundation of the Gov
ernment itself. and deluSe this land with frAternal
blood, may all be traced to this unfortunate act
Whatever might have been the motive, few acts
have been so barren Of good, and fruitful of evil
The contest has exasperated the public mind, North
nffxI <1ttrff T. l.