Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-06-11
MR.. SUMMERS POSITION.


victions expresses himself in unmistakabe
Saxon plausible grounds for complaint will
never be wanting. 1t is your cautious and
velvetfooted diplomatist who goes through
the world by easy stages, without ruffiing the
sensibilities of any whom he meets on the
road. But in the day of great enterprises the
latter is discovered sneaking into obscure
places of safety, while the former bravely
weathers the storm, and awaits the Judgment
of history. 1t is charged against Mr.. Sum-
ner, not by the ruffians who hold assasSna-
ton to be the perfection of logic, but by
the Messrs. Fearful, Lightmind, and Ready-to
Halt who agree with him in principles, but
are frightened by his application of them, that
he has spoken with indiscretion, and with Sc
verify very far beyond the demands of the &C.
casion. Stronger evidence there could not be
of the demoralizng effect which the very ex-
istence of slavery has upon the conscience of
an enlightened people, than the fact that such
a charge is received with defeernce and respect
where public opinion has been educated
with the highest success, in the abstract
hatred of oppression. If faith the which OBJ
tanned in the early history of the country,
that slavery was an evil to be remov.
ed by the slow but certain processes of
natural decay, still controlled and regulated
the action Of parties and of the general gov
eminent in reference to it, the distrust which
finds expression whenever the institution is
assailed from the vantage ground OF moral
obligation and of patriotic duty, might urge
in its justification that such assaults interfered
with the work of time and destiny. But no
faith of the kind prevails. The presumption
is not that the institution should be toll
Grated for time till it can be shaken off
without too great a shock to existing
social conditions, or to the sensitive relations
of property. 1t has grown rank and auda-
cious under the too charitable federation which
the founders of the government granted to it.
1t is not contented with its impregnable posi-
ton in the old states. 1t has outgrown and
thrown aside the exceptional character and
the badges of dishonor which the early patri-
OTIS were careful to assign whenever they were
compelled to allude to it at all. No important
act of legislation can be consummated without
Difference to its arrogant claims. No new
state can be made without a compromise for
its benefit 1t stalks into the supreme cour
and arms itself with judicial decisions. ltgets
possession of the executive department, and
through lis &C. operation overrides the estab
lshed policy of the government, and commits
felony upon the territories acquired by th'
common treasure OF the republic. 1t sends it
advocates and counselors into both branche
of Congress, with the remarkable assumption
that it is entitled to protection under the cou
stitution, wherever the power of that instru
ment extends. The present session OF Cor
gress, more remarkable in many respects tina
any Which preceded it, has been distinguish
by the ingenious and daring pertinacity wit
which this overshadowing despotlsm has as
serted itself, and demanded recognition equa
ly as political power, a salutary condition O
society, and benefcent element of civilz:
ton. 1t was with this pretension that Nj
Sumner made pure and direct issue. Other
have been content to hack at the poso
branches he chose to strike at the root
was task for which the exigency presented
peculiar ana urgent demand. The records
the country, which are the sources of biz
tory, would have been exposed to mil
conception, just SO far as he abate
anything from his mastery and invincible ar
raignment of slavery before the bar of publ
opinion. 1t is of little account to Mr.. Sumner
or to any individual, if efforts are made t.
break the force of his argument by avowe
enemies, or by treacherous friends. He cal
afford to await the truer and ulster verde
which will be awarded when the heats Of cor
troversy have passed away. The wisdom
Providence often shames the narrow vision
men. But the triumph Of every right cause
and the confusion of its enemies is an infall
Bile destiny.