Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-08-09

between these rival candidates, is that of time
only IT. in the language of the resolution
adopted by the Convention placing Mr.. DoUG-
LAS in nomination, and just partly quoted, it
becomes the duty OF all good citizens to respect
aud of every branch of the Federal Govern
ment to enforce judicial decision determining
the constitutional existence of Slavery in our
Territories, what becomes of that other theory
of Mr. DOUGLAS, that no matter what the Sup
rene Court may decide Slavery may be exc!ud-
ed from Territory by uufriendly legislation?
Those advocating the claims of Mr.. BELL
would please everybody by promising nothing.
They compose the party of extreme faith
They stand upon Constitution without inter
probation, and upon an endangered Union with
out announcing the means by which it can be
saved.
Let US not be deceived ! There are but two
doctrines between which we can choose when we
come to deposit our ballots One is, that the
Constitution favors Slavery al fully Freedom
that neither has advantage over the other
that they must travel together and exist
together, under equal protection until the ter
ritory shall be clothed with State sovereignty
and that both alike are national The other
is that the Constitution treats Slavery as q
local municipal Institution does not give to it
single attribute of nationality that it has
not an equal status with freedom and that
its extension is to be discouraged. How shall
we act between these opposing views answer
the inquiry Our aboring classes deserve all
the encouragement and protection we can give
them Southern statesmen regard them as
white slaves let US not surrender them to such
merces as the owners of chattellabor would
extend to them. Our farmers aud manufac-
turers have long been cut off from all the
bounties of legislation by the force of South
ern prejudice +; we should enlist on their side.
Our country has suffered much in the estma-
tion of mankind, from our manifested attach
ment to system notriously in counteraction
to the principles upon which our Government
was founded considerations Of morality, ex-
pediency and consistency should incline us to
do all that we lawfully may do 10 save our
selves from further imputatioDs Slavery with
in the States stands behind impregnable
defences, but it holds no charter 10 travel
without restraint 1t has long labored for, but
has not yet reached, position of absolutsm.
1t grasps for empire, as it is the only means
by which tyranny can ever save itself. Our
danger is imminent, but we can yet overcome
it, if we allow reason rather than prejudice to
shape our efforts. Democracy, as now inter-
preted by those loudest in the profession of
it, and almost monopolizing its name no longer
means the will of the majority it contemns
the masses holds 10 association with labor,
and utters 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 sits plant and prosti-
tuted tool. Wisdom and propriety alike re-
pudiate it, unless speedily regenerated.
Our true policy is that of resistance to the
extravagant and unconstitutional demands of
the South. We can only make it effectual in
one way-by the support of Mr.. LINCOLN. He
is honest, and capable, and attached to the
principles of the Constitution, and, his
election will assign limits to sectionabe oil
garchy, and make labor honorable and remun-
erative.
The question: in It's true aspect is not as to
which candidate should be elected by the peo-
Pile it is this--Shall Mr. LINCOLN be elected?
The one hundred and twenty electoral votes of
the south will be divided mainly, if not exclu-
sively, between Mr. BELL and Mr.. BRECKIN-
RIDGE, and their support will be almost, if not
entirely, confined to that section. Such etfec-
tive force as Mr.. DOUGLAS may possess, is in
the North but his most sanguine friends ad-
NIT not only that his election is impossible, but
that be cannot carry over two or three States.
The body of the Northern vote will be given
to Mr. LINCOLN Mr.. DOUGLAS supporters
can do nothing for him the only significant
result they can possibly 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 SeDate-the condition of parties in the
House being such as to prevent majority of
the States agreeing to either of the candidates
Resting on these admissions-for they are ac-
cepted unyersally-we discover that every vote
given to Mr. DOUGLAS must tend to the eleva-
tion of LANE who, possessing neither educa-
tion, experience nor executive ability, has
been selected to enable the South to make the
most ont of an accident in case it shall occur.
To outLane LANE in apostacy to the North,
and in crouching, fawning subserVency to the
South, need not be attempted by the most
ambitious in that line-uot even by Federal
Office holder Even if | could believe that the
leopard could change his spots, and Mr.. Dor.
GLAs do the North justice | would not sustain
him under the circumstances which surround
US, and amid the perls which now environ US.
have not attempted speech. My purpose
has been to talk plainly | may have been uu-
fortunate in succeeding too we'll in this respect.
Feeling, as ] do, and knowing the vast impor
tance of the canvass upon which we are just
entering, / could not be less distinct in my ex'
pressiops. Immense, inappreciable conSequ-
enceS 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 aborer, may
fail to comprehend them. But let us hope,
citizens, that we are so far right as to be able
to expect the favor of Almighty God through